A renovated miller’s home and his 13th century mill awaiting restoration
in the midst of the Upper Chevreuse Valley
in the midst of the Upper Chevreuse Valley
Saint-Rémy-lès-Chevreuse,
YVELINES
ile-de-france
78470
FR
Location
This property is to the south-west of the Ile-de-France region, near to Rambouillet national forest and historic villages bordering the banks of the river Yvette. It stands in a small town in the Upper Chevreuse Valley Regional Nature Park.
Paris is 35 km away. The RER train line B, with links to Paris, Massy TGV, Orly or Roissy, is but a 10-minute walk. Saclay campus is a 10-minute drive, whilst Sèvres bridge and Versailles take 20 minutes. Shops, amenities and schools are in the immediate vicinity.
Description
Nestling in a verdant setting, this property borders a protected natural area near to the banks of the river Yvette.
A set of wrought iron gates gives a glimpse from the street of a first, abundantly wooded garden and a vast paved courtyard, leading to the main house, “the miller’s home”, restored several years ago. Adjoining the latter is the old mill, dating from the 13th century. Following the French Revolution, this ordinary flour mill belonging to the Vaugien seigneury was used for grain, then hemp and tanbark before, finally, being rebuilt by the Cordeliers-de-Chevreuse monks using stone from the Ile-de-France chateaux. A second, west-facing garden behind the buildings, composed of flower beds and a lawn, can be directly reached from the living room. A second entrance on the north side makes it possible to park cars at a distance from the main entrance.
An outbuilding, bordering the south side of the paved courtyard and delimiting the property, belongs to the neighbours.
A set of wrought iron gates gives a glimpse from the street of a first, abundantly wooded garden and a vast paved courtyard, leading to the main house, “the miller’s home”, restored several years ago. Adjoining the latter is the old mill, dating from the 13th century. Following the French Revolution, this ordinary flour mill belonging to the Vaugien seigneury was used for grain, then hemp and tanbark before, finally, being rebuilt by the Cordeliers-de-Chevreuse monks using stone from the Ile-de-France chateaux. A second, west-facing garden behind the buildings, composed of flower beds and a lawn, can be directly reached from the living room. A second entrance on the north side makes it possible to park cars at a distance from the main entrance.
An outbuilding, bordering the south side of the paved courtyard and delimiting the property, belongs to the neighbours.
The houses
The main residence
The approximately 340-m² former canon foundry stands on the upper part of the plot, protected from flooding, and still possesses the sober and vast character of 19th-century industrial architecture. Behind the facades, which are punctuated by tall semi-circular arched French windows, there are ample volumes bathed in light, topped by a slate gabled roof, beneath which the living areas enjoy wide open views of the garden and river.
The garden-level floor
This level boasts almost 140 m² of living space with a height of almost 5 metres to the ceiling with exposed beams. The entrance leads to a dining room and a study in which a wood-burning stove has been installed. A first stone staircase leads to a lounge with large windows through which light streams in.
A door opens into the former foundry, which is now occupied by an office opening directly onto one of the cobbled patios. This level also includes a storeroom, a lavatory and access to the basement and boiler room.
The taco tiled floors, exposed beams and arched windows bestow an impression of great nobility on the reception rooms. A second stone staircase with a wrought-iron handrail leads to the half-level on the mezzanine.
The intermediate level
The more than 50-m² mezzanine level can be reached from the lounge that it overlooks. It is protected by a Louis XIII style balustrade and includes a lounge/study as well as a billiards room. This half-level has ceiling height of around 2.20 metres and extends onto a terrace.
The first floor
This approximately 140-m² level contains six bedrooms, a bathroom, a shower room with a lavatory, and a utility room. Behind a heavy wooden door, a passageway converted into a walk-in wardrobe also connects with the bedrooms of the neighbouring holiday cottage, enabling easier running of the premises. Most of the doors and windows open out onto the garden.
The attic
A wooden staircase climbs from the mezzanine level to a vast, approximately 100-m² convertible loft. The height to the ridge of the roof structure is almost 8 metres and boast plenty of potential that has not been developed as yet.
The miller’s house
Next to the main residence, this around 240-m² 18th-century building currently run as a holiday cottage is not overlooked. It boasts three storeys as well as a separate entrance for both pedestrians and their vehicles, plus parking for the latter. The third level opens onto a more than 100-m² private panoramic roof terrace.
The garden-level floor
The entrance opens into a vast lounge/dining room with a ceiling boasting exposed beams. The half-timbering, Castille stone and oakwood floor, as well as the fireplace, pay witness to the age of the edifice.
A kitchen, a lavatory and a storeroom housing the boiler complete this level.
The first floor
This storey contains three bedrooms, a small dual-aspect lounge - which could be transformed into an extra bedroom –, a bathroom and a lavatory.
The second floor
This level includes three extra bedrooms, one of which boasts a mezzanine, plus a landing used as a lounge. An open corridor leads directly to the panoramic roof terrace.
The outbuildings
They cover a further surface of around 330 m², of which 30 m² are habitable.
The water mill
The remains of the approximately 80-m² 13th-century wheat, hemp and tanbark mill are composed of the restored, ochre-coloured, lime-rendered walls. The asymmetrical layout of the doors and windows plus the imposing presence of the original millstone are a reminder of the place’s centuries old past. Inside, thanks to the height of around six metres, it is possible to envisage adding a level of an equivalent surface.
The barn
This building has a floor surface of almost 230 m². Its light-coloured, rendered facade punctuated by dark half-timbering exudes a strong rural character. The large, wooden double-leaf doors, the exposed roof frames and old beams enclose a vast functional space.
In the upper part, a convertible loft occupies the same surface as on the ground floor. A renovation could include the restoration of the floorboards or their removal to free up the view of the roof frame.
The stable
These stables have been transformed into an approximately 30-m² self-contained studio apartment. It is leased as a vacation rental and has a separate entrance.
The garden
The tree-filled, more than 3,200-m² garden bordered by the River Yvette is part of a natural environment preserved from urbanisation. The immediate surroundings of the buildings are made up of lawned areas, tall trees and paths running alongside the river that powered the mill in bygone days. Although set back from it, the property opens onto a quiet street on one side, while on the other it opens out onto the riverbanks and nature reserve. The fact that it is not overlooked enhances the place’s discrete character. The garden is of manageable scale, meaning that it does not require extensive upkeep, despite its dense vegetation.
Our opinion
Space, history and location are the key words for this property. These few acres of “Sweet France” and their old walls exude a special character, immediately obvious to those entering the gates.
Due to its size, the miller’s home can comfortably accommodate a large family; for the same reason, the old mill offers multiple conversion possibilities such as an art studio or additional living rooms.
The history of these premises makes them a unique property. Time has both saved and transformed the features characteristic of its origins. Its hanging dormers are one example.
And lastly, it is in an ideal location. Standing a short distance from the village, this property is set in a renowned preserved natural area, whilst being but a stone’s throw from the RER train line, putting Paris, Versailles and Orly as well as the entire Ile-de-France region right on the doorstep.
2 350 000 €
Fees at the Vendor’s expense
Reference 306431
| Land registry surface area | 4000 m² |
| Main building floor area | 340 m² |
| Number of bedrooms | 11 |
| Outbuildings floor area | 400 m² |
| including refurbished area | 23 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.
