a historical home for sale

by Sharon Santoni

And just supposing this year,  Santa was really really nice to you and slipped a 15th century French country home into your stocking?   Surely that’s not so much to ask?  …. I know that many of you like to dream about buying property in France, and here is something very special, that a friend of mine is selling.

This property was built between the 12th and 15th century, has seen knights in armor, simple farmers and regional lords.  Today it takes the form of a house and barns built in stone around a central garden, with lots of extra acreage beyond the fortified garden wall.

The buildings have been extensively renovated, because when our friends purchased thirty years ago, it was a ruin with no roof and trees growing inside the buildings.   It wasn’t until they started excavating the excess earth and vegetation that had piled up over the centuries that they discovered that what appeared to be a cow shed was actually a stunning chapel.

Today the property is a beautiful family home.  The main building comprises four bedrooms, two huge reception rooms, a kitchen, an underground wine cellar and a whole upper floor that has yet to be made into rooms.

Besides the chapel, the other buildings include one small storage building, and one large barn with an upper floor stretching above the entrance gate, which is used as a storage room today for the fruit from the garden.

Beyond the wall, lie an orchard of 50 fruit trees, a herb garden then fields and paddocks for a total area of 3.2 hectares.   Best of all this country house is only one hour from Paris, with easy access to the motorway.  The building is listed as a privately owned historical monument, which would give great scope to anyone wanting to develop an artistic or touristic activity here.

If you’d like more details just send me an email.   I can answer some of your questions, and then put you into direct contact with the owners.

51 comments

Connie December 1, 2017 - 7:23 pm

Dear Santa,
I have been good…:)

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Sharon Santoni December 1, 2017 - 8:06 pm

I believe you Connie, but can you prove it ? 🙂

x

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Janet Schanzenbach December 1, 2017 - 8:44 pm

Wow! I know just the right person to help me fill this house with French treasurers. It’s a beautiful place.

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Sharon Santoni December 1, 2017 - 9:23 pm

Wouldn’t that be fun Janet ?! 🙂

Hope you are keeping well

xx

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Vesna December 1, 2017 - 7:27 pm

Dear Santa, I’ve been even better… 😉

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Sharon Santoni December 1, 2017 - 8:06 pm

Have to love a little competition 🙂

x

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Richard Hacker December 1, 2017 - 7:31 pm

Before I get too excited – How much?

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Sharon Santoni December 1, 2017 - 8:07 pm

Sending you an email Richard, thank you for your interest

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Deborah Carver December 1, 2017 - 7:35 pm

Oh my Sharon! look at that lovely walnut basket on the table! My parents had beautiful walnut trees when I was a child. The walnuts were picked up off the ground after being shaken from the trees by us kids. They were dried for a month or two on racks and then we removed the husks from each walnut. The tannins in the husks turned our hands an electric yellow-green color. As a teenager it was embarrassing to go to school with our dyed hands! After the husks were removed the walnuts were placed again on the drying racks. My basket-loving mother would have swooned to use such a lovely basket as exists in this photo!

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Sharon Santoni December 1, 2017 - 8:11 pm

HI Deborah, I feel your pain, the only time I husked a basket of walnuts was the day before some new clients I arrived …. I looked extremely foolish with my yellow-brown hands. I did that once, but not twice!

xx

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tracy December 1, 2017 - 9:15 pm

Aaaahhh- I love a well made, handmade basket. Very unique shape, specifically for drying nuts, I assume?

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Melissa December 2, 2017 - 2:34 pm

I never knew what to do with the walnuts I have tons and so I rake them into the bucket of the tractor and dump them on the woods ,next year I may try drying them, I have Black walnuts all over my property.

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Susan December 1, 2017 - 7:45 pm

It is lovely. But I will echo Richard and respectively inquire about the price.

