Centre, Indre, St-Benoît-du-Sault, France

The property is ideally situated within the village and currently split into 3 self-contained apartments, over 3 floors, sitting upon a large, ancient cellar. The building was formally a hotel annexe, and the ground floor apartment was a Tabac for some years after the war. More recently an estate agent and a photography studio.

The shop façade was recently replaced, so it could easily be converted back to a commercial unit. In addition to residential use, there is ample potential for an art gallery, an artist studio or to provide holiday homes for the many tourists attracted to the area. There are antique shops, restaurants and bars on the doorstep, so the area already has a buzzing feel about it.

The whole of the ground floor is tiled and both the first and second floors have traditional oak parquet floorings. The building is currently heated by electric radiators and is connected to mains drainage.

The property is very near the main village square, along a pretty lane with its cafe, book shop, butchers, pharmacy, craft shop, florist and hairdressers. The property is on the corner of the block.

Entering the building through the front door, at the end of the corridor you will find:

Apartment one.
This apartment is also accessible from the other side of the building as it has its own front door. There is immediate income from the tenant in this apartment, whose contract will transfer to the new owner.

On entering this apartment through it's private front door, you are in the living room/kitchenette(approx 15m²). To the left, there is a double bedroom (approx 11m²) a recently fitted wooden framed, double glazed window and shutters. The door at the far end of the living room, leads onto a small internal hallway (approx 4.5m²) a shower room, separate toilet and large storage cupboard.

Back to the outside of the building and through the main front door:

The corridor, with a tiled floor and huge wall mirror, also gives access to the stairs to apartments 2 and 3. To the left as you enter, is a small area for the washing machine facilities for the use of the ground floor apartment.
Next to this is a door into a cupboard space. This houses the electricity meters for each of the apartments. Under a removeable floor you will find the ancient stone steps leading down to the large cellar with vaulted ceiling. Access to the cellar is also available through a small wooden door to the front of the building. This space provides an indication to the age of the building and the cellar reveals the massive stone foundations upon which most of the village is built. The property faces onto Place d’Enchere (Auction Square) which used to hold the village auctions.

The staircase leads to both the first and second floor apartments:

1st floor apartment. Currently empty, a self-contained apartment, virtually ready for rental or habitation. The corridor leads off to two large bedrooms (approx 13 m² et 12 m²) a kitchenette/dining area (approx 12 m²) a shower room (approx 6.5 m²) with tiled floor, a
shower unit, WC, sink, hot water boiler and plumbing for a washing machine. The apartment is bright and airy and benefits from wooden framed double-glazed windows and shutters throughout.

Back on the landing, the door opens up to the stairs to the second-floor apartment:
2nd floor self-contained apartment, again virtually ready for rental or habitation. It is an interesting and bright area with the potential to become an art or craft studio. It currently comprises a kitchenette/dining/living room (approx 9 m²), a double bedroom(approx 10 m²) with parquet flooring throughout, a separate WC/laundry room (approx 6 m²) Velux window, with plumbing for a washing machine, plus a shower room (approx 3 m²) parquet floor, shower unit, sink and hot water tank. There is also a single bedroom or study (approx 5m²) with parquet floor. The apartment is bright and airy and benefits from double glazing throughout.

The décor could benefit from refreshment and the property will soon need updating to ensure compliance with the pending energy performance requirements. It has amazing investment potential to earn around a 12% yield for longer term lets; the opportunities here are endless. There is no outside space with this property which means it is easy to maintain; ideal for any investment opportunity.

Saint Benoit Du Sault has been named one of the most beautiful villages in France. This is an area of outstanding beauty, perched high on a rocky outcrop, overlooking the Creuse River, it’s history can be dated back to the 10th century, when the Benedictine monks settled. The Church of St Jean Baptiste dates to 1020 and the priory was built in the 15th century. Full of narrow streets built in the 15th and 16th century, with ancient archways and cobbled lanes, it is a truly magnificent example of a medieval village but still benefits from all the amenities of modern living along with an emerging art community. A truly special place which attracts many visitors.

Limoges airport is a 55 minute drive and Poitiers airport approximately 1hour 30 minute drive.

Additional photos, floorplans and videos are available upon request