An isolated farmhouse with approximately 1 600 m² of buildings and 8 hectares of land on the edge of the Retz forest - ref 807455
An isolated farmhouse with approximately 1 600 m² of buildings and 8 hectares of land on the edge of the Retz forest.
The farmhouse stands in open countryside, away from any other dwellings, in the immediate vicinity of the Retz forest, in the west of Aisne. The tranquillity of the site and the nearby woods give it a unique, almost timeless atmosphere. Paris can be reached in around an hour and a quarter, while Villers-Cotterêts, home to the Cité internationale de la langue française, is only a dozen kilometres away. Paris can be reached in 50 minutes by train. The estate covers some 8 hectares and has been in the same family since the end of the 17th century. The playwright and poet Jean Racine is said to have been a regular visitor. The site was rebuilt in the 1920s, following its destruction in the First World War. However, one of its barns still contains the medieval remains of an old chapel, a reminder that it was once part of a large abbey.
The property, on the edge of a wooded area, today comprises a manor house built in 1926, a servant's house and large farm buildings built around a vast enclosed courtyard, typical of the large rural farms in the Île-de-France region. Fields and woods stretch as far as the eye can see around the farm, in a peaceful, open setting. The farm buildings are solid and simple with their stone structures and flat-tiled roofs. Stables, barns, sheds and various outbuildings cover almost 2 000 m2 of floor space. The homogeneity of the materials and the rigour of the lines unify the site, despite the reconstruction that took place in the early 20th century. Further on, an additional building, on its own on the edge of the site, gives an idea of the original size of the farm. The site feels coherent, both in terms of proportions and in the choice of materials used.
The main houseThe manor house stands at the entrance to the courtyard, set slightly apart from the other buildings. Built in millstone with red brick highlights, it is distinguished by its regular façade and the harmonious simplicity of its architecture. Its high windows, embellished with shutters, are aligned on three storeys under a gable roof pierced by dormer windows. A central flight of steps, framed by low walls, marks out the main entrance.
The ground floor
With almost 250 m² of living space, the main house is organised in a fluid, balanced way. The hallway, with its cement-tiled floor, leads to the reception rooms. There is a functional kitchen to the left that opens onto the courtyard through a glass door onto a stone porch. It is adjacent to a small hallway leading to the toilet and the staircase to the first floor. To the right of the entrance hall, a dining room and a first living room are connected by large glass doors. Oak parquet flooring, light-coloured walls and tall windows facing the entrance to the large courtyard create a warm atmosphere. In the living room, a remarkable carved wooden fireplace in a troubadour style is reminiscent of 19th century manor houses. Off the hallway, a second, more spacious lounge provides uninterrupted views over the plain. It benefits from an abundance of light thanks to its two large windows. The wood panelling, marble fireplace and period furniture highlight the refined character of the reception room.
The first floor
The spacious landing, lit by the light from the stairwell and the low window on the intermediate level, leads to the bedrooms. It has several discreet storage spaces. The parquet floor adds a touch of harmony to the whole. To the left, the first bedroom looks out over the fields, followed by a second, larger room with two large windows. The latter provides access to both a bathroom and a multi-purpose room that can be used as an office or a walk-in wardrobe. On the other side, two bedrooms, one facing south-west and the ...
