Built in the 16th century, the dwelling is located in the historical neighbourhood of Saint-Léonard, founded in the 4th century not far from Alençon’s Magdeleine market square, while, from a quiet street, its gravel courtyard is accessible via an iron gate, flanked by two stone pillars topped with flat pillar caps, as well as an adjacent pedestrian door.
As for the courtyard, it abuts a garden and a patio, while the dwelling is accessible via granite front steps, crowned with a curved wrought-iron and glass awning. Featuring an initial two-storey structure, as well as two other single-storey sections, the dwelling, built over a basement level and topped with an attic, was designed with pointed schist rubble stone exteriors and ashlar stone window/door surrounds, whereas a lean-to was added on one side of the building.

The Dwelling

The ground floor
Carved wooden double doors, featuring an acanthus scroll grill and a fanlight, open on to a wide entrance hall, which provides access, on one side, to a study and an adjacent shower room and, on the other, to a dining room with a granite fireplace. The latter communicates with both a large living room and a fitted kitchen, whereas, directly opposite the front door, a large oak quarter-turn staircase, safeguarded by a wrought-iron handrail provides access to the upstairs floor.
Featuring painted ceiling beams, in a palette of colours ranging from beige to yellow, and lime-pointed stone walls, crown moulding, wood panelling, as well as wide windows protected by interior wooden shutters, the living areas also boast original red terracotta floor tiles in a variety of different shapes (hexagonal or rectangular), except for the bedroom with hardwood floors and its shower room, accessible via the glass door under the staircase.

The intermediate level
A landing communicates with a utility room and a bathroom.

The upstairs
The staircase ascends to a landing with a parquet floor and a picture window, which provides access, on one side, to a lavatory and a bedroom with a built-in marble fireplace, two windows on its gable end and oak parquet floors, while a bathroom can be found next door. Directly opposite, three steps lead to a level with sloping ceilings, which features a second bedroom with terracotta tile floors and wooden rafters, whereas, lastly, a door opens on to an unconverted attic space.

The base level
Extending underneath the entire dwelling, this level, completely insulated with a flagstone floor, includes, on one side, a storeroom, a cellar, a utility room, a furnace room and a scullery, while, on the other side, a small corridor with a glazed roof provides access to two large studies.

The Garden

Planted with trees, shrubs and other vegetation, a granite flagstone patio with a bench skirts the entire dwelling, and six Parisian-style street lamps provide ample illumination as soon as the sun sets.