falling in love again

by Sharon Santoni
I have always loved the used of stone, brick and flint stone in the traditional Normandy buildings but I haven’t often seen such a beautiful example as this little château, currently up for sale.
This place must have been designed by a man in love and full of bubbling enthusiasm and admiration for the woman he adored !!  He made this château as pretty as possible with intricate designs in the brick work, a multitude of fancy  windows on the roof, carved stonework and a couple of asymmetrical towers, just for fun!
This black and white diamond design, is created using specially cut and split flint stones for the black, and local stone for the grey – the château may be 16th century, this sort of detail is still fashionable today!
To create beautiful hand carved stonework like this over the main entrance, he would have employed the nomad craftsmen called ‘les compagnons de France’, who travelled around the country selling their expertise as they went.
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[blank]In case I’ve got you dreaming, you might like to know that this pearl is up for sale for just under 800.000 euros.  It has 8 bedrooms and 10 hectares of land.  A beautiful family size château, I am totally under it’s charm!  Inside there are fantastic fireplaces, wood clad walls and original window panes, I believe that  major restoration is required.[blank]
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I love this monochromatic portrait, framed by stunning stucco leaves and fruit, and more pretty patterns in the brick and stone walls.
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Any takers?  I’d love to come and visit if you do buy it!

21 comments

CÉLINE CHOLLET September 29, 2011 - 9:08 am

Bonjour Sharon !
Voilà un petit château très original ! J'aime beaucoup les motifs de briques.
Cela m'amuserais de le dessiner…

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Looking Glass September 29, 2011 - 9:13 am

You definitely have me dreaming. This place is nothing short of spectacular. Sigh…

~ Clare x

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Ann September 29, 2011 - 10:06 am

How did we miss it?! Super beautiful!

The new header looks great- you did it ;]

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The enchanted home September 29, 2011 - 12:12 pm

What a gem! Some lucky person with a dream is going to snatch it up and turn this into a labor of love. Beautiful!

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Elizabeth Eiffel September 29, 2011 - 1:27 pm

I love the detailed craftsmanship in this unique chateau. Your description and photos are delightful Sharon. Bonne journee.

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Cara September 29, 2011 - 1:57 pm

stunning!

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Maison de lin September 29, 2011 - 4:35 pm

Hello Sharon,

Wow, what a beautiful castle, I love all those details. Too bad that we have no pictures to see how it looks inside. I love also your new header!

Greetings
Jérôme

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Amy September 29, 2011 - 5:28 pm

Wow. This place would definitely have a "music room" so I wouldn't have to share my living room with 5 harps and a piano!

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Elizabeth September 29, 2011 - 6:17 pm

Simply stunning! I love this little chateau and would really love to see interior photos.

I think it would be even better if whomever purchased it put a blog up of its restoration.

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The Paper Mulberry September 29, 2011 - 6:25 pm

Ohhh yes please Sharon! I have to say that although I don't have 800.000 euros to spare it does sound like a very good price for such an amazing chateau! We probably should finish the restoration work on our farmhouse first though, it does date from the same period but thankfully not quite that large!!!!! That painting is just so enchanting. Hugs from a 500 year old farmhouse in England – Glenda xxx

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Mouse September 29, 2011 - 6:35 pm

alas, I am saving for that other place you showed us recently..

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Anna at the Doll House September 29, 2011 - 7:15 pm

Oh, I am really tempted, but I think I'll just enjoy looking instead.

Anna

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Delana September 29, 2011 - 8:28 pm

Sharon, you make me dream. You've been in France long enough to assume that this was designed by a man in love. You KNOW that is so French…and so wonderfully romantic.

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Ivy Clad September 29, 2011 - 9:36 pm

This is so gorgeous. The last few days, I've been warding off thoughts of playing the part of escape artist & hanging up my life in the States for adventures far afield. Photos like these only add to the temptation. I think I'll spend the evening dreaming about what the inside looks like! Great post!
-Keri

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5th and State September 29, 2011 - 11:03 pm

our b&b;?……….i'm in!
xo
debra

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Desire Empire September 30, 2011 - 3:11 am

Where's the link? I've got my cheque book out, but not sure if I could stand the red tape involved with buying as a foreigner. But you did have me at hello with this one!!!!

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Maria September 30, 2011 - 3:43 am

Only 800,000 Euro, bargain! Now let me just count up my loose change lying around the bottom of drawers and at the back of the couch. I am sure I just need 799,990 Euro more!
Gorgeous little treasure, I hope someone looks after her with the knowledge it is a blessing to look after and not a possession to be altered.

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Angie Muresan September 30, 2011 - 4:17 am

I could only dream…

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Lancerika September 30, 2011 - 4:35 am

Fantastic!
the kind of place
my dreams are made off…
(sighs)

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cJoy September 30, 2011 - 3:10 pm

Beautiful. Funny, we know the acreage and 8 bedrooms, are there any … baths? Maybe you could get inside and take a few – or a lot – of photos? It would be a labor of love, but you make living in France look so blissful.

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Splenderosa September 30, 2011 - 3:13 pm

Oh, Sharon, you are too funny…you know every Texas ranch house looks just like this !! :)'s
Not. Just lovely, looks like a gingerbread mansion, doesn't it? I'm your newest follower, don't know why I wasn't already here. xx's

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