Sustainable Lifestyle & Revenue: Solar-Powered Riverside Haven with Wild Swimming and Stunning Views

Property Description

Summary
Embrace a truly sustainable lifestyle while generating steady income with this distinctive property in the picturesque Corbières region. Villa Ripaud combines eco-conscious living with excellent business potential, all set within a stunning natural environment. This thoughtfully renovated former railway station harnesses the abundant Languedoc sunshine with 30 solar panels and lithium battery storage (installed 2022), while drawing water from its own well, significantly reducing utility costs while minimising environmental impact. The property offers approximately 380m² of versatile living space across multiple self-contained units, creating immediate income opportunities.

Location
Nestled on the edge of Parc Naturel Régional Narbonaise et Méditerranée near Villesèque-des-Corbières, the property enjoys a perfect balance of tranquillity and accessibility:
Local amenities: Village shop and restaurant within walking distance; supermarkets, bakeries and services in Durban-Corbières (7km); 3-Michelin-star restaurant in Fontjoncouse (6km)
Attractions: Terra Vinea wine caves (9km), Sigean African Reserve (14km), Abbaye de Fontfroide (20km), numerous Cathar castles
Beaches: Mediterranean coast 25-40km; private river swimming directly from the property

The region enjoys a Mediterranean climate with 300+ days of sunshine yearly, perfect for solar power generation and outdoor living.

Access
Transport: A9 Autoroute (13km); airports at Perpignan (60km), Carcassonne (70km), Béziers (80km); TGV station at Narbonne (25km)
Cities: Narbonne (25km), Perpignan (60km), Carcassonne (70km), Spanish border (80km)

The property's location provides the perfect balance of accessibility and seclusion. While nestled in the beautiful Corbières countryside with immediate access to nature, major transport links are within easy reach, making weekend escapes from Paris or London entirely feasible and ensuring good connectivity for holiday rental guests arriving from across Europe.

Interior
Accommodation & Layout
Ground Floor (approx. 100 m²):
• Kitchen (20 m²) with oven, electric hob, plus provisioned space for dishwasher and tumble dryer
• Dining/training rooms (45 m²) plus fully enclosed conservatory (27 m²)
• Utility room (7 m²), 2×WC, direct access to rear drying area
1st Floor (approx. 140 m² habitable):
• Open kitchen/dining/living (26 m²) off 11 m² corridor
• 3 bedrooms (11 m², 12.5 m², 14.5 m²) + shower/WC (3.5 m²)
• Master bedroom (32 m²) with en-suite bath (9 m²), private side-garden door & rock steps to rooftop terrace with exceptional views
•. Utility area with steps down to cave storage
1½ Floor:
• Shower & 2 WCs to refurbish, plus door to decked courtyard (BBQ & hot-tub ready)
2nd Floor Holiday Apartment (approx. 110 m²):
• Kitchen/diner (17 m²), corridor (10 m²)
• 4 bedrooms (13.5 m², 16 m², 20 m², 20 m²) each with en-suite shower/WC
• Currently seasonally rented with good occupancy
Detached Garage & Apartment (approx. 100 m² total):
• Apartment (30m2) with separate entrance from outside and inside
• Bedroom 11.5m2, Kitchen/diner 16m2, Shower and WC 2.5m2
• Garage space (70m2) with electric remote door and double glazed patio door with electric blinds
• Large terrace (66m2)

