Maison
Bourgeoise, Burgundy/Champagne borders
Beautiful17th century fully furnished stone house, renovated to a
high standard and with many original features, situated in a
delightful village in the upper Aube valley. Four bedrooms, two
bathrooms, two large reception rooms, wine cellar, bread oven,
extensive barns, large courtyard and walled garden; approximately
1900 square metres in total. Potential for further accommodation
subject to any necessary planning permissions.
Price
including furniture and equipment: 265,000 euros
The price has been reduced following a recent valuation
THE AREA
The
village of Dancevoir nestles in the upper Aube valley in a region
where the high plains of the Cote d'Or merge into the rolling
forest-covered hills and lush valleys of Haute Marne, one of the
least populated 'departements' of France "Ici la vie est
naturelle" is the departmental motto; open natural,
uninterrupted countryside contrasts the sophisticated delights of the
towns, chateaux and vineyards of Cote d'Or. A short way to the north
is the 'Petit Champagne', a champagne producing area centred round
Colombey-les-Deux-Eglises, famous retirement home of General de
Gaulle.
This
is an ideal location for a second home in France with easy access
from the UK, the Netherlands, Belgium or Paris via the A1/A5/A26
autoroutes. Nearest autoroute is approximately 20 minutes drive,
Charles de Gaulle Airport about 2 hours drive to the west.
THE
VILLAGE
The
village of Dancevoir consists almost exclusively of lovely old stone
houses and barns, some dating back to the 15th century; there is a
privately-owned chateau. a church and a 17th century public 'laverie'
(wash-house). Dancevoir has its own nearby 'foret domaniale', an
easy walk from the house, crossing the river valley, but the
delightful small town of Arc-en-Barrois, 18 km away, boasts the
largest 'domanial' forest in France. This is excellent walking or
biking country ;on the quiet undulating country lanes, or the
traffic-free forest tracks.
There
is a village shop and 'depot de pain', the owner of which frequently
organises village 'events', like the village celebration dinner for
Bastille Day. Other activities in the village include a public
tennis court, available to all, and a children's playground. Golf
course and horseriding in Arc-en-Barrois. There is much wildlife ;deer, wild boar, birds ;and many rare varieties of wild orchid are
to be found within walking distance of the house as well as other
wild flowers during the spring and summer months.
THE
HOUSE AND GARDEN
A17th
century 'MaisonBourgeoise' with barns, set back from the quiet
village street, with an integral pigeonnier (pigeon tower), the house
has been renovated, furnished and equipped it to a very good standard
including a fully automatic electric central heating system. There
are many original period features including a flagstone floor and
Burgundy oak ceiling, original fireplaces and oak floor in the
sitting room.
Broadband
and Wifi are installed and the contracts can be taken over by the buyer.
There
is a large gravelled courtyard in front of the house completely
enclosed by a high stone wall and high metal gates, with shrubs and
plants around the edges - plenty of space for secure parking and for
children to play safely. Large walled garden to the rear, and
extensive barns and outbuildings. The total plot is approximately
0.20 hectares.
A door leads from the
courtyard direct into the kitchen/dining room, a splendid room
about 8 metres by 6.5 metres, with stone paved floor and heavily
oak-beamed Burgundian ceiling. There is a large open fireplace ;superb for cooking ;and antique pine furniture. The far corner is
well equipped as a kitchen with full cooker, sink, dishwasher and a
fridge. (Microwave and freezer in the adjacent 'arriere cuisine,
washing machine in adjacent barn.) Door leads to study-bedroom with
single divan plus a single good quality folding bed. Door to a double
bedroom with en suite shower room and w.c. between the two rooms. A
door leads from the main room via the'arriere cuisine' to the rear
courtyard terrace and garden. (The 'arriere-cuisine' is a small
second kitchen with original stone sink.)
Open turning oak
stairs lead up to the elegant large sitting room, again about 8
metres by 6.5 metres with a magnificent Burgundian stone fireplace
now with a powerful woodbuming stove. Antique oak floor, very
comfortable sitting furniture, television, DVD/CD player with
surround sound amp and satellite tuner. The room has a large window
at each end overlooking the courtyard at the front and the garden to
the rear ;a truly delightful sitting room. Off the sitting room,
there are two bedrooms ;one double and one twin plus cot/child's bed
suitable for up to 4 years ;and a full bathroom with combined
bath/shower and w.c. Both double beds are king-size, with top
quality mattresses.
A
door leads from the main room via the' arriere cuisine' to the rear
courtyard terrace, sheltered and south-facing, which opens out to the
garden, stone-wall enclosed. The garden comprises grass and fruit
trees, with plenty of space to disappear with a chair, a good book
and a large glass of chilled Aligote. On the far side of the high
stone garden wall is the chateau's 'potager', and many mature trees,
with the wooded far side of the Aube valley rising in the
background.
The stone barns are extensive, and have potential to be converted into additional/separate living accommodation or other uses, subject to any necessary planning permissions. The side barn to the front courtyard in particular would convert into a substantial property - we consider it big enough to form a 2 bedroom maisonette entirely separate from the main house.
There is a good wine cellar and an original bread oven.
More pictures and house plans ; click here
FURNITURE
The
house is offered for sale fully furnished, including some antique
furniture, all kitchen equipment and machines, adult and children's
bicycles, garden furniture and barbecue. Some items will be removed
before the sale - details can be provided.
