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property details
for a Hub House co-operative coliving project
#288 🥉82% PICK • €55k • typical • town • 400m² satellite • 11–16👥 • old house on square in impressive medieval town
OKAY 🔨 effort
GOOD 🚌 transport
OKAY ✈️ access
GOOD 🛒 shops
GOOD 🏙 towns
GOOD 🧗 activities
OKAY ☀️ climate
OKAY ⛰️ nature
OKAY 🌷 garden
GOOD 🏠 building
GREAT ⛲️ hood
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Villefranche, Aveyron — near Figeac (Rodez, Cahors, Albi)
☃️2–8–14°☀️3☁️7 • 🍂12–21°☀️7☁️4
☃️2–8–14°☀️3☁️7 • 🍂12–21°☀️7☁️4
Compare all properties
Environment ✧ steep wooded river valleys and agricultural
Services ✧ all
Access ✧ station 5mins walk; 1h45 Toulouse (last 7pm) +45mins airport; 6h Barcelona (1/2 changes), 7h Paris (last 2pm) or night trains
Dedicated units likely for part-time use only.
Area ✧ 
✦ due to being partly protected, shops moving out, and the costs of bringing buildings up to standard, >35% are empty
the town despite being just 12k people, is the largest for miles around, also hosting a large and lively weekly market in its impressive medieval entirely colonnaded market square
✦ a new square/greenspace is being created a stone's throw from the door behind the cathedral and covered market (rarely used)
✦ for the summers a swimming spot is being created 20mins walk away, plus a closer guignette on the river bank
✦ a good number of restaurants (inc bento) and a few cafes including one fancy
✦ minimart close, multiple supermarkets 20mins walk/bus, organic by bus
✦ assocaitive cafe around the corner that also runs cooking classes
✦ not bad for a rural town
has some quiet riverfront paths for a 25min loop and longer 45min, so some limited options for strolls; 10mins bike to tennis (actually 2 covered courts somewhere)
✦ a couple of biking circuits start 10mins away and extend to Najac and St Matrin where it possible start or return by train, or skip the more difficult bits (lots of climbing)
✦ no hiking from door, however the train offers some variety with 4 stations (15–40mins) offering options both by bike and foot albeit with the shortest return being 3h45, giving opportunities for more relaxed hikes with lunch stop (returns at 2:30pm and 6pm, but more out)
✦ fairly calm kayaking is possible from the town, or at Najac (Apr-Oct) with SUP as well
✦ several horse riding options all close (20mins bike)
✦ 30mins drive to a fairly technical via ferrata above river
✦ a minibus would not strictly be ncessary but would still be desireable thus perhaps a later investment
small but pretty town of Figeac at 35mins train is a good trip, with an 8pm bus back
✦ several great villages: medieval Caylus 30mins bus, St-Cirq on the lot gorges 45mins drive, as is Saint-Antonin-Noble-Val where there's good biking and hiking for occasional variation
✦ Rodez (5th best town to live in France) 50mins bus
✦ Cahors and Albi are also possible at 1h drive for more rare daytrips with diversions to break the journey
✦ Gaillac at 1h train is however more reasonable
access is fair from Toulouse airport (transit then train), but labourious from anywhere else
✦ the airport serves quite a few destinations fairly regularly year round such as Portugal, the UK, Brussels, Amsterdam, Krakow, Budapest, Malta, Morocco, even Montreal
✦ Paris will be ~5h train from 2032 (high speed to Toulouse) thus much improved and possibly bringing a 4pm departure in reach
✦ night train is either long via Toulouse, or with a good short 6am change
✦ Barcelona will regain direct to Toulouse shortly, otherwise involves a long wait and additional change
property detail ↗︎
✦ due to being partly protected, shops moving out, and the costs of bringing buildings up to standard, >35% are empty
the town despite being just 12k people, is the largest for miles around, also hosting a large and lively weekly market in its impressive medieval entirely colonnaded market square
✦ a new square/greenspace is being created a stone's throw from the door behind the cathedral and covered market (rarely used)
✦ for the summers a swimming spot is being created 20mins walk away, plus a closer guignette on the river bank
✦ a good number of restaurants (inc bento) and a few cafes including one fancy
✦ minimart close, multiple supermarkets 20mins walk/bus, organic by bus
✦ assocaitive cafe around the corner that also runs cooking classes
