An artist’s dwelling from the early 20th century, with a garden of 2,700 m²,
in the Seine-et-Marne department’s Gâtinais natural park, 50 km from Paris
Barbizon, SEINE-ET-MARNE ile-de-france 77630 FR

Location

Fifty kilometres southeast of Paris, in the Seine-et-Marne department, Cély-en-Bière is located in a countryside typical of the French Gâtinais region, nestled between farmland and wooded areas.
Accessible via the nearby A6 motorway, making it possible to reach Paris in less than one hour, the property is also 15 minutes away from the train stations of Melun and Bois-le-Roi, which guarantee regular connections to Paris in nearly 35 minutes, while only 20 minutes from Fontainebleau, the town spreads out under the forest of the same name, known for its walks, outdoor activities and, especially, golfing, including a nearby course, located around the village's chateau, 500 metres from the dwelling.
Primarily residential, the town contains all essential shops and services for daily life, as do the neighbouring towns of Perthes, Milly-la-Forêt and Melun.

Description

As the former dwelling of a respected journalist, the house is located in a village within the Gâtinais regional natural park, recognised for its environmental preservation and natural and cultural heritage, where many past and present artists have resided, such as Alain Delon or Gilles Lelouche.
Set back from the road, the property is concealed behind an enclosure wall and a pale green gate festooned in climbing roses, while the dwelling, with approximately 360 m² of inhabitable floor area, eight bedrooms and three bathrooms, is surrounded by a tree-filled garden, sheltering it from view. With two storeys over a garden level, as well as an accessible attic floor and a full basement, it was built on the foundations of a former 15th-century farm and features an asymmetrical silhouette, sizeable volumes and a tower, whereas its plaster-coated exterior, highlighted by stone quoins and window/door surrounds, is cadenced by five rows of vertical windows, safeguarded by wooden shutters.
Boasting an eye-catching glass conservatory, a vestige of a chateau from the Champagne region, which is used as a winter garden bathed in light, the dwelling has preserved a number of original details, such as fireplaces, parquet floors, mouldings and wood panelling.
Although the house’s electricity and plumbing were repaired during an initial renovation, the edifice’s plastering and repainting await to be scheduled, while, with mostly single-glazed windows, the dwelling’s cavity walls contribute to its overall insulation, and the roof, partially repaired, combines original slate and interlocking tiles.
As for its exterior, the grounds are structured into several levels, which hug the property’s topography, and include an archway of lime trees, a rose garden, a greenhouse and a garden shed, while dense vegetation envelops the dwelling and provides enchanting views that constantly change with the seasons.
Lastly, a borehole supplies water for the garden's irrigation system, whereas, enclosed by walls, the property creates a setting that is both private and, yet, fully open towards the surrounding nature.

The Dwelling


The garden-level floor
The main entrance is accessible via several central steps, which lead to a foyer lined with wood panelling that communicates with several living areas, as well as the tower behind the dwelling where the main staircase is located, a pivotal element in the house's layout. On one side, a living room, with an original fireplace topped with a window and oak chevron parquet floors, opens on to the antique conservatory, which extends the space and creates a sunny area that bridges the gap between the dwelling’s interior and exterior.
Following on from here, a kitchen features decorative cement floor tiles, while, on the other side, a large, 49-m² living room, converted into a workshop that is currently used as an artist’s studio, gives on to the garden via three pairs of glass doors and boasts a wood-burning stove that helps heat the upstairs level as well as a spiral staircase, which leads to a room on the lower level.
The first floor
A small corridor, lined with original wood panelling, provides access to four bedrooms, including three with a fireplace and a private bathroom, while the shower rooms, recently renovated, specifically with the addition of travertine tiles, still await their finishing touches. In addition, two dual-aspect rooms could be used as wardrobes or a study, whereas the main bedroom, with a chevron parquet floor, also comes with a renovated shower room.
The second floor
In the tower, between the first and second floors, the original section of the staircase opens on to a landing that leads to four bedrooms and several storage spaces, all accessible through a former ship’s door, while the attic, under the eaves and reachable via a retractable staircase, provides the potential for future development.
The lower level
Facing the front garden and on the same level as the latter, it includes several rooms used for the dwelling’s technical installations and storage, specifically a wine cellar, a workshop and a boiler room. As for these fully excavated rooms, they could be used for a variety of purposes, while many original details still remain, including a stone from the 15th century, visible in the workshop.

The Garden

With approximately 2,700 m², the square-shaped grounds are partially enclosed by stone walls, whereas from the exterior, the tall trees’ foliage immediately confirms the property’s bourgeois origins.
Accessible via an automatic wrought-iron gate, extended by a cobblestone lane leading towards the front steps, around the dwelling there are a variety of different plants, such as several fruit trees, as well as a stunning sequoia, while in the back, an archway of five lime trees is an example of the garden’s overall bucolic nature.
Depending on the grounds’ topography, the garden has been landscaped into numerous levels, punctuated by stone steps and low walls, whereas exterior parking for several vehicles could be added if so desired.

Our opinion

Encircled by ancient lime trees, this timeless dwelling, having traversed the past century, features successive restorations that provide glimpses, here and there, of architectural details that reveal its different strata, like the foyer’s wood panelling, which recalls a bygone era and creates an elegant ambiance.
As for the technical interventions, which have been undertaken to a great extent, they make it possible to continue the dwelling’s overall renovation, thereby restoring it to its former lustre and standing.

Exclusive sale

949 000 €
Fees at the Vendor’s expense


See the fee rates

Reference 445536

Land registry surface area 2663 m²
Main building floor area 360 m²
Number of bedrooms 9
Outbuildings floor area 80 m²

French Energy Performance Diagnosis


Information on the risks to which this property is exposed is available on the website: www.georisques.gouv.fr

Consultant

Camille Bozek +33 1 42 84 80 85

contact

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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.

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