An 18th century mansion on the edge of Nantes,
set in 1.3 hectares of wooded, walled grounds
set in 1.3 hectares of wooded, walled grounds
Nantes,
LOIRE-ATLANTIQUE
pays-de-loire
44000
FR
Location
Just a stone's throw from the City of the Dukes of Brittany, on the north bank of the Loire, the property is situated in a small town with shops, services and amenities. It takes less than ten minutes to reach Nantes city centre and TGV train station. The airport is twenty minutes away. The nearest beaches on the Atlantic coast are a one-hour drive from the property.
Description
Set along a street linking the town centre to the ring road, the property is hidden in a large park of centuries-old trees, behind a high perimeter wall of coursed rubble masonry. Two brick and tuffeau masonry pillars topped by a bronze vase support a wide wrought iron gate, the only access to the property. Just beyond the entrance, a granite Breton cross keeps watch over the residence. Once through the gate, a tarmac driveway passes through a thicket and finally leads along a large lawn on one side to the house.
The residence
Built in the 18th century for the official registrar of the waters and forests of Nantes, the residence was originally part of a larger estate of almost 5 hectares. The property was divided up around ten years ago, resulting in its current configuration, stripped of its former surplus outbuildings and refocused on the noble part of the estate.
The mansion is rectangular in plan and has three levels, one of which is under the roof. It is of coursed rubble masonry on a granite base. The window surrounds, corner quoins, cornice and pediment are all of tuffeau limestone. All the facades are lime-rendered with painted ornamentations. The four-pitched slate roof has hip dormer windows.
The facade overlooking the large park features five bays. The three central bays form an avant-corps enhanced by two pilasters and topped by a triangular pediment with oculus. A perron-terrace spanning the three bays leads to the main entrance of the residence. The central glass door is arched, in contrast to all the other openings in the house. The back elevation follows the same arrangement, only that there is no pediment and the oculus has been replaced by a hip dormer similar to the other two. The rear of the house opens onto a more private part of the garden, which is accessed at ground level. On both facades, all the windows on the ground and first floors are fitted with wooden louvred shutters.
The ground floor
The ground floor comprises four rooms in a row. The entrance is via the perron on the parkland side. The small full-depth hallway houses the start of a staircase leading to the upper floors. On one side, there is a kitchen, on the other a lavatory, a dining room and a sitting room. Recently refurbished, the kitchen with its small fireplace is organised around two central islands containing the cooking equipment and a breakfast nook. The flooring is of herringbone oak parquet, and there is a service access to one side of the house. Also recently renovated, the dining room has the same cabochon limestone floor as the entrance hall and four double French windows opening onto the parklands and the back of the house. The walls feature high moulded panelling. The dining room includes a white marble fireplace on one side, adorned with brass shells and floral motifs. There are two small-paned glass doors leading to the sitting room on either side of the fireplace. This room has an oak herringbone parquet floor and a modillion frieze. A white marble Directoire fireplace is topped by a large Louis XVI period gilded wood overmantel mirror, enhanced by an oil on canvas depicting a gallant scene.
The first floor
There is a master bedroom with two windows overlooking the grounds on one side of the landing. On the other, a separate area comprises a second bedroom overlooking the parklands, a study, a small bathroom and lavatories. A corridor at the back of the house leads to a third bedroom with a window overlooking the grounds, as well as to a large bathroom with bathtub and double washbasin. The first floor is carpeted throughout and the walls are lined with stretch fabric. The staircase has old wallpaper.
The second floor
Completely under sloping ceilings, this floor comprises a bedroom located behind the triangular pediment and lit by an oculus. It has recently been refurbished with wall fabric and carpeting on the floor. A corridor to the back leads to a large full-width room that has been converted into a photographer’s studio. The corridor and studio have been restored. On this floor, there are also two further attic rooms with potential for development. They have terracotta tiled floors and one of them has a fireplace. All the rooms are lit by small hip dormers.
The grounds and the outbuildings
The outbuilding
At the end of the entrance driveway, a former common building has been kept as part of the property. It is of rendered rubble masonry with a slate roof and includes a laundry room and a room for the oil-fired boiler. It is also used as a workshop and storage space for garden equipment. Continuing through, a covered courtyard provides sheltered parking for a vehicle.
The parklands
Totally enclosed by walls, the grounds surround the house and provide a screen from the urban environment. They are mainly planted with oaks, chestnuts, tulip trees, maples, a cedar and a sequoia. A path has been judiciously created for walking in the small woodland. At the far end, an open area resembling a clearing requires strategic replanting to protect it from the nearby railway line. The large lawn in front of the perron offers an enchanting view of the residence. To the rear, the small, shady garden with its copses is ideal for rest and privacy.
These wooded areas and the entire property are classified as a protected natural zone.
Our opinion
Hidden amongst the trees, this discreet, refined residence is ideal for a family looking for space and a certain style of life. The recent restoration work carried out on this classic, elegant property gives a good idea of its potential, with many period features still in place. Some might be put off by the presence of the nearby railway line, but the size of the grounds in a protected area and the proximity of the city of Nantes offer a fantastic opportunity.
1 080 000 €
Fees at the Vendor’s expense
Reference 579925
| Land registry surface area | 1 ha 36 a 71 ca |
| Main building surface area | 280 m2 |
| Number of bedrooms | 6 |
| Outbuilding surface area | 30 m2 |
| Number of lots | 1 |
Aucune procédure en cours menée sur le fondement des articles 29-1 A et 29-1 de la loi n°65-557 du 10 juillet 1965 et de l’article L.615-6 du CCH
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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.
