Historic school building in the Pyrenees - Vacation home / B&B

This property is located in a tiny village on the road up to the Col des Ares, a traditional passage for the Tour de France as it makes its way from the Col de Portet d’Aspet to Luchon and beyond. For those who have little interest in the Tour de France, the gite complex is at the foot of the Cagire mountain, prime walking, hiking, skiing, fishing and cycling country.

Originally this was the local schoolhouse – built in the days when villages had 80 or so children of primary school age who needed space for learning, playing and housing their teachers. The current owners gutted the original building and created two spacious 4-bedroomed gites and a large ground-floor flat for themselves. The two gites are let independently or together, forming a much sought-after ‘very big gite’.

The bigger gite: this takes the form of a duplex on the first and second floors. Everything is over-sized: living room of 91m², bedrooms of 17m² and 38m²: there’s even a second livnig-room/tv room which can double as a fifth bedroom.

The smaller gite is similarly laid out, on two floors, with slightly smaller rooms. What’s interesting here is that in both gites two of the bedrooms have their own en-suite bathrooms. This means that B&B activity is possible if owners so wish. Both gites are centrally-heated (heat-pump), double-glazed and sound-proofed. Kitchens are generous in size and fully equipped.

The owners’ quarters are on the ground floor where they have created a cosy space with a large living/dining room of 40m², a bedroom with en-suite bathroom and a spacious kitchen.

The rest of the ground floor is made up of storage rooms, workshops, library (entire works of Jean-Jacques Rousseau among others) and cycle storage. This is where buyers can add their touch  by adding a spa or a proper cycling centre or a yoga hall.

Our opinion

There is over 500 square metres of living space in this property: this opens up many possibilities for buyers. Run the place as is and live in the comfortable ground-floor flat. Turn the two gites into one big cycling centre/yoga school or other sporting activity. We would definitely put in a top-of-the-range spa in the workshop/library space for tired cyclists to soak their weary limbs. Whatever your project, note that this property comes sumptuously furnished and equipped, ready to exploit on Day One. Finally, just look at the energy ratings: “B” and “A”: this tells you all you need to know about the quality of craftsmanship that has gone into the renovation. 

Summary Gite business in Pyrenees – Col des Ares
 

• Two big 4-bed gites plus owners’ quarters
• High quality finish: furniture and fittings included
• Possible B&B
• Gardens and terraces
• Walking, hiking, skiing and cycling activities
• Price: €650,000 (includes 3% agency fee)