A former mill, transformed into a family home, with outbuildings, a mill run and an enclosed, landscaped garden, 70 minutes from Paris, in Normandy -
A former mill, transformed into a family home, with outbuildings, a mill run and an enclosed, landscaped garden, 70 minutes from Paris, in Normandy.
In the Eure department and the greater Normandy region, the property is located on a branch of the Iton River, a fish-stocked waterway to the southwest of Evreux, while a number of hiking paths crisscross the surrounding verdant hillsides and wooded valley. For centuries, spinning mills, paper mills and foundries utilised the hydraulic power of the river, before the arrival of flour mills with electric turbines helped contribute to the region's economic rise from 1870 onwards.
As for the mill, it is one of the last vestiges of this industrial golden age, whereas its location, in a quiet rural village of 700 inhabitants, is only two kilometres from shops and services, as well as ten minutes away from Evreux and its train station, situated halfway between Paris and the Norman coast.
Surrounded by a garden of approximately 7,000 m², overlooking the river, the property is largely enclosed by stone walls or solid fencing atop low walls, cadenced by pillars, as well as dense vegetation and its mill run, off to one side. Accessible via a small local road, which traverses a river, a wide wrought-iron gate gives on to a gravel lane, which communicates with the property's different buildings, such as a cottage, of approximately 60 m², with half-timbered walls and a flat tile gable roof, located near the property's entrance.
In addition, a perpendicular wing contains three garages, one of which is a lock-up, whereas the main dwelling stands a little further on. With approximately 500 m², eight bedrooms and three bathrooms, the central structure, topped with a slate gable roof, boasts six storeys, including a basement level, while festooned in impressive Virginia creeper, its brick exterior, to the southeast, is cadenced by three low-arched windows on each floor, which are, in turn, safeguarded by white shutters and openwork wrought-iron guardrails.
With two wings, which extend the building on either side, the first, with two storeys, was built out of burrstone and topped with a Mansard roof, whereas, the second, with three storeys, including one under the eaves, curves slightly forward. As for the mill's northwest exterior, it reveals its monumental foundations, which are rooted in the clear, flowing water, while two more outbuildings and a greenhouse, located at the end of the drive and behind the main dwelling, are accessible via one of the property's many wooden bridges.
Lastly, attached to the central structure, above the water, an original extension, containing the mill's machinery, is crowned with immense terraces accessible from the dwelling's interior, whereas the property's lush garden extends to the other side of the road, where a sluice gate system and a gazebo can be found on two small islands.
The MillFrom the gravel courtyard, a partially glazed door is used as the main entrance, while several pairs of glass double doors also give directly on to the patios surrounding the ground floor's rooms. In addition, an exterior wooden staircase, located at the end of the first wing, communicates directly with the first floor, whereas many rooms boast dual or triple exposure, thereby bathing them in light all day long.
The ground floor
In the entryway, of nearly 30 m², an impressive double quarter-turn wooden staircase leads to the upstairs, whereas, on one side, an immense living area extends behind tall picture windows and features an adjacent dining room and living room, which are heated by a stone fireplace.
As for the second set of stairs, it is located behind a door, while terracotta floor tiles and visible ceiling beams can be found throughout this level. Punctuated by many windows looking out over the mill run or drive, the dwelling's ...
