A 19th-century Palladian-style dwelling, surrounded by tree-filled
grounds of more than 5,000 m², in the middle of Château-Thierry
grounds of more than 5,000 m², in the middle of Château-Thierry
Château-Thierry,
AISNE
picardy
02400
FR
Location
Although the region has paid a heavy toll to different global conflicts throughout the years, its natural beauty has endured, while the dwelling and its grounds have managed to remain unscathed since the mid-19th century. As for the property, a faithful example of the dolce vita that existed under Napoleon III’s reign, it is hidden behind solid fencing and a large garden, but is still within immediate proximity to Château-Thierry’s lively downtown area with its shops and cinema.
In addition, many trains provide service to the capital in approximately 50 minutes, while the A4 Eastern motorway, also nearby, makes it possible to reach Paris’s Porte de Bercy or Strasbourg in one hour. Lastly, Marne-la-Vallée and its famous theme park are forty minutes away and the Roissy-Charles-de-Gaulle international airport, with its hundreds of different destinations, both domestic and abroad, can be reached in sixty minutes.
Description
This staid dwelling is located up in the city’s heights, which enjoys unobstructed views of the surrounding countryside, while an impressive fence, accessible via a gate flanked by stone pillars, precedes a gravel area leading to the dwelling’s front steps. The former then skirts the building before arriving at an immense garden, which features a central lawn surrounded by multi-century trees as well as former stables and sheds.
The Dwelling
The dwelling’s Palladian-style architecture immediately stands out thanks to its many details, such as a front double staircase, five perfectly aligned rows of windows, safeguarded by louvred shutters and embedded into the dwelling’s thick walls, as well as its overall symmetrical appearance.
Built around 1850, the three-storey dwelling is topped with a tile roof and features a classical architectural vocabulary with its pilaster-like quoins, rectangular glass awning, cornice decorated with modillions as well as windows topped with an antique-style frieze adorned with stylised floral patterns. As for the back of the house, majestic stone steps provide access to an immense garden, while the windows, still protected by shutters, have no decorative friezes, giving this side of the dwelling a more understated, but still elegant appearance.
The ground floor
A long foyer stretches from the front door all the way to the garden in back and provides access to all the rooms on this level, while its straight-plank hardwood floors and wainscoting demonstrate the house’s undeniable quality and comfort. Further on, an eye-catching winding staircase, covered in thick carpeting, features a shiny wooden handrail and a colourful glass orb at its base, whereas, the large living room, with mitred Herringbone hardwood floors, continues to participate in the dwelling’s overall standing thanks to its impressive Directoire-style black marble fireplace, fluted cornice, as well as the abundant natural light provided by two large windows.
Accessible from the living room via glass double doors, the dining room is decorated in this same style with a stucco ceiling rose and wainscoting. As for the other side of the foyer, a small sitting room leads to a sunny kitchen, recently renovated with built-in blue-grey cupboards, and a door to the garden, while, finally, a lavatory and bathroom round out the rest of the rooms on this floor.
The first floor
Illuminated by several windows, the large staircase ascends to the first floor, where the landing features original hardwood floors, covered in the same carpet as the staircase, and provides access to five bedrooms, a study – which could also be a bedroom – and two bathrooms. As for the main bedroom, it includes a private bathroom as well as a white marble fireplace, while one of the bedrooms is currently used as a game room.
The second floor
The central landing provides access to three bedrooms with sloping ceilings, a bathroom and an attic, while this floor’s windows provide breath-taking views of Château-Thierry and the surrounding countryside.
The Outbuilding
Located on the right side of the dwelling, a single-storey building, which, in the 19th century, housed a stable and sheds, is currently used as a single-car garage, a winter garden for delicate plants and storage for the garden’s tools.
The Garden
Fortunately, it has preserved its 19th-century physiognomy: tall trees, a lawn facing the dwelling, box tree-lined pathways leading to the former vegetable garden and stone walls festooned with climbing roses, while, in the back, a small gardener’s cottage abuts the enclosure wall and a small stream provides the garden with a refreshing source of water in the summer.
Our opinion
This impressive dwelling, with its immense spaces, breath-taking architecture, elegant décor and abundant luminosity, guarantees a comfortable living environment focused on well-being. From the cellar to the top floor, this dwelling exceeds all expectations, while its grounds and outbuilding were deftly designed in order to resist the test of time. In short, this large family dwelling is meant for those who want to stand out from the crowd without, however, verging on the eccentric or unconventional.
Reference 821612
| Land registry surface area | 5700 m² |
| Main building floor area | 306 m² |
| Number of bedrooms | 9 |
| Outbuildings floor area | 50 m² |
French Energy Performance Diagnosis
Information on the risks to which this property is exposed is available on the website: www.georisques.gouv.fr
Share
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.
