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Gothic and Renaissance-style half-timbered dwelling in Upper Normandy
Location
In the French department of Seine Maritime, in the town of one hundred bell towers and the birthplace of Corneille. Where inhabitants benefit from all the urban amenities of a central historic district as well as the tranquillity of an unspoilt setting with very little traffic. Restaurants, shops, boutiques, antique dealers, art galleries, museums, theatres and cinemas can all be reached on foot.
The train station has 1 hour links to Paris. The A13, A151, A28 and A29 motorways go to all nearby large towns, both north and south.
The Alabâtre and Fleurie coasts can also be reached within the hour. The Normandy Seine Loops Nature Park is to be found on the outskirts of the town.
Description
This 19th century house with its rather surprising and fanciful architecture is reached via the colourful narrow streets, in which we discover churches, chapels and numerous pedestrians, not forgetting its museums.
The historic district in which it is situated owes its name to a bloody war that took place between two groups of Seigneurs in 946. It was the site of a horse and poultry market for the working classes in the 13th century.
Designed by a master cabinet maker who loved and collected gothic and renaissance art, the house was built on the foundations of a medieval building in 1898. All the internal and external parts of the building unite a vast number of decorative works that can be qualified as works of high-class carpentry. The few interesting features that were added were taken from richly decorated castles.
Standing on a street corner, the building spans 4 stories and a total of approx. 160 m² (1,722 sq ft) of living space, in addition to the cellar and the attic. It is built of timber-framed walls, an oak carcass and small bricks and broken tiles as masonry joint filler.
A gothic facade: moulded corbelling, dripstones, caryatids, sculpted corner posts, mascarons and grotesque figures.
A Renaissance facade, with 10 main oblong windows (all of which are different one from the other), 3 roof dormers. A succession of pilasters, pediments, sculptures and outstanding wrought ironwork; Saint Jean half-timbering and brick work typical of Normandy with corner corbelling.The old tile roof, combining slate tiles in certain places, is adorned with a bell tower and roof dormers with projecting eaves, topped with bell turrets.
Wood, sculpted more often than not, dominates wherever the eye falls. It is part of every room, whether on the floor, on the ceiling, or on the doors and walls. The rooms have windows with small-panes or with leaded lights.
Our opinion
The historic background of the town means that it is full of fascinating architecture, witness to the many significant events in the history of France. The house blends quite naturally into this urban landscape. The warmth of the omnipresent wood confronts and mixes with the light that passes through the numerous windows. The place exudes a cosy, almost religious atmosphere, giving it a very distinctive feeling. This dwelling was not created by just a carpenter, the person in question also needed to have a sense of the aesthetic. Here, the two qualities are united thus providing a site in pristine condition that is unusual to look at and has all the home comforts you could wish for.
An original town house making it quick and easy to go around the shops in what is almost a village square. This dwelling could also become home to a company wanting to use it for its offices.
795 000 €
Our fees are included in the stated sale price.
Reference 249261
| Main building surface area | 2 476 sq ft + 990 sq ft |
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.
