Farm house Reims (51)

In the Champagne region, 2 hours from Paris via the A4 motorway, an equestrian estate with more than 21 hectares.
2¾ hours from Brussels, 2½ hours from Luxembourg, some 15 minutes from Reims and Champagne-Ardenne TGV train station with its 40-minute links to the French capital.
This property stands in a perfectly isolated, dominant position with no audible or visual nuisances.
Its origins are in need more extensive research but archives indicate that in 1554 this old farm was composed of “123 arpents 75 verges” of arable land, in addition to the farm buildings, and that it belonged to the Chapterhouse of Reims up until the French Revolution.
A little country land leads to the property. A vast, tarmacked courtyard is enclosed by a group of farm buildings used for equestrian purposes and a huge, L-shaped residence which has been divided into two houses. Behind them are two private gardens. 18 hectares of rolling pastureland extends predominantly below the property.
The first houseThis first house, in a corner of the courtyard, is constructed from pointed exposed stone. Spanning two levels over a partial cellar, it is topped with an interlocking tile roof.
The year 1877 is engraved above an alcove on its facade. This is most certainly the construction date for the primitive house’s extension, built at right angles.
Ground floor
The main entrance hall, paved with large flagstones, is set in the middle of the facade. It houses an oak wood stairway, with wrought iron railings. A large study on one side, still featuring its cement floor tiles, precedes a room in use as a linen and boiler room.
On the other side are a lounge and a dining room set at right angles, with exposed stone walls. A fitted kitchen and a bathroom.
A veranda opens on to the garden.
First floor
The landing provides access to three bedrooms, the old floors of which are covered with sprung parquet flooring. A dressing room and a bathroom.The second houseSet at right angles to the first one, this house reflects the same architectural style but has eaves with a heavier overhang and a stone string course separating the two levels.
Ground floor
A vast artist’s studio has replaced the original cowshed. It is extended by a garage.
Garden level
This level can be reached via an outdoor iron stairway.
The entrance door opens directly into a vast, 125 m² room comprising a kitchen, a dining room and a lounge, where an outstanding stone fireplace takes pride of place. The original doors and windows have been preserved, only a picture window has been added to provide direct access to the garden. The walls are composed of exposed stone.
This room has a very high ceiling with a mezzanine room at end.
First floor
Both mezzanine rooms have their own stairway, the first is traditional and made of wood; the second takes the form of a ladder with metal railings and wooden steps.
Both rooms dominate the large main room. One is laid out as a bedroom and the other as a study.
Half-story
A few steps lead from the large, main room to a little corridor, concealed by a hidden door. It provides access to two bedrooms and a shower room which communicates with a dressing room, with a white stone floor featuring black inlaid decoration.
The old shower room includes a toilet and a urinal.
The outbuildingsThese comprise four vast stables, built of stone and topped with interlocking tile roofs. They contain some fifty horse loose boxes with automatic drinking troughs on either side of a central alleyway.
On the first floor of one of the stables, an area spanning 350 m² is regularly transformed into an exhibition hall for displaying works of art.
They are completed with …