Character houses
Former 16th century wine press and its outbuildings, Auge region
Location
195 km (122 miles) from the centre of Paris, 9 km (6 miles) from a typical village with all local shops and amenities. Accessed from Paris via the A13 as far as Bourg-Achard, then via the excellent A28 (main Calais/Bayonne road) or via the A14 and the N13.
Land of horse stud farms and Camembert cheese with gently undulating countryside and grasslands where herds of brown and white cows graze, with half-timbered-style houses surrounded by the apple orchards that produce the best vintages of Calvados
Description
A group of 4 buildings set predominantly in grasslands spanning 1ha 75a 90ca (4.35 acres), where the slightly sloping land gives an unobstructed view down to the bottom of the valley and the surrounding wooded hills.
The main dwelling
Former 16th century wine-press, currently transformed into a comfortable house. The ground floor stone facades have large windows and doors, some of which were once used for farming purposes. Dressed rubble stone walls with irregular bonding. Rectangular, randomly matched terracotta brick flooring.
In a corner, the sole means of accessing the upstairs is a wooden corkscrew hanging staircase with steps sealed on a load bearing stringer.
A series of tapered wooden posts support a gallery providing access to the upstairs rooms. The space left in its centre exposes the cross-patterned wooden framework and hand rail.
Kitchen with randomly matched terracotta brick flooring. Large fireplace with integrated rotisserie system.
Back kitchen and laundry room. Paved flooring and entrance door in the gable wall. From the entrance hall, via another door, boot room, toilet and a small room currently used as a games room. Hexagonal terracotta tile flooring.
From the other side of the entrance hall, large, unique lounge with numerous windows on two sides of the building. Large fireplace with dressed stone jambs, a central keystone and an upper section sloping up to the ceiling. Large period bellows to one side.
Upstairs, 2 distinct parts, separated by the entrance hall and its cathedral ceiling.
Two good-sized bedrooms and a bathroom with toilet on one side, above the kitchen and its annexes. Decoration sober but comfortable, hexagonal terracotta tile flooring, wooden framed outside and dividing walls marked to a greater or lesser extent depending on the room, certain of the metal parts used accentuate the presence of the wood. The walls are filled-in with painted plaster.
Exposed, painted wooden joists and inter-joists in the ceiling. In the other section, a vast bedroom with identical features and a sober but comfortable bathroom.
The outbuildings
Set below the property are 3 buildings, one to be restored, the second in the process of being converted and the last currently used as a guest house. The last two are the furthest away and have half timbered facades and classic gable roofs.
Our opinion
The absolute peace and quiet is broken only by the occasional lowing of cattle. The wood that is omnipresent in the construction of these buildings relates the skill of craftsmen in the past and proves its resistance and longevity. Nothing is flashy or tasteless here. All is sober and simple in the aim of preserving the authenticity of the property.
Price: 710 000 €
Our fees are included in the stated sale price.
Reference 2305MM
| Land registry surface area | 1ha 75a 90ca / 4.346 acres |
| Main building surface area | 272 m² / 2,928 sqft |
| Outbuilding surface area | 281 m² / 3,025sqft |
Regional representative
Marie Merien +33 (0)6 08 80 21 01
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.
