An artist's dwelling from the early 20th century, with a garden of 2,700 m², in the Seine-et-Marne department's Gâtinais natural park, 50 km from Pari
An artist's dwelling from the early 20th century, with a garden of 2,700 m², in the Seine-et-Marne department's Gâtinais natural park, 50 km from Paris.
Fifty kilometres southeast of Paris, in the Seine-et-Marne department, Cély-en-Bière is located in a countryside typical of the French Gâtinais region, nestled between farmland and wooded areas.
Accessible via the nearby A6 motorway, making it possible to reach Paris in less than one hour, the property is also 15 minutes away from the train stations of Melun and Bois-le-Roi, which guarantee regular connections to Paris in nearly 35 minutes, while only 20 minutes from Fontainebleau, the town spreads out under the forest of the same name, known for its walks, outdoor activities and, especially, golfing, including a nearby course, located around the village's chateau, 500 metres from the dwelling.
Primarily residential, the town contains all essential shops and services for daily life, as do the neighbouring towns of Perthes, Milly-la-Forêt and Melun.
As the former dwelling of a respected journalist, the house is located in a village within the Gâtinais regional natural park, recognised for its environmental preservation and natural and cultural heritage, where many past and present artists have resided, such as Alain Delon or Gilles Lelouche.
Set back from the road, the property is concealed behind an enclosure wall and a pale green gate festooned in climbing roses, while the dwelling, with approximately 360 m² of inhabitable floor area, eight bedrooms and three bathrooms, is surrounded by a tree-filled garden, sheltering it from view. With two storeys over a garden level, as well as an accessible attic floor and a full basement, it was built on the foundations of a former 15th-century farm and features an asymmetrical silhouette, sizeable volumes and a tower, whereas its plaster-coated exterior, highlighted by stone quoins and window/door surrounds, is cadenced by five rows of vertical windows, safeguarded by wooden shutters.
Boasting an eye-catching glass conservatory, a vestige of a chateau from the Champagne region, which is used as a winter garden bathed in light, the dwelling has preserved a number of original details, such as fireplaces, parquet floors, mouldings and wood panelling.
Although the house's electricity and plumbing were repaired during an initial renovation, the edifice's plastering and repainting await to be scheduled, while, with mostly single-glazed windows, the dwelling's cavity walls contribute to its overall insulation, and the roof, partially repaired, combines original slate and interlocking tiles.
As for its exterior, the grounds are structured into several levels, which hug the property's topography, and include an archway of lime trees, a rose garden, a greenhouse and a garden shed, while dense vegetation envelops the dwelling and provides enchanting views that constantly change with the seasons.
Lastly, a borehole supplies water for the garden's irrigation system, whereas, enclosed by walls, the property creates a setting that is both private and, yet, fully open towards the surrounding nature.
The Dwelling
The garden-level floor
The main entrance is accessible via several central steps, which lead to a foyer lined with wood panelling that communicates with several living areas, as well as the tower behind the dwelling where the main staircase is located, a pivotal element in the house's layout. On one side, a living room, with an original fireplace topped with a window and oak chevron parquet floors, opens on to the antique conservatory, which extends the space and creates a sunny area that bridges the gap between the dwelling's interior and exterior.
Following on from here, a kitchen features decorative cement floor tiles, while, on the other side, a large, 49-m² living room, converted into a workshop that ...
