Cernier - Farm house buy

Magnificent renovated farm. Entered into the history of watchmaking

IN 1985, THIS RESTORED OLD FARM HAD RECEIVED THE NEUCHÂTEL PRIZE FOR HEIMATSCHUTZ.THE PAST TO THE PRESENTWhen architecture is combined with the past, or how to bridge three and a half centuries of history.Between the original "beautiful room" and the modern living room installed in the old barn, there is only a simple wooden door. And a leap of three and a half centuries. But no shock: just life continuing, in the gentle hills of this northern end of the Val-de-Ruz.It is a Jurassic farm, like some still remaining in the region. Built in 1652, it had belonged, throughout the last century, to the same family of modest peasants, the Scheideggers. When the father died in the sixties, the mother and daughter continued to live there as if they were in the previous century, with only just enough electricity and water to be drawn from the cistern. The tiny habitable part consisted of the hearth (the kitchen), the "beautiful room" where one only entered on holidays, and above, a small room: the "grandfather's room", which was accessed by a trapdoor by climbing onto the stove. All the rest was the barn and the empty stable. The house was abandoned in the mid-seventies when, the mother having died, the daughter had to be placed in a home.For ten years, Henri and Paule Schneider had been searching the region for a farm to renovate. They must have passed by this old building ten times: cracked walls, a roof ready to collapse, a rotten structure... What prompted them, on this summer day in 1979, to take a look inside? And there, in what remained of the kitchen, a column supported a blackened hearth where a small wood stove sat, and they stopped in front of the column: a masterpiece of a corner column in cut stone, sculpted, intact, beautiful as on the first day, supporting a chimney with a straight lintel. They bought the column... with the ruins around it. Not without having to compensate an investor who wanted to install vacation apartments there. Purchase price: 50,000 francs. The Heimatschutz then stepped in and immediately classified the facade. For the rest... the brave owners began an adventure similar to the one told by Katharina von Arx in Ma Folie Romainmôtier.Henri Schneider, an ETS engineer in watchmaking, and his wife Paule - "no training but passions" - worked with local artisans, rediscovering techniques, relearning traditional gestures, transforming themselves, from weekend to weekend, into laborers, masons, carpenters, draftsmen, historians. First objective: the rough construction. Jean-Louis Geiser, a carpenter from La Ferrière, built the new structure, calculated according to modern norms but using the techniques of the old building: six columns, roof beams made from fir tree trunks worked on two sides, beams and posts adjusted and fixed with wooden pegs. The 305 m² of roof area were covered, as originally, with 66 cm long wooden shingles made from white fir wood, which Henri Schneider had chosen in the forest with Denis Sauser from La Chaux-du-Milieu, one of the last specialists in this art (he received the Heimatschutz prize in 1981).

Restored 17th-century Jura farmhouse

Built in the 17th century, this restored old Jura farmhouse, after a remarkably demanding restoration, today offers a rare alliance between historic character and contemporary comfort. Distinguished by the Neuchâtel Prize for Heimatschutz, the property testifies to a rehabilitation work carried out with respect for the original architecture, while integrating amenities designed for current living quality.The living area unfolds around generous and carefully highlighted volumes. The living spaces are located in the former agricultural volumes, transformed into a bright living room, a convivial dining room, and an open kitchen, where exposed stone, solid wood, and traditional timber framing create a warm and authentic atmosphere. The circulation between the rooms is natural, in a harmonious continuity between old elements and contemporary interventions.The sleeping areas are distributed over several levels, offering calm and intimacy. The bedrooms, with comfortable proportions, preserve the charm of period constructions while benefiting from a sober and elegant layout. The bathrooms, discreetly integrated, combine functionality and quality materials. Complementary spaces, such as offices, multipurpose rooms, or storage areas, enrich the distribution and allow the place to be adapted to different uses, whether for daily life or extended stays.Outside, the property is set in a preserved natural environment, offering unobstructed views of the rolling landscapes. The setting, peaceful and without nuisance, reinforces the feeling of intimacy and serenity that emanates from the whole, making this home a place as pleasant to live in all year round as to invest in as a secondary residence.More than a residence, this home is an invitation to live a living heritage, designed to last and be transmitted. A rare property, intended for lovers of authentic places, sensitive to history as much as to the art of living.

