A stately 18th-century dwelling and its estate of nearly 7 hectares,
perched up in the heights of the royal city of Blois
perched up in the heights of the royal city of Blois
Blois,
LOIR-ET-CHER
center-val-de-loire
41000
FR
Location
Two hours from Paris, between Sologne and Touraine, Blois is the administrative centre of the Loir-et-Cher department, located within the greater Centre-Val de Loire region. Sought out for its dolce vita, the city is famous for its royal chateau and Saint-Louis cathedral, while its narrow medieval streets are scattered here and there with café terraces, cinemas and theatres. As for the dwelling, immersed within a peaceful setting, only a few minutes from the city centre, it overlooks grounds blanketed in meadows and woods.
Description
Set back from a quiet road, the property’s entrance is flanked on either side by a low wall topped with a white lattice fence, while, framed on either side by small annexe wings, the 18th-century dwelling features two floors under an attic level, as well as doors, windows and upstairs dormers surrounded by tuffeau stone. With plaster-coated exteriors and a slate roof, redone ten years ago, on either side, the two wings include a winepress to the south and a storeroom to the north, while their stone exteriors are lined with Virginia creeper and topped with local flat tiles, providing a nice contrast with the main dwelling.
As is often the case in the region, the building suffered from clay soil movement following the 2018 drought, before significant structural work was then carried out in 2024, which involved reinforcing the foundations using resin injections under the dwelling’s load-bearing walls as well as installing tie rods under the first floor.
With a flower garden in the front and two other outbuildings in the back, including a garage facing the gate created for vehicle access, past the dwelling, meadows descend all the way to a seasonal stream as well as a village road, while a large wooded parcel extends on from here.
As is often the case in the region, the building suffered from clay soil movement following the 2018 drought, before significant structural work was then carried out in 2024, which involved reinforcing the foundations using resin injections under the dwelling’s load-bearing walls as well as installing tie rods under the first floor.
With a flower garden in the front and two other outbuildings in the back, including a garage facing the gate created for vehicle access, past the dwelling, meadows descend all the way to a seasonal stream as well as a village road, while a large wooded parcel extends on from here.
The Dwelling
The ground floor
The dwelling’s central front door opens on to an entry hallway, which provides access, on one side, to a living room and, on the other, to a dining room, as well as a lavatory in the back. As for the dual-aspect living room, it features visible ceiling beams, a stone fireplace with Louis XVI-inspired fluted décor, while smaller in size, the dining room boasts a black cast-iron stove/fireplace, topped with a column and a gilded brass capital.
From here, a door leads to a staircase followed by the dual-aspect kitchen, which opens on to the garden and includes a stone fireplace decorated with a motif of sculpted flower baskets, typical of the bucolic style of the 18th century, whereas original terracotta floor tiles and painted walls can be found throughout this level.
The upstairs
With gently sloping ceilings, the entire floor has been insulated, while a small landing, with a parquet floor and a skylight, first communicates with a suite composed of a bedroom, also with parquet floors, as well as a pink marble fireplace and a private shower room.
In addition, in the middle of the landing, another bedroom, with original terracotta floor tiles, is currently used as a library, whereas a hallway then leads to a shower room, a separate lavatory and three more bedrooms, two of which were created recently above the annexe’s wine press.
The south wing
Reconverted into a workshop, the former wine press abuts another room with a fireplace and two windows, which is currently used as a storeroom and practically doubles the initial’s room length, while the other spaces, still unfinished, could be reconfigured and connected to the living room.
The north wing
Also unfinished, the former storeroom provides direct outdoor access thanks to a door on its gable end, while another entrance could be created from the kitchen.
The Garage
Set back from the dwelling, this enclosed wooden structure of approximately 30 m², provides parking for one vehicle and faces the entrance gate that was installed by the property’s current occupants.
The Former Winegrower's Cottage
Behind the dwelling, this building, of approximately 25 m², is used for storing the garden’s tools. With a pointed stone exterior as well as quoins and window/door surrounds decorated with red brick and light-colour mortar, its single-sloped slate roof is punctuated with a wall dormer, while, in front of this building, an ancient well still features its 19th-century bucket pump.
The Grounds
The meticulously manicured flower garden is planted with espaliered roses, irises, agapanthus, lilacs and a camellia, while several low pruned boxwood hedges surround this area, shaded by a giant lime tree. Past this area, other trees provide shade for the rest of the grounds, such as oaks, limes, Lebanese cedars, walnuts, etc., as well as fruit trees, whereas a “green lane” runs alongside a small grove to the north of the dwelling. Further on, the meadow descends towards a stream and an unpaved village road, while, on the other side, a large wooded plot of land extends back up the hillside.
The Land Zoned for Construction (Sold Separately)
With a surface area of approximately 3,000 m², it is zoned for construction and abuts the property to the northwest, along the street. Available as an option, it is sold at the additional price of €100,000 (agency fees included), which will be added to the sale price indicated below.
Our opinion
Perched up in the heights of this royal city and nestled between urban amenities and the countryside, this human-sized property has been in the same family for the past 155 years, while, surrounded by grounds planted with trees and flowers, the dwelling creates a unique and charming tableau, reminiscent of a country house.
Although sheltered from view and immersed in peace and quiet, the property is nevertheless still within easy reach from Blois’s lively streets, and is simply waiting to be, once again, the gathering place for future family lunches or reunions, either clustered around the dwelling’s venerable stove or under the shade of an ancient lime tree, echoing the grand evenings of yesteryear and animated by the laughter of children playing in the fields and woods that extend around the base of the hillside.
Reference 743325
| Land registry surface area | 6 ha 80 a 18 ca |
| Main building floor area | 146 m² |
| Number of bedrooms | 5 |
| Outbuildings floor area | 140 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.
