An occupied 18th century chateau surrounded by wooded grounds
and a river, in the Nièvre region 2 hours from Paris
Clamecy, NIEVRE burgundy 58500 FR

Location

Only a short distance from the Loire and the Morvan Regional Nature Park, the property lies in the centre of a small medieval town dotted with timber-framed houses lining cobbled alleyways. A wide range of day-to-day shops keep this market town alive. The nearest SNCF railway station is 15 minutes away, connecting to Paris-Bercy in 2 hours. The town is proud of its rich heritage, including its 12th-century tower and church, whose tympanum is a reminder of its past grandeur - a replica of which is on display at the Cité de l'architecture et du patrimoine in the Palais de Chaillot in Paris. Nearby, there is an 11th century chapel with restored stained glass windows and the impressive tombstone of Queen Margot's lady-in-waiting.

Description

Off one of the town's many cobbled alleyways, a double wrought-iron gate serves as the main entrance, framed by a porch with half-timbered walls and beams that bear witness to the age of the property. This leads first to the courtyard of the outbuildings, followed by the main courtyard in front of the main residence. There is another entrance from the street, through a monumental wooden double carriage gate, leading to the courtyard of the main dwelling, embellished by two large white magnolias and other green plants.
The chateau comprises a group of old residential buildings, including a street section linked by a wing at right angles that borders the inner courtyard of the main building. The three-storey main building displays classical, symmetrical style and is topped by a slate hip roof with œil-de-bœuf dormers and ridge finials. Its lime-rendered rubble masonry facades are enhanced by dressed stone corner quoins, stringcourses and a triangular pediment with an oeil-de-bœuf in the central section. Seven bays of large-paned windows, fitted with solid or louvered shutters, let the light flood into the residence. Once you have crossed the main courtyard dotted with box hedges and mature rose bushes, a flight of three approach steps leads up to the entrance of the building.
The grounds in front of the residence are entirely enclosed by walls and planted with various tall and ornamental species of trees. A small private wooden bridge crosses the water feature and connects to a former orangery and a vegetable patch with a greenhouse. Finally, an opening in the perimeter wall provides direct access to the town.

The chateau

The centrepiece of a family estate that dates back several generations, it is accessed via two entrances, the one on the street side featuring a monumental wooden double door. This doorway is topped by a carved wooden transom with a dressed stone surround bearing the date of construction of the edifice: 1776.
Numerous classical-style elements adorn the building, including the finely chiselled railings protecting the windows and the prominent stone lintel above the main entrance.
The main section is extended by an older building with a Burgundy roof clad with flat tiles and featuring hip dormer windows. A flight of stone steps in front of the facade provides access to the interior.


The ground floor
Under the porch, a door opens onto a hallway with black and white chequerboard paving, lit by an opening towards the inner courtyard. The sober hall features a few recesses and connects to a technical room, a guest lavatory and a large dining room. The latter boasts an open fireplace with an unusual wooden mantel and stone surround. On the town side, two large windows with espagnolette locks let the light flood into the room, enhancing both its French-style beamed ceiling and its floor laid with terracotta tiles. A cupboard near the fireplace is topped by a wooden lintel. A wooden door with decorative mouldings leads to the vast kitchen which is typical for a chateau, with original floor tiles and thick stone walls. Here too, the windows facing the street and the inner courtyard let in plenty of natural light. Two separate doors provide access to the courtyard, while another opens onto the street. A large, solid oak beam crosses the room, supported by two three-headed pillars. Back in the hallway, past the small courtyard garden, an elegant entrance with Burgundy stone paving reveals a superb wooden staircase. Above the flight of stairs, a string wall is extended by the balustrade.
The first floor
The first upper floor is accessed by a winding staircase with split-level landings, adorned with a stone starting step with volutes and a wrought-iron balustrade. At the end of the hall, a double door opens onto four adjoining reception rooms with Empire-style decor. The various sitting rooms have internal shutters. The first room is vast, with large windows offering a long perspective view of the greenery, and features an open fireplace with a wooden mantle that echoes the high panelling encircling the room. The white ceiling with decorative mouldings and the parquet floor enhance the period tapestry on the walls. The woodwork is particularly noticeable, as a carved double door leads into the second reception room: the 'salon rouge’ (red sitting room). Four large-paned windows let natural light pour in from both the flower-filled courtyard and the park. A central rose adorns the ceiling, which also features a decorative moulded frieze. An elegant hanging on the central section of the garden wall recalls the emblems of Napoleon I. Low-height wainscoting with small rectangular panels complements the herringbone parquet. The colour red is ever present; and the outdoors can be viewed from behind the velvet curtains. Finally, a white marble open fireplace adds to the refined ambience of this room. Next follows another gold-coloured reception room with crimson fabrics. Another marble fireplace, topped by a gilded overmantel mirror, rests on a distinctive parquet floor, which is unusual in that its floral rosette motifs are the result of an outstanding and rare work of marquetry. The last room is a billiard room, also with herringbone parquet. Original wallpaper with floral motifs, also inspired by the Empire colours and style, emphasises the wainscoting that surrounds the room.
The second floor
A large landing leads to bedrooms offering views of the village and the pastoral landscape. A door opens onto an impressive passageway, with a floor laid with old quarry tiles, leading to a bathroom with toilet followed by a first bedroom facing the market town. This bedroom features an open stone fireplace with a mantle and jambs with various carved motifs, topped by a decorative pediment. The windows have espagnolette locks and the entire floor is laid with authentic terracotta tiles.
Near the passageway, a small corridor leads to the second bedroom, which overlooks the street. What makes this bedroom unique is its large, moulded alcove, with gilded fabrics concealing the bed. A stone hearth warms the room, which also features a small seating area in its centre, which is embellished by old quarry floor tiles. There are also a closet and a shower room that connects directly to the third bedroom.
This bedroom overlooks the flower-filled inner courtyard. As in the previous bedroom, an alcove adorned with decorative motifs indicates the location of the bed. There is also a small storeroom nearby. The quarry tiles and the open stone hearth with its floral motifs complete the decor.
Back on the main landing, another door opens onto a long corridor, lit by a window and floored with straight strip hardwood, which leads to a fourth Empire-style bedroom, whose walls are covered in blue striped wallpaper. Two large openings protected by intricate guardrails illuminate the area. There is a stone fireplace resting on a straight strip hardwood floor. Next follow a bathroom and a lavatory.
Back on the corridor, following on from the previous bedroom, a fifth bedroom, which also enjoys views of the surrounding nature, features wallpaper depicting Empire hussars and an unsealed, waxed straight strip hardwood floor. The ever-present fireplace is a reminder that this was the only way to keep warm in the 18th century, and it was always a highly decorative feature in large houses. At the end of the corridor, the last bedroom overlooks the bucolic landscape and the park's centuries-old trees. Impressive in size, it is complemented by a shower room and lavatory. Finally, there is another lavatory on the main landing, on the way up to the attic.