✦ not bad for a rural town
has some quiet riverfront paths for a 25min loop and longer 45min, so some limited options for strolls; 10mins bike to tennis (actually 2 covered courts somewhere)
✦ a couple of biking circuits start 10mins away and extend to Najac and St Matrin where it possible start or return by train, or skip the more difficult bits (lots of climbing)
✦ no hiking from door, however the train offers some variety with 4 stations (15–40mins) offering options both by bike and foot albeit with the shortest return being 3h45, giving opportunities for more relaxed hikes with lunch stop (returns at 2:30pm and 6pm, but more out)
✦ fairly calm kayaking is possible from the town, or at Najac (Apr-Oct) with SUP as well
✦ several horse riding options all close (20mins bike)
✦ 30mins drive to a fairly technical via ferrata above river
✦ a minibus would not strictly be ncessary but would still be desireable thus perhaps a later investment
small but pretty town of Figeac at 35mins train is a good trip, with an 8pm bus back
✦ several great villages: medieval Caylus 30mins bus, St-Cirq on the lot gorges 45mins drive, as is Saint-Antonin-Noble-Val where there's good biking and hiking for occasional variation
✦ Rodez (5th best town to live in France) 50mins bus
✦ Cahors and Albi are also possible at 1h drive for more rare daytrips with diversions to break the journey
✦ Gaillac at 1h train is however more reasonable
access is fair from Toulouse airport (transit then train), but labourious from anywhere else
✦ the airport serves quite a few destinations fairly regularly year round such as Portugal, the UK, Brussels, Amsterdam, Krakow, Budapest, Malta, Morocco, even Montreal
✦ Paris will be ~5h train from 2032 (high speed to Toulouse) thus much improved and possibly bringing a 4pm departure in reach
✦ night train is either long via Toulouse, or with a good short 6am change
✦ Barcelona will regain direct to Toulouse shortly, otherwise involves a long wait and additional change
property detail ↗︎
Property ✧ private sale; hasn't sold with price drops and empty since before 2008
✦ fab location facing onto the old fountain square with steps down to it and a low wall to sit in the sun with a coffee; several of the shop fronts were converted to old-fashioned styles for a film shoot lending a very novel aspect; is one row down from the main colonnaded square
✦ the square has two cultural exchange organisms, the 'university of shared knowledge' which hosts workshops including language, plus a social centre so a drop-in coworkign would fit in well :) though building would really just be a satellite
given the price and despite the possible effort, I consider this a good option to start with, towards a group of smaller satellites, rather than something larger; however compare with similar properties e.g. nearby around Cransac #264 or #266 better positioned in the Cevennes if smaller
✦ potentially nominally usable but probably very dilapidated inside; the main building's roof was been relaid with modern tiles ~2019 (see Geoportail not Google)
two interconnected buildings
✦ only the north and south have windows thus quite awkward for layout and bedrooms
✦ effectively 100m2 usable per floor plus the cellars (the 500m2 of the ad probably includes these)
✦ 15m2 roof terrace with no views as such, likely opening into a 15m2 stairwell under the raised tower section, part of which really needs to be opened up to let light in, at the very least a south glass door onto the terrace should be easy but more light would be desireable
✧ main north 65m2 *4 (attic has low wall windows but no apex) is actually split in 2 east (~4.8m) and west (~3.8m) prob with load carrying wall
✧ south 35m2 *3 + 3rd 20m2 attic with 2 dormers; the rear of this and the roof terrace would likely be better converted to a conservatory, thus essentially gaining 15m2 usable during winter = 140
✦ the ground floor of the south building has a high ceiling and large arched entrance above the fountain that could be further opened for a lovely workspace
✦ entire footprint has cellars, likely low but suitable for super-cosy cinema, a sauna, plenty of storage, and probably a music / podcasting / karaoke room or something thus giving up to 240m2 of common spaces (85m2 being cellars) versus 170m2 of accommodation
capacity: 8 rooms, 6 pods; tons of common space!
