An elegant 18th century chateau and its neo-Romanesque
indoor chapel in the Essonne valley, 35 km south-east of Paris
Étampes, ESSONNE ile-de-france 91150 FR

Location

In the south of the Ile-de-France region, the chateau is situated in the Essonne valley in a town with all shops and amenities. On the edge of the Essonne river and the Gâtinais Français Regional Nature Park, the property is 35 km or 40 minutes south-east of Paris via the A6 motorway, 6 minutes from an RER suburban train station and 45 minutes from Orly airport.

Description

The present chateau was re-built in a classical 18th century style on the foundations of an older castle around 1850. Past the entrance gate leading directly to the main courtyard with a central circular lawn, the chateau comes into view. At the rear of the chateau, parklands planted with centuries-old trees provide the backdrop for a pastoral scene that stretches as far as the river.

The chateau

The floor area of about 1,200 m² extends over four levels above cellars. The perfectly preserved slate roof has oeil-de-boeuf windows. The corps de logis of the chateau is oriented south-east, with a central projecting avant-corps. This comprises the main entrance topped by a wrought iron balcony with motifs reminiscent of the monogram of Louis XIV. The balcony is accessed from a French window adorned with a sculpted pediment. The upper part of the avant-corps is supported by four columns with capitals. On either side of the entrance door, two sculpted stone sphinxes act as peaceful guardians of the chateau.
Both wings have a row of five windows on either side of each level, offering an open view to the rear of the park from the ground floor. Four square towers stand at the corners of the chateau. Their windows are richly adorned with Renaissance-style carved shells and floral motifs. The tower facades feature columns topped with capitals. The north-west facade, which opens onto the park, has the same elevation as the main facade. It extends on either side of the central avant-corps topped by an oeuil-de-boeuf window and has impressive shed dormers with triangular pediments.
The facades and slate roofs have been restored.


The ground floor
Past the main entrance door, a second interior door provides access to the entrance hall and the grand staircase at the back. To the left, two carved wooden doors reveal a striking view of the various sitting and drawing rooms following on from one another. The first is adorned with Trianon grey painted woodwork, lending a typically 18th century style to the room. Two tall windows on either side provide plenty of light. A large double door provides access to the second drawing room, known as the "Salon des Blasons" (Coat of Arms Room), on account of the four coats of arms sculpted on the ceiling, belonging to the former families who had been masters of the premises. A double door topped by a carved wooden pediment leads to the large drawing room, known as the "Salon Doré" (Golden Drawing Room). The walls are panelled with grey and gold painted woodwork topped by a carved frieze featuring various coats of arms framed by carved greyhounds and adorned with crowns. Two doors leading to the ground floor of the corner towers are crowned by painted oval trumeaux depicting landscapes in the manner of late 17th century Italian paintings, framed by garlands of sculpted flowers held by putti. The four tall windows illuminate the room with natural light that catches the gilding. The dual-exposure sitting rooms follow the path of the sun, and the tall windows offer a view of the grounds and the Essonne River in the distance. Back in the entrance hall, a double door leads to a gallery serving two other drawing rooms and a third, larger sitting room with a Louis XV style fireplace of white stone topped by an overmantel mirror. From here, a small corridor leads to a room in the corner tower of the main facade, to another room used as an archive, and to a staircase in the north-east tower. This connects to the upper floors and to the cellar.
The first floor
Accessed from the main staircase, it is also served by two staircases located in the rear towers. A gallery leads to seven bedrooms, all facing south-east. They have been renovated by the current owners while retaining certain old features such as marble fireplaces, Versailles parquet flooring and mouldings. A double door at the north-east end of the gallery provides access to the chateau's chapel. This neo-Roman style chapel has two levels. It has retained its original decor. A neo-Gothic tabernacle sits imposingly on top of the altar and is guarded by a Virgin Mary emerging from a carved wooden grotto. The walls are adorned with paintings of curtaining and flowers, as well as the coats of arms of the former ruling families. The groin-vaulted ceiling boasts a painted starlit sky with flying doves. Facing the altar, the neo-Gothic carved wooden confessional is topped by a balcony that can be accessed from the second floor. All the original stained glass windows have been miraculously preserved from the ravages of time. On either side of the altar, two large doors with stained glass panes lead to the sacristy. A small corridor provides access to the gallery and to the staircase in the north-east tower.
The second floor
Reached from the main staircase and the spiral staircases in the two rear towers, this level comprises a gallery leading to the eight bedrooms with herringbone parquet flooring. Two of these have en-suite bathrooms. The current owners have started to install a third bathroom. One of the bedrooms has a double door opening onto a balcony with a bird's eye view into the chapel. At the end of the gallery, a small corridor leads to the back of the Virgin Mary statue in the chapel. The triforium with its neo-Gothic ceiling above the altar offers a discreetly hidden view of the chapel.
The third floor
This level is accessed from the main staircase as well as from the spiral staircase in the north-east tower. The main landing, topped by a vaulted ceiling with a skylight, leads to 5 bedrooms in the west wing. A small doorway leads to the east wing, which contains a number of small rooms, as well as a larger room which was originally used as a linen room. A late 19th century pulley block has been preserved. The floors are of terracotta tiles and straight strip parquet. Part of the west wing has been restored by the owners.
The basement
Accessed from the staircase in the north-east tower, they stretch over the entire surface of the chateau. They comprise a large room used as kitchen which needs to be equipped, as well as various vaulted rooms including a utility room.
The grounds
Surrounding the chateau, the parklands total about 3 hectares. At the front, a circular flowerbed is set in the perspective of the entrance gate and the chateau. A first path lined with lilacs, trees and box hedges leads to an arched feature. Framed by sculpted stones and adorned with stars, it houses a copper sculpture representing the goddess Diana, recalling the antique inspirations of the end of the 18th century. A second, more discreet path could easily be created to reach the chateau without being seen. The rear of the park forms an English-style landscaped setting, planted on both sides with centuries-old trees. The scenery is thereby shaped to draw the visitor's gaze into the distant perspective. A large 18th century style white marble table in the midst of the flowers of the fields is the ideal vantage point from which to contemplate this harmonious landscape. Another plot of roughly 1.5 hectares, with meadows and woods, lies opposite the entrance gate to the chateau. It features centuries-old species including majestic chestnut trees.

Our opinion

The chateau is an epitome of mid-19th century architecture that confidently incorporates stylistic elements of previous centuries. Indeed, this blend presents a picture to the discerning eye in which every detail has found its place. The grounds surrounding the chateau are an inseparable part of the ensemble. Its harmonious and intertwined vistas lend a romantic dimension to the complex typical of the late 18th century spirit.
With its 1200 m² of floor space and numerous sitting rooms and bedrooms, it opens up a world of possibilities. The restoration, brilliantly carried out by the current owners in accordance with ERP (building receiving public) requirements, is only waiting to be completed. The chateau Colbert in Maulevrier could serve as an example for future owners, displaying a perfect symmetry without being in any way austere.

2 900 000 €
Fees at the Vendor’s expense


See the fee rates

Reference 936716

Land registry surface area 4 ha 52 a 76 ca
Main building surface area 1200 m2
Number of bedrooms +20



French Energy Performance Diagnosis

Consultant

Paul-Louis Beaumatin +33 1 42 84 80 85

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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.

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