luxury apartment / penthouse for sale Chaprais-Cras district of Besançon, France

AN ELEGANTLY REIMAGINED APARTMENT IN BESANÇON On the second floor of a characterful building in Besançon's Chaprais neighborhood, this 95 m² apartment combines Haussmannian influences, natural light, and original period details to create a warm, inviting atmosphere. Restored in 2015, it retains its original parquet floors, moldings, woodwork, fireplaces, and high ceilings. The spacious west-facing living and dining room opens onto a balcony, while two bedrooms and a versatile third room allow the layout to adapt to different needs and stages of life. A private cellar and attic provide additional space, in a neighborhood where shops, daycare, and schools are all within easy walking distance. CITY LIVING, THE CHAPRAIS WAY Some apartments reveal their character the moment you step inside. Here, it comes through in the high ceilings, finely crafted woodwork, original parquet floors, and natural light that changes as it moves through the rooms over the course of the day. The apartment occupies the second floor of a 19th-century stone building in the heart of Besançon's Chaprais neighborhood. Behind its recently restored façade, the building has an intimate feel, with just two apartments on each landing and three floors in all. At the rear, a courtyard creates a quieter, more secluded setting and reinforces the residential feel of the property. Much of daily life can be enjoyed on foot, with shops, supermarkets, daycare, and schools nearby in a lively and convenient neighborhood. PERIOD CHARACTER WITH A CONTEMPORARY TOUCH Fully renovated in 2015, the apartment spans approximately 95 m², with original features setting the tone throughout. Parquet floors, moldings and cornices, woodwork, fireplaces, original doors, and stained glass incorporated into the double-glazed windows keep the apartment's history very much present. Carefully chosen patterned wallpaper adds a contemporary counterpoint to these period details. At the heart of the apartment is the 36 m² living and dining room. Facing west, it brings both areas together in a generous space that extends through a French door onto a small balcony. As the afternoon unfolds, light moves across the parquet, highlighting the moldings, large built-in cupboards, and decorative details. The separate kitchen is fully fitted, with a layout that remains in keeping with the character of the apartment. Throughout the home, restored original cupboards blend seamlessly into the woodwork and form an integral part of the interior architecture. A LAYOUT THAT ADAPTS TO EVERYDAY LIFE A central hallway connects the rooms with an easy, natural flow. Two well-proportioned bedrooms measure 13 and 15 m², while a third room can evolve with changing needs, serving as a child's bedroom, home office, or dressing room. Between the two main bedrooms are a bathroom with a walk-in shower and a separate toilet with a hand basin. A storage room on the landing provides additional storage, while a private cellar and attic, each approximately 15 m², offer further space. The building's former washhouse now serves as a spacious shared bicycle room, preserving a subtle connection to its past. An individual condensing gas boiler provides heating and hot water, while double-glazed wood-framed windows and mechanical ventilation complete the practical features. The condominium comprises eight owners, all of whom live in their apartments. THE ADVISOR'S PERSPECTIVE ?What I love about this apartment is how naturally everything comes together, with every original detail seeming to be exactly where it belongs. The proportions, parquet floors, moldings, and woodwork give the rooms real depth, while the renovation, carried out with great care and elegance, allows the apartment to work beautifully for contemporary life. The west-facing living and dining room is probably the space that stays with you most: generous, bright, and full of life, it immediately makes you picture spending the end of the day here.' Condominiums of 10 units (No proceedings in progress). Annual expenses : 1176 euros.