A 19th-century Renaissance Revival chateau with outbuilding
and grounds overlooking a river on the outskirts of Laval
and grounds overlooking a river on the outskirts of Laval
Laval,
MAYENNE
pays-de-loire
53000
FR
Location
In the north of the Pays de la Loire region and in the centre of the Mayenne department, on the banks of the river of the same name, there is a small town that has always been a popular holiday destination for Laval families. There is a golf course 4 km away. The centre of Laval, the department's capital, with all its shops and services, can be reached from the chateau in just 8 minutes. This "Town of Art and History" boasts an outstanding architectural heritage dating from various periods, from the 11th century when the feudal city was founded to the present day. Its high-speed train station connects to Paris in 1h15. Rennes and Nantes, two towns with an international airport, can be reached by road in 1 and 2 hours respectively.
Description
An impressive wrought-iron gate flanked by sculpted stone pillars opens onto a shady driveway leading to the chateau, set high above the beautiful surrounding grounds. To the north of the residence, there are a former caretaker's lodge and a garage. To the south, a swimming pool adjoins wooded parklands with a pond. To the west, the noble dwelling backs onto meadows stretching across a rocky promontory.
Built in 1871 by architect Alfred Boutreux for a Laval doctor, the chateau is ideally situated overlooking the river Mayenne. The main facade is punctuated by four bays and five storeys, including a basement and an attic.
The walls are of lime-rendered rubble masonry, while the corner quoins and window surrounds are of dressed tuffeau limestone. The foundations are of granite. Facing south-east, the main elevation is one of the most exuberant in the region, reminiscent of a theatre, it features a loge and balconies. The tall building is a superb example of the Renaissance architectural repertoire as revived by artists and architects in the 19th century. It features Corinthian columns, stringcourses, cornices, surroundings, entablatures, pediments, mascarons, balustrades and rustications, among other sculpted or moulded stone elements. The windows have basket-handle arches and large-paned wooden frames with rounded edges. The French windows on the ground and first floors are topped by glazed transoms and protected by small stone balustrades or wrought-iron railings.
The steep pavilion roof is of slate, topped with brick and stone chimney stacks and features five massive, highly ornate pedimented dormers, three of which are arranged in a tiered group in the centre, together forming a pediment at the top of the building. These basket-handle dormers, set at the edge of the roof, are flanked by columns forming straight jambs, with massive stone pediments of various shapes, including the circular one at the top, which crowns the entire building, above the oriel window that forms the avant-corps of the building.
This projecting section forms the most striking feature of the chateau. Built in the centre of the main facade on two storeys, including the basement level, it houses a winter garden bordered on three sides by wrought-iron glass walls. It is topped by a terrace with pear-shaped stone balusters, accessed from the first floor. To the south, there is a perron covered by a glass and wrought iron canopy. Lastly, to the north, a service entrance leads to a kitchen.
Built in 1871 by architect Alfred Boutreux for a Laval doctor, the chateau is ideally situated overlooking the river Mayenne. The main facade is punctuated by four bays and five storeys, including a basement and an attic.
The walls are of lime-rendered rubble masonry, while the corner quoins and window surrounds are of dressed tuffeau limestone. The foundations are of granite. Facing south-east, the main elevation is one of the most exuberant in the region, reminiscent of a theatre, it features a loge and balconies. The tall building is a superb example of the Renaissance architectural repertoire as revived by artists and architects in the 19th century. It features Corinthian columns, stringcourses, cornices, surroundings, entablatures, pediments, mascarons, balustrades and rustications, among other sculpted or moulded stone elements. The windows have basket-handle arches and large-paned wooden frames with rounded edges. The French windows on the ground and first floors are topped by glazed transoms and protected by small stone balustrades or wrought-iron railings.
