A late 19th century house, its outbuilding and its swimming pool,
near to Fontainebleau and just 5 minutes from Barbizon
near to Fontainebleau and just 5 minutes from Barbizon
Barbizon,
SEINE-ET-MARNE
ile-de-france
77630
FR
Location
This property stands just 4 km from the village of Barbizon which is known the world over for having formed the background in the painting “L'Angélus” (The Angelus) by Jean-François-Millet whose art studio can still be visited today. Barbizon was a place of inspiration and work for many artists, poets and landscape painters who, at the end of the 19th century, used the local countryside and Fontainebleau forest as their subjects. The famous “Barbizon School”, renowned for its plein-air painters, was founded.
Fontainebleau and Bois-le-Roi train stations, 10 minutes away, provide frequent links to Paris-Gare-de-Lyon, respectively taking 30 and 40 minutes. It is, furthermore, 1.5 km from a little, neighbouring town and slip roads for the A6 motorway, making it easy to get to the French capital.
Description
In the centre of a quiet, verdant hamlet, protected from the street and onlookers by a very high stone wall, this property can be accessed via large, metal, remote-controlled gates, set next to a pedestrian gate. A second set of gates further on, after the gable wall of the house, provides access to a rear carpark.
The main, rectangular house stands perpendicular to the street. It is separated from the outbuildings, bordered by the swimming pool area and by a gravel courtyard. It is followed by a garden, composed of areas laid to lawn, flower beds and copses.
The main, rectangular house stands perpendicular to the street. It is separated from the outbuildings, bordered by the swimming pool area and by a gravel courtyard. It is followed by a garden, composed of areas laid to lawn, flower beds and copses.
The house
This house, dating from the late 19th century, reflects the vernacular architecture of the Fontainebleau region at that time. Under a terracotta tile roof with overhanging eaves, composed of various levels and dotted with chimney stacks covered with little gable roofs, the main, south-facing, sandstone facade features numerous doors and windows often sheltered by canopies. In its centre are two hanging roof dormers. On the west side, it is extended by a square tower, only partially incorporated into the carcase such that it protrudes slightly. Its pavilion roof has upward-turning eaves. The gable that follows features a very wide picture window. Behind, an extension with a glazed facade houses a dining room and a laundry room. The walls are covered with climbing plants.
The house, spanning approx. 280 m² of living space over two levels, also includes a small cellar.
The ground floor
A long, through entrance hall, housing a straight, painted, wooden stairway, can be accessed from either side of the house.
It leads, on one side, to a spacious living room, enhanced with an engaged, Louis XV style fireplace, with sculpted white marble mantel and jambs and a straight chimney breast. The blackened bricks of the hearth and fireback form a fitting contrast. The room opens into a kitchen. The latter, with a superb view of the garden, is fitted with a “Godin” cooking range. A second section of the kitchen is partially separated by a partition wall. Sliding, double doors reveal a bright dining room, with predominantly glazed walls.
On the other side of the through entrance hall are a toilet and a suite. Its adjoining bathroom, lined with imitation marble, ceramic tiles, features an old vanity unit, housing a wash-hand basin, but pride of place goes to its copper bath. It also has a separate toilet. A door opens on to the garden. And lastly, a vast laundry room is paved with blue stone tiles.
The floors on this level, with its exposed, painted ceiling beams, are composed of old hexagonal or rectangular terracotta tiles. Although only some have inlaid decoration, they are all particularly outstanding.
The first floor
A long corridor provides access to four bedrooms, a suite and shower rooms. The first is illuminated via small, blue-framed, gothic windows. Its shower room has an onyx wash-hand basin and a toilet. On the other side, a large bedroom, with a dressing room, a bathroom, with a toilet, a bedroom and a suite, each with its own shower room and toilet. Every room on this floor has its own atmosphere, its own colour: blue, green or white, proof that great care was taken with the interior decoration. A stairway goes up to the top of the tower and a room, illuminated by small windows, in use as a study which, like a watchtower, gives a view of the surrounding area. The floors on this level are laid with strip pattern parquet flooring.
The outbuildings
The annexe building, standing at a distance, has its own private, little garden. Its half-timbered facades are topped with a roof covered with local tiles. It houses woodstore and spans approx. 40 m² of living space over three levels as well as a cellar. It is followed by a garage, spanning a surface area of approx. 45 m².
The ground floor
An entrance hall opens into a fitted kitchen, with an eating area and a door leading out into the little garden. Another door leads to a shower room, with a toilet. A flight of five steps goes up from there to a living room. Floors are paved with terracotta tiles.
The intermediate level
A bright, comfortable living room has been laid out so as to take advantage, courtesy of wide windows, of a view over the swimming pool and the garden.
The second floor
A bedroom on this level features the exposed roofing framework.
The garden
Spanning a surface area of approx. 4,000 m², laid to lawn with flowerbeds and copses, the garden also includes a swimming pool area, planted with palm trees and protected by a low palm laurel hedge. The salt-water pool is 12 metres long and 5 metres wide. Heated, it has its own machine room.
Our opinion
On the edge of Fontainebleau forest, this building with its vernacular architecture exudes Anglo-Norman airs. If the Barbizon School was not so close, it would be easy to imagine John-William-Waterhouse as well as other early 20th century, Pre-Raphaelites painting there. The fully renovated interiors cleverly blend the styles of Louis XV with those of the 19th century, giving each room its own muted atmosphere. The choice of materials, like the terracotta floor tiles, the copper bath and the wall hangings, make this a first-class property.
Surrounded by character properties, in a quiet, sought-after neighbourhood near to Paris, these premises are set in countryside still influenced by 19th century painters. The latter appear to have dulled and shaded the surrounding landscapes in order to make a palimpsest of their canvasses.
1 380 000 €
Fees at the Vendor’s expense
Reference 266090
| Land registry surface area | 4342 m2 |
| Main building surface area | 280 m2 |
| Number of bedrooms | 6 |
| Outbuilding surface area | 85 m2 |
| including refurbished area | 40 m2 |
Share
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.
