SOLD

Detached House in Barge, Piemonte, Italy

Panoramic Hill Top Stone House Retreat

Situated at the end of a rural hillside track, yet a five minute drive down and you are in the town of Barge. It’s also a pretty 15minute walk down to the shops and main high street. This small town nestles in the picturesque hills close to the alpine range of the Monviso, the highest peak in Piemonte. The beautiful city of Turin is 50 minutes drive with its international airport. The border with France is one hour and a half away by road.

Barge is a scenic small town that provides all amenities. Shops for all needs, every form of medical requirement in terms of pharmacies, doctors, dentists, opticians, physiotherapy, a private clinic for all to use and so on. Vets and veterinary clinics in villages next to Barge. Artisan shops, bio shop, butchers, bakers as well as two decent supermarkets, household DIY and garden equipment shops and a very comprehensive weekly market that sprawls through the quaint cobbled back streets as well as the main market square and church piazza. Banks and post office, elementary and nursery schools, as well as lots of bars, cafes, restaurants, hairdressers, garages, travel agents and specialist shops. In a nutshell all you need.

The people of Barge care very much about their town and their traditions and there are various festivals to enjoy. The population is helpful and welcoming to foreigners and during the lockdown and ensuing restrictions, everyone has been amazingly diligent, careful and respectful of the precautions needed to keep the town safe. It has been a refuge from the horrors faced by other towns and centres not so lucky to have our alpine air and space. The freedom provided by stunning walks/hiking where you can wander for hours without seeing anyone except wild boar and deer that also visit the garden every day.

This house has been a haven of tranquil peace, a refuge and delight with a panorama that is breath taking. The house is surrounded by its own one acre plot of enviable fruit trees and woodland, that looks down on the town and across to the Alps that border Italy with France and Switzerland. The photos tell the story.

The solid stone house dates from 1870’s but has been fully renovated over two levels with a classic Loze stone tiled roof. The garden is mainly woodland but the immediate garden is landscaped and completely fenced with patios, lawn, covered summer kitchen with large pizza oven, cooker, sink and dining table, (even a vintage fridge that works!) ceramic tiled floor and adjoining large covered woodstore. There is a large dry garden shed for storing garden furniture and grass mower. There is a well with spring water that can be pumped up to water the gardens in summer. Biological septic tank below the house in the woods which was completely emptied and cleaned in 2021.

Ground floor : utility room with large chest freezer, various shelves and tables for storage and stone paved floor; next to that room is a ‘taverna’ with a beautiful vaulted brick ceiling and stone paved floor; next to that is a bedroom with woodburner (for winter) and en-suite shower room with toilet and sink and plumbing for washing machine – fully tiled ceramic floors. There is a garage/large open storage area at the end of the house.

Stone stairs lead up to the balcony and main living area. There is a fully fitted kitchen with fridge freezer, dishwasher, gas boiler, gas hob, electric oven, fitted cupboards and dining table and chairs. Double doors that open onto a small balcony that overlooks the whole panorama of the town below and the mountains. Ceramic tiled floor. Full triple glazed door to the main balcony and two triple glazed windows.

From the kitchen door to living room with double windows and triple glass door to balcony. Recently installed wood pellet stove, wooden block floor, sofa bed.

From the living room is a study/bedroom with wood floor and door to balcony. There is a roof/loft inspection hatch in this room. Another door leads to fully tiled bathroom with large newly installed shower, electric radiator, bidet, washbasin and toilet, storage shelves window with outside shutter.

The large main bedroom has high ceiling, with skylight and large double glazed windows, wood floor and a second wood pellet stove. This room has a large wardrobe, chest of drawers with marble top, matching bedside table, art deco wall lights and a super-king double bed with adjustable slatted base with wicker head a foot end.

Questions welcome, the owner lives in the UK, there is a keyholder locally with friends. This house was a holiday home for 15 years before I (owner's mother) moved in permanently for 4 years during which time I updated and installed new pellet stoves, gas hob, main bathroom shower, dishwasher, triple glazed doors and windows to kitchen in 2020. I speak fluent Italian and have many contacts and friends in the area. The pandemic lockdown was made infinitely easier and safer living in this lovely house with the surrounding help and friendly people always ready to bring cheerful conversation, local news and helpful updates.