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Sharon Santoni December 1, 2017 - 8:08 pm

I’m answering all the price enquiries by email directly,

thank you

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Richard Le Page December 1, 2017 - 7:48 pm

One Richard to another
Yes that was my question
All Le……. originated from Normandy

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Diana Ferguson December 1, 2017 - 7:50 pm

Hi Sharon, what an amazing house! May I enquire as to price being sought.?
Thank you
Diana

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Jenn December 1, 2017 - 7:59 pm

I am on board with the “Richard’s” and wondering about price. I will be in Paris Dec 6-12 so might be worth a ride out to look at the property. Thanks

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Colleen Taylor December 1, 2017 - 8:02 pm

Dear Santa, I’ve been the best of all! This is quite a treasure Sharon. Just WOW! X

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Kathy Nordmann December 1, 2017 - 8:14 pm

Oh Sharon, I am dreaming. It may be prohibitive to ask, but could you email me the price as well? My house in the states is currently on the market, and if it sells I will be homeless!

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MissLindy December 1, 2017 - 8:52 pm

Huge SIGH. No matter the price, I couldn’t manage it. Even the dogs like it.

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Elizabeth December 1, 2017 - 8:53 pm

What a beautiful home. I will tell Santa all about it!

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Stacy December 1, 2017 - 8:59 pm

Stunning property!! Can you please email me details. Price, etc.
Merci

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Teresa December 1, 2017 - 9:18 pm

Thanks for publishing this. I, too, would like to know how much the owners are asking for the property.

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david terry December 1, 2017 - 9:22 pm

This is all quite lovely (in its “quaint and “country” way), and it remains that we are, actually and indeed, looking into buying a home in France. The final fact is that it IS bothersome and stupidly tiresome….., booking hotels, etcetera……staff and owners change so often these days that there’s really no point to be had in booking a place where one’s previously been, simply because it was acceptable the last time one stayed there. Whats the point (?), I ask you, of having a secretary if one has to talk to her every time she talks to someone else who wants to rent a room to you? I might as well handle everything, myself….which I simply ought to do ….and that’s what I’m inclined to do.

My question would be: Is there resident and experienced staff at this residence? Do they come with, so to speak, the place?

I have no time to hire anyone to interview staff and certainly don’t intend to do so myself. I don’t speak French and don’t intend to do so. Mineral Futures are swinging so wildly these days that I have no time for anything but business, but it would be nice, one supposes, to keep a place in France so that we needn’t stay in hotels.

I’ve found that it’s difficult to find servants these day and even more incomprehensibly difficult to “keep” the silly (and usually useless) things once they’re hired at one’s home.

Do let me know about the pre-aranged staffing amenities regarding this property, Sharon.

Love, or What You will,

David Terry
The Webb House
Hillsborough, NC

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Sharon Santoni December 1, 2017 - 11:37 pm

Dear David, I couldn’t possibly imagine why such a thoughtful and caring person such as you would have problems keeping staff?!! Surely there would be crowds of people wanting to slave for you all day?!
heartfelt greetings
Sharon

PS One day my friend, your comments are going to land us both in deep trouble! x

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katzcradul December 2, 2017 - 3:14 pm

Your comment…as good as the blog post. Thanks for a chuckle wih my morning coffee. The sad part is, I know people who are actually that pretentious.

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Jen December 3, 2017 - 1:18 am

THIS has to be a joke!!!

Loved your reply Sharon xx

And I too sipping coffee and shaking my head in disbelief. And laughing!!!

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Our French Oasis December 1, 2017 - 10:11 pm

Now if only I won the lottery, or even did the lottery, I would love this as a retreat in Normandy, just about close enough that five or six hours drive north and we could be there!

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Kathleen December 1, 2017 - 10:21 pm

My goodness….

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Mary Ballard December 1, 2017 - 10:32 pm

Oh my!! How lovely indeed. Might I join the crowd of interested folks and inquire as to the price and location please. Longing to have a place in France…. thank you, Sharon!

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MARIANNA December 1, 2017 - 11:10 pm

I AM ASKING SANTA BECAUSE I HAVE BEEN A VERY VERY GOOD GIRL THIS YEAR!!!

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Susan December 1, 2017 - 11:21 pm

Santa, I’ve been better than all the other ladies who have commented!
PLEASE, bring me this beautiful property for Christmas.

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Karen December 1, 2017 - 11:24 pm

I wonder how many slaves David owns (or should I say “silly things”)? Sharon, everything you write about is so lovely and uplifting and it’s a shame that one person can insert such absurdities.

