A listed feudal manor house, with outbuildings and an 8-hectare estate,
in the south of the Cotentin peninsula, just a few kilometres from the sea
in the south of the Cotentin peninsula, just a few kilometres from the sea
Granville,
MANCHE
lower-normandy
50400
FR
Location
The stage is set in a rural town in the Manche department, between the sea and hedged pasturelands. The Pointe d'Agon lighthouse is just a few miles away, where the sand formations created by the tidal movements give rise to some unusual landscapes. Steeped in its cultural heritage, the little town boasts a reputation for Norman painters and poets, who were inspired by the prevailing stormy ocean climate. It has excellent transport links, with bus lines providing quick services to Granville and Coutances. The town offers all the essential shops and services.
Description
The narrow village lane, which is not very busy and borders the estate, offers wonderful vistas. The hedgerows stretch as far as the eye can see. The property, set back from the road, can be made out in the distance from a gravel driveway bordered by two low, curved walls. The dry-stone walls are framed by four pillars topped with finials typical of the Cotentin landscape. Fences enclose the grassed areas on both sides of the plot at the front of the estate. Here and there, fruit trees flourish. A small, winding stream is bordered by hedges that integrate into the local landscape.
The manor house
The impressive building comprises two parts, the oldest of which dates back to the last third of the 16th century. Local archives record that a lord with "a manor house, estates, dovecote, tall woods, warrens, corn mill and chapels" established his lineage and barony in a small parish in the Cotentin region. From this early period, which came at the end of the Hundred Years' War, there remain the dwelling, the tithe barn and the outbuildings. Like other similar buildings in the region, the complex displays a certain resistance to Renaissance architectural motifs. A second building abutting the pepperpot tower was added in the 18th century. The date 1743 can be found above one of the openings. It probably corresponds to the completion of the second phase of major works on this part of the building. Several families then followed on from one another, including a secretary to the King, a famous privateer, a Coutances goods merchant and eventually farmers. Today, the manorial complex has an L-shaped layout, organised around a central courtyard and ancillary buildings, some of which are mirrored in the impressive south-facing lake.
All the walls are of coursed rubble masonry, with ornamental wrought-iron brackets standing out from the corner walls of jointed stone, polished over the centuries. Some of the windows are rectangular, others are mullioned with a transom. The gable roofs are of slate. The first section of the building has three chimney stacks, while the 18th century extension has five. All the windows are large and have small panes, as was customary in noble homes before the French Revolution. On the courtyard side, five glazed or solid doors topped by transoms lead to the lawns and the other buildings. The first dwelling and the pepperpot tower have more rustic windows. A gable dormer tops the roof of the first building. At right angles, the barn and its arched entrance door reflect the same spirit. All these elements combine to create a harmonious whole, the result of three hundred years of architectural aggregations and successive alterations. On the side facing the parkland, the more traditional facade with Gothic elements features the same stonework. It includes two projecting avant-corps, one of which is topped by a three-pitched roof.
The ground floor
Although several entrances exist, this level of the manor house is traditionally accessed via the middle entrance to the 18th century corps de logis. The rustic 18th-century hallway sets the tone. A red terracotta floor creates a contrast to exposed stone walls and the chalky whitewashed string wall of the 18th century oak staircase. The first stone step is followed by other steps of oak leading to a quarter turn landing. The handrail and balusters form a continuous piece of woodwork. On either side of the entrance there are a reading and a drawing room. Continuing through, another sitting room serves as the living room. The flooring alternates between terracotta and local stone. Ceilings with exposed beams further underline the rustic character of the dwelling. Others are more in keeping with the taste of mansions built in the second half of the 18th century. The white ceilings are partitioned and surrounded by celadon-coloured cornices. Some of these sitting rooms are clad with curved or straight panelling. Some are from the Louis XV period, others in the Louis XVI style. The exposed stone or wooden fireplaces are either topped by overmantels or adorned with fretwork panelling. Others are of a more pastoral style. The dining room is on the exact opposite side, forming part of the Renaissance-style section of the building next to the pepper-pot tower. The flooring is of ochre and black terracotta tiles. These tiles, which have weathered over the centuries, were probably laid during the initial phase of development of this part of the dwelling. The passageways, which add depth and volume to the ensemble, open onto doors that are framed and topped with scrollwork wood panelling. The adjoining study features discreet Gothic-style decorative elements. The overall mood of stone is a reminder of the extent to which defensive elements were essential to these fortresses that have become holiday retreats. Here, the flooring is of diamond-shaped local stone. As in the main hallway, the walls are of coursed rubble masonry. Arched openings with lintels connect the different rooms. Some have been walled up over time. A large fireplace with a late 16th or early 17th century wooden mantel completes this part of the edifice. Opening on to the outside and blending in with the mineral structure of this side of the dwelling, there is a vast kitchen with its two annexes, former sculleries that have been modernised. The flooring is of black and white chequered tiles, and the exposed stone walls match the more modern feel of this part of the house. There are also a shower room and boiler room on this level.
