A 13th-century, fortified seigniorial chateau, listed as a Historical Monument
with water-filled moats and 4 hectares of grounds, at the gates of Paris in the Seine-et-Marne department
with water-filled moats and 4 hectares of grounds, at the gates of Paris in the Seine-et-Marne department
Bombon,
SEINE-ET-MARNE
ile-de-france
77720
FR
Location
In the centre of the Seine-et-Marne department, this one-of-a-kind chateau, like its neighbours Blandy-les-Tours ad Vaux-le-Vicomte, contributes to the splendour of the Briard countryside. As if frozen by time, the property’s grounds create a verdant envelope around the chateau, which has helped preserve its historical features and overall character. Although the outskirts of the fief’s land are wooded, the building itself is surrounded by fields, which trace a contrasting geometric landscape around its periphery. In addition, Paris is only one hour away via the A5 motorway, while the train stations in Melun and Mormant, 15 and 4 kilometres away, respectively, provide regular connections to the capital in 45 minutes via the Transilien rail line. Lastly, the property is one hour away by car from both the Orly and Charles de Gaulle airports.
Description
Surrounded by a double row of lime trees that provides the property with plenty of privacy and shields it from all disturbances, the impressive farm, accessible via an ancient drawbridge that spans its water-filled moats, is composed of two square towers, including a corner one, which were used to reinforce its defensive system in the Middle Ages.
Wooden carriage doors open onto an arched covered passageway under the guardhouse, the latter of which is decorated with a hipped dormer window and arrow slits that bear witness to its defensive past. The buildings, in ashlar and rubble stone, have exteriors punctuated by lattice windows with ashlar stone surrounds, while their flat-tile roofs participate in unifying the architectural complex and are topped here and there by finials as well as hipped and hayloft dormer windows, some of which are topped with semi-circular or triangular pediments.
The cobblestone courtyard and seigniorial abode, vestiges of the medieval period, are surrounded by 13th-century constructions, including the covered passageway under the guardhouse, the dovecote and a barn nearly 45 metres long. The seigniorial dwelling includes several living areas with Burgundy stone or square terracotta floor tiles, original fireplaces as well as exposed ceiling beams, while some of its original windows contain exceptional stained glass pieces, which depict scenes from the Middle Ages. Extending on from this initial building, a double-height vaulted dining room with a fireplace provides access to the professional kitchens as well as the caretaker’s accommodations.
Expanded between the 15th and 16th centuries, the farm’s current aspect is a harmonious mélange of robust medieval architecture combined with the elegance of later centuries. Currently used primarily for accommodations, the more “recent” wings include approximately forty bedrooms and individual shower rooms. Tested by time, it should be noted that the property does require some special attention so that its illustrious history can be continued on for future generations.
Wooden carriage doors open onto an arched covered passageway under the guardhouse, the latter of which is decorated with a hipped dormer window and arrow slits that bear witness to its defensive past. The buildings, in ashlar and rubble stone, have exteriors punctuated by lattice windows with ashlar stone surrounds, while their flat-tile roofs participate in unifying the architectural complex and are topped here and there by finials as well as hipped and hayloft dormer windows, some of which are topped with semi-circular or triangular pediments.
The cobblestone courtyard and seigniorial abode, vestiges of the medieval period, are surrounded by 13th-century constructions, including the covered passageway under the guardhouse, the dovecote and a barn nearly 45 metres long. The seigniorial dwelling includes several living areas with Burgundy stone or square terracotta floor tiles, original fireplaces as well as exposed ceiling beams, while some of its original windows contain exceptional stained glass pieces, which depict scenes from the Middle Ages. Extending on from this initial building, a double-height vaulted dining room with a fireplace provides access to the professional kitchens as well as the caretaker’s accommodations.
Expanded between the 15th and 16th centuries, the farm’s current aspect is a harmonious mélange of robust medieval architecture combined with the elegance of later centuries. Currently used primarily for accommodations, the more “recent” wings include approximately forty bedrooms and individual shower rooms. Tested by time, it should be noted that the property does require some special attention so that its illustrious history can be continued on for future generations.
The Residential Buildings
The square-shaped farm is made up of the seigniorial dwelling, primarily reserved for residential purposes, a dovecote, barn, reception hall, two extensions for the guest accommodations, kitchens and a caretaker’s dwelling.
Le logis seigneurial
Located on the eastern side of the courtyard, its ground floor contains rooms with exposed ceiling beams, an entrance hall with Burgundy stone floor tiles, as well as two living areas with terracotta floor tiles, stone fireplaces and original windows, accentuated by stained glass details depicting medieval scenes. As for the upstairs floors, they are accessible via a vaulted staircase, which leads to either a walkway – illuminated by a number of windows safeguarded by interior shutters – or the tower with intersecting, horizontally radiating wooden roof beams. In addition, the dwelling’s upper floors are mainly composed of bedrooms, some of which have a stone fireplace or exposed wooden rafters.
The west wing
This wing exclusively contains bedrooms with individual shower rooms.
L'aile sud
This wing includes the vaulted dining room, professional kitchen and the service quarters located in the guardhouse above the carriage entrance.
The east wing
The Reception Buildings
The barn
This building, nearly 45 metres long and topped with a flat-tile gable roof, is accessible via two entrance porches bathed in light by vast atelier windows, while its brick floors and exposed wooden rafters provide glimpses of its past when it was used for logging purposes 800 years ago.
More recently used as a space for seminars and receptions, today it contains two rooms with 30 and 60 m², respectively, as well as an immense swimming pool and a sauna.
L'extension
Recently constructed with a floor area of approximately 100 m², this extension was created between the dovecote and the barn in order to host group events.
The reception building
An outbuilding at the entrance to the estate was converted into a reception hall of approximately 55 m².
The Dovecote
This massive 13th-century edifice, with its rotating pole contains two ladders that provide access to more than a thousand terracotta pigeonholes used to raise the birds’ offspring. The size of this dovecote provides a glimpse into the social status of the chateau’s original occupants since, during the Middle Ages, the number of pigeons was directly proportional to the size of the land in order to ensure that the former did not consume all the crops.
The Grounds
With four hectares of grounds combining majestic wooded countryside with feudal constructions and their lime tree-lined drive, the grounds mainly consist of pastureland, lawns and deciduous trees. In addition, water-filled moats surround the chateau’s buildings, while a stream traverses the northern part of the property.
Our opinion
This property, a vestige of defensive medieval architecture, which, over time, has been adapted to the Briard region’s farmland, takes its name from the “thick” or “epoisse” forests that once covered the region in the 13th century, since its initial vocation was, in fact, dedicated to logging and the production of lumber. Its massive silhouette, with its tower and moats, recall the tumultuous times of the Middle Ages, while its colossal dovecote, which includes more than a thousand pigeonholes, illustrates the seigniorial strength of its past owners. In addition, its robust structural elements not only create magnificent volumes in a variety of shapes and sizes, but have also helped conserve the understated and delicate décor that has been meticulously preserved here over the centuries. This one-of-a-kind chateau, which invites one and all to travel back in time through the centuries, is now looking for a new guardian of its past in order to write the next chapter in its storied history.
1 590 000 €
Negotiation fees included
1 500 000 € Fees excluded
6%
TTC at the expense of the purchaser
Reference 411694
| Land registry surface area | 4 ha 31 a |
| Main building surface area | 2300 m2 |
| Number of bedrooms | +20 |
Aucune procédure en cours menée sur le fondement des articles 29-1 A et 29-1 de la loi n°65-557 du 10 juillet 1965 et de l’article L.615-6 du CCH
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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.
