La Combe Ferme

Property Description

LA COMBE ECOLOGICAL FARM
BEZAUDUN SUR BINE, 26460 DROME. FRANCE.


The farm is for sale freehold to an owner who will guarantee not to shoot or allow any form of shooting/ trapping/hunting on the farm or surrounding nature reserve for E600,000. It includes 4 residences, further buildings and 10 ha.

The four residences, farm buildings (with planning permission for 2 more residences) and 10 hectares is in the middle of a mountain nature reserve (ASPAS no: ) in a most beautiful location 1 km from the summit of La Chaudiere. Although isolated in the mountains, it has good transport communications all year with access to bus and rail terminals, shops, schools and community centres within 1/2hr. 13 km from Saillans & 10km from Bourdeaux. Valence TGV & airport is 45 mins drive. The farm has an easily maintained drive and is surrounded by 150ha of nature reserve.

It is ideal for a wildlife tourist centre (it is within the Nature 2000 area), for horse riding or walking holidays, or as a quiet “get away ” small holding, with the added advantage of income from lettings. La Combe was the subject of 10 years research and experimentation with Ecological Agriculture (Open Journal of Ecology. 4. p744-763. 2014.).

The residences. Between 2003-2018 the residences were reconstructed and modernised. There are 4 independent dwellings in traditional stone. They are all light and airy with superb views, fully insulated with new roofs, wood stove heating, new plumbing, wiring and decorating. But could be further “modernizing”. There is planning permission for two more gites in the barn adjoining, and the Information centre and workshop could be converted into further residences.

1) Le Demeure (144msq,) 3 bedrooms, 2 reception, bathroom, terrace & dining room.
2) Chevrefeuille. (80msq). Sitting room/Kitchen, large glass doors opening into garden. Wood heating stove, electric cooker, fridge etc, bedroom and bathroom. Large Studio.
3) Le Grenier. (126msq). Large terrace with superb view , living room and kitchen, bathroom, adjoining conservatory, double bed room with terrace. Studio with door to the Observation Room. Double bedroom with private bathroom.
4) Le Rosiere. (30.00 sqm). Living room kitchen, shower, upstairs: studio/ bedroom & WC. Heated by efficient wood stove.
5) Gentihommiere. msq A caravan with small kitchenette, store, shower, living & sleeping & terrace.
6) Information/observation centre x . 2 stories, presently used as information centre and shop, could be converted to a dwelling.

Total present habitable area: sq m. Potentially:

Buildings. Traditional stone built barn, at present used for hay storage with a loft above for grain storage, a grain crusher and two stables. (Permission for 2 gites: 120msq). Water and electricity supplied.
Lower level, large open plan stabling, tack room & two traditional passages allowing cosy winter and cool summer accommodation for goats, sheep, horses, cattle, poultry etc. Electrically wired, and water from automatic drinkers.

Workshop x with engineers pit, selving, work benche etc.
Sauna: (6msq), with benches & stove.
Dairy. (10.5msq). Marble benches, sink, hot and cold water & cheese store. Previously health inspected for the sale of milk and milk products.
Dry toilet & reed bed.

Private spring and river water. Renewable electricity supplying EDF. 6 kwatt windmill. & 32 sq m solar panels.

The gardens. The ornamental garden and lawns with superb views. There is a multi-species pond (10 x 5m up to 3 m deep) can be used as a swimming pool. The adjoining lawn has a large oak table and benches (formally commissioned art work for the Chelsea Hospital Gardens) ideal for al fresco meals. There are walkways with different trees and 20 flowering shrubs, roses, irises, etc so colour can be enjoyed all year (the garden was accepted for the French Open Gardens in 2016).The walls of all the residences are planted with flowering honeysuckles, winter clematis, climbing roses etc , and shade and shelter trees.


Double glazed green house (60 sqm). It has tropical jasmine, table grapes & propagating bench. There is a 5 terraced market/vegetable garden (currently sown to grass), around 100 varied fruit trees (apricots, cherries, 2 varieties of plums, 8 varieties of apples, crab apples, peaches, vines for Clariette de Die (the local wine). Red and black currants, gooseberries and strawberries (previously cash crops). Around 15 mature walnuts, 5 almond and a few cob nut trees also established. The garden formally produced sufficient vegetables and fruit to feed 20 families throughout the year (see ref above). Irrigation in place throughout.

The manege. The 20m x 40m manege with judges box (in need of repair) an all weather surface with drains etc (surface needs renewing).
There is a drive from the main road and an avenue of flowering Robinia down the road to the orchard & generous parking.

The land surrounds the buildings and slopes down to the wooded river boundary. It is divided into 10 fields planted to mixed leys separated by ash and wild cherry woodland. Professional electric fencing with some rylock is proof against cattle, horses, sheep, goats & wild boar. More land could be available by separate negotiation.

The Surroundings. A private nature reserve surrounds the farm and abuts the Foret de Saou (government nature reserve of La Drome) on the North side. Access to the private nature reserve can be negociated, with permission to walk, cycle or ride horses. The area is renowned for butterflies & 25 species of wild orchids have been found on the farm. Chamois, roe deer, hares, foxes, polecats, weasels, loire and wild boar live and breed on the farm as well as many birds, reptiles and amphibians. There is a small lake, various ponds and a variety of forests, grassland & wet areas, screes and cliffs.

Directions.
From Saillans take the D516 towards Bourdeaux. 1km after the summit of La Chaudiere, the entrance is marked on the right with a green gate (please shut after entry). From Bourdeaux take the D516 towards Saillans, 300m after the 14k milepost to Saillans, the entrance is on the left.

Website: eco-etho-recherche.com