Since the 18th century, the banks of the River Seine in Évry, between Paris and Fontainebleau, have welcomed havens of peace for illustrious travellers, including Madame de Montespan, Louis XIV’s famous mistress. This Anglo-Norman style property is a former outbuilding of a mansion erected in the late 19th century. It is a vestige of the passages of illustrious personalities, seeking solace far from the hustle and bustle of a city that has since expanded. The residence, situated between two parks, boasts almost 400 m² of living space set around a paved courtyard and framed by two gardens - one in front and one to the rear - on a plot of almost 4,000 m². The house, behind the gate and hedges enclosing the property, is punctuated with brown half-timbering, roofs made of flat tiles, gable, shed as well as hipped dormers and small-paned windows with white joinery.
The first cobbled courtyard, in the shade of tall plane trees, is of sufficient size to park several vehicles. It leads to a house divided into two apartments as well as a garage topped by an elegant, corbelled overhang. In the middle, an entrance porch reserved for pedestrian access opens onto a rectangular second cobbled courtyard that leads to the half-timbered main house, its annexes and outbuildings.

The half-timbered house

This 276-m² L-shaped building can be reached from the second courtyard adorned with a fountain crowned with a stone mascaron. The white rendered facade is adorned with brown half-timbering, plus geometrical patterns and moulding. The entrance is protected by an awning made of flat tiles and is watched over by mischievous characters carved into the woodwork.

The ground floor
The entrance opens onto a vast, approximately 60-m² reception room used as a lounge and dining room with a fireplace at one end. The exposed beams, crimson red painted ceiling and stained glass depicting rural life give the room a both warm and cosy atmosphere. One of the stained-glass windows depicts the twelve Flemish proverbs of the painter from Antwerp, Peter Bruegel. The approximately 27-m² kitchen is made up of greyish-green wooden units. It is separated from the dining room by a glass wall, while the central island unit can accommodate several people for everyday meals. French windows open onto a patio and the garden, creating a natural link between the inside and outside. Opposite, there is a lavatory next to the door to a wine cellar in the basement and the bottom of the stairs to the upper floor. Behind the lounge, a double-leaf door leads to a study with a high ceiling under which a mezzanine has been converted into a bedroom.
The first floor
This level can be reached from two sides of the residence and boasts four comfortable bedrooms. The first located on the mezzanine above the study, is adjacent to wardrobe space and a bathroom with a lavatory. Next to it, a series of cupboards precedes a shower room adjoining the almost 30-m² master bedroom, which overlooks the garden and boasts an impressive height as well as wood panelling, exposed beams and a small balcony. A door opens onto a landing leading to the staircase down to the kitchen as well as to two other bedrooms in the lateral wing. Each of them has an en suite shower room and separate lavatory. They have been recently renovated, one in orange tones and the other in a deep peacock blue colour. A corridor fitted with many storage units leads to an outside gallery, which in turn leads to the outbuilding and its two separate apartments.