1h30 from Paris, in the Loiret region, on nearly 7 ha of meadows and woodlands,
a restored water mill with its 17th century mechanism and a former miller's house
a restored water mill with its 17th century mechanism and a former miller's house
Briare,
LOIRET
center-val-de-loire
45250
FR
Location
The property is located in a historic village in the centre of the Loire Valley, bordering the Yonne and Nièvre departments. The train station, with its direct links to Paris-Bercy, is a 15-minute drive from the mill. All essential shops are close by. This city is notable for boasting two castles steeped in history. One was built as early as in 730 during the Arab invasions, and later acquired by Jacques Cœur. The second was built from the 9th century and was remodelled and completed in 1604. A 10th century Romanesque manorial church stands in the centre of the village.
Description
Set back from the village, a gate gives a glimpse of the old miller's house with blue shutters. On one side of the entrance, an outbuilding stands in front of a large terrain with old trees and an orchard. The house is surrounded by lawns. A well defined path leads down to the mill and its outbuildings. Two bridges, one of which overhangs the mill wheel and its reach, are equipped with two guard stones. One is made of stone, the other of wood. The river meanders around the grounds. The fields in the distance are bordered by a forest of mainly oak trees.
The mill
The building dates back to the 17th century and has undergone serious restoration work. The inhabitants have been members of the Association de sauvegarde des moulins d'Ile de France (the regional mill preservation society) since 2000. The mill is depicted on the Cassini map. The wheel was restored in 2003. It comprises two buildings: a main construction on two levels under the roof, flanked by a long building with a single level under the roof. The facades are punctuated with numerous openings protected by solid wooden shutters. Some windows feature stone tops and frames, others brick. The corner quoins are stone. A cornice with ogee moulding extends over the entire length of the facade. Brick dormers with pediments have been created in the two-sided roofs featuring hand-crafted flat tiles.
The ground floor
The main entrance serves a dining room with terracotta tiles and old beams. An open fireplace keeps it warm and cosy. Further on, the mill mechanism stands in a large room. The solid wood construction of the mechanism is impressive. The complex sits on a Burgundy stone paving. A straight staircase leads to several rooms. From the entrance, a door opens into a bedroom with a beamed ceiling, a floor paved with the original terracotta tiles and a stone fireplace with an open hearth. A few stone steps lead up to a fully equipped kitchen with exposed beams, timber framing and finials. It opens directly on to a vaulted cellar which, thanks to its low temperature, can be used as a cellar, and a very bright bathroom.
The first floor
The landing serves a first bedroom with wide strip parquet flooring, lit by two small-paned windows that allow a glimpse of the large stone blocks that surround them, and a shower room with separate toilet. A thick beam runs along a whole section of wall. In addition, in the farmhouse part, a half-storey second room is enhanced by its exposed framework and its old paving. An old chimney divides this large room in two.
The second floor
In the main building, it consists of a single room with an unusual exposed roof structure.
Outbuilding: an old barn
A stone building faces the mill. This former barn is on two levels. The roof is covered with tiles. The interior comprises several rooms with exposed beams.
The ground floor
The fully tiled first room currently serves as games room. It is located at the end of the building. Two other rooms could be used as storage rooms. A large garage sits at the back of the barn.
The first floor
A straight wooden staircase leads to a large room known as the "mill museum" which gives the historical background of the building. Postcards on the wall tell the story of the property. A door opens onto a flat designed to receive guests. The dining room is fully tiled and comprises an open plan fitted kitchen. A toilet and a shower room complement this level. A staircase leads up to a mezzanine bedroom.
The miller's house
Close to the entrance, it is on one level under the roof. The facade offers several openings with shutters made of tongue-and-groove boards assembled and reinforced by crosspieces lined with recessed hinges. The white stone window frames and tops bring out the blue colour of the shutters. A lean-to abuts the house. The locally hand-made flat roof tiles are distinct from the slate tiles of the main building. A stone staircase with wide steps leads to a large terrace behind the house.
The ground floor
There are several entrance doors. One of them leads directly to a dining room with a stone and brick fireplace and insert. The old terracotta floor tiles and the beams reinforce the warm and welcoming character of the house. One room, close to the kitchen, has retained its original features, including an old bread oven. A wooden staircase leads to the attic. A double glass door separates the living room from the dining room. A library has been fitted along one wall. The natural lighting highlights the brick colour of the floor tiles and the beamed ceiling. An open fireplace keeps the room warm. An opening leads directly to the outside terrace. A corridor serves two generous and bright bedrooms. Both benefits from lovely countryside views. A bathroom and an independent toilet separate these two rooms. From the kitchen, the staircase leads to a passage currently used as a study, and then to an attic which could perfectly be converted. It is fully tiled with large windows that need to be renovated.
The outbuilding
This building has two levels: a garage topped by a studio flat with a wood-burning stove and a water point. The complex has a surface area of about 60 m². It sits in front of an area suitable for a swimming pool planted with hazelnut, plum and oak trees. A vaulted clay cellar of almost 44 m² is at the rear of the main house.
The parklands
The miller's house is surrounded by several lawns with a stone well, different species of trees and flowers. Behind the outbuilding lies an old orchard with apple, pear and hazelnut trees. Towards the mill, the landscape consists of large fields with haystacks and old trees, including an over 250-year-old oak tree.
Our opinion
The miller's house is inseparable from the mill. They complement each other and are in harmony with a bucolic, very green landscape punctuated by picturesque haystacks. Vincent van Gogh would have been delighted to paint such a place. The mill reflects another time, yet remains in perfect working order thanks to faithful maintenance. Today, hydroelectric production is quite feasible. The interior of both houses has remained authentic with many original features.
However, some decoration work is required to bring certain rooms up to date.
598 400 €
Fees at the Vendor’s expense
Reference 372099
| Land registry surface area | 7 ha 12 a 24 ca |
| Main building surface area | 350 m2 |
| Number of bedrooms | 6 |
| Outbuilding surface area | 288 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.