The first floor
A long corridor with different entrances and hallways extends from the landing of the 18th century oak staircase. The walls are limewashed. The corridor, with its oak hardwood flooring, leads to all the bedrooms. The landings and beamed ceilings are bathed in light, with the many small-paned windows offering rural views of the surrounding countryside. The ceilings are high, as is de rigueur on the piano nobile. On one side of the landing, four generously sized bedrooms and a shower room follow on from one another. There is another access via a spiral staircase dating from the first construction period. The narrow arrowslits recall the original defensive purpose of the site. On the other side of the landing, two bedrooms share another shower room set in between. The bedrooms have straight strip hardwood flooring with exposed ceiling joists. They are painted in 18th century shades of Trianon grey and powder white. The cupboards and the straight wood panelling are typical of the Louis XVI or Directoire period. Some feature alcoves for beds or sofas. The straight stone fireplaces are Louis XVI. Other, more modern rooms appear to have been reopened and refurbished in recent decades.
The outbuildings
These are essentially farm buildings arranged around the central courtyard. Together, they form a farm complex that is totally integrated into the feudal estate. As the main dwelling, these buildings are of coursed rubble masonry with hipped roofs. The main outhouse is situated next to the original dwelling, at right angles. The impressive semi-circular arch of the main doorway is a vestige of Romanesque architectural techniques. The rustic interiors still feature elegant materials, most of which date back to at least the Renaissance period: a fireplace with a wide hearth, exposed beams, connecting doors and indoor recesses. The entire complex is in need of renovation.
The chapel
Founded in 1460, this is one of the jewels of the estate. Built for the Lord of La Baleine and Yvoir, the building predates the construction of the original manor house.
This suggests that manorial buildings existed prior to the feudal era. The impressive inverted ship's hull frame is a touching reminder of traditional construction methods. The central nave has no side aisles. The church is no longer used for religious purposes, but liturgical objects are still visible. The statues adorning the walls receive the translucent light captured by the stained-glass ogee windows.
The grounds
In addition to a large section of the perimeter wall with National Heritage protection, the grounds cover 8 hectares, two of which are woodland. The first pond lies in front of the courtyard, the second further east. Plane trees and marsh oaks have been planted on either side of the driveway. A variety of tree species adorn the site, including walnut, chestnut and purple maple oaks. Rosebushes creep up the facades.
Our opinion
In the attractive surroundings of Coutances, the “Toledo of the Cotentin ", an emblematic property from the Renaissance period, which was once a buccaneer's hideout. Set in the Normandy pastureland, the edifice is unusually ambitious in scale, defying the architectural conventions and novelties of its time. As rugged as it is elegant, its imposing shape will delight lovers of old stone, for whom the French listing as a historic monument is a guarantee of authenticity and a promise of longevity.
1 295 000 €
Fees at the Vendor’s expense
Reference 190387
| Land registry surface area | 8 ha 61 a 47 ca |
| Main building surface area | 509 m2 |
| Number of bedrooms | 6 |
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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.
