A hamlet comprising three 17th-century dwellings, with a bread oven and outbuildings,
on a site covering over 1 hectare, near the Haras National du Pin
on a site covering over 1 hectare, near the Haras National du Pin
Argentan,
ORNE
lower-normandy
61200
FR
Location
The hamlet is situated in Normandy, in the department of Orne, between the Argentan plain and the hills of the Pays d’Auge-Ornais. Just 5 minutes away, the Haras National du Pin is renowned for its horse racing events. The Château du Bourg-Saint-Léonard is nearby, as is the Montormel Memorial, a major site commemorating the Second World War. There is a bakery in the village of Exmes, 5 minutes away. The shops in Argentan town centre are 15 minutes away. Paris is 2 hours away by train.
Description
A road winds its way through the countryside to the property, which is hidden amongst the vegetation. Perched on a hillside, the 17th-century buildings stand close together and are surrounded by meadows and hornbeam hedgerows. On one side, a path leads to the first and second houses, past a large gravel courtyard. The third building is accessed by a different path. Each property has its own private outdoor area. The gabled roofs, featuring dormer windows, with their old tiles are topped with brick chimneys. The dwellings, which are two storeys high, are built of sandstone rubble stone set with lime mortar. Limestone cladding frames arched windows, topped with oak lintels. A stone cornice runs along the facades and highlights the eaves. Imposing granite slabs cover the ground and form a natural staircase between the dwellings.
The first building
Two granite steps lead to a wide wooden door which opens onto a hallway and a kitchen. A living room and a lounge covering an area of approximately 50 m² are set one after another and bathed in natural light. The floors are paved with old terracotta tiles laid in a staggered pattern. The entrance to the brick bread oven is situated on one side of a chimney. Shelves have been fitted into the stone wall. A mezzanine is accessed via a small wooden staircase above the oven. The attic comprises two bedrooms, a study and a bathroom. Exposed oak beams can be seen throughout the building.
The second building
It is situated at right angles to the first dwelling. A date inscribed at the top of the door indicates the year 1661. A single room on the ground floor combines a living room and a kitchen. A fireplace with a wood burner in it is set against one of the walls. A sink carved out of granite still has a drainage system visible on the front. The floor is paved with tiles. In the attic, a bedroom and a bathroom share a space beneath exposed oak beams. At the rear of the main building, a lean-to provides space for storing logs. A glass or wooden structure could link the two houses, which are on the same level.
The third building and its barn
Situated below the valley and at right angles to the barn, its south-facing facade consists of timber cladding and glazed half-timbering, which provide light for a kitchen and a living room arranged around a large stone fireplace. Two bedrooms and a bathroom are situated on the same floor, which is accessed via a wooden staircase. The oak beams are exposed and the floors are paved with terracotta tiles. The barn, with its slate roof and exposed stonework, could be converted into a fourth house.
Our opinion
A hamlet that has remained true to its history and its original layout. Behind the hedgerows and meadows that surround it, the three stone houses form a harmonious ensemble which has remained architecturally coherent over time. Restored with respect for traditional materials and craftsmanship, they have retained the simplicity of 17th-century country homes. The fireplaces, antique terracotta floor tiles, oak beams and bread oven are a reminder of the ways of life that have long shaped rural life in Normandy. Whether intended as a family home, a holiday retreat or the setting for a hospitality project, the property possesses the rare quality of an intact identity, which is evident in both the architecture and the landscape.
Reference 463092
| Land registry surface area | 1 ha 25 a 40 ca |
| Main building floor area | 221 m² |
| Number of bedrooms | 5 |
| Outbuildings floor area | 50 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.
