A bourgeois residence with a contemporary reinterpretation

It is in Sémalens, a quarter of an hour from Castres, that this bourgeois residence, a privileged witness to the prosperity of the Tarn region at the end of the 19th century, has been reinvented to offer a bold dialogue between Belle Époque heritage and a resolutely contemporary reinterpretation.

Upon passing through the gate, a park with century-old trees guides the visitor towards the house and its orangery. Its entrance respects the bourgeois codes of that era: geometric patterned flooring, a magnificent, cantilevered wooden staircase, and a small reception room recall the splendor of the very first owners.

But the true metamorphosis takes place in the former orangery, which, renovated into the main living space, is bathed in light thanks to its south-facing glass arches, offering a rare reception area of nearly 100 square meters with panoramic views of the park. The successful combination of local bricks and black steel beams creates a unique atmosphere and a chic industrial loft style.

Overlooking the rear of the building, on the river side, a room currently used as a treatment room has retained its old-world charm, with a monumental fireplace and original terracotta tiles, offering multiple possibilities: an additional bedroom or a winter lounge.

In addition to the ground-floor bedroom and bathroom, upstairs there are two generously sized bedrooms and bathrooms, a laundry room, and unexpected access to a vast roof terrace that can be customized to suit individual tastes.

Finally, to complete the picture, a self-contained apartment nestled in the left wing of the building can be made completely independent, with a living room featuring original terracotta tile flooring on the ground floor, and a lounge and bedroom with a bathroom upstairs, ideal for accommodating friends, family, or passing guests.

Lastly, the former private chapel of the residence awaits interior renovation to also offer a gîte, an artist’s studio, or any other personalized project.

A rare property that combines the charm of a country house with the architectural boldness of its “orangery” living room, ideal for a large family home or a bed and breakfast/gîte business.

CASTRES: 16 min Castres Mazamet Airport: 20 min (daily flights to Paris) Toulouse Blagnac Airport: 1 hr 15 min (future A69 => 50 min)

ENERGY RATING: C / CLIMATE RATING: C Estimated average annual energy costs for standard use, based on 2021, 2022, and 2023 energy prices, are between EUR5,030 and EUR6,870.

Information on the risks to which this property is exposed is available on the Géorisques website: http://www.georisques.gouv.fr