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19th century chateau and its outbuildings, near to Soissons, 120 km (75 miles) from Paris
Location
In the Ailette valley, on the edge of a mystical, game-filled, national forest, between woods and lakes, forests and ponds.
In the middle of a peaceful village, half-way between Soissons and Laon, near to the N2 and between the A1, A 4, and A 26 motorways.
At least an hour from the main regional towns, near to a French SNCF train station on the direct Paris-Nord line, and about an hour from Roissy.
The setting is pleasant with tranquil surroundings.
Description
A little way away from the main street, in a side road, after having gone along the stone perimeter wall, the property is accessed by means of entrance gates that stand perpendicular to the street, thus enabling cars to be parked out front.
The first of the outbuildings are in front of the entrance.
And slightly set back on the side, the main building stands facing the parklands with its other facade facing the street.
Although its construction indicates that it dates from the 19th century, the origins of the property could be from a much earlier period, perhaps the 17th century, with it then being redesigned two centuries later in view of certain vestiges that are still in the parklands.
According to memories of the older generation, and various documents, this site was used as a military hospital during the First World War, up until 1916, before being partly destroyed in 1917 and then rebuilt a few years later, in 1924.
The property, which belonged to a titled Parisian aristocrat married to a woman of Anglo-Saxon origins, was then sold, just prior to the Second World War, to a public utility which carried out extensive conversion and renovation works. After several decades of activity, said public utility has recently put an end to its operations on this site.
Surrounded by partly wooded parklands of close to 3.5 ha (8.6 acres), entirely enclosed by fencing and old stone walls, the chateau is connected on its left to the outbuildings via a small belfry that features a porch way opening on to the parklands, and that is topped by a bell tower.
The building is then extended by several buildings including an unusual small octagonal tower, adorned with an escutcheon sculpted in stone, displaying the coats-of-arms of a nearby town.
All of the elements set at an angle at one end, once used as the service quarters, and even a farm, shelter various sites and sheds on the garden level, including an old forge, and rooms or dwellings upstairs. To the rear are a vast farm shed, a covered courtyard and constructions of various sizes used for accommodation purposes.
The outbuildings total approx. 1,100 m² (11,840 sq ft).
The facade on the parklands side is extended by a very large terrace, which dominates the entire planted section, the gardens and the woods.
Columns, statues and vases adorn the property.
There are several village houses on the side with countryside in front and around for as far as the eye can see and rural wooded scenery with forests in the distance.
Our opinion
What can be said about such a property apart from the fact that the charm of the place as well as the character of the main building, not forgetting the outbuildings, leaves no-one impervious.
Although, the conversion made for the use linked to the activity of the public utility will, depending on the project, possibly require transformation, renovation and decoration works.
It is important to highlight here the great potential of the useful floor areas and living space contained in all the buildings.
The multitude of possible projects whether they concern the various accommodation, restaurant or even real-estate activities can but fail to be of interest to a good number of property developers and investors.
Unless a passion for stones encourages an architecture enthusiast to restore, preserve and maintain this beautiful piece of heritage.
There is no end to the potential for this superb property surrounded by parklands and a village.
755 000 €
Our fees are included in the stated sale price.
Reference 3247BVM
| Land registry surface area | 861 acres |
| Main building surface area | 7535 ft2 |
| Outbuilding surface area | 11840 ft2 |
Regional representative
Bruno Van Montagu +33 (0)6 43 61 86 27
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.
