A farmstead with two residential buildings, an outbuilding and the remains
of a former 16th-century mill, two hours from Paris in the Nivernais region
of a former 16th-century mill, two hours from Paris in the Nivernais region
Cosne-Cours-sur-Loire,
NIEVRE
burgundy
58200
FR
Location
The property is situated near a small village in the Nièvre region, with a few shops, a bakery and patisserie that also sells newspapers, and a butcher’s renowned for the excellence of its local produce, whose owner is a leading figure in Parisian gastronomy. His shop and restaurant are frequented by local residents and passing tourists. A few minutes from the village, an SNCF station provides a service to Paris-Bercy in 2 hours. A place of historical interest thanks to its heritage, its 16th-century church and its old fountain, restored in 2004, where excavations revealed the presence of ancient relics.
Description
Rolling countryside that has preserved its authentic villages and nature reserves. A short distance from the village, a winding road leads onto a private access road that takes you to the property. The ruins of a stone tower remain, enhanced by the surrounding vegetation. These are the remains of a former 16th-century windmill, a structure built of limestone rubble that could be restored and converted. The track leads to a parking area, a gravel courtyard bordered by carved stone balls. An old stone outbuilding stands next to the two other houses. The first residential building, accessed via a path lined with ornate paving slabs, features a terrace. Nearby, a second dwelling stands out due to its unique woodshed, lit by stained-glass windows from an old building in Versailles. A former henhouse and a vegetable garden will delight grow-your-own-food enthusiasts. The grounds are home to numerous cypress trees, a setting enhanced by a spectacular view.
First house
Built in the rural architectural style, the first building is a narrow, elongated structure, with two storeys. It features numerous windows, ensuring a bright interior. The windows and patio doors are fitted with shutters in “Poyaudin blue”. The gabled roof, covered in flat Burgundy tiles, has been restored. It is topped with dormer windows featuring finely crafted metal railings. A timber-framed building, currently used as an artist’s studio, and a woodshed with antique stained-glass windows, are attached to the main house.
The ground floor
The house is entered via a large, light-filled room, which serves as both a living room and dining room. This space has retained its authenticity, with massive exposed oak beams, an antique terracotta-tiled floor and a fireplace with a cast-iron wood-burning stove. It provides direct access to the first floor via a staircase with balusters. A fitted kitchen with storage and an antique stone sink opens onto the terrace for the warmer months. A few steps lead to a landing and a second wooden staircase leading to the upstairs bedrooms. Further along, there is access to a painter’s studio opening onto the surrounding countryside through large patio doors. This space has retained its exposed beams and terracotta floor tiles. A window featuring a stained-glass panel, authentic wood panelling and Victorian-style cupboards from the set of Jean-Jacques Annaud’s film “Two Brothers” characterise the space. The second part of the room is dedicated to the studio, serving as a workspace and storage area for paints. The space is heated by a pellet stove.
The first floor
The staircase leading to the first floor is lit by an antique stained-glass window depicting a medieval castle. A landing leads to a shower room and toilet, followed by two bedrooms with wide-plank parquet flooring, featuring wardrobes and storage. The windows are double-glazed, as are all the windows in the house. The second staircase leads to a very large room, a children’s dormitory with wooden flooring, featuring an en-suite bathroom with a toilet. Another bedroom completes this level.
Second house
A second farmhouse distinguished by the addition of an ochre-coloured outbuilding, which houses a garage. Its gabled roof is topped by a carved ridge finial. The main dwelling is two storeys’ high and features numerous windows fitted with solid wooden shutters. The gable roof, covered in flat Burgundy tiles, features numerous dormer windows. Access to the workshop is via a double oak door, with a transom featuring diamond-shaped glass panes, reinforced by an iron grille. On the ground floor, a double wooden door opens onto the outside, whilst a second independent entrance leads to the first floor.
The ground floor
A separate entrance with original terracotta floor tiles and wooden features, currently houses a sculpture studio. Natural light highlights the wooden joinery and the solid oak pillars. A stove heats the room. A door opens directly onto another room which serves as a garage. From the outside, another door provides access to the house, leading to a landing and a utility room. A straight staircase leads to the first floor.
The first floor
Upstairs, there is a huge room with wooden flooring and exposed beams. A bull’s-eye window and skylights illuminate this room with its high ceilings, which is heated by a pellet stove and soundproofed for music. It is possible to host concerts here with friends. Adjacent to this there is a fitted kitchen with cupboards, opening onto a dining room with wide-plank parquet flooring and exposed beams. A corridor leads to three bedrooms, each with its own en-suite shower room and toilet. The third bedroom features a large bull’s-eye window offering stunning views of the grounds, and is complemented by an en-suite bathroom and a separate toilet. All bedrooms have wide-plank parquet flooring.
Outbuilding
Opposite the two farmhouses there is a long stone building of rural character, featuring several windows with blue shutters. Its gabled roof is covered with flat Burgundy tiles. A first room, currently used as a storage workshop, still houses an old bread oven, covering an area of 10 m². A second room of 28 m², a barn with a clay floor, is enclosed by a very old double-leaf wooden door that opens outwards.
The grounds
The property’s grounds cover an area of over 1 hectare. They are planted with a variety of trees, including Florentine cypresses, hornbeams, walnut trees, conifers and fruit trees with generous harvests. The orchard features plum, apple, pear and quince trees. In addition, there are a few olive trees, shrubs and various flowering plants, such as white lilac, which fills the air with its fragrance in spring. At one end of the grounds there are a henhouse and a former vegetable garden. At the opposite end, a rainwater retention pond, with filtered water, is suitable for swimming in the summer.
Ruins
At the entrance to the house stand the ruins of a semi-circular tower built of limestone rubble. These are the preserved remains of a former 16th-century windmill. In the past, the Puisaye region had many mills of this style. As the property is slightly elevated, the mill was perfectly situated. It is possible to restore it to its former glory.
Our opinion
An unusual property, conducive to artistic creation, combining rustic architecture, ruins and nature. Contemporary sculptures bring a touch of modernity to this authentic countryside setting, such as the giant ant installed in the middle of the meadow. Added to this is a unique panoramic view. A perfect place to get away from it all, escape the urban hustle and bustle, refocus on personal pursuits and try to spot the snake with the pearl necklace in the fountain of the neighbouring village. Two imposing houses, each with the unique feature of housing a sculpture and painting studio. The place is ideal for imaginative and artistic souls. It is also a welcoming space for a bed and breakfast business or simply for a family keen to host friends.
Reference 203186
| Land registry surface area | 1 ha 30 a 61 ca |
| Main building floor area | 509 m² |
| Number of bedrooms | 8 |
| Outbuildings floor area | 238 m² |
| including refurbished area | 109 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.
