bringing a 16th century home back to life

by Sharon Santoni

 

living room with tall-backed couch and chandelier

An hour’s drive from here, in the Perche which is just outside of Normandy,  is the beautiful medieval town of Bellême, really one of my favourite towns to visit for its huge doorways, arched gateways, imposing church and quirky shops.

a shady lane in belleme with iron balconies and blue-toned doors

My favourite time of year to stop here is in the summer when doors and windows are thrown wide open and the sound of the church bell  strikes out over the slate roofs every hour.

detail of a living room with a chair and dresser

And if perchance, I needed to stay overnight, or longer, my immediate choice would be the Hotel Suhard.    This stunning little hotel has been brought to life from an old, a very old actually, private home, that between 1757 and 1849 belonged to Madame Claire de Suhard and her daughter.

dining room with large wooden china hutch and tea cups

This house, whose earliest records date from 1621, has been transformed through the centuries by the successive women who have lived there.  Today it is run as a hotel by a lady called Josiane, and it is she who chose to call the hotel ‘Suhard’, in reference to the 18th century occupant who herself had changed so much.

 salon of a hotel with the owner behind the couch

The hotel is not huge in size but includes five generous rooms, each with en-suite bathrooms.   As you walk around the hotel, you can clearly see where the 16th century gave way to the 17th century, and where the 18th century also brought its changes.

yellow bedroom with large bed, black headboard and picture frames, and a large window

dramatic bathroom with a clawfoot tub surrounded by tall curtains and a chair

Floor tiles are a good indicator of the passage of time.  The corridor on the top floor, is partly tiled in small 16th century terracotta squares, and partly in slightly larger 17th cousins.

blue bedroom with a large bed and a yellow loveseat

Before undertaking the restoration of the building, Josiane contacted a local expert historian who helped her research the life story of the building, and understand why, for example,  there is a round tower at the end of the garden …. the answer being because the house was originally built against the outer wall of the fortified medieval town, and this was a look-out tower.

 

detail of a wooden-framed day bed and printed cushions

There were hurdles bringing a 16th century building up to speed for the demands of 21st century travellers.  Fitting six bathrooms into the walls was challenging, but the result is seamless.  Furnishing the house has been a pleasure for Josiane.  She has mixed family heirlooms and antique furniture with more recent pieces to create an elegant and comfortable home, filled with the small details that any guest would enjoy.

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She has been particularly clever in her choices of textiles, using antique pieces, and sourcing manufacturers of fabrics with designs close to those used in the 18th century.

detail of pink-toned cushions in a variety of prints

airy bedroom with metal day bed and pink cushions

So if one day you find yourself passing through the lovely region of Le Perche, why don’t you make a point of lingering a while …. over the weekend, there are plenty of antique stores to explore and little restaurants to visit, and Josiane will always be on hand to share her local knowledge while you sip tea in her garden.

 

Hotel Suhard

rue d’Alencon, Bellême

12 comments

Leslie Sinclair September 22, 2014 - 4:28 pm

What a charming place to stay in the equally charming Le Perche Region! I adore the eclectic variety of accessories in the Hotel Suhard which make the rooms feel like home – it must have been so lovely! Thank you for sharing!!
xo. Leslie
Segreto Finishes

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Karena September 22, 2014 - 4:34 pm

Sharon I would be honored to stay at such a beautifully appointed 16th Century home. I loved seeing the lovely curtains surrounding the bathtub, the fabrics and furnishings. She has thought of everything to make a guest comfortable.

xoxo
Karena
The Arts by Karena
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Emm September 22, 2014 - 5:48 pm

What lovely pictures of a beautiful house. This is a post to return to and re-read.

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Doré @ BurlapLuxe September 22, 2014 - 6:34 pm

I lové the charm it holds, the dinning kitchenette charms, in fact the hutch like cabinet feels much like the one in my kitchen post that I tried to emulate this kind of French old world feeling to a European style cabinet that holds daily pottery for use.

Thank you for all that you have inspired this fine morning.

Xx
Bisous

Doré

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May September 22, 2014 - 11:27 pm

Beautiful.
Oh my word, taking a bath soak in that tub would be like going into a wilderness area only for a happy…sign in and write down a sign out time so somebody can pull me out of there because I can’t see my way to wanting to return from such a beautiful place!

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Marlene Stephenson September 23, 2014 - 1:26 am

Wonderful,maybe all i ever get to see,so thanks for these photos,and all your others.It is so great to visit these places with you. thanks.

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Judi September 23, 2014 - 1:28 am

Gorgeous home! On my list for a visit to Normandy area!

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Jennifer Clark September 23, 2014 - 4:00 am

How lovely! Would that I could spend a long weekey away with my husband… But our next trip to France will involve children. Romance will be in short supply.

Completely off topic: I received my copy of “Forever Chic” this weekend. I’m almost finished, in fact and, over dinner, I was telling my husband the about the many points. He grinned a bit as I waxed lyrical over the glamorous Paridsan life style. Then he asked me if tyhetre was a particular Frenchwoman I’d like to emulate. To which I replied, “Sharon Santoni.” Why, he asked? Beautiful home in the French countryside, complete with potager and abundant flowers, simple French food, proximity to Paris, brocante, fabulous, talented friends, etc. Le sigh……

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Colette September 23, 2014 - 9:15 am

Cette maison est totalement sublime, pas seulement esthétique, mais aussi émouvante. Et vos photos sont juste… formidables !

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Susan September 24, 2014 - 12:36 am

I would definately stay here if I were in the area – it is charming & beautiful

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Denise@magnoliaverandah September 24, 2014 - 4:22 am

So lovely, comfortable, elegant but welcoming.

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Philippe September 24, 2014 - 12:51 pm

La petite ville de Bellême est connue mais je n’y suis encore jamais allé. Toutes ces belles photos donnent des envies de week-end à la campagne.

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