Property Yvetot (76)

A bright, surprising house, with equestrian outbuildings, in 12 ha of undulating grounds between the river Seine and the Albâtre Coast, 170 km from Paris.
This property, in the Caux region, along the road to Le-Havre as well as the Normandy bridge and just a short distance from the A29 motorway, is in the Seine River Meanders Regional Nature Park. The river is but a few kilometres away and can be easily reached on a bicycle or on horseback via little lanes. The French capital is less than 2 hours away by train or via the A13 motorway. Yvetot and its train station, all schools and hypermarkets are 10 minutes away by car. The Albâtre Coast, Étretat and Dieppe are 35 km away. The nearest market town, with local shops, doctors and chemists, is 2 km away.
A little road winds its way through woods and grasslands to two brick pillars, supporting wrought iron gates. These open on to a long driveway bordered on either side by tall beech trees. On the slope of a valley, wooded on one side and looking out over grasslands on the other, it leads to impressive wrought iron gates. These are flanked by perimeter walls, built from brick and flint, and by the outbuildings that protect the residence, the landscaped garden and an enclosed area. Beyond are the surrounding woods and meadows, one of which hosts a vast outbuilding for horses.
The houseThis former coaching inn has been extended twice. The first time, it was made wider. The bricks of one facade and the arched openings were preserved. Then, a lower outbuilding was constructed in line with the original building. The current owners have totally renovated these premises throughout. The surrounds framing the openings, the quoins and the string courses, all made of brick, were preserved. The hip slate roof still has its roof dormers as well as a triangular, brick pediment, featuring a bull’s eye window. The outbuilding, however, was completely redesigned. By incorporating a vaulted, copper roof, a second level was created and very wide openings added.
Ground floor
Several openings have been added. A main entrance in the vaulted section is preceded by a large, curved porch, protected by a canopy of the same design. The original entrance was preserved for everyday use. It provides access to the utility rooms, including a boot room that opens on to the rear of the house. A wooden stairway and its wrought railings go up to the two levels, given over to the four bedrooms.
The tone is set for the more modern section as of the entrance hall. A stairway, with glass steps, is the middle of a vast area, illuminated via a light well. It follows the curve of the walls. On one side, a wide opening in a load-bearing wall leads to a little lounge in the oldest section. The richly carved, wooden fireplace, a wedding present, bears witness to the 19th century origin of the coaching inn.
On the other side, large French windows open into a vast lounge. A stone fireplace is flanked by arched windows and faces the panelled walls. Following on at right angles, a dining room is separated from a kitchen by an industrial-style partition. A very wide picture window has been installed along the length of these two rooms. It opens on to a terrace, paved with large flagstones, that overlooks the landscaped garden. The lie of the land conceals the swimming pool on a lower level and provides, above all, a view over the many plants and the activity of the animals housed in the outbuildings.
First floor
The landing, in the old section, provides access to a bathroom and a separate toilet. A bedroom, on either side, is extended by a study or a dressing room. The original, wide strip wooden flooring has been preserved.
In the modern section, with its light-coloured oak wood parquet flooring, a vast hall area is illuminated by a light well and arched windows. The walls follow the …