A 16th-century watermill with an outhouse, a river and a walled garden,
35 minutes north of Paris and 20 minutes from Paris Charles de Gaulle airport
35 minutes north of Paris and 20 minutes from Paris Charles de Gaulle airport
Senlis,
OISE
picardy
60300
FR
Location
The town of Senlis lies around 40 kilometres north of Paris. It is one of the most remarkable towns in France’s Oise department. Senlis was a royal place of residence in the Early Middle Ages. It has kept a wealth of built heritage, including Gallo-Roman ramparts, narrow medieval streets, a Gothic cathedral and townhouses from the 17th and 18th centuries. Not only does Senlis bear this unique identity, but it is also culturally vibrant. The town is set in the beautiful Oise Pays de France regional nature park. It is surrounded by three large forests: Halatte forest, Chantilly forest and Ermenonville forest. Here you can enjoy horse-riding, golf, walking trails and cycling. The historical towns of Chantilly and Compiègne, both tied to France’s royal and imperial past, are also close. Chantilly is renowned for its international racecourse, horse-riding estate and golf courses. Shops, markets, health services and schools – from nursery level to upper-secondary level – make your environment here practical for everyday needs. The area is easy to reach too. The A1 motorway gets you to Paris in less than an hour. And Paris Charles de Gaulle airport – with its high-speed train station – is only around 20 minutes away. From the local Chantilly-Gouvieux train station and stations in the nearby towns of Orry-la-Ville and Creil, you can also quickly reach the French capital and the region’s main towns by rail via regular train journeys. The property lies in a residential area, set back from the busiest roads. From the home, you can reach the historical town centre on foot in around 15 minutes. The neighbourhood is also well connected to public transport.
Description
A large gate leads into the property. The house stands in the middle of a garden. Gravel paths run through this garden, which is edged with a small river that flows beneath a weeping willow. On one side, there is the main house: a former stone watermill built in the 16th century. It offers a floor area of around 350m². It has a ground floor, a first floor and a second floor in the roof space. In line with it, there are several looseboxes, which have been turned into garages. They are linked to the house via an old-style conservatory. The building originally belonged to King Charles XIV. It was then turned into an oil mill in the middle of the 19th century and later a horse-riding centre, before becoming a private home. Its waterwheel mechanism no longer exists today. Opposite the house, there is a huge converted barn with a total floor area of around 400m². It houses offices, a reception room and a two-floor apartment. This outbuilding could be turned into an entirely residential edifice. An extra building with a 220m² floor area could be used to create new spaces, depending on your plans, whether personal or work-related.
The ground floor
Travertine tiles cover all the floors on this lower level. There are two separate entrance halls. One of them leads in from the road and can be reached from the conservatory between the house and the garages. This garden-facing conservatory forms a direct link between the outside, the kitchen and the utility room, which adjoins the former looseboxes. The other entrance hall leads in from the garden and has a cloakroom and storage spaces. It connects to the different rooms on the ground floor. The kitchen, a separate room, is fully fitted. This spacious kitchen is bathed in natural light from a glazed wall that separates it from the dining room. This dining room is a vast reception room with large windows. Its exposed beams and exposed stonework underline its old character. Beyond it, there is a spacious lounge with a large-hearth stone fireplace. Its exposed ceiling beams and stone floor are showcased by the natural light that floods into it from even windows.
The upstairs
The first floor
The first floor is organised around an open landing showcased by a dual-aspect stairwell that brings light and depth. A wooden spiral staircase with a metal balustrade and solid steps with a patina of time stands out as the building’s centrepiece. From the landing, two corridors with exposed beams and exposed stonework connect to the bedrooms and bathrooms. There are four bedrooms, two bathrooms with a lavatory, and a suite with a bedroom, a walk-in wardrobe and a private shower room. Wood strip flooring extends across most of the rooms. The bathroom floors have old terracotta tiles.
The second floor
The stairs lead up to a landing with exposed roof beams that have been carefully preserved. This landing connects to a large games room or cinema room, which takes up most of the floor. The pale wood flooring, the plain walls and the old structure left exposed create an atmosphere here that is both convivial and contemporary. Beyond this space, there is a room that covers more than 40m² and could have different purposes, for example a workspace, a workshop or one or several extra bedrooms.
The barn
The former barn has been entirely reconverted. It has three separate sections that offer a range of possible uses, whether for accommodation or work. The first section has a 203m² floor area. On its ground floor, it has two lavatories with washbasins and stairs that lead to a 95m² reception room. There are exposed beams, walls of exposed stonework, an old fireplace and an integrated kitchen. A mezzanine looks down at the room. Beyond this space, there is a 108m² two-floor apartment. On its ground floor, it has a double lounge with a fully fitted open-plan kitchen, a cloakroom and a lavatory with a washbasin. Upstairs, it has a main bedroom, a dormitory with three beds, a shower room and a utility room. The second section has a floor area that covers more than 95m². It is currently used as a workspace. On the ground floor, it has a fully fitted open-plan kitchen, a cloakroom and three lavatories. Upstairs, there are two offices, a shower room and a mezzanine that has been turned into a bedroom. This section could be transformed into a self-contained dwelling. Lastly, the third section has a 219m² floor area. It can be used for storage. It includes an 85m² workshop and a 134m² storehouse. These spaces could be adapted to different purposes according to your needs.
The garden
The landscaped garden covers 4,328m² and is enclosed with tall walls. It is entirely walled and is organised into lawns dotted with trees and shrubs. Gravel paths run through it, linking the watermill to the converted barn. This beautiful garden has a hushed atmosphere. It features a majestic weeping willow, which has become the place’s centrepiece. The river, which flows along one edge of the garden and discreetly runs through the property, has a beach from where you can go swimming or canoeing.
Our opinion
This unique property steeped in history combines nature with modern living. The river gives structure to the landscaped garden and makes this outdoor haven particularly relaxing. At the same time, the natural light that fills the interior underlines the sense of calm here and creates continuity with the exterior. The mill has been masterfully restored. It has kept its old character thanks to the attention paid to the materials and rooms. Inside, the spaces are generously sized, but not too big. They are elegantly understated in style and ensure smooth, comfortable day-to-day living inside. The converted barn is a precious asset too. It is self-contained, so the main house’s privacy can be preserved, and it opens up many possibilities for use, whether as a guesthouse or a workspace. In short, this delightful property is a truly welcoming home. It makes you want to settle into it straight away and stay here forever.
1 890 000 €
Fees at the Vendor’s expense
Reference 467889
| Land registry surface area | 4302 m² |
| Main building floor area | 310 m² |
| Number of bedrooms | 5 |
| Outbuildings floor area | 400 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.
