Domaine de Nerige

We have both travelled extensively around the world and lived in a number of countries, including South Africa, New Zealand and Holland; between us we have visited over 80 countries. For most of our lives we have lived in England and still consider this to be our home, not only because we have our main residence there, but also because our children live in England.

We have frequently visited France over the last 30 years and really enjoyed the ‘feel’ of the country. Some friends of ours bought a property in the Aude and during our visits we fantasised about the possibility of owning a house in the area. During the second half of 2002 we tentatively started looking in the window’s of the local estate agents and as one inevitably does, we asked to view a few. The image of the type of property we might own just seemed to evolve. It would be old; outside a town; with views; with some land; requiring work; all in all a family home.

We looked at a number of different properties from derelict with one or two bedrooms to completely renovated 14 or 15 bedrooms. We were amazed at how many properties fell into the category, but were disappointed that almost none sparked our interest, fell within our price bracket or had potential for what we had in mind.

In November 2002 we landed at Carcassonne and were met by a local estate agent. We hired a car and followed her through driving rain into what seemed like the wilderness and miles from anywhere

We parked on a gravel road and waited. Shortly, a French gentleman appeared in an old black Peugeot. Apparently the house we were to view was down an overgrown driveway which, although we were parked opposite it, could not even be seen! We jumped into his Peugeot and unbelievably headed through the bushes which turned out to be growing either side of the driveway. The car was getting scratched to pieces, wheels spinning in the mud but no one seemed to mind.

We arrived at a collection of buildings, the central one being a house of some lovely proportions, but looking visibly neglected. It was still raining and even before David got out of the car he said "this is not the place for us”. I thought differently.

The discovery of this wonderful old house brought us through an epic journey to where we are today.

We fell completely head over heels in love with Domaine de Nerige. We viewed it on a miserable wet, freezing cold November day in 2002 and embarked on an emotional and exhausting journey until completion in November 2003.
 

Whoever said that buying a property in France was quick and easy - not for us.
The process was complicated, expensive and emotionally draining. Thankfully we had enlisted the services of a wonderful English lawyer, Dawn Alderson, a partner in the law firm Russell Cooke. Unquestionably, without her help the purchase would never have been concluded. To our disappointment, after three months of waiting, and believing we were about to complete we were told that in fact the property was not the family’s to sell, but was part of a liquidation and that the bank were actually the owners. This resulted in a price war between us and the liquidator before finally agreeing on a price which was practically a third again of what we had originally offered and had had accepted. This was testament to how much we had grown to love the property and saw the potential of renovating it to a wonderful family home.

We had to go to court and hire three barristers to represent us against the liquidator, and the SAFER who, by this time had also become an interested party. It was one of the hottest days in more than 50 years on record. On arrival into Carcassonne airport in the morning, we went straight to the office of the Notaire where we were told that the Court was not sitting as the administration staff were on strike. We simply couldn’t believe it and told the Notaire we were giving up. The emotional price was too high and we had literally run out of steam. She persuaded us to just remain calm as it was only 11:00 and our hearing was due to take place at 2pm. Apparently, in situations such as this, one of the main Courts to sit, if any, are the liquidation Courts. It is acknowledged that people do need to get on with their lives and very often liquidation cases have already waited many years to get to a hearing stage. Staff were brought in from other Courts and finally a team was put together – the Court was sitting. By this stage there must have been 50 people waiting in the small anti-chamber waiting to be heard. With no air conditioning, and windows that were unable to open it was unbearable. The tension emanating from every single person in the room, whatever their purpose for being there was palpable. Finally our names were called.

The hearing was in fact clear, informal and conducted with great sympathy for all involved. We were granted leave to continue with the purchase of the property, subject to the SAFER not pre-empting the purchase which, by law, they must indicate their intentions within three months of signing. We had to wait the full three months as they used their rights to the full and…..

We did finally complete in November 2003.