A dwelling, the faithful witness of the chateau that once preceded it,
nestled within a village in the Seuil du Poitou region
nestled within a village in the Seuil du Poitou region
,
DEUX-SEVRES
poitou-charentes
FR
Location
At the intersection of two diagonals: between the Parisian and Aquitaine basins on the one hand and the Armorican Massif and the Massif Central, on the other, is the area of Seuil du Poitou. In the southern part of the Deux-Sèvres department, the dwelling is located in a small, easy-to-access region, simultaneously very peaceful and, yet, still open to the outside world. Poitiers, its high-speed rail train station and airport with international connections, are 45 minutes away by car. In 1.5 hours, you can reach the city of La Rochelle on the Atlantic, with its exceptional heritage and a plethora of transportation options. Lastly, nearby, a large village (7.5 kilometres) and a small town – including a church listed as a world heritage site (20 km) – provide all essential services, shops and cultural activities.
Description
Vestiges of a moat, a floor with small stones inlaid in various motifs, mullioned, transom or cross-windows, monumental medieval fireplaces, a visible circle on the ground marking the location of a former tower: the former chateau – in which the current dwelling is nestled (178 m2) – has left remarkable vestiges of its glorious past.
The house's garden level is arranged around a living room with chestnut herringbone hardwood floors: on one side is the dining room from which one enters, while the kitchen space is located under an office-artist’s studio on the mezzanine level. On the other side is a hallway with a lavatory and a bedroom facing the garden. It would also be quite easy to create a shower room on this level.
The upstairs is accessible two different ways: either by the old, wide stone staircase in the living room or by another, steeper staircase, located at the back of a second bedroom, the latter of which has arched French doors that provide direct access to the garden.
A bathroom with lavatory is located on the landing of the second staircase, which is then followed by a large bedroom with a wardrobe. On the opposite side of this room is a door that leads to the landing of the ancient staircase, which provides access to a shower room with lavatory.
The barn with its striking floor (75 m2) contains a recent wood-pellet furnace. The property’s tile roofs have been insulated and are in good condition. However, the roof of a second outbuilding (former cowshed) will need to be changed at some point.
The house's garden level is arranged around a living room with chestnut herringbone hardwood floors: on one side is the dining room from which one enters, while the kitchen space is located under an office-artist’s studio on the mezzanine level. On the other side is a hallway with a lavatory and a bedroom facing the garden. It would also be quite easy to create a shower room on this level.
The upstairs is accessible two different ways: either by the old, wide stone staircase in the living room or by another, steeper staircase, located at the back of a second bedroom, the latter of which has arched French doors that provide direct access to the garden.
A bathroom with lavatory is located on the landing of the second staircase, which is then followed by a large bedroom with a wardrobe. On the opposite side of this room is a door that leads to the landing of the ancient staircase, which provides access to a shower room with lavatory.
The barn with its striking floor (75 m2) contains a recent wood-pellet furnace. The property’s tile roofs have been insulated and are in good condition. However, the roof of a second outbuilding (former cowshed) will need to be changed at some point.
The Dwelling
What a history… Inventories of the premises from 1657 and 1771 indicated that there were once moats with a drawbridge, a keep, a dwelling, towers, a dovecote, a chapel, built in 1614 and which still exists today (off the property), a tenant farm, a garden and vineyards. However, in 1791, the Marquis Michel-Ange-Boniface de Castellane was forced to flee the country and the property, then confiscated, was sold in 1797. In 1832, it belonged to five different owners and the stones from some of the buildings were reused to build others. The current dwelling is the survivor of this group of buildings, and today, stands at the centre of this striking dry-limestone hamlet.
Cadenced by arched or delicately moulded doorways, its façades are punctuated by transom, geminated or cross-windows.
The ground floor
The front door opens onto a vast, dual-aspect dining room in which a monumental fireplace from the 14th century stands: its chimney hood, under a Gothic arch with brick keystones is decorated in layers of the same material. The open kitchen is located under an office-artist’s studio on the mezzanine level, bathed in light by skylights. The living room, with chestnut herringbone hardwood floors, is structured around another large fireplace, refurbished by a French Buildings-certified artisan using original materials. With an east to west dual-aspct, the living room also contains a former sink that now holds bookcases. The main staircase is located in this room, while a small alcove (lavatory door) leads to a large bedroom facing the garden to the east. This room is bathed in light by a window to the east and another to the south: no two windows are alike in this historically unique dwelling. Another bedroom with access to the garden via arched French doors, has, at the back, a second staircase that leads upstairs.
The first floor
The landing of the main staircase leads to two bedrooms. The one on the left faces both east and west and has an insulated ceiling as well as a walk-in wardrobe illuminated by a small stained-glass window. Its en-suite bathroom with lavatory opens onto the landing of the second staircase, thanks to which it is possible to directly access the garden. In the second bedroom (to the right of the landing of the main staircase), window seats provide enjoyable views of the garden from a geminated window. This bedroom also has its own en-suite shower room with lavatory, as well as oak hardwood floors and a ceiling rose.
The Barn with its Noteworthy Floor
Was this, in the 14th century, the chateau’s grand hall? Small stones carved into triangles were inlaid into the floor – up to 900 per m2 – and create patterns within eight compartments: four fleur-de-lys in the corners (unique in France), two roses and two diamonds. Reminiscent of Provencal or Spanish "calade" cobblestone streets, the result here is more sophisticated and is practically mosaic-like. The building that houses this rarity is a reconstruction from the 19th century built out of dry stones taken from the other edifices of the chateau complex. Perpendicular to the barn, a former cowshed with cobblestone floors dates from the same time period.
The Garden
An intimate space, it includes an arbour, patches of medicinal plants or vegetables and a circular low wall built out of re-used stones to mark the location of a former tower. A line of fruit trees runs along a hedge to the east, which shelters the property from view.
Our opinion
Known commonly as “the chateau”, this nickname is not an exaggeration, but a homage to the past. The artist couple who restored the dwelling 25 years ago made sure to incorporate it within the tradition of this homogenous hamlet of rubble limestone masonry: for a century and a half, its ancient materials were used to reconstruct and embellish the property, which was honoured and certified by the Heritage Foundation in 2003. With no high-voltage power lines or wind turbines marring the view of the horizon, its interior layout is such that an independent guestroom could be created immediately. In addition, a swimming pool could be added to the garden and the conversion of the barn – with its magnificent floor displaying eight medieval motifs made out of calade-style small stones, unique in France – is not beyond the realms of possibility.
Reference 298345
| Land registry surface area | 1751 m2 |
| Main building surface area | 178.5 m2 |
| Number of bedrooms | 4 |
| Outbuilding surface area | 124 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.
