A comfortable and unique medieval castle
in northern Burgundy, 2 hours from Paris
in northern Burgundy, 2 hours from Paris
Toucy,
YONNE
burgundy
89130
FR
Location
The castle is located in a hamlet close to a historic town with some essential shops. A train station 30 minutes from the house connects to Paris-Bercy in two hours.
The village has a rich historical and cultural heritage, including three monuments directly related to the medieval period. Its Gothic church dating from the 15th century, listed as a historical monument, is nicknamed "the cathedral of Puisaye". Not far from the village is a 13th century castle where painting and ceramics courses and exhibitions take place, as well as a convent from the same period which welcomes many contemporary artists. Antoine de Vink, a famous ceramist, lived and worked in the village.
Description
The area is typified by the diversity of its landscapes, its colours and the richness of its architecture. On arrival, a monumental gate marks the main entrance framed by two imposing pillars. The property is surrounded by a high stone wall. The site of a former chapel adjoins the entrance to the castle. The building is erected high up on a small hill in the form of a spur providing a natural escarpment, facing a forest massif. The gate, with its imposing knocker, leads to the inner courtyard of the building, where traces of a cobble sandstone pathway that was once used by carriages can still be seen. These had direct access to the carriage barn built opposite the gateway. The remains of the outbuildings, stables and barns are currently an integral part of the gardens mixing plant and stone elements. A pergola lined with vines and honeysuckle faces the main building. Another green space delimited by box hedges provides privacy. The centre of the courtyard is embellished with a stone well, and a heap of old castle stones lies in front of the main facade while other ruins remain buried under embankments. Close to the castle, a wooden pedestrian gate opens onto another area enclosed by the surrounding walls. An opening leads to the pond behind the castle. The building is enhanced by a lake well-stocked with fish with a wooden boat. The water reflects the nearby woodlands. A breathtaking view over the valley reminds us of the castle's defensive origins. The complex can be illuminated after dark.
The castle
The oldest evidence of the building dates back to the time of the 5th crusade and can be found in the Beauvoir Charter kept in the archives of Troyes. In the 16th century, the estate was passed on to Edme de la Bussière, the first member of a long family line. The de la Bussière family's fortune grew particularly in the 16th and 17th centuries thanks to the establishment of a glass factory in 1519, an activity which, at the time, was exclusively reserved for the nobility. After three hundred years in the family, Nicolas de la Bussière, the last member of the illustrious family, passed the building on to Doctor Morin, the newly appointed general councillor for the canton of St Sauveur-en-Puisaye until 1873. The building has undergone changes over the years but has retained its medieval appearance on the pond side and a Renaissance aspect on the main facade. Later, elements from the following centuries were added. The project undertaken in the 21st century has enabled the conservation of the building.
The overall plan of the castle is a square of 44 metres on each side, with the courtyard forming a second square inside, which lends an architectural harmony to the complex. The main building is on one level, with large small-paned double-sash windows. Their white stone frames highlight the ferruginous sandstone walls. Traces of the construction are still visible in the stone bonding. The small sized stones allow them to be dated back to medieval times. The roofs are translucent polycarbonate, mounted between the stabilised ruined walls, which can thereby retain their height. Thus, the roofs are not visible from the outside, which allows the scale of the ruins to be emphasised. A material which, in addition to its insulating and luminous properties, has the advantage of being very resistant. The main building features a classic Burgundy flat tile roof. The rear facade has no doors but only windows overlooking the pond, facing the surrounding countryside. On the first level, there is a terrace with a breathtaking view of the valley. Its prominent location and fortified appearance are reminiscent of the times when the castle was a place of military power. A lean-to with a handmade tile roof abuts the ochre-coloured limewashed tower with a slate-covered pepperpot roof. Its walls are punctuated by several oval loopholes. A large brick entablature runs along the top of the tower. The second part of the dwelling is also of iron stone with several small-paned windows.
The ground floor
The main hallway is surrounded by ochre coloured lime plastered walls which highlight the limestone frames of certain windows, with stones originating from the Donzy quarries. The floor is paved with old terracotta tiles. The entrance hall leads to a sitting room with three small-paned double windows overlooking the inner courtyard. An open stone fireplace ornamented with a brick mantelpiece heats the room, the hearth is lit by two skylights on either side. Opposite, a double swing door leads to the spacious dining room, lit by three other windows identical to those in the living room, which open onto the main facade. An old stone and brick fireplace houses a stove of the famous "Godin" brand. The colour of the walls, the terracotta floor tiles, the stonework, all these authentic elements recall the origin of the place. A small wooden double door and a few stone steps lead down to an old vaulted gaol, where people served long sentences in medieval times. Indeed, in the past, the La Bussière fiefdom held legal jurisdiction. Today, this space is used as a cellar. Nearby, a simple wooden doorway leads to a modest storage area. On the same level, there is a fully fitted kitchen with a central island that blends harmoniously with the old stones. Natural decors in the walls, such as a niche, a centuries-old baking oven, an old stone sink accentuate the authentic character. The room overlooks the pond at the back of the castle. Not far away, under a stone staircase that leads to a terrace, is the larder with a sink that was once used for cutting up animals and washing vegetables. Follows a small passageway with an alcove leading to a large shower room with old terracotta floor tiles and an opening towards the lake. Back in the dining room, a few rounded stone steps lead up to the bedrooms. The first bedroom boasts ceiling joists. A boudoir is located in the tower. The floors are paved with period terracotta tiles. An open fireplace keeps the room warm. The dual-aspect room offers a view over both sides of the building. This is followed by a second room with exposed framework and period flooring. It features a metal staircase that leads to the last bedroom on the mezzanine.
The first floor
Near the larder, a stone staircase leads to a terrace that allows a glimpse of the entire castle and a breathtaking view of the surrounding countryside.
The outhouse
The outbuildings
In the inner courtyard, a small stone building contains a series of old Puisaye sandstone potteries, the room is about 15 m². At the other end, a second shed houses a storage room of approximately 20 m². A fairly large cellar of approx. 30 m² is located on the passageway leading to the pond.
Our opinion
Hidden in the centuries-old ruins of the Puisaye region, the castle has been fitted out with the comfort of a contemporary, refined, luminous habitat, which allows you to fully enjoy a bucolic environment punctuated by significant ruins that bring out the past. The entire estate was with appropriate skill and observance of regulation with the help of an “Architecte des Bâtiments de France”, a French senior civil servant. The outstanding, meticulous workmanship has brought out the authentic elements in a highly elegant style. The castle stands out in the surrounding landscape. Its high walls, the top of a tower, its pillars, its gate, recall the past world of castles. There are still discoveries to be made, and some of the treasures buried in the grounds near the pond are waiting for new builders, those who might wish to extend the complex.
The owner of the site commented on his property as follows: "A timeless shelter, this building is perceived as an otherwordly place that immediately fascinates us."
800 000 €
Fees at the Vendor’s expense
Reference 432150
| Land registry surface area | 3778 m2 |
| Main building surface area | 300 m2 |
| Number of bedrooms | 3 |
| Outbuilding surface area | 60 m2 |
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NB: The above information is not only the result of our visit to the property; it is also based on information provided by the current owner. It is by no means comprehensive or strictly accurate especially where surface areas and construction dates are concerned. We cannot, therefore, be held liable for any misrepresentation.
