An estate designed for receptions on 3-hectare grounds, within
the wooded Bessin countryside of Normandy, two hours and 15 minutes from Paris
the wooded Bessin countryside of Normandy, two hours and 15 minutes from Paris
Bayeux,
CALVADOS
lower-normandy
14400
FR
Location
Not far from the medieval city of Bayeux, known around the world for its museum that houses the 9th-century tapestry depicting William the Conqueror’s conquest of England, the manor is concealed amidst the wooded Bessin countryside, sheltered from view and surrounded by a verdant and gently rolling landscape. In addition, essential shops, amenities and services for daily life can all be found within a radius of several kilometres, the Caen-Carpiquet airport is only 18 minutes away and, from the bus station in Bayeux, Paris is accessible in two hours and 15 minutes.
Description
Seen from above, the property is nestled amidst large expanses of farmland bordered by woods along their edges, while a long lane lined with trees leads to a group of buildings, organised in a U shape around a central landscaped courtyard. With a total floor area of approximately 1,500 m², the estate underwent a meticulous renovation in 2023, which successfully managed to combine its ancient architectural heritage with contemporary requirements. As for the buildings, topped with steep slate roofs, they are arranged around the main dwelling, a manor house built out of Caen stone and cadenced by tall small-paned windows. With two storeys as well as an attic level, it is flanked by two lower wings that frame a precisely defined courtyard, while the outbuildings extend along the courtyard’s three other sides. Featuring a long perpendicular building to the north, with an understated exterior, the main dwelling communicates with a contemporary, glassed in wing to the south, which is extended by a formal garden and more recent amenities. In addition, the exteriors, cadenced by symmetrical windows, alternate between pointed stone and stately blonde limestone window/door surrounds, whereas, behind, a thicket provides welcome shade and privacy. With breath-taking views of the Norman wooded landscape, which has remained unchanged for centuries, the whole exudes both the stability of a family dwelling, as well as the elegance of a site that is today focused on receptions, guest accommodations and celebrations, with its many reception rooms and bedrooms.
The Manor House
Classical in appearance, the two-storey building, with an additional attic level, includes, on the ground floor, a large dining room facing the garden with a fitted contemporary kitchen that has been designed as a living space in its own right. Extending on from here is a glass-enclosed wing with an indoor swimming pool and fitness room, looking towards the south and the garden, while, in the back, the living room, cadenced by darkly-tinted, exposed ceiling beams, has preserved the features of a charming country dwelling with its stone fireplace, reading area and central snooker table. As for the upstairs level, it contains five bedrooms.
The "Guest" Wing
The ground floor includes a living room, with a massive Caen stone fireplace topped by a moulded lintel, which abuts the former wine press room, today transformed into a banquet hall that can host up to fifty guests. A staircase provides access to the first floor, where an immense dormitory, which can accommodate up to 25 people, is decorated with hardwood floors and exposed wooden rafters, while a second staircase, in stone and safeguarded by a wrought-iron bannister, provides access to the upper floors, which include five bedrooms, each one with its own private bathroom.
The Wedding Hall
Extending on from the guest wing, this reception hall of approximately 345 m² can accommodate up to 250 guests for seated meals. With a dance floor and decorated with pointed stone walls, dark-colour ceiling beams and large windows, it abuts a professional kitchen, while, upstairs, a separate flat contains two bedrooms.
The Outdoor Spaces
The manor is surrounded by three-hectare grounds, which combine landscaped spaces with vast expanses of lawn and woodland. In front, a large swath of lawn, meticulously landscaped, is ideal for outdoor receptions: a wooden pavilion and its two tented pagodas can accommodate up to 210 guests for cocktails and a picturesque wrought-iron gazebo stands next to a drive lined with perennials and tall grasses. Further on, a grassy area is an invitation for convivial moments and lawn bowling, the surrounding woods provide welcome shade and, finally, a landscaped car park is large enough to fit up to one hundred vehicles.
Our opinion
There are some places whose calling seems obvious from the very beginning… and this is one of them: behind the elegance of its blonde Caen stone exteriors, the manor deftly combines architectural heritage with contemporary functionality. Here, on this “wedding estate”, everything has been designed for hosting, entertaining and celebrating, without ever compromising the site’s overall tranquillity or the understated harmony of its architecture. As for the estate, sheltered from view, it provides a rare setting where celebrations can take place peacefully, surrounded by the breath-taking Norman countryside, while its composition, the fluidity of its layout and generous proportions, both inside and out, reveal a complete ensemble, ideally suited for habitation or a hospitality-based activity in a spirit of rustic refinement.
2 425 000 €
Fees at the Vendor’s expense
Reference 323936
| Land registry surface area | 3 ha |
| Main building floor area | 1400 m² |
| Number of bedrooms | 13 |
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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- Bayeux -
- Calvados -
- Lower Normandy -
- Normandy
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.
