A Burgundy watermill, a millstream and parklands
Location
90 minutes from Paris, Montbard - Dijon TGV train station, A6 motorway, Dijon-Longvic airport, Semur-en-Auxois aerodrome.
Description
The property comprises a watermill, the origins of which date back to the Middle Ages, 19th century outbuildings, landscaped parklands and the millstream along approx. 3 km (2 miles) of the river.
The mill was built by a large Benedictine Abbey, one of the oldest in France.
Its history can be traced from the middle of the 16th century to current times. The abbot who commissioned it surrendered it to the monk community which, in turn in 1555, leased it to two village inhabitants on the understanding that they maintained and restored it. Their descendants lived there until the beginning of the 18th century. Whereupon, millers took possession until the French Revolution, at which time it was seized and sold as “National Property” in 1792.
It was to remain in the hands of their descendents until 1936; after having been converted into a dairy at the beginning of the century.
Its current owner bought the property in 1974. Works were then carried out to give what was both a factory and a farm the appearance of a house. The parklands were also taken in hand with the objective of giving a coherence to the entire property.
It is by passing through one of the barns that a flower garden comprising several tea roses, azalea beds and “Milrose” roses is to be found; then along the “freeboard” of the millstream is a second garden with roses and dahlias planted somewhat haphazardly.
A box wood tree-lined rose garden has replaced the former pigsty. It consists of several varieties, notably tea roses that bloom from mid-May through to the first frosts. The rose garden is followed by a “white garden”: in April - narcissus, in May - a carpet of cerastium and white shrub and “Katharina Zeimet” roses provide a touch of white to the abundance of colour from the many colours of the rose garden.
In the corner between the rose and white gardens is an ornamental pool with water lilies and golden orfes.
The parklands actually span 4 ha (9.9 acres) of grasslands, laid out according to north-south axes, providing superb views and including copses and tree wind breaks planted east to west to protect the property. There is a mixture of species: coniferous and broadleaved trees, shrubs, old roses and peonies.
This beautiful property also includes outbuildings: a former wash house transformed into a garage, a barn, a storeroom, cellars and attics, a garden house with direct road access but no electricity, a dovecote and a guest house.
The property has a surface area of approx. 1,000 m² (10,763 sq ft).
Our opinion
This mill is set in unspoilt countryside without being too isolated from modern means of transport and communication. It is on the outskirts of a village but has no close neighbours. The premises are therefore peaceful, with just the murmuring of the river in the background. It is a long way from the hustle and bustle of the towns.
Its monumental parklands give it a rare charm. Moreover, the DRAC (French Regional Cultural Affairs Agency) has classified the gardens as “remarkable”. They have been laid out to give this property coherence with the brilliance of nature, flowers and trees everywhere. It is a property that would suit enthusiasts of rare or old species, which have been given a new lease on life by a learned nature lover.
The mill’s water rights are confirmed; production of electricity is a possibility that could, no doubt, give the mill a certain self-sufficiency.
800 000 €
Our fees are included in the stated sale price.
Reference 2711CB
| Land registry surface area | 6ha / 14,8 acres |
| Main building surface area | 300 m² / 3229 sq ft |
| Outbuilding surface area | 1000 m² / 10 764 sq ft |
Regional representative
Céline Berrette +33 (0)6 98 65 18 07
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.
