A neo-Gothic chateau, granted regional Historical Monument status, with nearly 5 ha of grounds, meadows et woods, on a hillside in the Loire Valley -
A neo-Gothic chateau, granted regional Historical Monument status, with nearly 5 ha of grounds, meadows et woods, on a hillside in the Loire Valley.
Located in a small region to the north of the Loire Valley that attracts a number of tourists annually, the property is not far from two lively towns, boasting rich historical heritage as well as all shops and services. Lulled by a mild climate that is ideal for growing winemaking grapes, including such appellations as Coteaux-du-Loir or Jasnières, the area is only 225 kilometres away from Paris, the latter of which is accessible, in 55 and 44 minutes, respectively, via the high-speed rail stations in Le Mans and Vendôme, both 45 kilometres away. In addition, Tours is 50 kilometres away and a TER train station, which provides service to Le Mans, is about a dozen kilometres away.
On the edge of the Bercé public woodland and on the outskirts of a picturesque village with shops, the estate, set back and sheltered from view, is surrounded by hedges or old walls topped with metal railing. As for the property, it is laid out around the chateau, the latter of which is built up against the hillside and nestled within grounds that combine pastures, AOC vineyards and woods, while the edifice, built from 1908 to 1913 and recognised as a regional Historical Monument since 1984, is characteristic of the flamboyant neo-Gothic style, very much in fashion among the aristocracy and the upper middle class at that time.
With a floor area of approximately 275 m², it has four storeys including a garden level as well as one under the eaves, whereas its slate roofs are punctuated by many dormers, the latter of which were constructed out of tuffeau stone as were the chateau's cornices, quoins and window/door surrounds.
To the east and west, stone staircases, safeguarded by bannisters, provide access to an entrance hall and a kitchen, while a patio overlooking the garden skirts its western exterior. Featuring flint from the Loir River valley, which dialogues with sculpted tuffeau stone in order to recreate the aesthetics of a knightly manor, the chateau's exterior architecture invokes the medieval repertory, with the systematic use of the Gothic arch, lancets and stained glass in order to provide plenty of light and a feeling of verticality.
In addition, a pepperpot turret, supported by moulded corbels, abuts the dwelling and is topped with a slate candle-snuffer roof, whereas wide stone cross windows cadence the ground floor and geminated windows, topped with delicately sculpted Gothic arches, provide plenty of natural light for the upstairs level. Lastly, an openwork stone balustrade with an eye-catching quatrefoil motif creates a remarkable centrepiece for the chateau's southern gable end.
The Chateau
The ground floor
With a floor area of approximately 115 m², this level is accessible from the western patio and starts with an entrance hall, topped with tuffeau ribbed vaults, which communicates with two drawing rooms with fireplaces, as well as a study. As for the drawing rooms, they feature a rich décor with visible polychrome ceiling beams, which alternate with the more muted hues of the ceiling painted in either lovat green or madder red, corbels carved with anthropomorphic or chimerical figures that have been placed along the ceiling's cornices, solid oak parquet floors in a herringbone pattern, tall wooden, small-paned cross windows, safeguarded by interior shutters, as well as walls partially upholstered in original textile wallpaper.
Following on from here is the kitchen, boasting a chequerboard of geometric-patterned cement floor tiles in shades of ochre, umber and soot, whereas glazed white earthenware tiles, scattered with green cabochon details, line the walls from floor to ceiling and an immense stone fireplace topped with a straight chimney hood has been ...
