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

Ref. NDB1021 - In the heart of a historic town near Saumur, in a quiet neighborhood and close to all amenities, lies an exceptional residence offering 430 m² of living space amidst glorious gardens spanning 1,500 m².

This manor house is renowned for being the residence of an early 19th-century romantic poet who tragically died in a duel at the age of 22. Dating from the 15th and 16th centuries, it is second only to the superb medieval castle in fame, within a small fortified town boasting many historic buildings. Completely renovated from top to bottom, the building stands proudly above the Thouet Valley, offering a spectacular unobstructed view. The gardens, worthy of a film set, are ingeniously designed on several levels to provide a sense of depth and shade, featuring a wide variety of plants, boxwood parterres, and wisteria-clad walkways.

The property has been entirely renovated to the highest standards by the finest local artisans. Entry to the manor is through a finely sculpted doorway into a hallway with stone floors. From this hallway, doors lead to two spacious and independent apartments, each offering single-story living with private access to their respective gardens.

The original medieval spiral stone staircase leads upstairs to the first floor, housing the main independent living quarters. This includes three spacious and comfortable bedrooms, a large living room with doors opening onto a terrace overlooking the valley and the garden, a dining room, an authentic kitchen, and a laundry room.

The second floor features another apartment with a glorious and monumental cathedral-like reception room, with painted beams and a mezzanine bedroom. The stone spiral staircase continues up to a tower bedroom known as the "poet's room," the final room of the house, named in honor of the poet.

The manor offers all the comforts expected of a house of this quality, including a garage and a superb vaulted wine cellar. This property would make a superb home or second home, with the two garden-level apartments easily rentable to provide supplementary income if desired.

The town is south of the river Loire, deep in wineland. the vineyards of Saumur Champigny; Saumur and le Puy Notre Dame surround it on every side. Delicious Cabernet Franc reds and Chenin Blancs are grown here, as well as crisp sparkling wines known as "Cremant de Loire". The town has some excellent restaurants and is busy with tourists for 8 months of the year, due to the impeccably-restored medieval chateau in town that is open to guided tours. It is only a 15-minute drive from Saumur, the autoroute linking the cities of Angers and Tours. Trains from Saumur station via Tours or Angers can get one to Paris in less that 1 and a half hours.