A 250m² apartment bathed in natural light inside a listed edifice in the historical heart
of Dole, a charming town in France’s Bourgogne-Franche-Comté region
of Dole, a charming town in France’s Bourgogne-Franche-Comté region
Dole,
JURA
franche-comte
39100
FR
Location
The charming town of Dole lies near the Jura hills. It is officially recognised for its built heritage and is known for its cuisine and many festive events. The apartment’s edifice is nestled on one of the main streets of Dole’s well-preserved historical centre, which is partly pedestrianised and brings together shops and amenities. From the apartment, you reach everything on foot, including the town’s high-speed train station. From this station, you can get to Paris in 2 hours and to Lausanne in 2 hours and 30 minutes by rail. The towns of Besançon and Dijon are 50 kilometres away and Geneva is 2 hours and 30 minutes away by road. Dole airport, in the town of Tavaux, just outside Dole, is only a 10-minute drive away.
Description
The apartment is nestled upstairs inside the Hôtel de Vurry, one of the oldest edifices in Dole. The building dates back to 1540. Its towering roof has a 16-metre-high ridge beam that lies above Dole’s other rooftops. The roof frame was built with the same timber used to make Notre-Dame de Dole collegiate church, which stands nearby. Inside, the spiral staircase is a rarity. As soon as you step into the edifice, the wooden door and the floor of old cement tiles give you the impression that you have travelled back in time. The whole building has been listed as a historical monument since 1993. It is the perfect example of Renaissance townhouses in France’s Franche-Comté province. In the 18th century, interior renovation work was carried out on the edifice and the apartment.
The apartment
Once you have stepped through the wooden 18th-cenutry entrance door, you find yourself in a corridor that runs lengthways through the apartment. On the left, the corridor connects to a decagonal reception lounge adorned with wooden panelling in a light orange tone. There is a bull’s-eye window above each double door opposite the windows. Through these round windows, natural light fills the apartment’s many storage spaces. The ceiling has an octagonal hollow. A door hidden in the decor leads into a tower where a boiler room houses an efficient gas boiler that was recently installed. A double door leads to a corridor, then to an office. This office is plainer than the lounge. It has four wooden double doors and a ceiling underlined with mouldings, all in grey tones. The room has herringbone parquet and a marble fireplace. On the right of the central corridor, a door leads into a dining room, which is decorated with two trumeau panels. These two trumeau panels were possibly painted by the famous French painter Étienne Allegrain, whose time in the local region coincides with the period when the apartment was renovated. The room is adorned with wooden panelling painted in a pale grey tone. The Cremona-bolt windows have kept their historical glazing, as well as their foldable indoor shutters. Wood strip flooring extends across the room and the fireplace is made of local marble. The view outside draws your gaze over the rooftops of Dole, but also down to the inner court. A kitchen adjoins the room. This kitchen was recently renovated in suitable tones. The floor is covered with small, red cement tiles and the wooden panelling has been fully painted. From the dining room, a door leads to a storeroom, then to a bedroom with an alcove that recalls that of Margaret of Austria, with her initials and coat of arms. There is a wooden floor. A small, hidden staircase leads up to a bull’s-eye window, through which you can spy on the room. An extra bedroom, a modernised bathroom and a lavatory complete the apartment.
Our opinion
This is the perfect apartment for lovers of history and heritage. The dwelling is nestled in a 16th-century edifice – a listed monument that is a precious token of Dole’s rich past. It is ideally located too, in an old town centre that offers shops and draws visitors. Here you can enjoy the Franche-Comté art of living and stroll leisurely to renowned restaurants and cultural events in this charming town. Bucolic walks take you along the River Doubs and into the enchanting countryside that surrounds Dole. The apartment has a practical layout, with a central corridor that connects to the main rooms, which are bathed in natural light. You may wish to freshen up this haven to suit your tastes. But left as it is, this unique property would still be a true gem.
Reference 710821
| Number of rooms | 5 |
| Number of bedrooms | 3 |
| destination places | mixte |
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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.
