Do you love vast spaces, places steeped in history and peaceful surroundings?
Do you love vast spaces, places steeped in history and peaceful surroundings? If you would like to live in a fine residence, discover this lifestyle and the properties that match your search criteria. You can also browse all our properties by type and lifestyle on our dedicated page.
Features of a fine residence
A manor house, a private mansion or a manor: exceptional residences do not really follow any particular set of rules, although they are instantly recognisable. A fine residence is defined as a wealthy home with large grounds. It is often an ensemble made up of several buildings: a main house, annexes or outbuildings such as an orangery or a dovecote, and a caretaker’s house, all set on large grounds. The age of fine residences is one of the criteria that gives them the sought-after old-world charm. You will find many properties built in the 18th and 19th centuries that rise over several levels — 3 or even 4 floors.
The little extras of fine residences
In the heart of a wooded park, with a pool, outbuildings to convert, a home to renovate or fully renovated with high-end fittings, a breathtaking view and a rich past: these are all criteria that make a residence a prestige residence.
Buying a property near Lyon
Living in a prestige property means enjoying vast grounds with no overlooking neighbours and a place steeped in history where you can create your own. You can find some magnificent bourgeois properties for sale in Lyon, sometimes even magnificent castles. These enjoy the privilege of large grounds in the heart of Lyon and benefit from panoramic views over the city. Discover a selection of other types of house for sale in Lyon, such as houses with a pool in Lyon, contemporary houses in Lyon, or castles for sale in Lyon!
The different types of exceptional property
There are several types of fine residence: manor, fortified house, manor house, private mansion — all names for beautiful properties, each with its own characteristics.
The term manoir (manor) is used for residences that belonged to lords or nobles. A manor often has very large lands, as its owners ran an agricultural estate.
The fortified house (maison forte) is a manor featuring defensive elements such as a moat or towers.
A manor house (maison de maître) is a large rectangular building whose history confirms its status. Manor houses were built between the 17th and 19th centuries and inhabited by notables or members of the bourgeoisie. Their annexes were once a production complex, often agricultural. The master would then watch over his lands and their profitability.
The private mansion (hôtel particulier) has two characteristics: it is a residence built in town to house a single family. Today, many private mansions have been divided and form a small number of lots. This is the case on Lyon’s sought-after Boulevard des Belges, next to the Parc de la Tête d’Or, where private mansions for sale in their entirety are rare.
Finally, a domaine (estate) is the term used to designate a set of assets: houses, annexes, outbuildings and lands.
All these sublime houses have one thing in common: they all enjoy very beautiful volumes, which at the time reflected social success — the spaces indeed had to be large to host beautiful receptions in fine residences.
Projects around a property
Buying a beautiful property to live in, but not only. Other projects are possible, and many investors bet on these magnificent large residences for high-end conversions or to set up professional activities.
High-end conversions
Historic residences are very often acquired with the aim of dividing them into several apartments and renovating them with quality finishes. These conversions allow future owners to own part of a historic place with a smaller budget and without bearing the upkeep of an entire building alone. The lots are then rented or sold, and a co-ownership is set up.
Professional activities
Buying a prestige property in Lyon or its surroundings can lead to opening a professional activity. A guest-house project, or transforming the spaces into reception venues for seminars or weddings — the possibilities are numerous.
Where to find a beautiful property for sale in Lyon?
BARNES, an estate agency in Lyon specialising in high-end properties and fine prestige residences in Lyon, supports you in your search for THE property.
Our two Lyon offices have 28 consultants spread across the various areas of the 69 department. The Presqu’île, Lyon 3, Lyon 4 Caluire, Val de Saône, West Lyon, Greater West Lyon, Beaujolais, Pierres Dorées, Lyon 6, Lyon 7 and 8 and Monts d’Or teams support you in your property purchase and sale projects.
Entrusting them with your search gives you access to our services: a single point of contact, a selection of suitable properties including so-called off-market properties, priority presentation of new properties for sale before their official marketing, and the network and professionalism of 28 BARNES consultants.
Buying an exceptional house in Lyon
BARNES, estate agency in Lyon 2 and estate agency in Lyon 6, offers a selection of fine residences in Lyon and the surrounding towns.