This is yet another now-defunct Tobacco Drying Barn. It is considerably smaller than ours, and, frankly, not as well built. It is situated about 400 metres from us.
It was bought several years ago by a very pleasant couple who both worked for Jean Nouvel; France's internationally renowned architect. They had great ideas for the building.
However, things didn't go according to plan. Firstly they couldn't find any local builders who could work to their high specifications and complex design, then sadly the couple split; leaving the old barn abandoned, and deteriorating by the day.
As a building, it does have its problems. The main vertical pillars all rest on individual concrete plinths; some of which are tilting at an alarming angle; these would have to be replaced. Otherwise the timber construction is reasonably solid.
It's not particularly well positioned, being right on the corner of two small roads.
I don't know what the owners now intend to do with it. I had considered buying it from them (it would have had to be quite cheap) and creating a large studio space in two/fifths of it, with some simple accommodation above. It would be perfect for either a painter or sculptor to complete projects in the peace and quite of the countryside, and I myself could have used it when not let to others.
I keep looking at it, but I don't think I can be bothered; I have too much other stuff on my plate!
I would love a project like that. Maybe one day I will get my way who knows.
ReplyDeleteYou've probably cycled past this one!
DeleteNo Cro, as you say you have enough on your plate. Slow down. Enjoy your family. :)
ReplyDeleteGreetings Maria x
No hope; I've still got loads to do. No-one else does it, so I have to.
DeleteVery rustic looking. hope someone else buys it and it won't eventually fall down
ReplyDeleteYes, it would be a shame to lose it. The wood interior construction is quite solid; the outside is a mess.
DeleteThat looks like a lot of work!
ReplyDeleteIt would be, but great fun. Water and electricity are already there.
DeleteDo you brick the walls and then put the wood back?
ReplyDeleteWith ours I built with brick inside, with masses of insulating materials behind, then changed the boarding as required. In fact I think we're now going to change all the boarding on ours. The old stuff is almost past its sell by date.
Deletei don't know why but i like so much abandoned buildings, we don't have much here.
ReplyDeleteWhen I first moved here in 1972 there were beautiful old abandoned farmhouses everywhere. There are still a few around, but all the really beautiful ones have been bought and restored.
DeleteHave you been inside? People leave old tractors, vintage cars and other stuff . . .
ReplyDeleteThere used to be an old Massey Ferguson 'Pony' in it, but it's gone now. At the moment it's used by a man who has a veg' garden on the other side of the road.
DeleteWe have a few abandoned projects in The Dales too.
ReplyDeleteI suspect there are many all over.
DeleteOr you could reinstate it and make the filthy black tobacco that Gauloises use to contain. My first impression of France was deeply imprinted by the distinctive smell of that stuff, everywhere. I sort of miss it, in the same way that I miss the sight of lorry-drivers drinking pastis at 6 in the morning.
ReplyDeleteI smoked Gauloises for about 40 years. Visitors to my Brighton home used to say it was like being in France.
DeleteI used to smoke Gauloise in my Art College days.At first it was an affectation but I grew to enjoy smoking them.
ReplyDeleteHope someone rescues the barn. I think all old buildings should be given new life, otherwise we end up with just new build because it is easier, but often ugly.
There are now a lot of these old barns lying unused. No-one grows tobacco any more, and of course very few people smoke. I suspect that many will just fall down.
DeleteI remember seeing similar barns in Virginia and North Carolina during my childhood. Lots of tobacco farms were around back then.
ReplyDeleteProbably as rare nowadays as here. Smoking is no longer very common.
DeleteI hope someone else buys it and you can get on with your own projects. And share the progress here with us!
ReplyDeleteI wonder what'll happen to it. I can't imagine that the current owner will just leave it to fall down. We'll see.
DeleteI think that it looks beautiful as it is .... I love the way aged wood goes that lovely silvery grey colour ...... I guess the problem is that, if nobody renovates it, it will fall down !! I used to smoke Gaulioses disque bleu and Gitanes when I wanted to look cool !!!! Mostly it was Benson & Hedges !! .... or St. Moritz when sophistication was needed ..... or Embassy if money was tight !!!! XXXX
ReplyDeleteI was never a big smoker, but non-tipped Gauloises were my cig's of choice.
DeleteNo more projects until the caravan is finished Cro!
ReplyDeleteIt's almost finished. I have yet to lay some old carpet, paint the walls, and make the whole thing secure.
DeleteA propos of nothing I just wanted to say what a wonderful blog this is. I read it daily. My favourites are the posts about food. Long may you, and it, continue. James
ReplyDeleteHow very kind you are James. Vegs tomorrow!
DeleteI like abandoned buildings too and if were much younger would love to take one on as a project.
ReplyDeleteProblem is, I have always been a mañana type of soul, developing procrastination to that of an art form.
Ah Disque Bleu, they were much a part of my spotty teenage years. Even if I didn't look it, I felt cool.
Kind regards
Anna :o]
Disque Bleu was what my Art Master at school smoked, it was him who got me hooked. I soon progressed to plain un-tipped Gauloises..... probably the strongest cigs around.
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