LETTING
HISTORY
The house has been successfully let for holidays for the past 14 years -
letting history available.
THINGS
TO DO IN THE AREA
This
is a wonderful place to stay for people looking for a relaxed holiday
in a really comfortable house in a very French environment. Our day
normally starts with a stroll to the village shop to collect fresh
bread and croissants for breakfast ;a short diversion to have a look
at the river Aube is pretty standard on a sunny morning. Then back
for breakfast on the sunny sheltered south-facing courtyard while the
day's activities or excursions are planned. The Chateaux at Tanlay,
Ancy-le-Franc and Bussy-Rabutin, Fontenay Abbey and the Forges du
Buffon, the historic towns of Langres, Troyes and Dijon, the source
of the Seine, and dozens of smaller sites of interest are within an
hour's drive - suitable for a half-day out, perhaps culminating with
lunch in one of the many excellent small restaurants which abound in
this part of France. Beaune,Chablis, Vezelay, the hills and forests
of the Morvan, the wine villages of La Cote (Clos de Vougeot,
Gevrey-Chambertin) are a little further afield, but accessible for a
day out, perhaps with a splendid picnic. For hot sunny summer days,
there are several lakes in the area landscaped for swimming and
leisure, including the very pretty lake at Marcenay, about half-an
hour's drive, with a plage where swimming and boating can be enjoyed
with a picnic or an excellent lunch at the restaurant there. There
are larger lakes near Langres. Chatillon-sur-Seine ,15 minutes away ,has a public swimming pool.
You can't stay in
the Burgundy without sampling some of its excellent wines - this is a
wine-lovers paradise. Our nearest vineyard is at Massingy - ten
minutes drive. They now have an excellent guided tour of the cellars.
We also suggest LesRiceys (famous for its vin rose), Montsaugeon, and
the champagne producers near Colombey-les-Deux-Eglises. All will be
pleased to offer you their wines to taste. We often drive into
Arc-en-Barrois where there is a 'marchand de vin' - he will be
delighted to let you sample the various wines he keeps in old wooden
barrels in the ancient cellars which lie beneath the town.
For
children, there is a zoo near Montbard (an hour away), a friendly
theme park - Nigloland - about an hour's drive north, and the lake at
Marcenay for swimming and boating. Nearer home, there are the woods
and forests for family walks or cycle rides. There is a delightful
deer park at Chateauvillain, lovely for walking and feeding the very
tame deer. The small towns of Arc-en Barrois and Chatillon-sur-Seine
are fun to explore (visit the Museum, situated in a renovated Abbey
at the entrance to the town and displaying the 'Tresor de Vix',
amazing Estruscan treasure). The 'Cascade d'Etufs' is just down the
road, and off course, you may just decide to spend a day wandering
around the village and relaxing in the pretty walled garden behind
the house - a lunchtime barbecue might appeal. Children love to walk
down to the river for a splash or to catch tiddlers. Dinner at one of
the local restaurants would round the day off nicely. For cooler
evenings, dinner in front of the kitchen log fire is cosy - we often
cook on the open fire indoors including a 'gigot a la
ficelle'.
Dancevoir is a very friendly village - fairly
sleepy, though livelier in July and August when visitors from French
towns and cities come for a couple of weeks peace and fresh air.
English, Dutch and Swiss families have houses in the village, and
there are Belgians and Portuguese living there too - quite an
'international' community! A children's summer school is held in the
village in July - ask for information if interested. Bastilleday
(July 14) is celebrated in the village.and there is a festival the
first week end in August.
EATING
OUT
Restaurants
come and go, but several nearby villages have a restaurant.. Arc en
Barrois has a number of good restaurants, Chateauvillain has an
excellent restaurant in a rather unprepossessing modern building over
the local 'cave' - top up your containers with wine, then treat
yourself to lunch. Prices in the area are generally quite reasonable
- around 15 euros to 25 euros plus wine for gourmet menus in the
fermes auberges or smarter restaurants. Try the main restaurant at
the Lac de Marcenay - details at the house.
SHOPPING
AND BUYING WINE
Arc-en-Barrois
and Chateauvillain are about 15 minutes drive away,
Chatillon-sur-Seine 20 minutes, Chaumont 30 minutes. In Dancevoir,
there is the village shop -open morning and early evening every day
except Wednesday. Travelling shops - bakers, butchers, grocers,
cheese and dairy products, greengrocery, fish - visit the village
during the week; most stop outside the house (full details at the
house). 'Casino' supermarket in Arc, as well as two bakers, two
butcher/charcutiers and other small shops. Medium sized supermarket
and other shops in Chateauvillain. Larger supermarkets and plenty of
shops in Chatillon; commercial centre with hypermarkets and good
shops in Chaumont. Markets in Chatillon-sur-Seine and Chaumont.
Nearest
vineyard - in Cote d'Or - is about 15 minutes drive towards
Chatillon-sur-Seine in Massingy, where you can buy excellent Cremant
de Bourgogne as well as red, white and rose wines. Go north to reach
the Petit Champagne area - about 30 minutes drive - or south to
the area of 'Grands Crus de Bourgognes' - Gevrey Chambertin, Nuits
St Georges, Clos Vougeot to name a few.
For any further information: contact Janet Rankin, e-mail
: janet@certainaspects.co.uk, phone: 01424 830279
Main Bedroom - Ground Floor