Historical Town House for Sale in the heart of La Force (24130)
My mother truly fell in love with this house where she lived happily for nearly 20 years. With its generous spaces, soothing light, and warm atmosphere, it offers much more than just a roof…
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145 m² over Two Levels
6 rooms, including 4 bedrooms, a living room, dining room, bright kitchen with a glass roof, and 2 shower rooms.
Large rooms that made it possible to host family and friends without ever feeling cramped.
Located in a quiet area, 1 minute from shops and 8 minutes from Bergerac.
Today, this living space is ready to host a new story.
📞 Contact me to arrange a visit at 06 30 13 43 84
Exterior
There is a small southwest-facing garden (see photos below) as well as a northeast terrace at the entrance, where you can enjoy breakfast or tea in the shade in the afternoon during summer while observing life in the place des ducs.
Quietly situated, the dead-end street leads to a green space large enough where grandchildren could safely play ball or badminton.
From the kitchen veranda, the sweeping view over the garden’s verdant setting is very pleasant — and the view of the countryside beyond is unobstructed.
Ground Floor Living Spaces
Today, buyers, even young ones, are looking for a single-story house. It makes me smile because… my mother was almost 60 when she bought this two-story house.
The stairs to the upper floor or the few steps leading to the small south-facing garden didn’t deter her.
I’ve seen firsthand how well this house, with its thick stone walls, stays cool in the summer, except for the kitchen veranda (which is equipped with a roller shutter on its roof and air conditioning). You won’t miss the veranda, as the beautiful view stretches far across the hills to the south and will never be spoiled within the perimeter of the old castle, since the site is a listed historical monument.
And in winter, it’s a real advantage, as the sun shines in generously and provides free heating.
Very sunny, the ground floor bedroom (which can also be used as a dining room) is accessible via the kitchen or the living room. It has its own adjoining bathroom.
House’s history
Located next to the ruins of the Dukes’ Castle, the Revenue Pavilion has a history (perhaps that’s what charmed my mother).
It was once part of the stables of the Dukes’ Castle, built in 1610 by Jacques Nompar de Caumont, Duke of La Force, on a rocky spur. The castle itself is gone, but the Revenue Pavilion at the entrance has partially survived. On its left wing, the stables were sold off in lots, and in 1887, the Rouby couple acquired them and converted them into apartments.
The age of this building is evident in the stone walls, the same as those of the pavilion, the high ceilings, and the large cellar. The division of the lots is also a testament to its history, as the adjoining house on the right retains some architectural sections that were cut off.
Upstairs: bedrooms + bathroom
Upstairs, there are four spacious and bright bedrooms. One of them has an old fireplace with a vintage stove mechanism that pivots forward when you open the two leaves of an ornate metal door.
All the other fireplaces have been sealed off, but I remember my mother initially using the one in her dining room (later converted into a bedroom) on the ground floor with a wood-burning stove. She abandoned this practice in favor of central heating, as the house was equipped with cast-iron radiators. Later, for economic reasons, she had air-to-air heat pumps installed.
After a few years, my mother opened her home to guests, some staying for several months at a time. This met the need for temporary housing for the families of residents of the John Bost Foundation, teachers from the Maison Familiale et Rurale (MFR), and for individuals seeking longer-term accommodation.
A more or less familial atmosphere developed among all these tenants, to whom she offered more than just the use of a room. The fact that there was a second bathroom with a toilet upstairs made it convenient.
With one of the tenants, who was her own age and with whom she had developed a friendship, they adopted a stray Siamese kitten. It spent its final days with me after my mother’s passing.
The charm of La Force’s city
Its pleasant tranquility and village atmosphere are perfect for a peaceful life.
And the proximity of the Dordogne’s second largest city: Bergerac is only 8 minutes away, with its markets, airport, walks along the Dordogne River, its relaxed lifestyle, and its beauty.
Photo: Place de La Force, with its recently renovated bandstand, seen from one of the upstairs windows (Northeast).
A property that combines charm and functionality
- Charming townhouse dating from 1780, built of solid stone in keeping with the style of the Château de La Force
- 145 m² of living space, on two levels
- 6 rooms, 5 of which are currently used as bedrooms, one of which, adjoining the kitchen, could be converted back into a dining room
- Bright living room
- Bright kitchen opening onto a veranda
- 2 bathrooms, 2 toilets
- Central heating
- Air-to-air heat pump
- Easy-to-maintain exterior
- Very quiet, yet only 2 minutes from amenities and schools
- All floors are solid wood.
- It should be noted that the energy performance certificate (DPE) assessor highlighted the excellent condition of the timber frame, with no signs of wood-boring insect infestation.
- The presence of cast iron radiators is a real advantage for the buyer, who could easily install an air-to-water heat pump, which would be even more economical while also providing the incomparable comfort of radiant heat from the cast iron.
- A large, well-ventilated cellar offers ample storage space or the potential to create additional rooms.
One last anecdote comes to mind, highlighting the charm and character of this house: when my surprise birthday party was held here, I was delighted to watch all the guests, many of whom didn’t know each other, moving from room to room, drinks in hand, as all the living spaces flow into one another. It was a fascinating tableau to behold.
So, acquiring this house isn’t simply about choosing a home that meets your needs; it’s also about choosing to live in a place with a long history, one that is part of a larger historical narrative. The stones have stood the test of time; it’s up to you to keep them alive.
