An elegant 18th-century house to be renovated, with outbuildings, a secondary
dwelling and two hectares of grounds, 45 kilometres south-east of Paris
dwelling and two hectares of grounds, 45 kilometres south-east of Paris
Marles-en-Brie,
SEINE-ET-MARNE
ile-de-france
77610
FR
Location
The property lies in a charming village in France’s Seine-et-Marne department, 45 kilometres south-east of Paris. The train station in the local town of La Houssaye-en-Brie is one kilometre away. From there, you can reach central Paris in around 30 minutes by rail. The town of Tournan-en-Brie lies eight kilometres to the west. It brings together shops and amenities for everyday needs. From its train station, you can get into Paris in 25 minutes.
Description
The house is not far from the village church, a 13th-century Romanesque edifice. It stands beyond an imposing wrought-iron gate, which was probably part of a local chateau. This gate is framed between two finely sculpted pillars, each of which is crowned with a sculpted flower pot and minutely carved details. The dwelling faces east. A fully enclosed English-style garden that covers almost two hectares surrounds the edifice. On the south side, large outbuildings stand around a courtyard. To the south-east, a self-contained secondary dwelling, currently rented out, completes the series of buildings.
The main house
The house was probably built in the late 18th century. It stands out for the understated elegance of its elevations. Garden-facing French windows punctuate the ground floor. And the first floor has windows fitted with louvred shutters. The edifice has a central section that is extended with a wing crowned with a roof of flat tiles.
The ground floor
Beyond the main entrance door, there is a spacious hallway with a floor of tiles patterned with black square inserts. The walls are adorned with wallpaper bearing floral motifs and birds of different colours, bringing a touch of refinement. An alcove painted in faux brown marble houses an old stove. This alcove is framed between two console tables with marble tops. Opposite the entrance door, a glazed door leads to a corridor that connects to different reception rooms. On one side, a first door leads to a kitchen where two windows bring in soft natural light. A floor of cement tiles recalls upper-middle-class houses of the late 19th century. A second door takes you to a hallway where there is a lavatory. In the entrance hall, beyond a glazed door, a main staircase with a wrought-iron balustrade climbs elegantly upwards. Next to it, a wooden door leads to a dining room with wood strip flooring and a marble fireplace. Two sets of French windows offering views of the grounds bring in an abundance of natural light. Next, a double door leads to a lounge. This lounge has chevron parquet and a marble fireplace beneath a trumeau panel. A window set in a rococo-style garland of gilded wood offers a view of the garden.
The first floor
From the staircase, a corridor connects to seven bedrooms, including a master bedroom with a lavatory. The other bedrooms share a shower room with a lavatory. They have all kept their original characteristics, including fireplaces, wood strip floors and historical decorative details.
The second floor
The same main staircase takes you up to the second floor. This floor has a bathroom with a lavatory, three extra bedrooms, several storage spaces and a vast loft space that could be converted according to your needs.
The outbuildings
The outbuildings lie on the property’s south side. They have two levels and a tiled roof. Their elevations combine stone and brick. On the ground floor, there are two garages, closed with wooden double doors. You can reach the first floor either via an indoor wooden staircase or outdoor stairs. Up here, a landing connects to six bedrooms and a former bathroom. There is also a former storeroom and an old kitchen and scullery. On the east side, a glazed door leads to a former orangery, which is bathed in natural light. Another door leads to a cellar. A woodstore completes the series of outbuildings.
The caretaker’s house
The caretaker’s house lies on the south-east side of the property. It is totally separate and self-contained. It has a ground floor and a first floor. The ground floor offers a lounge and a kitchen. The first floor offers three bedrooms, a bathroom and a lavatory. Different storerooms offer extra storage space.
The grounds
The enclosed grounds cover almost two hectares. They are home to a wealth of plants, as well as age-old trees, including a majestic sequoia. The grounds are divided into several spaces, each with their distinct atmosphere. They constantly invite you to explore them. A vast lawn has been designed as an English-style garden. Further away, paths snake through undergrowth with chestnuts, plane trees and yews. One path leads to an orchard and a former kitchen garden, enclosed with tall stone walls. An old well completes the picturesque scene.
Our opinion
This characterful home is like a small chateau. It is tucked away in absolute privacy and displays the elegance of a bygone era. Renovation work is needed to bring pack its past splendour, yet the fine dwelling has kept its noble traits, including floors of tiles with black square inserts, marble fireplaces, historical parquet and old window and door frames. There are many handy outbuildings too. These spacious annexes could be converted according to your needs and projects. The caretaker’s house is a self-contained dwelling that is set back. It represents a potential source of extra revenue, for example to finance renovation work. This charming property, only 45 kilometres from Paris, would delight a city-dweller looking for a bucolic refuge or a lover of built heritage seeking to breathe new life into a unique place steeped in history.
960 000 €
Fees at the Vendor’s expense
Reference 798022
| Land registry surface area | 1 ha 88 a 94 ca |
| Number of bedrooms | 10 |
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.
