A contemporary dwelling and its breeding farm, nestled between
woods and a river, a short distance from Pont-l’Eveque, in the Pays d’Auge region
woods and a river, a short distance from Pont-l’Eveque, in the Pays d’Auge region
Pont-l'Évêque,
CALVADOS
lower-normandy
14130
FR
Location
In Normandy and the eastern part of the Calvados department, Pierrefitte-en-Auge is surrounded by landscapes emblematic of the Pays d’Auge region, alternating between verdant hillsides, wooded meadows, orchards and sunken lanes, while the town neighbours such picturesque villages as Saint-Hymer, Manneville-la-Pipard and Fierville-les-Parcs. Like them, it has preserved the authenticity of its characteristic hamlets, scattered here and there with ancient farms and timber-framed manors, whereas, although far from the commotion of urban centres, essential services are still within proximity and easily accessible.
Three kilometres away, Pont-l’Evêque features shops, schools and a green market, while the A13 motorway provides service to Caen in 45 minutes and Paris in two hours.
As for the Pont-l’Evêque train station, it offers rail service to Lisieux and Deauville, whereas the Deauville-Normandie and Caen-Carpiquet airports are 20 and 45 minutes away, respectively.
Description
Accessible from a B road, the property, of approximately five hectares, overlooks the valley and enjoys unobstructed views of the Touques River’s meanders, which winds its way through the countryside below, while a wooded hillside borders the estate to the west. Past a wooden gate, flanked by meticulously manicured shrubs, a winding lane ascends the hillside, hugging the rolling topography’s curves, whereas the landscaped grounds – planted embankments, graphic vegetation, low walls and paths – clearly evoke a contemporary aesthetic.
Although the dwelling is not visible from its gate, hidden by the property’s contours, it suddenly appears around a hairpin bend, while its design, both large and geometric, features a wood-clad silhouette punctuated by wraparound windows. Perched on a hill, the two-storey dwelling clearly stands out against the surrounding bucolic countryside and gives on to an interior courtyard to the west, whereas its northern entrance opens on to a staircase tower reinterpreted with a modern look.
With its exteriors combining vertical wooden cladding, understated metallic details, large south-facing picture windows as well as carefully chosen views to the west and the valley, the well-defined edges of its walls and roofline highlight the edifice’s minimalist character, while, surrounded by outbuildings, patios, manicured vegetation and paths, beyond the dwelling, immense buildings and an enclosure are used for the current occupants’ dog-breeding business.
Although the dwelling is not visible from its gate, hidden by the property’s contours, it suddenly appears around a hairpin bend, while its design, both large and geometric, features a wood-clad silhouette punctuated by wraparound windows. Perched on a hill, the two-storey dwelling clearly stands out against the surrounding bucolic countryside and gives on to an interior courtyard to the west, whereas its northern entrance opens on to a staircase tower reinterpreted with a modern look.
With its exteriors combining vertical wooden cladding, understated metallic details, large south-facing picture windows as well as carefully chosen views to the west and the valley, the well-defined edges of its walls and roofline highlight the edifice’s minimalist character, while, surrounded by outbuildings, patios, manicured vegetation and paths, beyond the dwelling, immense buildings and an enclosure are used for the current occupants’ dog-breeding business.
The Dwelling
Designed with a whimsical feel and a variety of colours throughout, the dwelling’s sunny foyer provides access to a staircase, while its western wing contains an immense storeroom.
The garden-level floor
The main bedroom provides views of both the patio and garden, via an immense sliding glass door and a panoramic window, respectively, while, following on from here, a “pink and green” bedroom faces south and west. Next a “blue” bedroom opens, to the east, on to the walkway that communicates with the patio, whereas the floor also includes two bathrooms, whose stone details contrast nicely with their other wooden elements.
The first floor
A landing provides access to an immense and open living/sitting room with triple exposure and chevron parquet floors that match seamlessly with the kitchen’s heavily veined worktops as well as the wood-panelled walls and ceiling. In addition, a pale wood-panelled bedroom and/or small sitting is located on the northern side of this floor next to a lavatory, whereas the western wing includes a bathroom as well as two wood-panelled bedrooms, which both open, to the south, on to the exterior wooden walkway thanks to wide sliding glass doors.
The Kennels and Machine Room
Repeating the dwelling’s architectural aesthetic, their wood-clad exteriors are cadenced by black-framed windows/doors and topped with gently sloping metal roofs, while the breeding farm is organised around an immense building with indoor kennels, machine rooms and exterior pens, the latter of which are separated by wire-mesh fences.
The Garden
Along the hillside, the property extends towards the east, while the landscaped garden combines local varietals as well as more exotic vegetation, such as palms, bananas, olives, soft grasses, apples as well as wisteria that festoon the upstairs level’s guardrail. Crisscrossed with pathways that hug the hillside’s slope and lead to an immense flagstone courtyard scattered with large earthenware jars, the property also includes an aviary.
Our opinion
In the Pays d’Auge countryside, alternating between hedgerows and wooded valleys, this contemporary, architect-designed dwelling, both understated and elegant, features large and sunny interior spaces, which meet all modern standards of comfort and provide a remarkable living environment as well. With meticulous décor and amenities, as well as service areas that have been designed with functionality in mind, the dwelling’s fluid layout creates a home ideal for either a family, a bed-and-breakfast or holiday accommodations.
As for the rather bold decision to put the living areas upstairs, this provides the dwelling with added cachet and character, whereas the grounds, suitable for a small-scale breeding farm, also provides easy access, via the many nearby paths, to the neighbouring villages and historical landmarks in the vicinity.
1 280 000 €
Fees at the Vendor’s expense
Reference 198477
| Land registry surface area | 4 ha 61 a 55 ca |
| Main building floor area | 200 m² |
| Number of bedrooms | 6 |
| Outbuildings floor area | 160 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.