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Sharon Santoni December 1, 2017 - 11:40 pm

Hi Karen, I believe that David’s comments are very tongue-in-cheek (note to self, I certainly hope so!) He has been leaving comments here for many years, and I always smile when I see his name pop up. Truly no insult intended 🙂

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Emm December 2, 2017 - 8:36 pm

Having met David in person, in 3-D if you will, I will vouch for him as well. He is a very nice man, with an excellent sense of humor.

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Adrienne December 1, 2017 - 11:48 pm

Hello Sharon
How lovely. My husband and I are shopping around for a property in France. As a starting point, could you please advise: distance to nearest town/city; price range; number of bathrooms; size of grounds.
If it is easier for you, please put us in touch with the owners.
With best wishes
Adrienne

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Sharon Santoni December 2, 2017 - 8:16 pm

HI Adrienne , I sent you an email but it was returned, maybe you have an alternative address?

Sharon

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Vicky from Athens December 2, 2017 - 2:38 am

Santa Baby, could you leave an estate under the tree…for me.
In my wildest dreams…but I can dream, can’t I?

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Robin December 2, 2017 - 2:53 am

Dear Santa, I have been very good this year!!

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Craig Morehouse December 2, 2017 - 2:55 am

Dear Sharon. Please put us on the list of interested parties to receive the asking price for the property. Many thanks. Judy and Craig in California.
Email: craigandjudy1@gmail.com

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Ellen December 2, 2017 - 4:35 pm

Hi Sharon, What a lovely property. Please do email me with price and any other pertinent details that you have.

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Debbie Spence December 2, 2017 - 4:46 pm

I always get a little sad when I see these posts. It’s not because I can’t drop everything and move to France, but I can’t believe these people are leaving such a special home. I think about 30 years of invested time and how they put blood sweat and tears into restoring a wonderful piece of history. I do hope the new owners see that it is so much more than just a house and that they treasure it as the current owners have done. I wanted to let you know again how much I LOVED my box. You inspire me all the time, so I somewhat copied your idea. I made a Christmas box, but just one. It’s a prize on my blog. Thank you for bringing all things French to the farmland of Indiana. Merry Christmas! Here’s a link to my video if you are interested. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4a3a5IIEVSc&feature=youtu.be

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LaRissa Paras December 2, 2017 - 5:25 pm

Such a dream… and I have been good. I’d like an email regarding the price as well. Merci!

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Lance December 2, 2017 - 8:07 pm

On peut rever. What are they asking? Our theater company in Pasadena does a lot of Moliere and that chapel would be a lovely intimate performing space.

Tell me it’s not near a freeway…

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Janice Rivenburg December 3, 2017 - 2:34 am

Hi Sharon,

May I also please have the asking price for this magnificent home?

Thank you so very much!

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Viherrilli / Greenpinky December 3, 2017 - 6:07 pm

So beautiful!

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Peggy December 4, 2017 - 8:56 am

Oh this would be a dream come true. How much?

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Alison Wright December 4, 2017 - 9:06 am

Hi Sharon, I would be interested in some more information about the Country home you spoke about. I can’t seem to find your email, so if you could email me with it that would be great.

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Tersia December 4, 2017 - 10:19 am

Wowww love at first sight!! Price and details please? Thank you Tersia

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Barbara Melendez-Rapp December 12, 2017 - 4:08 pm

Sharon,hopefully it’s not too late to inquire. We are still on the hunt for a home in France and would be interested in looking at this property. Could you email me further details…square footage, nearby schools, proximity to town, price point etc. or put me in touch with the owner? I would so appreciate it. BTW – I spoke to Santa and I am still on the “nice” list! 🙂

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Denial July 14, 2019 - 7:35 pm

Buying an old house has always seemed a little dangerous to me. After all, you never know how much time, effort and money will have to spend on something to repair it and bring it under your own way. Half a year ago, I also bought myself a great old house out of town in Texas. I had to spend a lot of time to cover almost the entire roof of the house. Specialists from https://texansforce.com/ practically lived with me for a week until everything was fixed

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