A characterful house with an annexe and tree-dotted garden, in a commanding
position in a town in France’s Val-d’Oise department, just north of Paris
position in a town in France’s Val-d’Oise department, just north of Paris
Saint-Prix,
VAL-D'OISE
ile-de-france
95390
FR
Location
“Do you know, on the hill
That joins Montlignon to Saint-Leu,
A terrace that slopes
Between a dark wood and the blue sky?”
With these words, written in 1856, Victor Hugo described Montmorency forest and the town of Saint-Prix, where he spent many summers. In his literary work “Les Contemplations”, the French poet immortalised this hillside town. The town, steeped in history and nature, lies near gems of built heritage of the Île-de-France region that extends around Paris. In the 21st century, the town has become a highly sought-after location. Indeed, not only does it offer a high quality of life, but it also lies close to regional economic hubs and road infrastructures. Paris is only 20 kilometres away via the A115 and A15 motorways and is 25 minutes away via the regional rail network (line H). Paris Charles de Gaulle airport is just 30 minutes from the property. And there are several schools near the property too.
Description
The property is located on a road with tight bends that leads to the old paved town. The house is set back from traffic, behind abundant vegetation that ensures absolute privacy. The remarkable dwelling, built in 1988 under the supervision of a highly qualified craftsman, combines reused materials with a modern design, yet without seeking to simply imitate a certain style. The roof frame, roofing, flooring and facing come from materials chosen for their patina of time. The elevations are punctuated with exposed timber frames, combined with roughly textured rendering. Quoins, lintels, roof tiles, oak beams, floor tiles and a fireplace all contribute to a splendid design based on reuse of materials. The house and its outbuilding are well insulated and the building choices took energy efficiency into consideration too. A landscaped garden faces south. It offers spectacular views that stretch to the horizon, including a clear vista of Paris. And a swimming pool fits nicely into the layout of the outdoor space.
The house
A square tower protrudes somewhat from the facade. The elevations bear timber frames. Dormers stand upon an imposing roof of old, flat tiles. And the house’s double-glazed windows are fitted with louvred shutters. Each door is made of solid oak.
The ground floor
A wooden entrance door leads into an entrance hall with a floor of old terracotta tiles. It is filled with natural light from a window at the other end of the hallway. This window looks out at one of the terraces and, beyond it, the garden. A 19th-century stone staircase leads up to the first floor. This staircase comes from France’s Anjou province. Originally, it was an outdoor flight of steps. But it was resized to fit its current location. It has a wrought-iron balustrade with a brass handrail, both tailor-made. An oak truss looks down at it. To the right of the entrance hall, there is a fitted kitchen designed and made by a professional joiner. It connects to a dining room. The lounge has painted oak beams and a floor of age-old terracotta tiles, laid in a Versailles parquet design. This lounge features an 18th-century stone fireplace. Beyond it, a second lounge forms a separate space. To the left of the entrance hall, there is a television room with a thick carpet. This ground floor is bathed in natural light. It is completed with a utility room with in-built cupboards, a guest lavatory and a cloakroom fitted beneath the staircase.
The upstairs
The staircase, bathed in natural light from a window, leads up to a large landing that is entirely carpeted. On the left, it connects to a first bedroom with a shower room and three roof windows. Straight ahead, there is a bathroom that looks out at the garden and offers a clear view of Paris. To the right, there is a second bedroom, which also looks out at the garden. Next, there is a third bedroom, which is bigger in size and is a dual-aspect space, and, lastly, a walk-in wardrobe.
The outbuilding
The outbuilding has a floor area of around 60m². It houses a games room, a storeroom and a pleasant office that is completely insulated and divided into two open-plan spaces with a separate guest lavatory. Thanks to its separate entrance door, this outbuilding, which is currently used as an office, could easily be turned into a guesthouse or a studio apartment or even a workplace for a professional practice. The interior is bathed in an abundance of natural light.
The garden and swimming pool
The garden slopes gently southwards. It is structured around trees, including an age-old ash tree, as well as shrubs and clusters of flowering plants. This garden enjoys absolute privacy and offers clear views of the French capital in the distance. There are two terraces. One of them lies beneath an open-sided pavilion-like shelter. These terraces lead down to a swimming pool, which is 7 metres long and 3.5 metres wide.
Our opinion
This south-facing house is set in a lush, flower-dotted backdrop. Its many rooms, including splendid reception spaces, offer a clear view of Paris and its monuments in the distance. Indeed, the French capital seems to join the bottom of the garden and the two terraces. The house’s architecture combines originality with historical decorative features, giving the elegant property a stately bearing and authentic character. Moreover, no renovation work is needed on the home. The beautiful rooms and unique charm of the property inspire contemplation as much as creation, perhaps prompting you to write poems like the great writer Victor Hugo or the dramatist Edmond Rostand, or to paint like the 19th-century French painter Albert Maignan, who lived in this town Or perhaps this haven will simply invite you to unwind as you watch the sun go down.
1 290 000 €
Fees at the Vendor’s expense
Reference 603428
| Land registry surface area | 2362 m² |
| Main building floor area | 238 m² |
| Number of bedrooms | 3 |
| Outbuildings floor area | 60 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.
