House Bourges (18)

A mansion house with a view over Saint-Etienne cathedral in the former capital of the kingdom of France.
The historic capital of the Berry region, with its cathedral classified as a World Heritage site by Unesco, also owes its fame to some of the most illustrious names in the history of France such as Jean-de-Berry, Charles VII, Agnès-Sorel, Jacque-Cœur and Joan of Arc. Once swampland ensuring the defence of the town, the Marais district in the centre of the town is now a 135 ha leisure area. This marshland was developed in the 17th century by the Jesuits.
The Centre region is greatly expanding its tourist trade with a variety of activities.
Equidistant from the Ocean and the Alps, it has a mild climate.
This area is in an ideal geographic location, just 2⅔ hours from Paris, with a nearby road network, including the A71 motorway, as well as a train station with 2½ hour links to Paris-Austerlitz.
Composed of two buildings, the mansion house, built in the late 18th century, stands in the historic centre of Bourges, with its narrow, paved streets and its half-timbered houses, not far from the Marais district, with a view of Saint-Etienne cathedral.
The premises have been meticulously transformed and renovated by the current owners who, with the help of an architect, have converted the first building into two flats.
The latter was built in the 17th century; the other in the late 18th century; both have cellars.
The main entrance is via the paved street facing the cathedral in order to reach the building, separated by a workshop, two patios and a corridor, featuring sliding picture windows letting copious amounts of light in on all sides.
A wide terrace looks down on a walled garden, reached via a few steps.
A garage is outside, facing the house. The two buildings span a total floor surface area of approx. 500 m².
The two flats
First level
Second level
The building on the road sideConstructed at the beginning of the 17th century, its facade is made of dressed stone.
The entrance is via the old wooden gateway, the former carriage gates facing the cathedral, it is a landing door, closed with glazing and an oak wood door.
Access is gained via a music room, a stairway is protected by a wrought iron separation providing access to the cellar, a sliding picture window opens on to the patio, leading to the second building.
The room is decorated with a monumental, white stone fireplace. Next to it is a linen room, near to a separate toilet with a wash-hand basin, followed by a room used as a workshop that opens via picture windows, providing access to the second building.
Some of the floors on the ground floor are tiled, the rest are covered with parquet flooring. There is underfloor heating. Exposed, oak wood beams enhance the ceiling.
The patiosOne is cleverly laid out between the kitchen and the workshop; a terrace having been created for the partaking of meals. The second is decorated with a wall fountain and provides a link between the music room and the ladies’ sitting room in the second building.The late 18th century houseThis house was built at the end of the 18th century with a Mansard style roof, covered with slate and featuring zinc oculi. One of the facades is rendered whilst the other, facing the garden, features red brick.
This building spans two levels. It is entered via the first building, a corridor lined with picture windows adjoining the second building. An oak wood stairway, set between the ladies’ sitting room and the lounge, provides access to the bedrooms on the upper two floors.
The floors are covered either with tiles or oak wood parquet …