18th century in deepest Normandy

by Sharon Santoni
Now and again I daydream about moving west, deeper into Normandy.  West is greener, west is emptier, west is packed full of properties to die for ….  what stops me?  well, deepest Normandy is also that much further from Paris,  with fewer decent schools and even less happening… but it is very tempting.
Today I have been dreaming about this little bijoux, loads of land, tons of charm.  Come along and dream with me…..
If I lived here, you could drive over to stay for the weekend.  The wide gates would be open to welcome you, and since it will be  such a balmy, summer day, bedroom windows will be flung open too.
front view of a large manor home with shutters opened and ivy on the walls
large manor home with formal gardens in front[blank]
front entrance of a large manor with fountain in front

We’ll walk around the outside of the house.   I think you’ll like the little œil de bœuf window hidden in the ivy climbing up the wall.

thick ivy covering the side of a large manor home
I’ll serve you some tea here, before showing you the  …..
iron table and chairs on a small patio behind the home
outbuildings, that I haven’t yet decided how to use  …..
SIGH !  – that roof and those proportions are  to die for!
outbuilding with tall, tiled roof and several trees in the yard
shrubbery-lined path leading to a modest outbuilding[blank]
front entryway with tiled floors and large windows
We’ll take a little tour inside and say how lovely the uneven, mute-coloured stone flooring is , we’ll admire the volumes of the rooms  and how much light comes into the high ceilinged rooms, and we’ll wonder why in heaven’s name  the French put their radiators
beneath their beautiful old windows. (I’ll make a note to call the plumber and get those moved!)
formal dining room with large oval mirror and large windows
[blank]
sitting area with large fireplace and mirror on the mantle
I’ll explain that we shall be redecorating and buying more furniture
and you’ll swoon over  those herringbone floors!
formal sitting area with ornate mirror and chandeliers
and in the evening before supper, we’ll walk around the grounds together and you’ll help me plan out the new flower beds, potager and orchards that I’ll be planting next fall.
side yard with manor house in the background
Happy, happy dreams!
side angle shot of manor home with ivy and slate-grey roof
And for anyone who wants to do more than just dream, this little 18th century château is for sale at the moment.  The asking price is about 1.3 million euros, but for that you get almost 6.000 sq ft living space,  12 hectares of land, marble fireplaces, herringbone wooden floors, a dozen bedrooms and almost as many bathrooms and two stunning 17th and 18th century outbuildings, each about 1600 sq ft.
I only ask one small thing in exchange for having shown you this treasure, that when you buy it I get to visit  and watch your work in progress!!
Bon weekend à tout le monde!

All photos and  property details found here

25 comments

Kathy March 26, 2011 - 1:00 pm

C'est magnifique ! I say go for it.

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The enchanted home March 26, 2011 - 1:59 pm

OMG…I felt for a minute looking at those pictures, if I just clicked my heels I could be transported there….I was wishing THAT hard that I was there! Sooo beautiful, whats not to love..its a storybook dream for sure. I can understand how you could spend much time fantasizing about this! Truly a dream……hope one day I will be one of those brazen heroic women who just decides to get up one day and follow her dream……(of course my husband will have to agree)….heres to dreaming and beautiful things!

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IAMSNOWFLAKE March 26, 2011 - 2:10 pm

This house would also get me daydreaming planning how to restore it, and furnish it to enhance its beauty and charm. You'd be more than welcome to visit and stay. However, first I'll dream about winning the lottery!!! Have a nice weekend

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Grace @ Sense and Simplicity March 26, 2011 - 2:55 pm

Wowzer. That's gorgeous – from the simple gardens to the herringbone floor. What's not to love!

By the way, we often have the radiators under the windows here in Toronto as well. People usually have them framed with wooden boxes so they can display things on top of them.

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Monica March 26, 2011 - 3:04 pm

Wow… it's so French!
Kisses
Monica

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Pamela Terry and Edward March 26, 2011 - 5:26 pm

And I'll wear a hat!

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Divine Theatre March 26, 2011 - 6:04 pm

I am never leaving.
I just posted a tour of my home and now I am sad. I want to live here instead. *sigh*

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The Paper Mulberry March 26, 2011 - 6:06 pm

So beautiful and so many wonderful ideas – particularly for the garden! Thank you so much!

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Delightblog.blog March 26, 2011 - 7:02 pm

Beautiful! I could live there!
Linda

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Acquired Objects March 26, 2011 - 7:46 pm

Fabulous home and since I'm used to being in the country it would be perfect for our little family. I'll talk to mister man about moving in…I WISH!

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Gracefully Vintage March 26, 2011 - 8:12 pm

Just Beautiful, Love it all, so inspiring and wonderful Love the Ivy growing up the walls, such a statement.. Thanks for sharing such beauty..
Karryann

An amzing blog

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WhiteWhispers2u March 26, 2011 - 8:27 pm

Simply Amazing! They sure knew how to live well~Cheers Kim

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Suzi March 26, 2011 - 9:56 pm

Hi there, I am new to your lovely blog and already and pea green with envy. living in France would be a dream come true for me.I am a self confessed francophile! This home is just divine and so is your blog. Thank you for sharing
. I will be back – Suzi

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monkeemoomoo March 26, 2011 - 10:36 pm

Come and visit? Just try and stop me. I would be one of those house guests that just never leaves!

Oh, to have 1.3 million euros! I'm smitten:)

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Linda Carswell March 26, 2011 - 10:39 pm

It is mine!!!!! Just as soon as I win lotto….just one problem there though….I never buy a ticket…LOL!!!

It looks a fabulous house, thanks!!!

Linda

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Babs March 26, 2011 - 10:46 pm

Gorgeous house and grounds and only 1.3 million euros. Maybe if we all pooled our pennies we could swing it? I'd love to vacation there.

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Ideezine March 26, 2011 - 11:04 pm

How simply fabulous! Lots of dreams to fulfill and many hours of pleasure to enjoy. All is well and all are welcome here. Love your new blog header too!

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Deborah March 27, 2011 - 1:08 am

Oooh-la-la when can I visit?!
Thanks for taking us on this tour…it would be so fun!

Deborah xo

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trouvais.com March 27, 2011 - 3:33 am

What a bargain! Absolute perfection. Want to split it? Time share? A marvelous daydream…merci! XO Trish

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oldgreymare March 27, 2011 - 7:37 am

a mere pittance…. does it come with a full staff?..I 'm not dusting that joint…lol

xx
z

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mimi charmante March 27, 2011 - 9:57 pm

While it is crazy, sometimes I read your posts and feel a bit teary that for us it isn't "just a move west" but a move across the sea. I truly think I lived in France in a previous life – or it could be that my family history is all there. Either way, thank you for posting things such as this as it gives me a place to dream a little~
xx

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lauren March 27, 2011 - 11:47 pm

I'm glad this was a weekend post…now I'll be daydreaming the rest of the afternoon! And what a wonderful place to daydream about. Thank you for all your lovely posts.

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Tamra March 28, 2011 - 2:54 am

This is what dreams are made of, at least my dreams. Thank you for such beautiful photos.

Merci!

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Lorrie March 28, 2011 - 6:40 am

What if I buy it, and you come help me decorate it? It's beautiful!

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CÉLINE CHOLLET March 29, 2011 - 9:24 am

Sharon,
J'adore ce genre de "maison" ! ou plutôt petit château…
Céline.

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