Châteauneuf-du-Pape – Former 1607 Benedictine Abbey in the Heart of Caderousse – over 600 m² of Living Space with Courty…

Property Description

Châteauneuf-du-Pape – Former 1607 Benedictine Abbey in the Heart of Caderousse – over 600 m² of Living Space with Courtyard, Vaulted Cellar and Garden Suitable for a Swimming Pool

In the heart of the sought-after village of Caderousse, close to shops and just 10 minutes from Orange and 30 minutes from Avignon, this remarkable former Benedictine Abbey of the Assumption of Our Lady, built in 1607, offers over 600 m² of living space across three floors.

Steeped in history, the property housed the radio post of Hervé Monjaret, an operator for Jean Moulin, in June 1942, providing the first crucial links between London and the French Resistance. This fact is commemorated by two historic plaques on the façade. The current owners, lovers of period stonework and history enthusiasts, have undertaken a high-quality, carefully executed renovation to bring this historic heritage back to life. Work has included the façades, Provençal-style ceilings, stonework, roof, joinery, courtyard, floors and numerous architectural features.

The large paved square in front of the church, shaded by hackberry trees, immediately sets the scene for the residence that awaits us. At street level, the restored front door opens into an entrance hall that sets the tone for the tour. With its deep navy-blue walls, the first impression is one of mystery. Adorned with beautiful terracotta tiles and a Provençal-style ceiling, the ground floor reveals, on one side, the kitchen with its large original fireplace, opening onto an extraordinary walled garden with a unique microclimate. It features four notable cypress trees, citrus trees, a wall covered in jasmine and honeysuckle, a bougainvillea, tropical plants and various Mediterranean species, as well as a jacuzzi where you can enjoy the village’s absolute tranquillity. A pantry with a shower and WC completes the kitchen area. A large vaulted entrance passage also provides direct access to the garden from the street, where a vehicle can be parked easily.

On the other side, a very large room housing the boiler room was once the chapel’s sacristy. Its potential is clear: it opens onto the sacristy garden, now planted with banana trees, which would be ideal for a swimming pool. The East Wing contains a large reception room with generous proportions, facing the garden with its fountain. The kitchen layout could also be adapted to suit your plans. The building is full of alcoves and period features brought back to life through the owners’ investment: the former hand-washing basin used by the nuns has been carefully restored, and the fully fitted, vaulted cellar is devoted to wine tasting. It also provides access to a spacious garage, making it easy to park in the heart of the village.

The stone staircase, shaped by time, leads to the first floor. This level features a vast 72 m² reception lounge, warmed by its original parquet flooring and enhanced by an imposing period fireplace whose walnut mantel has been completely redesigned. There is also a cosy study, followed by a principal suite of over 40 m² with direct access outside via a private staircase, a bathroom and a separate WC.

The upper floors have a similar layout. In the East Wing, there is a spacious 55 m² library-lounge with rare Montpellier marble flooring, an additional bedroom, and a third bedroom with its own shower room and WC, opening onto a sheltered terrace overlooking the former chapel garden, which is planted with banana trees.

The top floor houses an immense 250 m² open-plan loft space beneath the roof structure, with impressive ceiling height. The space needs to be reorganised to make full use of it and would be ideal for a large games room, home cinema, gym or artist’s studio. There are also three additional bedrooms and a bathroom with a separate WC; the entire level requires renovation.

This exceptional residence offers a particularly flexible layout. The former sacristy next to the garage, the large vaulted access passage and the former chapel garden, planted with banana trees and ideally suited to the construction of a swimming pool, offer a wealth of possibilities. A private historic property with preserved charm, it would be ideally suited to a hotel project, a charming bed and breakfast, a large family home or a substantial artistic venue, subject to some modernisation and internal reconfiguration work.