Old farm to renovate in the heart of nature

Welcome At the western entrance of the hamlet of La Montagne de Cernier, about 700 meters from the cantonal road of La Vue-des-Alpes and 7 kilometers from Cernier, an old 19th-century farmhouse stands back from the road in a quiet location. The main facade is oriented southeast, which offers good sunlight and a view of the pastures. The setting is that of the Jura ridges, far from urban centers but only 10 kilometers from La Chaux-de-Fonds and 11 kilometers from Neuchâtel.The construction is massive: masonry in rubble stones with corner chains in natural stone, two-pitched roof in tiles supported by a wooden frame, gables clad in vertical slats, windows and shutters in wood. The central heating with wood, complemented by a sanitary hot water system and solar panels installed on the west roof, constitutes a coherent installation for a building of this type, outside the public network. Drinking water is ensured by two external cisterns fed by the roof, distributed by a pressure booster.Important maintenance, updating, and compliance work is to be expected. Let's visit... Access to the property is from the road of La Montagne de Cernier. It extends over a plot of approximately 1'215 m², with a vegetable garden, various plantations, and a chicken coop.The two apartmentsThe building houses two apartments with a heterogeneous layout, the result of a long history and successive uses. The comfort, in its current state, is reduced: the rooms testify to their era, the circulations deserve to be rethought. This is where the renovation work takes on its full meaning: freeing the buyer from all inherited constraints and offering him the possibility of designing, within a massive and permanent envelope, the spaces he really wants to inhabit.The stable and the barnAdjacent to the dwelling, the rural volume comprising the stable and the barn represents a considerable potential for transformation, within the limits of the admissible uses. Although the building is no longer part of the LDFR, it remains protected. A study on the new allocation of the entire interior volume would constitute, at this stage, the natural starting point for a project.The exteriorA vegetable garden, established plantations, and a chicken coop, the immediate environment is already structured and living. The opening to the southeast ensures a beautiful light on the main facade. Perspective of the work to be considered The building is equipped with a central wood heating system with radiator distribution. The old boiler is coupled to a sanitary hot water tank as well as solar panels installed on the west roof. The latter requires renovation work.The thermal insulation no longer meets current standards, and the building has not been recently renovated. A global reflection on the reallocation and optimization of the interior volumes would be relevant. This freedom of layout is one of the great advantages of this property, offering a rare opportunity to rethink a space with strong architectural character according to one's own vision.The water supply is provided by three external cisterns. However, the entire installation will have to be subject to inspection and repair work.The property also has a septic tank that has not been brought into compliance with current requirements, with adaptation work to be expected in the medium term.Regarding radon, a detailed technical report has been established and is available to interested parties. This presents the measurements made in the building as well as the various sanitation possibilities considered in order to meet current requirements. The steps to be taken are now clearly identified, allowing a future buyer to have a transparent vision of the situation and possible improvements.According to the CANEPO and SITN extracts, no polluted sites or particular natural hazards are listed.

Renovated semi-detached farm with apartments, barn and building land

Located in the village of Pâquier/NE, in a green and peaceful environment, this old semi-detached farm full of charm offers a unique living environment and many possibilities for development. The property consists of:Three independent apartments in the southern part of the building: Two apartments (studio and 2.5 rooms) renovated in 2022-2023 and currently rented. A main apartment with 2.5 rooms, occupied by the owner, with possibility of expansion on the upper floor (infrastructure already available). A large barn in the northern part, to be renovated according to your wishes: loft, workshop, additional apartment... An impressive space to enhance. A charming garden house of about 40 m², not heated, ideal as a relaxation room, reception room or office, with direct view of the garden. A beautifully designed garden, a true haven of peace, with two ponds, wooden bridges and outdoor fireplace. A garage for 3 vehicles, designed to allow a possible transformation into living space or workshop. A building plot of about 1'600 m², offering the possibility to build one or two additional buildings (houses, rental apartments, etc.). This plot can be marketed separately from the building.This unusual property combines authenticity, nature and development potential. Ideal for an investor, a family looking for a life project, or a craftsman/artist looking for an inspiring place. A rare property that must be discovered absolutely.

Magnificent character property consisting of three renovated duplexes

RESERVELocated in a quiet neighborhood, this superb building benefits from a calm and green environment, while being close to all amenities: primary school, public transport, and main roads.Ideally located, it is only 12 km from Neuchâtel, 9 km from La Chaux-de-Fonds, 2.5 km from Cernier, and 5 minutes from the train station, offering a perfect balance between country life and urban proximity.Fully renovated, this character property consists of three duplex apartments of approximately 130 m² each, combining authenticity, generous volumes, and modern comfort.Each accommodation benefits from: • outdoor parking spaces • private garden or outdoor access • shared laundry room • shared technical room South Duplex • entrance hall • modern fitted kitchen • two bathrooms with WC • three bright rooms • monumental fireplace • cellar and storage room • outdoor access Central Duplex • entrance hall • fitted kitchen • bathroom and separate WC • four rooms • storage room • outdoor access North Duplex • entrance hall • fitted kitchen • bathroom and separate WC • four rooms • mezzanine • monumental fireplace • storage room • outdoor access This character property will seduce lovers of authentic goods seeking character, volume, and a warm atmosphere.It represents an ideal opportunity for: • a rental investment • an intergenerational family home • a country life project, in immediate proximity to urban centers