Saint-Geniès-de-Malgoirès, Languedoc-Roussillon 30190

A traditional 19th century Gard farmhouse and vast farm outbuildings, 20 minutes from Nmes. On the north-east side of a rectangular plot of more than 3 000 m, enclosed by stone walls and fences, there stands a vast old building with a strong rural character. The buildings are laid out in a U-shape, closed on three sides, typical of traditional southern farmhouses. This architectural arrangement, designed to provide protection from the prevailing winds and offer a private, yet functional space, is reminiscent of the farmhouses that once dotted the Gard countryside. The property is entered from the west via a wide carriage entrance flanked by former stone stables. The entrance marks the threshold to a quiet, enclosed world, far removed from any hustle and bustle. Behind the discreet entrance there is a vast, light-filled central courtyard, bordered by the three wings of the house. The walls, made of local stone and rubble with a patina finish, reveal the building's age - probably before the 19th century. Most of the windows are straight some of them are wide and high, with pointed or basket-handle arches on the garden level. They are surrounded with ashlar. The roofs are covered with canal tiles on double-sloped wooden frames and bordered by a double cornice. They feature recesses that testify to the successive extensions and changes to the building complex over the generations. The courtyard, enhanced by the recent addition of a swimming pool, highlights the former productive function of the site while showing its transformation into an elegant living space. In the wings, which were once attics or agricultural outbuildings, a few windows let in light and mean that they can be used for other purposes. Facing due south, the main building, which captures the warmth and light of the Mediterranean, provides wide views over the interior of the property through its many windows.