and more than 1 hectare of grounds in the centre of a historical village located between The River Seine and the forest
Location
This small municipality is well-known for its trellis vineyards and famous Chasselas climbing vines. It has possessed a unique wine-growing tradition since the 19th century and also boasts an artistic reputation thanks to the famous painter of animals Rosa Bonheur setting up home here, where she set up her easel and canvas in the grounds of her mansion to paint a life study of couple of tamed lions. The village has a TER regional rail network station, convenience stores as well as nursery and primary schools. The Porte d’Orléans in Paris and its nearby road junctions are 70 km away, while the Gare de Lyon can be reached in only 45 minutes by train.
Description
The residence
The discrete and majestic house dates from the late 19th century and was built by one of the region’s major industrialists, in a Neo-classical style. It is rectangular in shape, with a small wing protruding at a right angle facing towards the village. A more recent extension boasting a roof terrace can be found on the southern side. The white, rendered façades have several small-paned windows, French windows and doors, split into six vertical rows, all of which are fitted with louvred shutters. The three-storey building covers a surface of approximately 405 m². Dormer windows dot the roof made of traditional old tiles on the village side of the house. A large flight of stone steps boasting a masonry-work balustrade drops down from the patio to a gravel courtyard after which there is a vast central lawn.
The ground floor
From the patio, the entrance doors lead into a large hall. It is used as a small lounge, boasting a period fireplace with a wooden mantelpiece. To the right of the entrance, a double hallway leads to all the rooms. After the hallway, lined with built-in cupboards, and a lavatory with a small wardrobe, there is a dining room with delicate flower-patterned fabric wallpaper. This room also leads to a living space made up of one bedroom, a bathroom, a lavatory and two storage rooms currently used as laundry rooms. One of them was used as a service entrance from the courtyard. The kitchen follows on from these rooms and has a surface of approximately 24 m². It is fitted with white painted sold wood fittings, with a stone worktop and a range cooker. Lastly, the library is located in the extension and it seems like a large conservatory thanks to being bathed in light through the large windows adorning the walls. To the left of the entrance, there is a very spacious living room with a surface of almost 57 m² divided into two spaces: a TV viewing area and a lounge with a period Louis XIV style fireplace housing a wood-burning inset and topped by a black and white marble mantelpiece. Apart from the kitchen and the private living space, which each have an independent entrance from outside, all the other rooms open onto the large, stone patio that stands in front of the main façade. They are also all flooded in light through the large windows, producing a warm atmosphere further enhanced by the delicate fabrics and period terracotta tiles.
The first floor
Firstly, there is a very large almost 90-m² space wall-papered with cream-coloured fabric adorned by delicate pink, red and green plant patterns. It is made up of an almost 26-m² dual-aspect bedroom with two doors onto the roof terrace above the extension, an office/lounge with a fireplace housing a wood-burning insert and topped with a wooden mantelpiece, a bathroom and a shower room with separate lavatory. After this space, a corridor leads to three bedrooms with surfaces of 17 m², 19 m² and 20 m² respectively, each with an en suite bathroom and lavatory. The walls are adorned by pink, blue or cream coloured wallpaper and the bathrooms are tiled in white. The flooring is mostly covered by a thick carpet and the ceilings with exposed beams are painted white.
The attic
This level can be reached from the corridor on the first floor. The 180-m² space is currently used as a loft.
The basement
The basement lies under part of the house and can be reached via the library and staircase on the ground floor. It is made up of several storage spaces, two cellars and a boiler room housing a Viessmann boiler.
The estate keeper’s and guests’ house
Dormer windows and skylights adorn the gabled roof made of traditional old tiles of this rectangular building, which boasts living space of approximately 248 m². It possesses its own pedestrian entrance through a small gravel courtyard at the front of the property. White rendering adorns the façades. The house is split into two apartments: the first, originally for the estate keepers, is on the ground floor and the second occupies the upper two levels. It is used to accommodate guests. The estate keepers’ apartment has a surface of approximately 100 m² and is made up of a large, almost 62-m² living room, with a wood-burning stove, a small fitted-kitchen, a storage room, a bedroom, a bathroom and a lavatory. The atmosphere generated by the bright-coloured walls is warmed by the colour of the terracotta tiles on the floor. The guests’ apartment can be reached by an outside passageway and boasts a surface of almost 146 m² spread over two storeys. The first is made up of a lounge with a wood-burning stove, a small fitted-kitchen and two bedrooms, each of which has an en suite bathroom with lavatory. The second is located on a mezzanine in the attic space, with two extra bedrooms and two bathrooms with lavatories. The sea grass flooring and white walls help the exposed natural wooden roof frame to stand out.
The grounds
This 1.7-hectare expanse holds many surprises in store: in particular, it is possible to spot herons, ducks and other wild animals. The part adjacent to the main house is made up of a vast lawn with a small pond and stone bench, surrounded by hundred-year-old trees. The second part is divided up by several stone walls that are listed historical monuments, marking the areas reserved for sporting activities and relaxation.
The carport
This car shelter is near to the outbuilding and between two old period stone walls. Below a roof made of traditional old tiles, it has space to park several vehicles or pieces of gardening machinery. It has attic space that has been converted into two rooms with a surface of approximately 25 m², bathed in light through skylights and a window in the gable wall. They are currently used as storage space, but they could easily be transformed into an independent studio.
The swimming pool
The 16 metres by 8 metres swimming pool is located to the south of the grounds, tucked away from prying eyes by a veritable wall of old vines. Former box stalls for horses have been converted into a pool house, with an open-sided covered area for enjoying the shade when the sun is too hot, with storage space to the right and washroom facilities and a kitchen to the left. The pool’s technical facilities and heat exchange pump are cleverly hidden from view to the side. An almost 73-m² former covered swimming pool, which is currently out of service, is located next to the car shelter. It boasts a sauna and a lavatory and its roof is partially covered with photovoltaic solar panels.
The tennis court
Due to its age, it requires a renovation work on its surface. It is located behind the outdoor swimming pool at the other end of the grounds, meaning any games enjoyed on it will not cause any disruption to occupants of the house wanting peace and quiet.
The greenhouse
This period greenhouse is located in the middle of the grounds and merges into the greenery between the outdoor swimming pool and tennis court.
Our opinion
This is a rare property that combines the desire for a rural way of life and the possibility of conducting a series of activities, with the added assets of green spaces and private sanctuary. It is a haven of peace in the heart of a lively village steeped in history, where everything can be reached on foot, in a quality environment conducive to the well-being of its occupants. The property could also become a source of revenue if developed as a hotel or bed and breakfast accommodation. It boasts plenty of options to match its strengths.
2 890 000 €
Fees at the Vendor’s expense
Reference 707254
Land registry surface area | 1 ha 74 a 28 ca |
Main building surface area | 405 m2 |
Number of bedrooms | 10 |
Outbuilding surface area | 248 m2 |
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.