Location
Not far from the south-east of the Ile-de-France region, this flat is situated in the heart of a town that has been awarded the "Ville d'Art et d'Histoire" (town of art and history) label. Francis I of France called it "the city of a hundred bell towers". Gentle wooded hills and forests surround the town.
From the property, everything can be done on foot or by bike. Shops, museums, the covered market built in the 19th century by Louis-Clément Weinberger and numerous restaurants - all add to the pleasures this town has to offer. A tramway stopping right in front of the building serves the entire historic centre, as well as the SNCF station. Trains from this station take you to Paris-Bercy or Gare de Lyon in 1h30, and also connect to Lyon, Geneva, Marseille and Nice.
The area in which the dwelling is located is steeped in history. Nearby, a highly popular street lined with various 17th and 18th century mansions leads to Notre-Dame church and, a little further on, to the home of the Governor of Burgundy, known as the "knight without fear and beyond reproach", who died at the Battle of Pavia in 1525.
Description
Behind another carriage door appears the completely independent dwelling, featuring a wide-plank teak terrace surrounded by lush greenery with a mix of various plants. Cleverly arranged flowers, aromatic herbs and shrubs grow in front of the flat.
The future inhabitants will enjoy exclusive use of the small garden, but will be responsible for its upkeep.
The flat
The building has two levels and a basement. The light-coloured facade has several large windows with louvered wooden shutters. Period wooden cladding with crenulated edging runs the length of the frontage above the openings. There are wooden trims between the windows. The basement is accessed via a double glass door. The window wells of the house are finely crafted and carved into the stone. The slate roof features several skylights, letting plenty of light pour inside. A few stone steps lead up to the main entrance door.
The ground floor
The entrance hall opens onto a vast, loft-like space. Four large double-glazed windows provide plenty of natural light, with views over the garden. The brightness brings out the wide oak strips of the contemporary hardwood floor. Opposite the hallway, a guest lavatory with porcelain washbasin is complemented by cupboards with old-fashioned louvered wooden doors. This is followed by a vast room divided into three areas: the entrance hall, the dining room and the very modern kitchen. The kitchen features a wooden worktop that matches the colour of the floor, and integrated appliances with brushed steel cupboards. Directly adjoining is the dining area. A special feature of the living room is the fireplace with its clean lines perfectly suited to the ensemble. Two spiral metal staircases lead up to the bedrooms on the first floor.
The garden-level floor
A double glass door leads to a highly unusual space combining authenticity and modernity. There are two accesses, one from outdoors and the other from indoors via the staircase leading down to the basement. A study space overlooks the old stone steps leading down to the garden. This area is lit by double-glazed glass doors. A bedroom with large storage cupboards and a chequered tiled floor, a shower room adorned with a multitude of mosaics and a separate lavatory with a stone washbasin are on the same level as an indoor swimming pool. A large glass door separates the bedroom area from the pool. A door opens onto a very large area featuring a large pool surrounded by centuries-old stone walls and wide strip hardwood flooring. The star-spangled ceiling and a row of chests turned into seats define the space. A stone alcove leads into a vaulted space where the shower is located. Heated by a heat pump and treated with salt, the pool also features a counter-current system and an electric roller shutter. A ventilation system prevents damp.
The first floor
At the top of the staircase on the lounge side, an opening leads to the first bedroom with its study area. Impressive sliding wardrobes line one side of the wall. Large skylights illuminate the bedroom. The wooden floor is the same as that on the ground floor. The exposed beams are painted white. An adjoining bathroom, fully tiled and fitted with two porcelain washbasins and sliding wardrobes, connects with a second bedroom, which has independent access to the outdoors via the first metal staircase on the kitchen side.
The garden
Although small in size, the garden is very well laid out. Japanese steps lead to the terrace, which is surrounded by different trees and flowers. These include a Canadian maple, with its leaves that turn red in the autumn, hydrangeas and dogwoods. Flowerbeds surrounded by oval stones showcase exotic plants such as bamboo. A climbing rose adorns the main entrance. The garden features outdoor lighting, perfect for evening meals.
Our opinion
Unique and rare, with the air of a townhouse, a flat nestled in greenery, free from urban disturbances. Large volumes in a comfortable and luminous contemporary interior. A light and airy property enhanced by a welcoming, unostentatious little garden. This is to be maintained by the future inhabitants of the house, who have exclusive use of the garden, but not full ownership.The indoor swimming pool, with its starlit sky and centuries-old stone walls, completes the picture. The bedrooms are spacious and the bathrooms elegant. No renovation works are required.
680 000 €
Fees at the Vendor’s expense
Reference 602773
Land registry surface area | 461 m2 |
Number of rooms | 5 |
Reception area | 56 m2 |
Number of bedrooms | 3 |
Number of lots | 36 |
Annual average amount of the proportionate share of expenses | 1335 € |
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.