House Chatellerault (86)

In Châtellerault, in a listed, 16th century mansion house, a flat awaiting renovation with a small garden and its independent pavilion.
Châtellerault’s rich past can be read in its architectural history, from its Henri-IV bridge, constructed by Jacques-Androuet-du-Cerceau, to its 15th, 16th and 19th century mansion houses as well as its old “Manufacture d'Armes” or weapons factory, now transformed into a museum. René- Descartes’ town is now home to numerous high-tech companies, specialised notably in aeronautics and automobiles.
This flat and the pavilion are in the town centre of Châtellerault, just a stone’s throw from the covered markets held on Thursdays and Saturdays, from the banks of the river Vienne, having undergone ambitious development works, as well as from two cinemas, one an art cinema, and from an Italian theatre with an extensive programme. The “Jazzelrault” and “Automne” festivals provide jazz and classical music enthusiasts with first-rate concerts.
A TGV train station with 70 or 90-minute links to Paris is just 7 minutes’ walk away, Poitiers is 40 minutes away and Tours is 50 minutes away via the A10 motorway.
The mansion house is composed of a central building, with two wings set at right angles. The main facade, the only feature listed with the roof, is adorned with pediment roof dormers and features wide, moulded, horizontal string courses, in which finely wrought sculptures are recessed, all supported on engaged pilasters. These high-relief sculptures represent sibyls and prophets, which appear to appeal to visitors. The windows were enlarged in the 18th century. The white stone, the refined lines of the facades and the garden could form a backdrop for a belated courtly love scene. The private, 78 m² garden is part of larger terraced parklands.
The pavilion stands at the entrance to the garden, completely separate from the flat and the mansion house.
The flatIn a building co-owned by two proprietors, this flat awaiting renovation is not affected by the French Historic Monument listing which applies but to the exteriors.
Ground floor
The front door, on the south side, provides access to a kitchen, with its three openings on the garden side, as well as to a dining room. An adjoining lounge features double doors opening into a bedroom, with its shower room and its toilet. Another door opens into a vestibule leading to a second bedroom, with its bathroom, the dining room and a toilet. It also houses a stairway going up to the attic (95 m² laid out on the 2nd floor). Floors are covered with parquet flooring, tiles or carpet and ceilings are 3.4 m high.The pavilionCompletely separate from the flat, this recently renovated pavilion has the benefit of a part of the garden. Its contour and profile are extremely plain, enhanced but by dressed stone. The ground floor comprises a living room, with a ceiling almost 4 m high and three steps leading to a kitchen and a toilet. The kitchen also opens on to the garden. The stairway, going up from the living room, leads to the upper floor.
Ground floor
Double outside doors open into a living room. Three steps lead to a kitchen and to a toilet. The kitchen also opens on to the garden.
First floor
The stairway goes up to two bedrooms and a shower room with a toilet. There is parquet flooring throughout this level.