Pays de la Loire, Maine-et-Loire, Saumur, France

Ref. NDB1006-R - The Loire Valley was prized by France's kings for the mild climate, fertile land and abundant forests teeming with game for hunting. From the late Middle Ages to the late 16th century, the Renaissance chateaux of the Loire were the preferred residences of the kings. These chateaux and the unspoilt valley they grace earned the designation of UNESCO World Heritage site in 2000.

Among these architectural treasures stands this handsome manorhouse, built in the 14th and 15th centuries with commanding views of the valley. From its windows one can admire the church and the houses of the local winemakers and beyond the village, to the plains, vineyards, distant hills and forests.

Meticulous attention to historical accuracy and an unwavering commitment to restoration were paramount in restoring this manor. Its magnificent reception rooms, bedrooms, outbuildings and garden structures form an ensemble of unparalleled elegance in the region.

The manor is a perfect property for entertaining, with the ground floor and the beautifully restored kitchen and wine cellars forming an exceptional ensemble of entertaining space.

The ground floor features a welcoming guest bedroom and a series of splendid reception rooms adorned with windows that offer beautiful garden vistas in every direction. The kitchen, featuring a La Cornue stove and an expansive La Cornue island, is a design masterpiece worthy of a cooking show setting.

Ascending the original spiral stone staircase, you'll discover three generous bedrooms and two bathrooms, each adorned with remarkable architectural elements, such as double mullioned windows and fireplaces. Continuing up the spiral stairs leads to an immense 2nd-floor loft space beneath a cathedral-like canopy of roof beams, which could readily be converted into two additional ensuite bedrooms.

Within the park are two elegant structures/ a loggia and an orangery. The loggia is a guesthouse, comprised of two levels, with a lower-level living area and an upper-level bedroom connected by a magnificent 17th-century staircase. The orangery, nestled within the gardens, has been beautifully restored and can be adapted for a variety of uses such as an entertainment space, artist's studio, games room, gym, or further guest rooms.

The owners have spared no expense in restoring the estate to its former glory while seamlessly integrating modern creature comforts, including a Bang and Olufsen sound system, i-lighting, state-of-the-art central heating using both heat pump and geothermal energy, and a spa bath.

This region has long been hailed as the "Garden of France," and this property epitomizes that title. The manorhouse is enveloped by its own land on all sides. The swimming pool and loggia grace an upper terrace, while a grand stone staircase descends to the formal French gardens below, featuring formal box-lined parterres, roses, pleached lime trees encircling the house to the west and north. On the eastern side is a formal Anglo-Japanese style garden, complete with a rose-covered pergola, lawns, and an arboretum with rare and precious mature trees. To the south is the vineyard itself, accessed through two garden gates, beside a forest which also belongs to the property.
Adding to its allure is the two-hectare expanse of rare and exceptional organic AOC Saumur vineyards, with vines aged between 20 and 40 years. Currently, a talented and friendly neighboring winemaker produces delightful Chenin blanc from these vineyards, yet the control of the vineyard can be reclaimed with proper notice.

The property enjoys a privileged location, a short 25-minute drive from Saumur, western gateway to the Loire valley, a town adored by tourists for its market, chateau, and wine. Paris is 1 hour/30 minutes by TGV train. The cities of Tours and Nantes, both offering international flights, are 1/2 hours drive.