Exterior
Front Garden and River Access

Villa Ripaud
Villa Ripaud: Solar-Powered Riverside Haven with Income Potential
Price: €460,000 (no agency fees)
Summary
Embrace sustainable living while generating income with this distinctive former railway station in the picturesque Corbières. Villa Ripaud offers 380m² of versatile living space across multiple self-contained units, powered by 30 solar panels with lithium batteries (2022) and supplied by private well water. This eco-conscious property combines historical character with modern amenities and immediate rental potential.
Location & Access
Nestled on the edge of Parc Naturel Régional Narbonaise et Méditerranée near Villesèque-des-Corbières, the property enjoys a perfect balance of tranquility and accessibility:
Local amenities: Village shop and restaurant within walking distance; supermarkets, bakeries and services in Durban-Corbières (7km); 3-Michelin-star restaurant in Fontjoncouse (6km)
Attractions: Terra Vinea wine caves (9km), Sigean African Reserve (14km), Abbaye de Fontfroide (20km), numerous Cathar castles
Beaches: Mediterranean coast 25-40km; private river swimming directly from the property
Transport: A9 Autoroute (13km); airports at Perpignan (60km), Carcassonne (70km), Béziers (80km); TGV station at Narbonne (25km)
Cities: Narbonne (25km), Perpignan (60km), Carcassonne (70km), Spanish border (80km)
The region enjoys a Mediterranean climate with 300+ days of sunshine yearly, perfect for solar power generation and outdoor living.
Accommodation
Ground Floor (approx. 100m²):
Kitchen (20m²) with oven, electric hob, space for dishwasher/dryer
Dining/meeting room (45m²) plus conservatory (27m²)
Utility room, 2×WCs, rear access
First Floor (approx. 140m²):
Open kitchen/dining/living (26m²)
Three bedrooms (11-14.5m²) plus shower room
Master suite (32m²) with en-suite bath (9m²), private garden access and steps to rooftop terrace
Utility area with cave storage below
Second Floor Holiday Apartment (approx. 110m²):
Four en-suite bedrooms (13.5-20m²)
Kitchen/diner (17m²)
Currently successfully rented seasonally
Detached Garage & Apartment (approx. 100m²):
One-bedroom apartment (30m²) with separate entrance
Garage space (70m²) with electric door
Large terrace (66m²)
Exterior Spaces
Front Garden: Terraced with fruit trees, guest terrace, cabin, stone steps to river
River Access: Private entrance to River Berre with excellent wild swimming spots
Rooftop Terrace: Panoramic views of river and Corbières gorge
Rear Garden: Decked area with Japanese maples, dining space, hot tub area
Paddock: Versatile land suitable for glamping, equestrian use, olive grove, or vineyard
Total Land: approx. 1.2 hectares, fully enclosed and gated

Additional Details
Eco-Features & Utilities
30 solar panels with 3 lithium batteries (2022, 25-year guarantee)
Private well water supply
Thermodynamic water heaters
Reversible heat-pump air conditioning
Fibre-optic internet and septic tank
Taxe Foncière: €2,800/year

Revenue Generation
Current Income Streams
• 2nd Floor Holiday Apartment: Currently successfully operated as a seasonal rental with strong occupancy rates during the peak tourist season. The four en-suite bedrooms attract families and groups seeking quality accommodation in this picturesque region. The apartment is fully equipped and ready to continue generating immediate income for new owners.
• Booking Platforms: The property has established presence on major holiday rental platforms with excellent guest reviews, ensuring continued visibility and bookings.
Additional Revenue Opportunities
• Garage Apartment: The separate one-bedroom apartment (30m²) within the detached garage building offers potential for additional rental income once refurbished. This could be marketed as a romantic retreat for couples or as overflow accommodation for larger groups renting the main holiday apartment.
• Restaurant/Hospitality Space: The ground floor's former restaurant areas (72m² total including conservatory) present an excellent opportunity to develop a food and beverage business. The property retains its commercial license and the necessary infrastructure for restaurant operations.
• Events & Workshops: The spacious grounds and versatile indoor spaces could host retreats, workshops, or small events, particularly appealing to the growing market for wellness, creative, and eco-tourism experiences.
• Glamping/Camping: The paddock area (approximately 1 hectare) could be developed for eco-camping or glamping pods, capitalising on the increasing demand for outdoor accommodation with access to wild swimming.
Market Advantages
• Year-Round Appeal: While summer remains the peak season, the region attracts visitors throughout the year for wine tourism, hiking, cycling, and cultural exploration.
• Growing Tourism Sector: The Corbières region is gaining popularity as travelers seek authentic experiences away from over-developed coastal resorts.
• Unique Selling Points: Private river access for wild swimming, solar power, and the property's eco-credentials align perfectly with current travel trends toward sustainable and nature-based tourism.
• Established Tourism Infrastructure: The property benefits from its proximity to popular attractions including Cathar castles, Mediterranean beaches, and the UNESCO World Heritage sites at Carcassonne, ensuring a steady flow of potential guests to the area.
The combination of existing rental income and multiple opportunities for business development makes Villa Ripaud an attractive proposition for buyers seeking a lifestyle change with sustainable revenue streams.