The outbuildings

In the courtyard with the outhouses stands a two-storey building of exposed stone, topped with a gable roof clad with flat Burgundy tiles. The facade has several windows of varying widths. An outside staircase leads to the second floor containing the caretaker's lodgings.
In the grounds, there is also an orangery awaiting renovation.


The stables
A double wooden door opens on to the former stables, which are now used as a garage, with a floor area of approx. 35 m². Next to this, there is an old barn measuring around 25 m² and a genuine DIY workshop of the same size. At the top of the stone staircase, two rooms used for storage purposes are in need of complete restoration: one measuring around 30 m² and the other 15 m². A door opens onto a small dwelling comprising an open kitchen and dining room, a sitting room, a bedroom and a shower room. This is a small lodging with a separate entrance on the town side.
The orangery
Topped by a slate gable roof and adorned with a pediment with an oeil-de-boeuf window, the orangery stands in the park and requires renovation. Its facade is punctuated by a row of large-paned, arched windows. The brown brick surrounds match the alternating pattern of the central oeil-de-boeuf. A flight of stone approach stairs provides access to the building. The orangery contains two rooms of around 25 m² and 20 m², with old quarry floor tiles and an open fireplace in one of them.

The grounds

The main courtyard in front of the chateau features several flowerbeds and pruned box hedges. The parkland extends out from there, covering an area of some 5,000 m², crossed by a river. The reflection of centuries-old trees in the water can be enjoyed from the private wooden bridge, which offers a view of the surrounding greenery. Gravel paths around the flowerbeds provide an opportunity to admire fragrant flowers such as old roses, peonies, dahlias and begonias. Numerous box trees and topiary elements lead to a well-kept kitchen garden. An old stone wall encircles the grounds, with an opening providing parking space for vehicles. Finally, a bucolic area surrounded by tall trees is reserved for alfresco dining.

Our opinion

An exceptional, authentic property, which has retained most of its original features, located in the heart of the town centre. Surrounded by its well-kept, walled grounds planted with a variety of trees, this large 18th century residence boasts numerous windows, a light-coloured facade and a perron. Indoors, the many full-width reception rooms and the stone staircase lend the residence a distinctive character. A bucolic setting with an imperial atmosphere, and a scent of La Malmaison that takes you back several centuries. Everything has remained as it was in the old days. True bliss is within reach, embodying Joséphine de Beauharnais's words: "Any happiness that the hand cannot grasp is only a dream". Nevertheless, some refurbishment work is required to bring the property to its full potential.

Exclusive sale

766 000 €
Fees at the Vendor’s expense


See the fee rates

Reference 936233

Land registry surface area 5623 m2
Main building surface area 545 m2
Number of bedrooms 14
Outbuilding surface area 200 m2

French Energy Performance Diagnosis

Consultant

Isabelle Ponelle +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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