An 18th-century country house
just south of Mont-Saint-Michel
just south of Mont-Saint-Michel
Val-Couesnon,
ILLE-ET-VILAINE
brittany
35460
FR
Location
The property lies in the countryside of France’s Ille-et-Vilaine department, between Mont-Saint-Michel and the town of Fougères. The house is tucked away among hedge-lined meadows, between woods, streams and small valleys. Only 100 metres away, there is a famous cycle path known as “La Régalante”. Stretching around 275 kilometres, this cycle path runs from the city of Nantes to Mont-Saint-Michel, which is 30 minutes from the property. The town of Fougères is only 25 minutes away by car. Fougères is renowned for its built heritage and medieval fortress – the biggest in Europe. From the train station in the city of Rennes, 50 minutes away, you can get to Paris in 1 hour and 30 minutes by rail.
Description
The country house stands on a 4,370m² tree-dotted plot on the edge of a hamlet in the middle of fields. The property is completed with an adjoining meadow and woods covering 3,150m². The stone dwelling was built in 1750. It is crowned with a gabled slate roof. It has a ground floor, a first floor and a second floor in the roof space. It offers a total of 257m² of liveable floor area in addition to a garage and two loft spaces. The south-facing facade looks out at a tree-dotted garden. This sun-kissed facade is made of blocks of beige sandstone. Orange-tinted lime pointing brings out the colour of the stone. The elevations contrast with the plain glint of the slate roof tiles and the bluish grey of the granite that forms the quoins and door and window surrounds. Towards the south-west of the plot, in the shade of a majestic oak tree, there is a second stone building. It has a 50m² floor area and is crowned with a slate roof. It houses a former bread oven.
The main house
The ground floor
The south-facing entrance hall is bathed in natural light from a half-glazed double entrance door beneath a glazed fanlight. On the right, glazing that edges a staircase of solid wood separates it from a large lounge, where windows add more natural light. On the left, there is a similarly sized dining room that connects to a garden-facing office. The walls are exposed, painted white or lime-plastered. Both spaces have exposed ceiling beams, terracotta-tiled floors and indoor wooden shutters. Both also have a traditional fireplace. A wood-burning stove in one of the hearths complements underfloor heating that ensures even warmth throughout the ground floor. The kitchen has a terracotta-tiled floor and a granite work surface. It connects to a boiler room, a pantry and a garage.
The first floor
The first floor has a dual-aspect master bedroom with a 38m² floor area, exposed stonework, exposed beams, a bathtub, a shower room and a lavatory. On the other side of the landing, there is a second large bedroom with a 37m² floor area. It currently serves as an office. It has a stone fireplace with a wood-burning stove. Next, there is an insulated loft space with a 35m² floor area. It could be converted on two levels.
The second floor
On the top floor, a landing connects to a shower room with a lavatory and to two bedrooms with sloping attic roofs that have floor areas of 16m² and 18m² respectively and are fitted with storage spaces.
The garage
The stone garage offers a 35m² floor area and has a slate roof. It adjoins the main house and connects to it via the west end wall. It has a tool storage space, a heating oil tank and an attic.
The bakehouse
This stone building has a 50m² floor area and stands in the south-west corner of the plot. It houses an old bread oven. It is crowned with a slate roof.
The garden
The south-facing garden is enclosed with hedges and dotted with large trees. These trees include oaks, tulip trees, chestnuts and larches. There are also two wells and a greenhouse with a 15m² floor area. Next to the garden, there is a meadow and a wood. They are separated from the garden by a country lane. A stream flows through the property, which covers 7,520m² in total.
Our opinion
This simple, authentic Breton country house blends naturally into its bucolic backdrop in France’s beautiful Ille-et-Vilaine department. The interior is not showy. Bathed in natural light, it is warm, welcoming and comforting. The south-facing garden is dotted with trees and invites you to unwind, contemplate and enjoy gardening. There is no renovation work needed on the house. With its four large bedrooms and convertible space, the dwelling lends itself to different projects. It could be, for example, a holiday home, a refuge for remote working or a guesthouse. In its natural surroundings, many walking and cycling trails lead to the charming town of Fougères with its medieval fortress or to the coast and Mont-Saint-Michel Bay, only 25 kilometres away via a picturesque cycle path nearby. In short, this is a well-proportioned property with true character. It is waiting for you to write the next chapter in its story, with respect for its unique soul.
460 000 €
Fees at the Vendor’s expense
Reference 997216
| Land registry surface area | 7520 m² |
| Main building floor area | 257 m² |
| Number of bedrooms | 4 |
| Outbuildings floor area | 65 m² |
French Energy Performance Diagnosis
Information on the risks to which this property is exposed is available on the website: www.georisques.gouv.fr
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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.
