A 16th-century dwelling and a tree-filled garden, in Alençon's historic downtown area - ref 497540
A 16th-century dwelling and a tree-filled garden, in Alençon's historic downtown area.
Nestled between the Ecouves and Perche forests, and surrounded by a regional natural park, Alençon is famous for its delicate handcrafted lace, while the former ducal city attracts visitors from the world over thanks to its rich cultural and historical heritage. Located only one hour and 20 minutes from the Mother of Pearl Coast and 2.5 hours from Paris via car, the capital is also accessible by train, in less than two hours, from the train station in Surdon, thirty minutes away.
Built in the 16th century, the dwelling is located in the historical neighbourhood of Saint-Léonard, founded in the 4th century not far from Alençon's Magdeleine market square, while, from a quiet street, its gravel courtyard is accessible via an iron gate, flanked by two stone pillars topped with flat pillar caps, as well as an adjacent pedestrian door.
As for the courtyard, it abuts a garden and a patio, while the dwelling is accessible via granite front steps, crowned with a curved wrought-iron and glass awning. Featuring three different structures - the largest of which has two floors - under one orangey flat tile barrel roof, the whole was built over a basement level and topped with an attic, whereas its pointed schist rubble stone exteriors are highlighted with meticulously carved ashlar stone window/door surrounds and a lean-to was added on one side of the building.
The Dwelling
The ground floor
Past the front steps, carved wooden double doors, featuring acanthus scroll grills and a fanlight, open on to a wide entrance hall, which provides access, on one side, to a study and an adjacent shower room and, on the other, to a dining room with a granite fireplace. The latter communicates with both a large living room and a fitted kitchen, whereas, directly opposite the front door, a large oak quarter-turn staircase, safeguarded by a wrought-iron handrail provides access to the upstairs floor.
Featuring painted ceiling beams and lime-pointed stone walls, in a palette of colours ranging from beige to yellow, crown moulding, wood panelling, as well as wide windows protected by interior wooden shutters, the living areas also boast original red terracotta floor tiles in a variety of different shapes (hexagonal or rectangular), except for the bedroom with hardwood floors and its shower room, accessible via the glass door under the staircase.
The intermediate level
A landing communicates with a utility room and a bathroom.
The upstairs
The staircase ascends to a landing with hardwood floors and a picture window, which provides access, on one side, to a lavatory and a bedroom with a marble fireplace, as well as two windows on its gable end, which highlight its oak hardwood floors. Next door is a bathroom, while, directly opposite, three steps lead to a level with sloping ceilings, which features a second bedroom with terracotta tile floors and wooden rafters, providing depth and structure to the whole, and, lastly, a door opens on to an unconverted attic space.
The base level
Extending underneath the entire dwelling, this level, completely insulated with a flagstone floor, includes, on one side, a storeroom, a cellar, a laundry room, a furnace room and a pantry, while, on the other side, a small corridor with a glazed roof provides access to two large studies.The GardenPlanted with trees, shrubs and other vegetation, a granite flagstone patio with a bench skirts the entire dwelling, and six Parisian-style street lamps provide ample illumination as soon as the sun sets.
