Description:

Superb location

* Heart of Le Mans

* 1650 property

* Tastefully modernised

* 3 bedroom + 3 bathroom house

If it's a city home you're looking for locations don't get much better than this:.. a stone's throw away from the Gothic Cathedral St. Julian of Le Mans in the heart of the historic 'Plantagenet City' this charming home dates back circa 1650. The oldest (and quietest) part of Le Mans with cobbled streets, quaint squares and an enormous selection of bistros and cafes the Plantagenet city watches over the Sarthe river to the North and with it's raised walkways and ramparts drops down to the famous cathedral and main square to the south.

This property was once home to the Monk's of the cathedral and the entrance to the underground passageway is still there in, what is now' wine cellar below the basement room. A traditional Mancelle house of solid stone construction with 4 habitable floors offering over 130m2 of space comfortably divided and with beams, exposed stone walls and original fireplaces throughout. A complete new rewiring, modernisation and mains drainage make this home an ideal lock and leave holiday home or permanent depending upon your requirements and with a 3 minute walk to local schools, shops, cafes, restaurants, three times-a-week famous 'Marche Jacobins' (authentic French gastronomy products 2 minutes walk away) etc. as well as direct access to Paris in circa 1h by TGV this is also an ideal investment for those wishing to enjoy all the trappings of the area (wine, countryside, 24h race, etc. etc.).

From the cobbled street we enter the hallway and then into the lounge/diner. I was instantly impressed with the large amount of natural light flooding in from the large double glazed windows both front and back. This room with it's exposed stone walls and timbers coupled with the large open fireplace gives an immediate glimpse back into days gone by and it's only the furniture and the now high level of comfort (mains gas heating, high speed internet and TV) that bring us back to the modern age. Steps up from this room lead past the wc to the well equipped galley kitchen with large windows overlooking the private courtyard (used as the al-fresco dining area). Stone stairs down from the lounge lead to the 'party room' this original vaulted room has a raised area above the wine cellar and has been used for long soirees with friends as the noise insulation thanks to the thick walls is superb, an ideal room for entertaining. The original wooden staircase leads up from the lounge to the first floor - here once used as a bedroom the 25m2 are now laid out as a second lounge/reading room with the private bathroom just off this room. This former bedroom is double aspect and again with feature fireplace, timbers and stone walls (both tuffeau and granite). Continuing up the stairs we have another bedroom; currently used as an office with the former bathroom now a fitness room and the large walk-in wardrobe/dressing room next to it.

The top floor is the master suite with double aspect and views of the rear of the cathedral on one side and over the rooftops towards the Sarthe river on the other. A large pitched/vaulted room with en-suite bathroom, bed area as well as plenty of room for a reading desk etc.

Outside the courtyard is decked and has a permanent BBQ and plenty of space for tables, chairs and parasol with again views of the rear of the cathedral. Free (or subsidized depending on availability of spaces) residential parking is close by with the option of renting (again reduced residency rates) town owned underground parking as well.

Viewings are highly recommended as this charming home combined with the peacefulness of the excellent location is guaranteed to please.

About Centre

Centre, like its neighbour the Pays de La Loire, is one the most majestic regions of France. Dominated by the Loire river and its chateaux, it is truly a magical part of France. Chartres, Blois and Bourges are some of the region's historic cities. Between Orleans and Tours is where you will see hundreds of magnificent chateaux, and this is where the region was given its name the "Valley of the Kings".

The scenery offers rolling hills, river valleys through to many forests, woodlands and lakes.

There are plenty of activities on offer from chateau tours, cycling, bird-watching, fishing, golf, hot-air ballooning, canoeing to kayaking. Of course the food and wines are excellent.

The area offers a mild climate thanks to the influence of the Loire river. The latitude of the Loire is typically where people say the climate becomes markedly better. The area offers milder winters, warm springs, warm to hot summers along with warm autumns.

Access to the region is good. There are low cost flights and the TGV fast train into Tours. Access to the region by car is also good with excellent motorway access. You can also fly into Paris and drive or take the train from there.

The Healey Fox Service
With more than 30 years experience of the French property market the team at Healey Fox offer an efficient and professional service to anyone looking to buy a home in France. The company is based in Surrey in the U.K., where we are always happy to meet with prospective buyers. In France, we work with carefully selected bi-lingual agencies who have intimate knowledge of their areas and properties and will be on hand to assist you during your visits and throughout the purchasing process.
The team in the U.K. is headed by Dan Brewer who was educated in France and has lived and worked there. We have huge knowledge of the country and are always happy to help you to choose the right area for your personal needs and to help you select properties to suit your requirements. Once all that is sorted we will make viewing appointments with our partner agents who will show you selected properties and help you find the right one to buy. Throughout the purchase process both the team in the U.K. and the agents in France will work with you to ensure a safe, efficient and pleasurable buying experience.
If this is the service you are looking for, not only have you found it with Healey Fox but the good news is, it is free! You pay exactly the same commission to the French agent for the purchase as if you walked in off the street, the agent then shares that commission with us.
If a professional, free service is what you would like, call us, email us or check out our houses online.
The Healey Fox website has over 3,000 property listings across France, as well as a comprehensive news section covering the different aspects of buying, owning a property and living in France. There are also sections covering French mortgages, money transfers to France and other useful information about buying in this magical country.