A mansion house, dating from the Henri IV era with listed interior decor,
and 1,650 m² of parklands, reflecting a Louis XIV century layout, in the Berry region
and 1,650 m² of parklands, reflecting a Louis XIV century layout, in the Berry region
, CHER
center-val-de-loire
FR
Location
This mansion house, in the south of the French department of Cher, not far from Tronçais forest and 45 minutes from Bourges via the A71 motorway, stands in the historic centre of the town of Saint-Amand-Montrond.
Description
A vast entrance gateway, adjoining the main building, opens into a courtyard that provides access to two outbuildings. The building’s main facade overlooks the street, whilst the rear facade looks out over 1,650 m² of parklands which still have their original layout. This mansion house does not have the traditional layout of a mansion house set between its courtyard and its garden. It reflects Medieval and Renaissance land registry plots. This particularity bears witness to its age as it dates from 1604.
The mansion house
The main building overlooks the street. It comprises an upstairs laid out with bedrooms and an attic floor with four shed dormers. It adjoins the entrance gateway.
On the courtyard side, the house which includes a pavilion set at right angles, overlooks a little garden, the preserved layout of which dates from the end of the reign of Louis XIV. Wide, curved openings, topped with low-relief sculpted vases, adorn the courtyard facade and overlook the French formal gardens.
Ground floor
The entrance hall houses an early 17th century, half-pace stairway. It provides access to a little lounge, a large lounge and a dining room. The large lounge features herringbone pattern parquet flooring, Louis XIV period panelling and crimson damask wallpaper, framed with gold-leaf moulding. The ceiling is enhanced with stucco decoration, including a central rose.
The dining room comprises Louis XIV period panelling. A vaulted recess, with corbelling, houses an 18th century ceramic wood-burning stove, topped with a bouquet of flowers.
First floor
Three bedrooms overlook the street and two others, the garden. Each has its own bathroom. One of the bedrooms has an alcove and all are decorated with panelling, including above the doors, where paintings feature 18th century style countrified scenes.
Attic
A stone stairway goes up to the top floor which comprises an attic and three old bedrooms once used by domestic staff.
Outbuilding
The first outbuilding is on the left-hand side after the entrance gateway. This vast building, used for storage purposes, has a wine cellar and a room laid out upstairs for playing music.
The second outbuilding is set at right angles to the main building. Bordering the neighbouring property, it comprises two rooms enhanced by fireplaces, featuring sculpted decor, and terracotta floor tiles.
The parklands
The parklands still have their 17th century layout. They comprise two terraces, the second of which is raised in relation to the level of the first which provides access to the ground floor of the mansion house. They are skilfully laid out with decoratively trimmed parterres, one-hundred-year-old lime trees and a sequoia, planted in the 19th century.
Our opinion
This mansion house, amongst the most prestigious dating from the 17th century in Saint-Amand-Montrond, was modernised at the beginning of the 18th century. Numerous decorative features still remain and justify the listing of the building and its interior (panelling and stucco decoration almost entirely preserved). In a central position, it has the benefit of being near to all local shops and the street housing the property is very quiet. Its parklands also exude a feeling of being in the countryside, despite being in the town centre. One of the outbuildings comprises two rooms which still have their original fireplaces and, as it can be accessed independently, it would be ideal for conversion into bedrooms for a bed & breakfast activity.
495 000 €
Fees at the Vendor’s expense
Reference 710598
| Land registry surface area | 1814 m2 |
| Main building surface area | 400 m2 |
| Outbuilding surface area | 246 m2 |
| Number of bedrooms | 5 |
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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.
