Home > NORTH & EAST > Castles / chateaux
19th century castle with stables and parklands, near to a forest,
10 mn from Compiègne
Location
Between woods and fields. On a hillside on the edge of a forest, in a small authentic village built from large blocks of limestone, which has kept its rural aspect, and is surrounded by several nearby character buildings, ruins or vestiges.
A small, peaceful spot which last century, played host to a large number of artists, poets and writers, lovers of nature and picturesque sites.
Near to the A1 motorway, approx. an hour from Paris and Roissy-CDG.
The setting is quiet and the surroundings pleasant.
Description
The old village church which was destroyed by a storm in the middle of the 19th century was rebuilt on land nearby.
The parklands currently extend the property over its old site.
The building, built in 1870 by an English Lord, then sold to an ordinary English woman from the islands, underwent extension works. It was at this time that the property took the name of her husband, if certain information cited in the history of the village is to be believed.
It was successively bought by a local noble family at the end of the 19th century, then by an English company at the beginning of the 20th century and then by a local politician.
The castle fortunately escaped the battles of First World War, despite the village being widely exposed to military attacks.
At the beginning of 1910-1920, and notably after the war, memories are a little vague as to what the property was used for… Some say that the residence was a retirement home for women that were once of easy virtue; others more tactfully remember that the place was a holiday haven for Parisian cabaret dancers…
Following this, a family of industrialists from the north bought the castle and resold it to a construction material factory, whereupon it was converted it into flats for the managers housed by the company, and that is how it stayed until the 1970’s.
The property was then practically abandoned until a cabinetmaker, restorer of castles, undertook the outstanding worksite of restoration, renovation and decoration that can be appreciated today.
The castle dominates gently sloping, wooded parklands of almost 45 ares (1.1 acres) which are completely enclosed by old stone walls. A paved passage way, on the right, separates it from a small building, once the stables, housing loose boxes on the garden level and dwellings upstairs. To the rear are closed garages, the most recent construction.
The property is accessed via a period gateway, adorned with wrought iron gates. A driveway leads up to the veranda that forms the main entrance to the castle.
Surroundings include a few village houses and countryside for as far as the eye can see. Rural, wooded scenery with large forests further afield.
Our opinion
A refuge from the difficulties of Parisian life. The greenery of foliage forming the horizon. A very pleasant holiday haven. An excellent site for some form of hotel and catering activity.
An ideal situation, near to both Compiègne and the capital, in a peaceful village, featuring the charms of the beautiful surrounding countryside.
A well laid-out, character building whose owners have managed to restore and preserve genuine authenticity, whilst providing modern day home comforts.
The possibility of easily using an additional surface area in the form of the outbuilding, and pleasant wooded parklands of a reasonable surface area, as regards both space and upkeep.
A wonderful, large property in the middle of parklands and a village.
985 000 €
Our fees are included in the stated sale price.
Reference 3130BVM
| Land registry surface area | 45 ares (1.1 acres) |
| Main building surface area | 530 m² (5,705 sq ft) |
| Outbuilding surface area | 120 m² (1,292 sq ft) |
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.
