A grand house steeped in history, nestled in the village of Ozouer-le-Voulgis
in France’s Seine-et-Marne department, just 40 minutes from Paris by rail or road
in France’s Seine-et-Marne department, just 40 minutes from Paris by rail or road
Ozouer-le-Voulgis,
SEINE-ET-MARNE
ile-de-france
77390
FR
Location
The grand house stands in the village of Ozouer-le-Voulgis, in the heart of the River Yerres valley in France’s Seine-et-Marne department, in the south-east of the Île-de-France region around Paris. You can get into Paris in 40 minutes via the A4 motorway. The surrounding valley is made up of bucolic landscapes that edge the River Yerres: a harmonious patchwork of shady woods and lush farmland. Lovers of built heritage can admire some famous chateaux nearby, including the Château de Vaux-le-Vicomte, which dates back to the 17th century, and the Château de Blandy-les-Tours, which dates back to the 13th and 14th centuries. You can easily reach Paris in just over 30 minutes via the regional rail network from the train station in Verneuil-l'Étang, which is around 10 minutes from the property by car or bus.
Description
The grand 19th-century house stands in the middle of tree-dotted grounds. Its elevations are coated with rendering and it is crowned with a hipped roof of tiles. The dwelling has kept its historical features. An entrance gate leads into a gravel court lined with trees, which creates a natural enclosure. The edifice faces north-east. Its grounds extend on its south side. Climbing ivy coats its walls. Louvred shutters painted green bring out the surrounding greenery. An outer stone wall separates the property from the road, preserving the place’s absolute calm. The interior showcases old craftsmanship. On the ground floor, the cement tiles of the hallway adjoin, on one side, the large lounge’s chevron parquet, mouldings and marble fireplace and, on the other side, a living room with a marble fireplace. This living room leads to an oval dining room with fine woodwork and a so-called Prussian fireplace – a fireplace built into the wall with an integrated plate-warming compartment – that bears witness to the French art of living that shaped this home. The kitchen lies in an extension that is more modern. A secondary corridor discreetly links it to the entrance hall. The reception rooms face south and are bathed in natural light. They offer an unrivalled view of the tree-dotted grounds. A majestic wooden staircase with a wrought-iron balustrade invites you to venture upstairs. The first floor offers, on one side, two bedrooms with adjoining bathrooms. And, on the other side, there is a private bathroom with a walk-in wardrobe and a utility room. This first floor continues the elegance of the ground floor with solid-wood strip flooring and marble fireplaces. Some parts upstairs have been worn by time and require special attention. They are not heated and have suffered from water damage. The second floor has wood strip flooring and fireplaces. It offers five bedrooms and an office. The top floor has a rustic character and is waiting to be showcased with its exposed roof frame and terracotta floor tiles. This roof space is filled with natural light from dormers with oval windows that look down over the grounds.
The history of the village
Ozouer-le-Voulgis is a token of bygone centuries. The village is steeped in history in a unique way. Many of its streets bear traces of the village’s rich past, if only in their names. There is the story of the knight of Guignes, whose wife, Jude de Cresne, gave woods to the village in 1206 to thank its inhabitants for having paid a ransom for the release of her husband captured during the Crusades. And there is the story of the military general Jean-Baptiste Eblé, a hero of the Napoleonic wars and an architect of a rescue of Napoleon’s great army when it fought in Russia. The general’s wife bought the grand house in 1834. Lastly, there is the story of rail in Ozouer-le-Voulgis: a train line was first built in the village in 1857. This turned the place into a favourite holiday spot for Parisians.
The history of the dwelling
The grand house was the village’s centrepiece when it was first built. As you stroll through Ozouer-le-Voulgis, you can imagine the past extent of this estate when you look at the buildings that once belonged to it, including an orangery, stables, farms and the village wash house. The grand house towered in the centre of this estate. The house was nicknamed the Old Chateau of Ozouer-le-Voulgis when the chateau opposite it was built in the 19th century. Archives bear witness to the story of the edifice through different periods of time and the changes made to it. The majestic dwelling stands like a guardian of time, rooted in a rich, fascinating history.
Our opinion
By acquiring a dwelling like this one, you become part of a story stretching back centuries. Here, the past and present mix their noble materials and ornamental motifs harmoniously. Like in the past, natural light still showcases the rooms and enhances the warm, welcoming atmosphere that makes life in this home so pleasant. Whether you make this property your main home, a guesthouse or a second home, you will not only be the guardian of a jewel of built heritage but will also bring about a renaissance of this old edifice. The bucolic backdrop of the River Yerres valley has long drawn walkers who stop to admire the landscape. Even the famous painter Gustave Caillebotte captured the environment here through his work. From this grand dwelling nicknamed the Old Chateau, the aura of this 19th-century painter will doubtless awake in you a similar desire to explore and contemplate the environment.
Reference 592274
| Land registry surface area | 3002 m2 |
| Main building surface area | 500 m2 |
| Number of bedrooms | 4 |
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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.
