Location
The property is perched on the heights of a wooded valley on the Cotentin peninsula, just 20 minutes from the Saint-Vaast-la-Hougue beaches and the Barfleur port. Valognes, also known as the "Versailles of Normandy", is within easy reach, with all essential shops and services. Paris is about 3 hours away.
Description
The manor
From a driveway lined with imposing pillars and then tall trees, the manor is a composite ensemble from different historical and architectural periods. It was once owned by a famous sculptor, whose statue of a French king now adorns the cobbled courtyard of a Paris museum. The building facades are made of pointed stone walls. All the wooden window frames and doors are painted ochre. Both sides of the dwelling feature two rows of imposing mullioned windows and a Jacobean dormer. Once you pass the porch and the first enclosure, the tower side facade is extended on either side by a second enclosure. On the other side, it opens onto a porch leading to the outbuildings. This is topped by a semi-circular vault and gives access to a paved courtyard, which is the first floor of the house. The second enclosure extends the land from a terrace at the back of the property. There is a landscaped garden. A stone staircase provides direct access to the second floor of the house. It is followed by a farm building by which the gravel courtyard can be accessed. The oldest entrance is on the courtyard side, which provides access to the first floor of the main building.
The ground floor
The oldest entrance is on this floor. It leads to a stone staircase marked by the years and an arched vault. This is highlighted by exposed Doric style stone pilasters. Immediately to one side of this, an old cellar with exposed ceiling beams has been converted into a games room. On the other side, a spa has been created and there is access to the upper floor. The entrance hall leads to the first floor, which is also accessible from the outside via the garden terrace staircase. The walls are rendered in ochre lime and the window frames and door are painted grey. Another entrance in the paved courtyard provides access to the room that has become a dining room via a hall, as well as to the kitchen and a utility room.
The first floor
The staircase leads to a first room which is directly above the cellar. The whole area is covered in a rustic oak floor. Two small-paned French windows provide plenty of light. A large fireplace, a remnant of the medieval castle, which was most certainly altered in the 17th century, rises to the ceiling with its painted beams. The pilasters framing the stone overmantel over ochre rendering reach the entablature ceiling. There is a large lounge on the other side. This was built during major conversion work made throughout the main building in the 18th century. The vast room is panelled all over. An imposing screened bookcase with low cupboards runs along one wall near the entrance. The room is illuminated by six imposing French windows set out in pairs. A honey-coloured Versailles parquet is laid out in a staggered pattern over the floor. All the straight-panelling is highlighted by pastel blues and whites in late 17th century style. Free or framed grisailles run along the cornices. The French ceiling is decorated with arabesques and landscape scenes set in gold-coloured medallions. It is the realm of the trompe l'oeil. The side wall opposite the original entrance features a Louis XIV-period veined grey marble mantelpiece. It is topped with a mercury mirror. Accessed via a double door, a small upstairs sitting room is currently used as a bedroom. Just like in the large living room, radiator covers and interior blinds line the walls. Here, the light grey picture rails are enhanced by floral wallpaper in shades of yellow and cherry red. One of the walls features a stone fireplace painted light blue, with curved features as well as a curved mantel. The room has windows and doors on both sides. There is a spacious en suite shower room with antique flooring. It has been redecorated in 18th century style with double basins and built-in cupboards. An old spiral staircase joins the two wings of the main building. A few steps up access a long corridor halfway up, which leads to two bedrooms. One of these has a Versailles parquet floor. It has a Louis XV-style alcove with panelled cupboards on either side. There is a bathroom with a washbasin and a stone floor. The green-grey cornices blend in delicately with the gold-striped wallpaper on a red Directoire-style background. At the end of the corridor, there is a heated swimming pool in a large room. A staircase leads to the pool house, sauna and spa.
The second floor
The spiral staircase leads directly to a bedroom with parquet flooring, exposed beams and a rustic fireplace. This is followed by a shower room with red and gold non-woven wallpaper. There are fitted cupboards and wardrobes. A Jacobean dormer window opens out onto the valley.
Other outbuildings
Following on from the main building, they close off the courtyard. They are former paved stables and a garage. Further on, a large farm building is used as a shed. Towards the back, a steel-roofed building is used as an agricultural hangar. Two other buildings, dating to before the 19th century, are separate from the main buildings. Formerly occupied by the bakery and caretaker's cottage, they need complete renovation.
The grounds
Beyond the buildings, the plot extends over gentle slopes. Beyond the gravel courtyard, the lawns lead to pasture land which a small stream runs through. Shade is provided by numerous oak and chestnut trees.
Our opinion
An enchanting manor house in a superb location, embodying the spirit of the Cotentin peninsula in a blend of elegance and authenticity. Just a short way from the sea and like the prow of a ship rising out of the trees, the building towers majestically over the surrounding hedgerows. The seat of the seigniorial ban in the Middle Ages, then an aristocratic holiday residence between the 16th and 18th centuries, it is now a large family home. Tucked away in its four hectares of enclosed grounds, the property is waiting for a new occupant to complete the ambitious renovation work already well underway in the house, with its warm, refined decor.
975 000 €
Fees at the Vendor’s expense
Reference 504958
Land registry surface area | 4 ha 61 a 18 ca |
Main building surface area | 370 m2 |
Number of bedrooms | 4 |
Outbuilding surface area | 600 m2 |
including refurbished area | 100 m2 |
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.