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La Marcotte exudes notions of travel. Yet at first glance, this house with green shutters and exposed stone walls adorned with Virginia creeper and wisteria seems well anchored in this region and surrounding greenery. The inside tells a different story. Behind the walls lies a bold combination of Indian inspirations, fabrics with geometric patterns, valance curtains, upholstered "toad" armchairs and "skirted" dressing tables. Guests are immersed in an English cottage where everything has been adjusted to provide comfort after a nice walk in the surrounding countryside. The memories of a Russian family do not go amiss, they are present in every corner and transport visitors to another world of dreams and great epics. You don't need to go far to get away from it all, just one hour from Paris.
In the heart of a charming village, less than an hour from Paris, this traditional stone house enchanted us. La Marcotte is surrounded by two hectares of stunning greenery. The gardening term "branch has taken root" perfectly describes this old farmhouse that has now become a sophisticated, comfortable and modern (thanks to the large pool) property.
Inside, the delicately quaint charm of La Marcotte reflects the taste of its previous owners who were collectors and antique enthusiasts. The Russian, Asian and Anglo-Saxon influences are the result of a clever accumulation of travel souvenirs and furniture and objects found in auction houses. Among the this vast collection's trinkets are several swans and a selection decorative eggs inspired by Fabergé's famous Russian eggs. When we bought La Marcotte in 2017, we had half of the objects removed - that is how filled to the brim it was! Aside from the refined decoration, it is also has a huge garden with quite a reputation, it inspired a great deal of writing in its day which can be found in the library. It is a masterpiece of greenery with a subtle blend of French topiaries and English-style perennial shrubs. There are very few flowers except those on the shrubs and some potted plants arranged on the terrace such as oleander, geraniums, fuchsias and other plumbagos which contrast with the year-round presence of the evergreens. The atmosphere in this charming house seems imbued with the alchemy of two lovers combining their shared passions, tenderness and complicity; this is perhaps what makes La Marcotte so endearing.
The story begins in 1924, when a boy from the old Russian nobility went to France in exile with his family who fled the revolution. He arrived in the village of Fleury-en-Bière where he met a young French woman whom he married several years later. He was a young man with a very strong personality, he joined the Free French Forces in London alongside General de Gaulle under the name of Fleury. After the war, he was named a Companion of the Liberation, an extremely rare title at the time and even more so for a foreigner. He then made several trips to Korea, worked in Vienna, then in London, Algeria and finally in Paris. In 1962, he bought La Marcotte with his wife, at the time it was nothing more than an old farmhouse that had fallen into ruin. The restoration of the main buildings began in May 1962 and it took three years for the house to be inhabitable. The ensemble includes a main house and a guest house so that everyone has some privacy. The old barn was renovated so as to "bring" the garden into the space which became the large living room. Some secondary work was carried out until 1966 and the site was fully completed in 1971 with the addition of the pool.
Marcotte is a real cabinet of curiosities. Russian influences are everywhere in this quaint house full of travel souvenirs, antique furniture and paintings of all kinds. Only the bedding has changed since the 1970s and this old family house is a real invitation to learn about a wonderful Russian tale. Each trinket is surprising, the mix of Indian patterns on the walls are fascinating, everything has a unique story. In winter, our guests can relax in large armchairs by the fireplace. The large living room is filled with an abundance of small English furniture which gives the place an intimate and warm feel. In summer, they can enjoy the large swimming pool and lunch in the shade of the old catalpa facing the garden. To make their stay even more enjoyable, we offer services ranging from room service (breakfasts and meals delivered to your door) and well-being (massages, pilates, reflexology, naturopathic).
A guided tour of the château de Courances gardens is a great way to explore this exceptional place. We recommend stopping by the village of Barbizon which saw a great number of visiting artists for nearly fifty years between 1825 and 1875. The influence of these artists can still be seen throughout the village, especially in the galleries and workshops of today. The Bistrot du Bas-Bréau has been established in the former hall of the Auberge de l'Exposition where painters liked to meet and savour small dishes.
3700 € - 5200 € per week
1200 € - 1800 € per week-end
La Marcotte can accommodate up to nine people, with four double rooms and one single room. It has four bathrooms, a kitchen, a dining room and a living room with a fireplace. It has a large garden that remains green in winter and a swimming pool.
ref 687869
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