A 1904 Art Nouveau chateau in the heart of the Gâtinais valley,
part of the Centre-Val de Loire region, 120 km from Paris
part of the Centre-Val de Loire region, 120 km from Paris
Ferrières-en-Gâtinais,
LOIRET
center-val-de-loire
45210
FR
Location
The property lies in a Loire village with 800 inhabitants, in the administrative region of Centre-Val de Loire, bordering the French departments of Yonne and Seine-et-Marne.
Shops, markets and artisans enliven the daily life of the surrounding small towns, such as Ferrières-en-Gâtinais. Only 120 km from Paris via the A5 and A6 motorways, the region has plenty to offer: a host of activities and cultural heritage sites to discover, such as the Loire chateaux; excursions on the Briare, Loing and Orléans canals; walks through various woodlands, arboretums and outstanding gardens; or along the Cléry river, dotted with ancient mills, where trout fishing is permitted. There are also two golf courses close by.
Description
A track leads first to a neighbouring mill and then, on the heights, to the property, which is situated on the outskirts of the village at the end of the valley. Below the drive, a number of fortified houses, chateaux and mills dot the banks of the river. As though standing on an outcrop, the estate and its natural enclosure dominate the valley. The stage is set: the view takes in meadows, a pond, a trout river and hiking trails - including the GR132 - and gives a glimpse of the hinterland.
The property stretches over almost 3 hectares, in a single lot. An iron gateway and a wicket gate provide access to the property.
The perimeter wall bordering the track is topped with glazed yellow and blue-grey tiles. Metal posts, linked by chains, lead to the entrance of the main dwelling. All these ornamental features were reclaimed from the 1900 Universal Exhibition in Paris. A long, paved driveway lined with lime trees leads to both the residence and the guest house. They have a number of distinctive architectural features and building materials in common: slate roofs of various shapes, stone facades (some of which are dressed stone) and timber-framed upper storeys, segmental-arched windows with stone and brick surrounds.
A double garage and a vast garden complete the property.
The property stretches over almost 3 hectares, in a single lot. An iron gateway and a wicket gate provide access to the property.
The perimeter wall bordering the track is topped with glazed yellow and blue-grey tiles. Metal posts, linked by chains, lead to the entrance of the main dwelling. All these ornamental features were reclaimed from the 1900 Universal Exhibition in Paris. A long, paved driveway lined with lime trees leads to both the residence and the guest house. They have a number of distinctive architectural features and building materials in common: slate roofs of various shapes, stone facades (some of which are dressed stone) and timber-framed upper storeys, segmental-arched windows with stone and brick surrounds.
A double garage and a vast garden complete the property.
The residence
Inspired by Belle Époque villas, this house was built in 1904 and at that time known as the "château neuf" (new chateau). This solid building is flanked by two wings, one of which has timber-framed walls and projects slightly forward. It spans three stories and has a floor area of around 370m², excluding the attic. Jerkinhead hipped slate roofs with dormer windows top facades built in successive layers of coursed rubble masonry, dressed and rendered stone. Built on the slope of a hill, the residence is extended to the south by two loggias, one above the other. The one on the garden level has a row of segmental arches built of coursed rubble masonry and dressed stone. The upper loggia opens onto a long terrace to the west, protected by a balustrade, angle braces and sculpted wooden beams. The north-facing main entrance is topped by a slate canopy. All the openings have dressed stone or brick surrounds. The doors and windows with wooden frames are protected by a balustrade on the first floor and by wrought iron railings on the ground floor.
The ground floor
A vast entrance hall, with white-painted walls and a marble terrazzo floor serves all the rooms. It contains a half-turn oak staircase. Two large glass doors, each featuring an ornate wrought-iron claire-voie, provide light from either side. One of these opens onto the long terrace of the loggia.
On one side, there is a study painted turtle-dove grey followed by a fitted kitchen with jade-green walls, a zinc splashback and an Italian marble worktop and table. Both rooms also have marble terrazzo flooring. A reception room, which opens onto the loggia, features a glazed sandstone fireplace by Alphonse Gentil and Eugène Bourdet. The mantelpiece is adorned with acanthus leaves and the tiled surround with a traditional relief depicting a peasant couple. The floor is herringbone parquet.
On the other side, a corridor leads to three large, luminous bedrooms with white-painted walls and herringbone parquet flooring, two of which open onto the loggia, as well as two bathrooms tiled with Briare enamel and a lavatory. This level has a floor area of around 170m², with a ceiling height of 3m.
The garden-level floor
A large entrance hall leads to a number of bright, generously proportioned rooms. One of these features a marble terrazzo floor and a monumental dressed stone and brick fireplace with a built-in grill.
Next follow a scullery, a shower room and a lavatory. A pantry houses a well and the central boiler.
The main rooms and the entrance hall face and open onto the generous loggia. This level has a floor area of around 130m², with a ceiling height of 3.3m.
The upstairs
Extending over a floor area of around 75m², with a ceiling height of more than 2.5m, this floor comprises a landing leading to two large bedrooms opening onto the second loggia, and a bathroom fully clad with blue tiles. The bedroom walls are painted white and the wooden floors also are of herringbone parquet.
An attic of approx. 100 m² is suitable for conversion, beneath an impressive exposed timber frame.
The outbuildings
These comprise a guest house and an open double garage.
The guest house has two storeys. The slightly projecting central section and its two symmetrical wings are of rendered stone for the lower part, while the upper part is of rendered brick or timber-framed, topped by a slate roof with a wall dormer window. The window surrounds are of brick and stone, sometimes topped with a wooden lintel. With approx. 65m² of living space, excluding the attic space, garage and technical room, it requires a full restoration.
The open double garage covers approx. 25m².
The garden
The garden offers panoramic views over the hedged pasturelands and the pond. The property is bounded by a low stone wall, the branch of the river and the reach of the neighbouring mill. The fish pond, with a surface area of around 6,000m², is fed by the river and lies at the centre of the garden. The grounds are planted with oaks, willows, ashes, plane trees, non-invasive black bamboos, chestnut trees, sequoias, catalpas and poplars.
Some of the garden has been laid out to grow fruit and vegetables as well as plants and flowers. It includes a glass greenhouse in need of complete restoration, a hanging permaculture vegetable garden and an area planted with walnut, cherry, apple and quince trees, as well as wisteria, tulip tree and cherry laurel.
And finally, the garden houses the open double garage.
Our opinion
The marks of time have not altered this residence, a true architectural accomplishment. The solid and robust construction creates a perfect unity with a most distinctive character. Today, the property exudes elegance and spaciousness, wrapped in a cloak of greenery. The ornamental, vegetable and botanical gardens with their many different aspects will delight garden lovers.
Although not completely secluded, the property enjoys a certain tranquillity just a short distance from Paris. Adding a touch of modernity is all that is required from the next owners to be able to come here and unwind to their heart’s content.
750 000 €
Fees at the Vendor’s expense
Reference 257905
| Land registry surface area | 2 ha 63 a 1 ca |
| Main building surface area | 372 m2 |
| Number of bedrooms | 6 |
| Outbuilding surface area | 114 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.
