If you have a secret, or not so secret, wish to buy and restore a century old manor house in Normandy; if you dream of patina, exposed beams, century old tiled floors and sprawling orchards….. if you’d like to live in the country where the only noise to be heard from behind your old stone walled garden is the chiming of the village church bell …. then you may want to read to the end of this piece.
This stunning property is 90 minutes drive from Paris in the green countryside of Normandy. It has evolved over the centuries, as many old homes do, it was first built in the 16th century then other parts were added on up to the 19th century. It has a very grand name, ‘Le Royaume’, which actually means the Kingdom!
Currently on the market for the first time in 37 years, it is habitable on the ground floor, and the two upper floors have still to be restored. This is an unusual opportunity to get your hands on a property that is largely untouched for over a hundred years.
My eye is particularly caught by the original patina on the walls, in particular in the dining area and the stairwell. Also the beams and the beautiful original stone floors, much of which would be 16th century.
The property is 90 minutes drive from Paris, and the closest little market town in Glos La Ferriere. It’s also possible to catch a train to Paris from a station about 15 minutes away.
On the 1200 sq ft ground floor of the house there are currently 5 rooms, including one bedroom with shower and toilet, dining room, kitchen and pantry, library, one independent 30 sq/m room with an ensuite bathroom, and a small kitchen, with a direct view over the garden. There are fireplaces in each main 4 rooms on the ground floor.
On the second floor are another five rooms, none of which are restored or in use at present, there is also an attic floor.
The grounds of the property are hidden from the tiny lane by a beautiful old stone wall.
Besides the main house there is also a barn, and a covered stone and timber well.
The 1.5 acre garden is planted with a selection of mature fruit and ornamental trees and in particular a large number of apple trees.
The overall property will require work to make it entirely habitable on all floors, but I see that as a plain canvas, a beautiful home locked in time and waiting to be woken.
If you would like more information, you are welcome to email me here, or alternatively to email the owner of the property directly, my friend Henri, he speaks excellent English and would be happy to send you more pictures or answer any questions. You’ll find his email here
22 comments
What a fabulous opportunity for someone to really put their own mark on a piece of history. It is utterly charming, right down to the perfect amount of land and fruit trees and so much character to preserve inside. Lucky person whoever buys it.
Hi! Thank you so much to understand the aura of this manor.. Faught to preserve it for 37 years, won, and now want to pass to the next lucky one!!!;-)
Wow, if only I had the means. The history this house has seen. Someday I hope to see and tour a house older than the 1800’s!
Hi!! Where are you? “Le Royaume”‘s opened for you to visit, any time;-)
Oh, if only I were younger and rich! It would be a dream come true to take a tired old lady like this and make her into the beauty she once was! I hope that someone with good taste and deep pockets comes along and does just that. Judging by the price there is much work to be done! Thanks for sharing!
What is the price for this wonderful property? How rigourous are French laws regarding renovation? Thanks!
Price is 247,800€ including solicitor fees and taxes. I refused to have classed “Le Royaume” as an historic monument, to keep the hand on what I wanted to do. So total freedom on renovations..;-)
That is very reasonable for such a large place with so much charm.
Having worked with the Bâtiments de France, I appreciate their goals of preserving history, but they do make the process of renovating much more expensive.
That said, we have found wonderful French artisans who are not only professionals but real artists dedicated to doing things just right.
This is the perfect French property to refurbish and live the French country dream.
I’m dreaming….got lots of interior design ideas for this.
What a sweet home. So wish I could afford this.
My heart is pounding…….. If only I could afford the purchase price, the cost of renovation and the subsequent annual French taxes!!
Hi! Annual french taxes is a myth. I paid last year for the manor 502€ for the owner tax, and 253€ for the occupancy tax, for the whole year..:-)
How many acres total is the property?
Hi!
Around 1,5 acres (7180sq/meters;-)
So, define “habitable” in describing the ground floor. My wife and I are planning to move to France in 9 months. We will be in Paris the first two weeks of October. If the property were still available we might be interested in taking a day to see the property. Where is the nearest gare for the train to and from Paris?
Hi David, I think that Henri already contacted you directly, but just in case others are asking the same question…. by ‘habitable’ I mean a small working kitchen, two working bathrooms and four ground floor rooms that can be used for reception rooms or bedrooms.
Henri has installed a door at the bottom of the stairs so that the ground floor can be heated without the warmth escaping upstairs.
This would be a great renovation project!
Hope that helps
Sharon
It is absolutely sublime! A dream, a wish, a home, a future, solitude, a story waiting to unfold. This home and location are completely perfect in my opinion. I could move right in and be perfectly content for the rest of my life along with a few doggies, and maybe a cat. I will throw it out to the Universe, you never know. Maybe my Momma in heaven will help move heaven and earth for me. Sharon this homes reminds me equally of the home in the story you wrote near two summers ago and also of Ellie and the home she lived in, in the south of France. I’m not sure why. I can see her here. Henri seems wonderful as well and I can only imagine that maybe a friendship would develop between the current and future owners and possibly past owners from centuries ago. What a lovely post; has me dreaming and is a much needed distraction from pressing, unpleasant matters. xx
Love all those textures. Looks cozy.
hello,
I have tried to reach you by mail yesterday( in french)but no answer…
so I try here !
I am interrested and would like to visit the place as soon as possible.
waiting for you to contact me.
I am in Paris.
Done, and met:-). So wondefull family you have!!:-)
Beautiful house just as is. Wonder how far it is from Bernay, Eure. I’ll be in Normandy mid-September house hunting. Would love to see this property.
Hi! 35km from Bernay. You’ll be welcome in “Le Royaume”. Just let me know early enough; I am quite often in south France. Kind regards.