The steep pavilion roof is of slate, topped with brick and stone chimney stacks and features five massive, highly ornate pedimented dormers, three of which are arranged in a tiered group in the centre, together forming a pediment at the top of the building. These basket-handle dormers, set at the edge of the roof, are flanked by columns forming straight jambs, with massive stone pediments of various shapes, including the circular one at the top, which crowns the entire building, above the oriel window that forms the avant-corps of the building.
This projecting section forms the most striking feature of the chateau. Built in the centre of the main facade on two storeys, including the basement level, it houses a winter garden bordered on three sides by wrought-iron glass walls. It is topped by a terrace with pear-shaped stone balusters, accessed from the first floor. To the south, there is a perron covered by a glass and wrought iron canopy. Lastly, to the north, a service entrance leads to a kitchen.
The chateau
The base level
On the same level as the courtyard, it is accessed from inside the dwelling by a back staircase. It comprises a study, a hunting room with fireplace, a laundry and boiler room, a hallway and a cellar, which can only be accessed from outdoors. The floors are tiled, except for the study, which is carpeted. On the south side, a section next to the swimming pool houses a dining room, a shower room, a steam room and a lavatory.
The ground floor
The hallway and the grand staircase are accessed from the southern perron of the residence. Large, glazed wooden doors with decorative mouldings lead from the cabochon-tiled entrance hall to a generous sitting room followed by a smaller one. The first connects to a dining room, together forming a row of reception rooms. Both rooms are adorned with sculpted black marble fireplaces, ceilings featuring sculpted putti and herringbone parquet flooring. They also open onto the winter garden, with its cabochon-tiled floor and uninterrupted views over the parkland. There are also a small sitting room and a second dining room with a marble fireplace, both have straight strip parquet floors. Finally, this last room adjoins a tiled kitchen.
The first floor
The main staircase leads up to a landing serving a large bedroom with closet, bathroom and lavatory. The floors are carpeted. On this level, there are also another bedroom with a marble fireplace, straight strip parquet flooring and a carpeted shower room. Two central French windows lead to the terrace above the bay window, which is bordered by a stone balustrade and offers a sweeping view over the grounds.
The second floor
This storey comprises three bedrooms, a bathroom and a lavatory, all carpeted.
The attic
The roofspace contains an attic of almost 48 m², accessed by a small staircase.
The caretaker's house
This lodging also dates from the 19th century and was designed in the style of a small castle, with its tall tower topped by a pepperpot roof. It has a floor area of roughly 30 m² spreading over three floors, one of which is in the roofspace. The rubble masonry walls are lime-plastered and the roofs are clad with slate tiles. The facades are adorned with red brick and tuffeau limestone window surrounds and brick stringcourses.
The grounds
Extending over 5,544 m², the parklands slope down from the house to the street and to the south, hiding the chateau from prying eyes. The residence is surrounded by centuries-old trees such as lime, camellia and cedar, as well as a variety of shrubs and flowerbeds. Hedged lawns extend all around the flights of stone steps and the tarmac driveway. Finally, to the south, set in a small valley, there is a stone pond, also shaded by numerous trees.
The garage
Adjacent to the caretaker's lodge, it provides space for one vehicle.
Our opinion
This is a truly elegant and refined country house, perched on the banks of the Mayenne river. The tall residence boasts a singular and truly exceptional appearance, from its exuberant theatre-like Renaissance facade to its astonishing caretaker's lodge, resembling a fairytale castle. The winter garden, entirely facing the wooded park, is the crowning glory of the chateau's dazzling architectural display dating from the last century. After having been refurbished and brought up to date, a family will find here everything that epitomises the ideal holiday home: an estate in the heart of nature, the ideal setting for large Sunday lunch parties surrounded by the scent of wisteria and a swimming pool for the most beautiful hours of the high season.
1 200 000 €
Negotiation fees included
1 142 857 € Fees excluded
5%
TTC at the expense of the purchaser
Reference 504617
| Land registry surface area | 5544 m2 |
| Main building surface area | 394 m2 |
| Number of bedrooms | 5 |
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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.
