15 minutes from the Somme Bay beaches, 18th C. listed folly and its parklands in a town
Location
On the outskirts of the town and not far from its picturesque centre.
Hidden behind a long brick wall, in a quiet district of the town, an authentic architectural gem, in an unspoilt natural setting. A residence not only in the country but also in a town that is the former capital of a country, dependent on a large abbey, full of preserved monuments and historic sites.
Near to the A16 and A28 motorways, approx. 90 minutes from Paris, half way between Rouen and Lille, and two hours from London and Brussels.
This flower-filled town is just a stone’s throw from Somme Bay, which was labelled a “Grand Site de France” in 2011.
The setting is peaceful and the site very pleasant.
Description
In 1665, the ancestors of a family of Dutch origin initially came to live in France on Colbert’s request. The family made its fortune, and in 1750, the grandson decided to build a small “folly” which was highly fashionable under the old regime.
Said folly was built to the south of the town, just a few hundred yards from the ramparts.
It was built in order that its owner could entertain his friends and business associates.
“Folly” comes from the Latin word “foleia” meaning a leafy arbour or branch house which, in the 18th century, designated a refined house surrounded by a beautiful garden.
This was initially a pavilion simply comprising a ground floor, with a vestibule, and three rooms.
The vestibule continued into the folly’s central room, the summer or round lounge which overlooked the French formal garden via double doors and two windows. On one side, the conservatory and on the other, the dining room.
No bedrooms, no kitchen, or even any bathroom and toilet facilities.
Visitors came to sample the simple pleasures of the countryside and then went back into town in the evening.
It was only around 1763 that an upstairs was added to this ground floor, and that a very elegant stairway, blending cleverly and gracefully into the vestibule, was installed. The upstairs with its low ceilings is illuminated by fourteen bull’s eye windows and features a Mansard roof.
The two wings added in the 19th century in no way changed the unity of the building, but increased the useable floor surface area. In addition to two flats, they also contained the service quarters and outbuildings.
Between the two wars, a composer, the pupil of a famous musician, received his pianist friends here.
Unfortunately in 1944, a bomb set fire to the roof and the building threatened to collapse. The residence was consequently subject to much attention, and numerous restoration campaigns enabled its beauty of yesteryear to be restored which led to a local member of the military nobility and a famous poet saying that the perfection of this residence was striking.
The composer’s family then sold it to its current owners, who turned it into their main residence.
This was then the start of a vast restoration campaign with the help of an architect from the French Historic Monument Association.
Its interior lounges have an outstanding series of wainscoting.
The French formal gardens that surround the residence extend into landscaped parklands.
The property has been classified on the French Supplementary Historic Monument List since the beginning of the 20th century in recognition of its unique estate and its state of preservation.
Our opinion
Behind an ordinary wall, on the outskirts of the town, hides one of the most authentic residences to be seen from this era.
With its beautiful pinkish brick and stone facade, its parklands and its outstanding gardens, this 18th century building with its admirable proportions has a rare elegance.
Entirely surrounded by a natural, green decor, it has meticulously well preserved period architecture, furniture and decorations that are probably unique in France.
This pleasant family residence is far from being a museum and exudes all the lively charm of a house that is lived in.
The purity of this residence makes it outstanding, and, despite its modest size, it has no reason to envy bigger residences.
1 880 000 €
Our fees are included in the stated sale price.
Reference 3266BVM
| Land registry surface area | 10ha (25 acres) |
| Main building surface area | 500m² (5,378 sq ft) |
| Outbuilding surface area | 220m² (2,366 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.