✦ ground:
✧ north kitchen/dining/hangout
✧ south workspace with 10 desks
✦ 1st:
✧ north 3 ensuites, generous utility/laundry at rear
✧ south library-lounge with 3+ desks off stairwell
✦ 2nd:
✧ north 3 ensuites, shared bathrooms at rear
✧ south 2 ensuites, 3 additional desks off stairwell
✦ attic:
✧ north 6 pods
✧ south lounge/breakout/bbq/coffee and terrace/conservatory
the north street shopfront windows (one missing) would be rebuilt as less tall windows reducing the cost for double glazing, this would also be the primary entrance
✦ the north ensuites would be 2 narrow (>2m; basic) and one wide (>3m; standard) at min 4.5 deep with a good window
✦ the south ensuites (plus) would be 6 deep by 2.2 wide (again very narrow but lovely outlook and more space)
✦ it might be possible to squeeze a couple of capsule type rooms in or a couple more pods
✦ the rear of south attic roof adjoining the roof terrace would be removed increasing the roof terrace to 25m2 for sunrise to sunset skies, plus a view down over the square in addition to from the dormer windows, with a partial glass roof installed crossing to the tower, making the front with the gables a 15m2 cosy nook
the works on this are probably not as excessive as the price may make it seem (ref the price of other properties) except for the fact the town probably requires new windows to be wood framed; some roofs need remedial work, mainly leading and a bit of guttering
✦ the mishmash of roofs if they do need more substantial work would be problematic however as there's a roof terrace with access it might still be less an issue, along with the removal of half of one of the roofs
✦ fab location facing onto the old fountain square with steps down to it and a low wall to sit in the sun with a coffee; several of the shop fronts were converted to old-fashioned styles for a film shoot lending a very novel aspect; is one row down from the main colonnaded square
✦ the square has two cultural exchange organisms, the 'university of shared knowledge' which hosts workshops including language, plus a social centre so a drop-in coworkign would fit in well :) though building would really just be a satellite
given the price and despite the possible effort, I consider this a good option to start with, towards a group of smaller satellites, rather than something larger; however compare with similar properties e.g. nearby around Cransac #264 or #266 better positioned in the Cevennes if smaller
✦ potentially nominally usable but probably very dilapidated inside; the main building's roof was been relaid with modern tiles ~2019 (see Geoportail not Google)
two interconnected buildings
✦ only the north and south have windows thus quite awkward for layout and bedrooms
✦ effectively 100m2 usable per floor plus the cellars (the 500m2 of the ad probably includes these)
✦ 15m2 roof terrace with no views as such, likely opening into a 15m2 stairwell under the raised tower section, part of which really needs to be opened up to let light in, at the very least a south glass door onto the terrace should be easy but more light would be desireable
✧ main north 65m2 *4 (attic has low wall windows but no apex) is actually split in 2 east (~4.8m) and west (~3.8m) prob with load carrying wall
✧ south 35m2 *3 + 3rd 20m2 attic with 2 dormers; the rear of this and the roof terrace would likely be better converted to a conservatory, thus essentially gaining 15m2 usable during winter = 140
✦ the ground floor of the south building has a high ceiling and large arched entrance above the fountain that could be further opened for a lovely workspace
✦ entire footprint has cellars, likely low but suitable for super-cosy cinema, a sauna, plenty of storage, and probably a music / podcasting / karaoke room or something thus giving up to 240m2 of common spaces (85m2 being cellars) versus 170m2 of accommodation
capacity: 8 rooms, 6 pods; tons of common space!
✦ ground:
✧ north kitchen/dining/hangout
✧ south workspace with 10 desks
✦ 1st:
✧ north 3 ensuites, generous utility/laundry at rear
✧ south library-lounge with 3+ desks off stairwell
✦ 2nd:
✧ north 3 ensuites, shared bathrooms at rear
✧ south 2 ensuites, 3 additional desks off stairwell
✦ attic:
✧ north 6 pods
✧ south lounge/breakout/bbq/coffee and terrace/conservatory
the north street shopfront windows (one missing) would be rebuilt as less tall windows reducing the cost for double glazing, this would also be the primary entrance
✦ the north ensuites would be 2 narrow (>2m; basic) and one wide (>3m; standard) at min 4.5 deep with a good window
✦ the south ensuites (plus) would be 6 deep by 2.2 wide (again very narrow but lovely outlook and more space)
✦ it might be possible to squeeze a couple of capsule type rooms in or a couple more pods
✦ the rear of south attic roof adjoining the roof terrace would be removed increasing the roof terrace to 25m2 for sunrise to sunset skies, plus a view down over the square in addition to from the dormer windows, with a partial glass roof installed crossing to the tower, making the front with the gables a 15m2 cosy nook
the works on this are probably not as excessive as the price may make it seem (ref the price of other properties) except for the fact the town probably requires new windows to be wood framed; some roofs need remedial work, mainly leading and a bit of guttering
✦ the mishmash of roofs if they do need more substantial work would be problematic however as there's a roof terrace with access it might still be less an issue, along with the removal of half of one of the roofs
towards ownership and use in any property
email jacob@hub.house, or join the Whatsapp group