A characterful house with one hectare of grounds and outbuildings that include an old
forge, nestled in northern France in a village with a rich past, 130 kilometres from Paris
forge, nestled in northern France in a village with a rich past, 130 kilometres from Paris
Buchy,
SEINE-MARITIME
upper-normandy
76750
FR
Location
The property is nestled in a rural village with only around 250 inhabitants and a wealth of built heritage, tucked away in a landscape of valleys, rivers and woods. The village includes the ruins of a 12th-century church. Shops and amenities for everyday needs are grouped together in a town six kilometres away. There are many emblematic chateaux nearby too – some of them are used as museums. Within a 10-to-20-kilometre radius around the property, there are several villages that draw many tourists. These villages are surrounded by one of France’s most beautiful forests, which covers 10,000 hectares. The towns of Buchy and Gournay-en-Bray, which offer administrative centres and specialist food shops, are respectively 16 and 25 kilometres away. The city of Rouen, with its train station and universities, is only 30 kilometres away. And Beauvais international airport is just 60 kilometres from the property.
Description
The plot lies on a corner where a country lane runs into the village. The main edifice stands in the middle of the grounds, in parallel to the outbuildings, which are spread out in front of the edifice and behind it. Those at the back – an orangery and an open kitchen – lie by a hill. There is a garden between an outbuilding and a greenhouse. A former forge with a huge basement lies to the left of the main entrance. The elevations, partly made of brick, rise up to slate roofing.
The main edifice
History does not tell us whether a nobleman lived on this property, but the place certainly seems to have once been a noble country house. It was built between the late 18th century and the early 19th century. It offers a floor area of around 250m². It has a central section with a ground floor, a first floor and a second floor in the roof space. This central section is extended with two pavilions – one on each side – with a ground floor and a first floor. The three roofs, which are at different heights, are covered with slate tiles. The roof of the central section has an old dormer. The elevations are made of stone. They have a brick plinth course. These elevations are punctuated with arched windows. The quoins have a facing of red brickwork. When the current owner bought the property back in 1989, he aimed to transform the edifice’s interior. Yet today this project still needs to be finished. It could be a project for a future owner.
The ground floor
The ground floor is made up of a dining room, a kitchen and two reception rooms, one of which has a monumental fireplace. The whole ground floor needs to be restored. The floors of the different rooms are tiled. The walls have kept their exposed brickwork. A wooden spiral staircase with a wrought-iron handrail leads upstairs. This ground floor is bathed in natural light from arched windows on two sides.
The first floor
A hallway connects to two bedrooms, each of which has a fireplace. A large mezzanine looks down at the ground floor. A shower room completes this first floor. The windows are arched, just like on the floor below. Wood strip flooring extends across the rooms. This first floor also needs to be restored.
The top floor
The top floor is a loft space with a roof frame. It could be restored and converted. It has a tap and a lavatory.
The reception room and office
This large building stands behind the main edifice. It has a ground floor and a first floor. It is used as an open kitchen. It has a wood-burning stove and a fireplace. It can be used to organise receptions. The building is crowned with a slate roof. Its elevations are made of stone and its ceilings are supported with exposed beams. An office and a lavatory complete the building.
The workshop
The workshop’s walls are entirely glazed. A tiled roof crowns the building. For a long time, this workshop was a forge where items of furniture and artistic objects were crafted. It offers a 200m² floor area. A ramp leads down to a basement, which offers a 170m² floor area.
The agricultural outbuildings
The agricultural outbuildings lie in front of the house. They have a ground floor and a first floor. They form a right angle. Their roofs are covered with slate tiles. One of them, which dates back to the 18th century, was recently restored. The elevations are partly built with brick and partly with stone. They are punctuated with round-arch windows with stone ledges. Next, there is a cart shelter in which three vehicles can be kept, as well as a hen house, two looseboxes and workshops.
The orangery
The orangery needs to be restored. It has a brick facade with arched windows with stone ledges.
The greenhouse
The greenhouse lies to the right of the garden, close to the reception room and office. It also needs to be restored.
The garden
Trees of different varieties edge part of the plot. Gravel drives lead to the dwellings. A lawn extends in front of the main house.
Our opinion
This authentic family home is majestic and original. Its backdrop is remarkably lush. The haven is at once rustic and refined. It offers many assets and a wide range of exciting possibilities for development, which would become even more apparent if the different buildings were fully restored. The property lies close to France’s beautiful Pays de Bray province – an undulating natural area that includes characterful villages and towns with markets selling local produce. This delightful context gives yet more reasons to settle here for anyone wishing to leave urban bustle behind and enjoy the calm of the countryside – but with the vibrant city of Rouen not too far away.
600 000 €
Fees at the Vendor’s expense
Reference 155541
| Land registry surface area | 9864 m² |
| Main building floor area | 250 m² |
| Number of bedrooms | 4 |
| Outbuildings floor area | 2000 m² |
French Energy Performance Diagnosis
Information on the risks to which this property is exposed is available on the website: www.georisques.gouv.fr
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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.
