Sourdeval - House For Sale

Former paper mill to renovate, 136m2 with potential for 392m2. 50150 Sourdeval, land 790m2. Part of a tiny hamlet, nestling on the valley bottom in the riverside meadow. Salmon and trout fishing, with unrestricted access to 50 acres of privately maintained woodland and meadows. The property is situated in a beautiful river valley untouched by the modern world for over 200 years, in the heart of the Normandy bocage. It is 75 minutes from the ferry port at Ouistreham, and 20 minutes from the fast rail link to Paris at Vire, making day trips to the capital a reality. All modern conveniences are to be found in Vire, including several major supermarkets, shops and good quality restaurants. The world famous Mont-Saint-Michel is 45 minutes away, as are the beautiful sandy Atlantic beaches between the Mont and Granville to the north. The river, which is famous for its salmon fishing, runs close by, and the nearest access point to the long distance footpath, bridleway and cycle track linking Vire to the Mont-Saint-Michel is a 5 minute drive away. An 18-hole golf course is 15 minutes away, alongside Lake Dathee, with its nature reserve, footpaths and water sports centre. Fibre optic cables will deliver a super-fast internet connection from September 2015. The mill is approached from a single track lane which zigzags its way down the valley side. Once renovated, the house will sit in its own private garden, enclosed on three sides by running water. It is constructed of local schist, with granite quoins, lintels and sills. One of the lintels has a carved inscription dating from the 17th century. All of the original exterior walls remain, and are in reasonable condition, but no roof or internal divisions have survived. The building as it stands would contain a ground floor and a first floor in the roof space, but there is evidence that originally it had a half-timbered second floor upon the stone walls. This arrangement could easily be reinstated as part of the renovation. Each floor, once restored, will produce 120m2 of habitable space, thus creating a large and comfortable family home. The stone building which originally housed the mill wheel bearings provides a further 32m2 of useful accommodation, separated by the original mill race from the main body of the house. The mill sits apart from the rest of this section of the valley, at the lowest point of the hamlet, its private garden enclosed by the house on one side and the mill race and the river on the others, giving a feeling of peace and tranquillity to this lovely spot. A firm of very reputable architects has produced ground plans and impressions of the finished building, which will be made available to interested parties. The same firm, if required, may be engaged at a very favourable rate to produce detailed plans and manage every aspect of the restoration. This is an unusual and exciting opportunity to create your new home. The hamlet in which the house is located consists of just 9 properties, 3 of which have already been restored. No new development will be allowed once the existing buildings have been renovated. The surrounding countryside will continue to be managed unobtrusively for the enjoyment of the residents, and with complete respect for this outstanding natural environment.

The department of Manche is in Lower Normandy and is bordered with Calvados, Orne, Mayenne and Ille-et-Vilaine. The English Channel in the west, north and north-west coastlines makes getting here to its many ports very easy from the UK. There is also an airport in Caen and many others are easily accessible in the surrounding regions such as Rennes airport.

History is all over the department through its museums and heritage, discovering the local traditions and culture as well as Chateaux, religious monuments, water mills, maritime sites and gardens is easy to do. The biggest 'must-do' is a visit to Mont Saint Michel.

Tourism plays a major role in the economy of the department which is fine because there is so much to see and do.

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