A listed 16th-18th century house in the shade of a
ginkgo biloba tree, near to Bourgueil
ginkgo biloba tree, near to Bourgueil
Chinon,
INDRE-ET-LOIRE
center-val-de-loire
37500
FR
Location
On the border between the Pays de la Loire and Centre-Val de Loire regions, in the western part of Indre-et-Loire, the property is located in the heart of a Touraine village. The property lies at the heart of the Loire-Anjou-Touraine Regional Nature Park and on the edge of the Val de Loire area, which has been declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, in the land of vineyards and troglodytes, Loire shipping and tufa stone.
The commune is home to a number of shops and craftspeople. A doctor's surgery is nearby.
The town of Saumur is 30 minutes away, with its remarkable château and famous Cadre Noir. The town of Chinon, 10 minutes away, is classified as a “city of art and history”. Built on a hillside overlooking the Vienne river, it is famous for its royal fortress, where Joan of Arc stayed. The châteaux of Rigny-Ussé and Azay-le-Rideau, as well as the royal abbey of Fontevraud, are just a stone's throw away.
From the nearest train station, Tours is 30 minutes away, making it possible to reach Paris by TGV in less than an hour. The A85 motorway is just 5 minutes away.
Description
The property has been listed as a historic monument since 1962. It is located in the centre of the village, very close to the town hall and church. Almost hidden from the street thanks to its surrounding wall, the 16th-century house and its 18th-century wing look out over the garden and its majestic ginkgo biloba tree, a "remarkable tree of France". A gateway with an arched tufa stone arch adjoins the outbuilding, which houses a porch with arched double wooden doors and a garage workshop. The arched openings on the courtyard side form a harmonious whole, emphasising the curve that defines the lawn at the foot of the gingko biloba tree. The main facades, facing east, enjoy the rising sun. Facing the landscape and neighbouring vineyards, a sunken swimming pool has been designed like an old garden pond, discreet and elegant, in keeping with the architecture of the buildings. The dwelling comprises two wings, a 16th-century three-storey wing built of dressed stone and an 18th-century two-storey wing built of rendered tufa stone, one of which is under the eaves. The older facades feature stone mullioned windows on the street side and wooden windows on the garden side, while the 18th-century wing is lit up by the large, small-paned windows that were common at the time. A hexagonal tower, linking the two parts of the building, houses the staircase. The slate roof features stone dormers with arched pediments on the wing, and two stone mullioned dormers with triangular pediments on the dwelling. Although the decoration is limited to ashlar frames and quoins, cornices and window sills, two figures carved in the tufa stone have stood the test of time and still adorn the building. Lastly, on the west side, an old covered balcony adjoining the tower has been closed off with half-timbering.
The house
The ground floor
There is a welcoming, vast entrance hall measuring almost 30 m². The stone floor echoes the white features of the walls and fireplace. The beams and joists are exposed and left natural. A flight of steps leads up to the tower and its spiral staircase. On either side of the entrance hall there are a living room and a library. The living room is bathed in light thanks to its east, south and west-facing windows. Terracotta tiles cover the floor. A tufa fireplace recalls the one in the entrance hall. The beams and joists are exposed, and are throughout the floor. The library faces both the garden and the street. The wall on the street side is clad with a custom-made bookcase that will be left in place. In the old wing, a 35 m² kitchen has been converted into a reception room. Terracotta, tufa stone and joists create a perfectly coordinated decor. Mullioned windows add a historic dimension to the whole. The spiral staircase in the hexagonal tower is the crossroads of the house, accessible from the entrance hall, library and kitchen, and connects the upper floors. It is made of tufa stone.
The first floor
From the landing, the two wings of the building are divided into living rooms and private apartments, including bedrooms. With views of the garden and surrounding countryside, the living wing features a small living room and a study in a row. Under the rafters, wooden framework is showcased. The layout is modern and fresh. The private wing has two large bedrooms, each with its own en-suite shower room. One of them also has a wardrobe. The floor is covered in terracotta tiles, with exposed beams and joists on the ceiling. Painted wainscoting covers the lower walls, and wooden shutters are fitted to the windows.
The second floor
floor Accessible from the spiral staircase, it includes an attic that could be converted.
The basement
Our opinion
Live in a small village, right in the middle of a regional nature park, and enjoy breathtaking views over the vines and the Touraine countryside. A beautiful combination for a remarkable listed historic monument. Flanked by its elegant tufa facade and turret, the building conceals vast living spaces in a bright, well-tended setting. The exterior is meticulously cared for and treated as a living space in its own right. The ideal place to enjoy a book and a glass of wine in any season, in the shade of the venerable ginkgo biloba tree, whose virtues and longevity are proverbial in the East.
715 000 €
Fees at the Vendor’s expense
Reference 523085
| Land registry surface area | 1537 m2 |
| Main building surface area | 278 m2 |
| Number of bedrooms | 3 |
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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.
