Aubenas, Rhône 07200

Located halfway between Aubenas and the spa town of Vals les Bains, this beautifully restored medieval castle perched above the Ardèche valley invites you to enjoy a peaceful and authentic lifestyle in the heart of a preserved and carefully restored natural environment. With its panoramic view of the valley, sunny terraces and swimming pool set into the rock, this rare property combines heritage and art de vivre. The charm is evident from the moment you arrive. A wrought iron gate opens onto a winding path that reveals the beautiful building standing proudly on the hill, with over 4,000m² of land and a 180 view. Its panoramic terraces, its swimming pool carved into the rock above and its stone openings dominate the landscape and the terraced gardens planted with around thirty olive trees and fruit trees. Two water cisterns have been built for irrigation. In recent decades, passionate owners, assisted by talented craftsmen, have completely renovated the building, preserving the spirit of the château and its history, favouring a choice of noble materials such as cut stone, wood and terracotta, while providing the modern comforts expected in a prestigious residence. The château, with 442m² of living space divided between a private area and an area dedicated to guest rooms, offers an ideal layout for combining a main residence with a tourist activity. This clever layout preserves the privacy of the occupants while comfortably accommodating visitors seeking an exceptional stay. The interior comprises an entrance hall, a fitted and equipped kitchen with a beautiful, high-performance wood-burning stove ready to cook up delicious meals, a dining room known as the 'Salle des Chevaliers', a beautiful private lounge with a stone fireplace, a storeroom and boiler room, and three bedrooms upstairs that can be converted into private rooms with a bathroom. This part of the house can be used to provide additional guest rooms, ideal for continuing a tourist activity or welcoming family and friends in complete independence. One of the guest rooms is integrated into a studio opening onto the west-facing terrace with direct access to the secure swimming pool. This harmonious layout preserves everyone's privacy while allowing them to fully enjoy the conviviality of the common areas. The generous volumes of these living rooms and bedrooms, each unique, offer a gentle and refined atmosphere, combining authenticity and well-being. All open onto the panoramic view of the site. From the two terraces, the view over the valley is simply breathtaking, a spectacle that changes with the seasons. Convertible outbuildings, such as the two garages, a workshop and storage cellars, complete these spaces, as well as a superb vaulted cellar, perfectly renovated, ideal for receptions or for conversion into a superb wine cellar. Adjacent to the building, a 110m² stone village house in need of complete renovation, with a garden overlooking the valley, completes the ensemble. It has independent access via the typical cobbled streets. This castle, with its medieval origins, played a protective role for the inhabitants of the old village of Ucel, part of which is still inhabited, and an authentic stone keep remains at the rear on the north-east side, providing another, more intimate access to the property, which remains a place steeped in history. Finally, the surrounding area adds to the magic of the place: the picturesque villages of the Ardèche are nearby, as are local shops, schools and markets. Located 2 hours 20 minutes from Lyon and Marseille, 1 hour 30 minutes from Valence Tgv, 50 minutes from Montélimar. Lovers of excellence and exceptionality, heritage and authenticity will find here a residence that is warm, elegant and inspiring. The same goes for investment projects for a hospitality business with the existing goodwill, or events, or any other large-scale project.