A contemporary Ile-de-Ré villa, of more than 300 m²,
with a swimming pool and a fitness room on the outskirts of Les Portes-en-Ré
with a swimming pool and a fitness room on the outskirts of Les Portes-en-Ré
Les Portes-en-Ré,
CHARENTE-MARITIME
poitou-charentes
17880
FR
Location
In the Charente-Maritime department, on the northwest tip of the island, the village of Les Portes-en-Ré is nestled between saltmarshes, a natural reserve and the shoreline of the Bay of Biscay, while the village, known for its peaceful atmosphere and meticulous city planning, is one of the most sought-out areas on the island, with its narrow lanes lined with white houses with colourful shutters, its green market and small port.
As for the villa, it is located on an inconspicuous street, near the beach and the coastal paths that traverse dunes and pine forests, whereas the nearby beaches of Trousse-Chemise and Le Petit Bec are some of the area’s most emblematic landscapes and the bridge connecting the island with mainland France makes it possible to reach La Rochelle in approximately 45 minutes.
Description
Behind a long white wall, the property is accessible via a gate that opens on to a gravel courtyard, while a pedestrian door provides access to a large covered, open-air structure, which gives on to the property. From here, an initial garden is planted with bamboo, palm trees, grasses and Mediterranean plants, whereas, past this verdant space, the dwelling, separated into different spaces arranged around multiple patios, gradually reveals itself in the style of traditional Ile-de-Ré houses.
Historically, these dwellings often resulted from progressively grouping together buildings linked to salt manufacturing or winemaking, and these homes, salt warehouses or former wine storehouses were then connected via courtyards protected from the wind. This property echoes this rationale, but with a more contemporary spin, with its lime-plastered exteriors, dark shutters and barrel tile roofs, which repeat the island’s architectural codes, while its wide sliding glass doors create a fluid relationship with its exteriors.
Conceived with the assistance of the interior designer Jeanne Dumont, the materials used throughout confirms the dwelling’s affluent, but understated character: black brick floors on the ground level, narrow-plank oak parquet floors upstairs, finely-crafted woodwork, wood-panelled ceilings and a variety of custom-made furniture.
Historically, these dwellings often resulted from progressively grouping together buildings linked to salt manufacturing or winemaking, and these homes, salt warehouses or former wine storehouses were then connected via courtyards protected from the wind. This property echoes this rationale, but with a more contemporary spin, with its lime-plastered exteriors, dark shutters and barrel tile roofs, which repeat the island’s architectural codes, while its wide sliding glass doors create a fluid relationship with its exteriors.
Conceived with the assistance of the interior designer Jeanne Dumont, the materials used throughout confirms the dwelling’s affluent, but understated character: black brick floors on the ground level, narrow-plank oak parquet floors upstairs, finely-crafted woodwork, wood-panelled ceilings and a variety of custom-made furniture.
The Villa
The ground floor
The large covered, open-air structure provides access to the dwelling’s front porch, which gives on to the entryway as well as an initial sitting room used for reading, while, extending on from here, a central room includes a custom-built kitchen and a dining room facing the patios.
This pivotal space then communicates with two distinct volumes on either side: a living room with a fireplace as well as a patio extended by a second open-air covered structure, today used as a summer dining area, whereas this floor also includes four bedrooms, each with their own shower room, including one that could be used as an artist’s studio or an independent space, as well as a utility room, storage cupboards and a garage.
The upstairs
An interior staircase ascends to the upstairs floor, dedicated to the more secluded sleeping quarters. An initial bedroom comes with its own bathroom and a private terrace, while a second bedroom, today converted into a dormitory, is located next to a bathroom and a wardrobe.
The Garden
As one of the property’s major features, it has been designed into a series of different landscapes and provides an enchanting backdrop for the dwelling’s various rooms and patios. At the entrance, an initial garden introduces the dwelling, while to the south, a second one, which is bathed in dazzling sunlight, resembles more of an English-style garden with grasses, flowerbeds and dirt paths.
Near the swimming pool and the pergola, the vegetation becomes denser with palm trees and Mediterranean varietals creating a pleasant shaded area for hot summer days, whereas, in the back, an immense lawn surrounded by mature trees provides views of the village. With large terracotta pots, once used to store salt, scattered throughout, the property also includes an outbuilding, which could be used as a fitness or multipurpose room.
The Swimming Pool
Located in an independent, entirely glassed-in pavilion, which provides views of the solarium and surrounding vegetation, the swimming pool is not only protected from the elements, but also primarily faces the exterior thanks to wide picture windows, making this an idyllic spot to swim in any season.
Our opinion
Repeating the codes of an Ile-de-Ré dwelling, but updating them with a more contemporary design, the property is not only near sought-out beaches, but also features a fluid layout around its successive patios and gardens, which directly link the living areas with the outdoor spaces.
As for its interior, the use of wood, particularly on the upstairs level, the walls and certain architectural details, participates in creating a feeling of unity throughout and provides a modern, but authentic touch for the dwelling’s different volumes, whereas the size of the garden as well as the breadth of its landscaped spaces fully contribute to the property’s character, cadence one’s movement throughout the premises and reveal a variety of verdant areas to relax depending on the time of day.
3 475 500 €
Fees at the Vendor’s expense
Reference 175174
| Land registry surface area | 1798 m² |
| Main building floor area | 331 m² |
| Number of bedrooms | 5 |
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.
