Town house in Puy-de-Dôme, France

La Maison des Vignerons details

La Maison des Vignerons, at lower left

Home description

This large home, known locally as the House of the Winemakers, is just inside the ramparts of the village of Montaigut which is a medieval walled hill village, capped by an impressive castle. The house has been recently renovated with both flair and sensitivity for its original character and uses, and it is on a list of architectural treasures of the commune.

The village of Montaigut was established in the 11th to 13th centuries. At the time, the region was a crossroads of Europe and for centuries the scene of small and great conflicts (think of Vercingetorix and the Romans, or Asterisk and Obelisk). The castle at Montaigut le Blanc was at one point shared by two brothers, each the general of a great international army (the Templars and the Hospitaliers) so tiny Montaigut was one of the strategic centres of Europe. 

Today, the town reflects the pattern established in medieval times - houses of farmers and merchants packed within or near the ancient walls, clustered around the top of an easily defended hill. This is Montaigut le haut. Below, along the highway, is Montaigut le bas. It is a short (but steep) walk down to the boulangerie, fromagerie, and charcuterie. Pick up fresh croissants for breakfast whilst the coffee is percolating.

Little Montaigut also has three bar-cafes and a post office. There is a supermarket 2 kilometres down the road, and a fair sized town (Champeix) another kilometre on, with hotel, hairdressers, hardware, bank machine, etc. It is a short drive to Clermont Ferrand, a major city with a splendid cathedral, Michelin restaurants, hypermarkets and sophisticated smaller shops, especially in the centre ville. The region offers many fairs and local markets throughout the year.

Accommodation detail

One of the bedrooms

The salon from mezzanine

The kitchen

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The house has about 1,600 square feet (150 square metres) finished to modern standards.  It faces south with excellent views of the valley or village from all the rooms. Along with the original family rooms, what were formerly a barn, hay lofts, and food processing areas are now light, large and airy spaces for modern living.  Meter-thick stone walls mean the house remains comfortable even in the hottest weather.  For cool seasons, there is radiant heating in the tiled floors of the main living area, plus two efficient wood-burning stoves.

The house would work well for two families (6 to 8 persons) or up to three couples, but the design also offers an intimate living environment for two. 

The intimate core:

• Street entry and access to the courtyard garden
• Laundry and storage room, WC and pantry
• Kitchen -  modern and spacious with gas cook-top, oven, dishwasher and lots of workspace, plus a modern wood stove set in the original fireplace
• Bedroom one - master bedroom off  hallway with a large queen-sized bed (160cm wide)

Expansive living:

• Grand entry
• Dining / salon / reception area -  the former  barn has become a large, high, bright reception and dining salon with a second fireplace and picture windows.
• Bathroom - with a jacuzzi bath

Sleeping and retreat:

• Bedroom two -  has two large doubles (140 cm) in a semi-open loft
• Bedroom three - has one single bed
• Bathroom with shower
  
• Bedroom four - has two single beds (90 cm) on an open mezzanine
• Bedroom five - has one single bed

The house is fully equipped.  Washer, dryer, barbecue, stereo, TV, etc.  There will be fresh linen for your party when you arrive, at no charge. 

Outside

An enclosed courtyard and garden on the south and a shaded terrace on the north offer a choice of outdoor spaces, making for comfortable outside living for most of the year.

There are parking places.

About the location

The Auvergne is one of the most beautiful and unspoiled regions of France, with a warm, dry climate, milder in summer than the Midi/Provence. It is an area of rolling hills and farmland, lakes, rivers and striking mountains.

Montaigut is on the road to St. Nectaire with its famous Romanesque church. The house is in the upper  village, away from  the road and very quiet.

Restaurants and relais feature Auvergnat specialties. Clermont Ferrand (26 km) offers wide variety of fine dining, weekly markets in villages nearby, brocantes and festivals on weekends. A region of wonderful cheeses: Cantal, St. Nectaire, Pavin, bleu d'Auvergne and many, many  more.

See Local guide and map for information on nearby towns and facilities.

Activities near by

Ballooning, Bird Watching, Boating, Boules, Ceramics, Cycling, Drawing and painting, Fishing, Gourmet dining, Hiking, Horse riding, Mountain biking, Photography, Rambling, Riverside activities, Shopping, Sightseeing, Skiing, Snowboarding, Swimming, Walking, Water sports

See Activities and attractions for more information on nearby activities and places of interest.

How to get here

The area is seven hours by motorway from Calais, three and a half hours from Paris by train and there is a good airport at Clermont Ferrand (26km) with flights to Paris Charles de Gaulle. St. Etienne (90km) serves Ryanair. 

A fine base for touring, Montaigut is roughly equidistant (4 to 5 hours by car) to Bordeaux, the Pyrenées, Côte d'Azur, and the French Alps; closer to the Loire and Rhône valleys and next door to the Dordogne. 

Frequent train access to Clermont Ferrand (most frequent), Issoire and Coudes (least frequent).

See Local guide and map for information on nearby towns and airports.