Many small country roads skirting large oak forests wind their way through the surrounding hills and villages, made up of ancient dwellings where brick and stone are omnipresent, while, near the entrance to the hamlet, the property’s large and ornate electronic gate opens on to a gravel esplanade, large enough to accommodate vehicles.
Nestled within grounds planted with tall trees, the dwelling, oriented west-east, is located near an Olympic-size swimming pool and skirted by two large terracotta tile patios: one to the east with panoramic views of the surrounding countryside and the other extending on southward from the first and facing the swimming pool, which stands out thanks to its size (12 x 6 metres) and excellent condition. In addition, a row of conifers conceals another swath of land and a pond, located near the property’s entrance, provides a refreshing note for the premises.
Facing west and with three storeys, including an attic level, the dwelling’s main façade stands out from the others thanks to its height, while its many windows, safeguarded by solid wood shutters, provide ample light for its interior. With timber framing on one side, the dwelling’s ochre colour highlights the local brick lintels and window/door surrounds, whereas, on the ground floor, a wide door topped with a low-arched lintel and an ornamental lozenge, both made out of brick, recall the edifice’s origins as a former barn whose double-door entrance has now been turned into large wooden shutters.
As for the single-storey extension, it has been added to the dwelling’s southern gable end and, under its single-pitch roof, faces the swimming pool, while the central structure is topped with a Burgundy flat tile gable roof, which is punctuated by a triangular dormer and a chimney. Featuring a living room, dining room and kitchen on the ground floor, followed by four bedrooms and two bathrooms upstairs, some of the dwelling’s rooms, mainly used for technical purposes, are only accessible from the outside, while the grounds also include two small outbuildings: a chalet and a woodshed.

The Dwelling

The ground floor
With each room featuring their own independent entrance, the dwelling does not have a proper front door, but one of these entrances does open directly on to an immense space, which was once separated into two rooms: a dual-aspect volume that includes a living room featuring an immense fireplace with a wooden mantel and local brick frame as well as a dining room with bookshelves spanning an entire wall.
A section of exposed beams, which extend from the ceiling to the floor, creates a subtle separation between the spaces, while all of the building’s original elements have been conserved: beams and joists, half timbering and original terracotta floor tiles. As for the living room, a moulded door with an original bolt opens on to a guest lavatory and another one communicates with the swimming pool area, which is preceded by a patio, whereas the dining room provides direct access, via two large glass double doors, to the other patio with panoramic views.
In addition, oak floor panels give on to the cellar and a glass door opens on to the kitchen, boasting oxblood lacquered cupboards as well as a door that also communicates with the patio next to the swimming pool, while, extending on from the living room is a second dining room, illuminated by a tall arched, wood-framed window, and featuring visible ceiling beams, timber framing as well as a Puisaye sandstone tile floor. Lastly, an X-shaped cross brace, placed up high, provides glimpses of the winding staircase lined with white walls, which highlight the dwelling’s eye-catching timber framing.
The first floor
An initial landing with terracotta floor tiles gives on to a carpeted antechamber, which leads to a bathroom with lavatory, featuring local Puisaye sandstone tiles, as well as a bedroom with original oak ceiling beams, timber framing and terracotta floor tiles, while next door is a bathroom with a lavatory.
In addition, another landing provides access to a second bedroom, furnished like the first with reversible air conditioning.
The second floor
On the last level and with reversible air-conditioning systems in each room, a large bedroom features a “small sitting area”, carpeted floors and visible rafters with their wooden pillars and half timbering, while a final bedroom has been created on a mezzanine with floor carpeting.