A 17th-century private mansion, listed as a Historical Monument,
with its outbuildings, paved courtyard and ornamental garden, in the Anjou region
with its outbuildings, paved courtyard and ornamental garden, in the Anjou region
Baugé,
MAINE-ET-LOIRE
pays-de-loire
49150
FR
Location
This property is located in the Pays de la Loire region, within the Maine-et-Loire department, at the centre of a city with rich architectural heritage, including a 17th and 18th-century church as well as the medieval chateau that today houses the city’s museum. All shops and services are accessible on foot as are the two weekly green markets. The rolling surrounding countryside is wooded and was once the private hunting estate of the beloved René of Anjou, who split his life between Anjou and Provence. The nearby villages are famous for their twisted church spires and their beautiful homes, while Saumur and the banks of the Loire River are only 30 minutes away, as is Angers and its high-speed rail station, with train service to Paris in 1.5 hours. In addition, it takes one hour to reach Tours and Le Mans, the train stations of which also provide connections to the capital. Lastly, access to the A11 and A85 motorways are located approximately twenty kilometres from the property.
Description
Surrounded by high walls, some of which are the city’s former ramparts, the property is accessible from the street via a carriage door, which opens onto a covered entranceway in tuffeau stone that leads to a large paved courtyard. The covered entranceway is located below a 19th-century building, decorated with pilasters, a frieze and a triangular pediment. Bordered by the private mansion on one side and former stables on the other, the courtyard also communicates with a garden, which includes a guard tower from the 16th century.
In addition, the property also has a former bakery located behind the private mansion and an independent dwelling that gives onto the street.
Built between the 16th and 18th centuries, the private mansion is listed as a Historical Monument and includes a main building, a right-angle pavilion to the east, a bartizan where the two intersect, as well as an extension that was added later on to the west.
In addition, the property also has a former bakery located behind the private mansion and an independent dwelling that gives onto the street.
Built between the 16th and 18th centuries, the private mansion is listed as a Historical Monument and includes a main building, a right-angle pavilion to the east, a bartizan where the two intersect, as well as an extension that was added later on to the west.
The Private Mansion
Built out of lime-plastered rubble stone, the main building and pavilion were built over cellars and include a ground floor, first floor and second floor under the eaves, part of which has been converted. Facing south, the front façade of the main building is cadenced by wide symmetrical small-paned windows with interior shutters. Dormer windows with triangular pediments stand atop slate roofs – gabled for the main building and hipped for the pavilion – while the bartizan, window and door surrounds as well as dormer windows are in tuffeau stone. In addition, the one-storey extension is topped with a slate single-pitch roof, while a tuffeau stone well with a slate pavilion roof abuts the main building.
The ground floor
This floor includes all the living spaces. An entranceway with a stone floor precedes a living room decorated with Louis XVI wood panelling with four corner cupboards, a herringbone hardwood floor and a marble fireplace with its chimneybreast. Following on from here is a library that was recently created in the extension and whose glass windows open directly onto the front courtyard. This floor also includes a dining room – decorated with 17th-century wood panelling with two corner cupboards, straight-plank hardwood floors and a tuffeau stone fireplace – which abuts a kitchen with a Burgundy stone tile floor and a Renaissance fireplace in tuffeau stone. Extending on from the entrance hall, a massive tuffeau stone staircase, which leads to the upstairs levels, is decorated with columns and balusters under a vaulted ceiling. Located under the staircase, a lavatory provides access to a furnace room and the cellars, which are also accessible from the library. Located in the pavilion, the kitchen opens onto a paved pathway, which acts as the link between the bakery, rear courtyard and garden.
The first floor
The landing provides access to two small hallways: the first leads to a bedroom with an alcove, followed by a bathroom with lavatory; the second leads to two bedrooms, one with a shower room and lavatory, as well as another with a bathroom, separate lavatory and a wardrobe. Each bedroom includes a marble fireplace with chimneybreast as well as storage spaces. Two of them also have wood panelling, while the floors on this level are either covered in terracotta tiles or pitch-pine hardwood.
The attic
The landing provides access to a TV room and office, which in turn gives onto the attic space. In both rooms, the beams of the wooden rafters have been left visible and the floor is covered in oak hardwood.
The Former Stables
Rectangular in shape and parallel to the private mansion, this building has a slate roof punctuated by dormer windows topped by curvilinear or triangular pediments. Built in the 17th century and refurbished in the 19th century, this building includes a ground floor and an upper floor under the eaves.
The ground floor
This level includes an exterior lavatory, a kitchen/dining room with a stone floor, a saddle room with wood panelling, a living room and a bedroom with a tuffeau stone fireplace, a shower room and lavatory. The floors in the living room, bedroom and saddle room are covered in terracotta tiles.
The attic
This level includes three bedrooms, each with their own bathroom or shower room and lavatory. With terracotta tile floors and visible wooden rafters in all the rooms, one bedroom is accessible from an outside stone staircase protected by a wrought-iron handrail, while the two others can be reached via a staircase located in the dining room.
The Independent Dwelling
Facing the street, it communicates with the private mansion via the library located in the extension. This building has two floors, each with two rooms, including one with a tuffeau stone fireplace. With a total floor area of approximately 70 m², the building includes a shop on the ground floor and a small courtyard/garden in the back. It should be noted that this building is in need of some renovation work.
The Outbuildings
Above the covered entranceway, a room of approximately 15 m² with a marble fireplace and a terracotta tile floor is accessible via an exterior stone staircase with a wrought-iron handrail.
As for the 16th-century guard tower, it is located at the back of the garden. With a floor area of approximately 30 m², it is integrated within the former city ramparts and includes a vaulted chapel on the ground floor. An outside stone staircase with a wrought-iron handrail leads to the first floor, which includes a library with a marble fireplace. The floors are covered in terracotta tiles throughout and the wooden rafters in the tower have been left visible.
The former bakery with approximately 12 m² includes a room on the ground floor with a terracotta tile floor, a tuffeau stone fireplace and an ancient stone warming oven. Lastly, a cellar in the basement is used as a machine room for the swimming pool.
The Garden
Separated by a low wall on the courtyard side, the garden is surrounded by former ramparts and includes two verdant spaces created by hornbeam hedges. The first includes an oval pond, while the second has four flowerbeds symmetrically arranged around the lawn as well as a curtain of lime trees. Yews stand on either side of the first space, while the back of the garden is planted with old lime trees and bay laurels. The garden also communicates with the swimming pool, the access of which is safeguarded by an iron gate and fence.
Our opinion
Sheltered from view and the passing of time, behind the thick walls of a small historical city, this property is emblematic of Anjou and the French art of living. Once past the gate, visitors are immediately struck by the elegance and refinement of the buildings’ façades, as well as enchanted by the living memory of a residence whose character and features are so remarkably preserved. The magic continues inside the private mansion thanks to the majestic grace of its immense staircase with white stone steps, polished and worn down over the centuries. The current occupant, who initiated the renovation work, was not only able to successfully showcase the property, but also provide it with all modern comforts, including a beautiful swimming pool hidden within its large garden.
Reference 738625
| Land registry surface area | 2112 m2 |
| Main building surface area | 350 m2 |
| Number of bedrooms | 7 |
| Outbuilding surface area | 290 m2 |
| including refurbished area | 160 m2 |
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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.
