A stately residence, dating back to the 12th century, in 2.6 ha of parklands
on the outskirts of a village in the Anjou region
on the outskirts of a village in the Anjou region
Saumur,
MAINE-ET-LOIRE
pays-de-loire
49400
FR
Location
This residence is on the outskirts of a village, near to the banks of the river Loire, less than 30 minutes from the town of Saumur and less than 45 minutes from that of Angers. The village has all shops and amenities, including a train station on the line running between the two towns. Angers is less than 90 minutes from Paris via TGV train (with more than 10 return journeys per day). A slip road for the A85 motorway is not far away.
Description
The access road, bordered on one side by poplar trees, goes alongside the parklands and leads to a first set of entrance gates which open into a garage courtyard, within which is a second set of gates. The latter provides access to the caretaker’s cottage, the manor house and the outbuildings. The various buildings, standing in the middle of more than 2.6 ha parklands, are set out around a garden, featuring boxwood and lawn and facing the manor house.
The manor house
The current building, once a church and then a fortress, still bears witness to its previous functions. Laid out in a U-shape, it comprises a central building with two perpendicular wings, facing one another. The 2-storey central building, constructed on the ruins of the old church, is still dominated by its choir. Flanked by a corner tower, the west wing corresponds to the once fortified section. It spans three levels. The east wing, built at a later date, spans but a ground floor. These buildings were built partially of lime-rendered quarry stone blocks and partially of freestone. They are topped with gable slate roofs. The framing around the openings, some of which are mullioned windows, and some of the quoins are made of freestone.
The ground floor
The entrance hall, set in the middle of the central building, provides access to a lounge, a small dining room and houses a wooden stairway going upstairs. The lounge features a French ceiling and a marble floor with inlaid decoration. The small dining room also has a French ceiling as well as a freestone fireplace. The lounge and the small dining room have direct access to the parklands. A corridor leads from the lounge to three bedrooms, a toilet and a dressing room cupboard. One bedroom has an adjoining bathroom with a toilet whilst the other two have their own shower rooms. French windows in the corridor and in one of the bedrooms open on to the garden. A hall area goes from the small dining room to a kitchen, a storage area and a large dining room. Both these rooms have French ceilings and freestone fireplaces, one of which is monumental. The large dining room, with a 4.2 m high ceiling, opens on to the parklands and can also be reached via the tower, housing a spiral stone stairway, set on the corner of the central building and the right wing.
The first floor
The stairway in the entrance hall goes up to a large room with a 6.4 m high ridge. This room, part of which is a mezzanine, corresponds to the old church nave and choir. The latter, with a domed, crossed ribbed vault, divided into eight quarters with ogive sides featuring square relief, is illuminated by gothic windows, the tracery of which constitutes two triangular arches topped with a cloverleaf. A semi-circular freestone arch separates the nave from the choir. Exposed roofing framework beams forming the ceiling look down on terracotta floor tiles. A bedroom under the mezzanine, reached via the stairway landing, has an adjoining bathroom and toilet. It also features a French ceiling, terracotta floor tiles and the vestiges of a freestone fireplace. This bedroom is followed by a hall area which provides access to a bedroom, with a shower room as well as a toilet, and communicates with the stairway tower. This bedroom has a French ceiling, terracotta floor tiles and a monumental freestone fireplace.
The second floor
The stairway tower leads, first of all to a suite, comprising a hall area providing access to a toilet, a first bedroom, with a bathroom and a dressing room, and a second bedroom, with a bathroom as well as a study area. Both bedrooms have freestone fireplaces.
The third floor
The tower stairway then goes up to a round guards’ room, reached via a little side stairway. This room features a freestone fireplace, window seats also made from freestone and terracotta floor tiles. The stairway tower continues up to two attics.
The outbuildings
These comprise:
- A garage able to take up to 3 vehicles (floor surface area of 43 m² with a 6.3 m high ridge).
- A caretaker’s cottage, with a living room featuring a freestone fireplace and a mezzanine. This house currently has but one water supply point (floor surface area of 30.7 m² with a 6.2 m high ridge).
- Two barns, both used for storage purposes (spanning a floor surface area of approx. 180 m²).
The parklands
Vast lawns, planted with varying species of trees and an old rose bed, are laid out around the manor house and its outbuildings. Said rose bed, near to the wall of the old church choir, is surrounded by a trimmed hedge. Near the garages, a row of lime trees follows on from the entrance courtyard. Between the manor house and its outbuildings, a garden featuring boxwood embroidery is enhanced with an ornamental pool. This garden precedes a lawn bordered by roses, surrounded by decoratively trimmed boxwood, and ends with a hemicycle, planted with trimmed hornbeam and lime trees, in the distance.
Our opinion
Everything here is steeped in history. First of all, that of the Loire Valley, with its delightful, old villages, classified as a World Heritage site by Unesco. Then, that of the manor house, the walls of which are still heavily marked by a military and a religious past. Vestiges that are to be found not only in the construction but also in the often highly impressive rooms. Its architectural features are like a signature or trademark. This property can be lived in straightaway and would make an ideal family home, although it would also be much appreciated by guests.
998 000 €
Fees at the Vendor’s expense
Reference 591308
| Land registry surface area | 2 ha 61 a 50 ca |
| Main building surface area | 430 m2 |
| Number of bedrooms | 6 |
| Outbuilding surface area | 250 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.
