Villa for sale in 2 Rue De La Belle Fontaine, 52120 Châteauvillain, France

Architecture, style, privacy and detailing are the key words that typify this special estate called 'Château Bellefontaine'. Situated in a beautiful, architect-designed French park garden, with a total plot size of 4.4 hectares.

On the border of the Champagne and Burgundy stitch, in the hamlet 'La Forge' near the medieval town of Châteauvillain, the gently sloping road leads to an electrically operated double metal gate. As soon as the gate is opened remotely, the driveway with its monumental lime trees opens up. Behind it is the breathtakingly beautiful country house. On the estate there is also a coach house with a luxurious second home, a barn with a large attic and the well house with an adjacent laundry room. Furthermore, there are two small gate houses, a carport for 4 cars and a stone barn.

Neither costs nor efforts have been spared to restore this beautiful country house and the outbuildings from 2004 to 2015 entirely in the style of yesteryear. A comfortable and contemporary finish has been applied as well. The materials used have been chosen with care. Words can hardly describe all the details that will enthral the connoisseur and enthusiast here time and again. Unique in character, timeless in appearance and multifunctional in use and habitation. We would like to introduce you to this beautiful object.
The country house with outbuildings was originally built in 1840-1845 and has a capacity of 1,475 m3 and offers 425 m2 of living space. The ground floor rooms are situated around the central hall with a semicircular staircase that continues to the attic. All living quarters have large and high windows on all sides. This makes the rooms wonderfully light and the view grand. The high ceilings with ornaments and mouldings emphasise the cachet. The large living room has French doors to the park garden and an adjoining dining room. The kitchen diner has a u-shaped kitchen layout with facilities for the amateur chef and an adjoining TV workroom. On the first and second floor there are eight (bed) rooms and three bathrooms. The third floor is a large attic space.

The country house was built in 1840 with thick and traditional facades. The overhangs, gutters, the wooden doors and frames have rich detailing and the windows have rod division. All installations were renewed in the years 2004-2010. The heating system runs on the in 2004 installed oil fired Viessmann boiler in combination with 3 heat pumps. There are 2 electric water heaters for hot water in the bathrooms and the kitchen. The water supply also has a Culligan anti-lime and chlorine water filter. This is inspected twice a year and is connected directly to the main water supply. The hot water circuit also has a circulation system for instant hot water. The country house has an alarm system and new electrical installation with a meter cupboard with 50 groups and earth leakage switches. The sewage system is connected to the septic tank built according to the modern O standard.

The coach house was completely restored in 2003-2005 and is accessible through the estate and also through its own entrance gate. This building of 185 m2 was given a new roof in 2003. It is heated by a heat pump and has underfloor heating for the most part. The living area is on the ground floor with a living room and open kitchen. The room has windows on three sides. The high semicircular doors in the rear facade give direct access to the garden and the large pond of the estate. In the entrance hall there is a toilet/shower room and on the floor there are two (bed) rooms and a bathroom. Next to the house is a large indoor barn (100 m2) with a floored attic. The space lends itself to be used as a fully independent guesthouse, office/practice or occupied by teenagers or parents.
The plot is 44,100 m2 and enclosed by the restored stone wall with the authentic large sand coloured Bourgogne stones covered with roof tiles. And partially by a double hornbeam hedge with new Heras fencing. The plot is hardly visible from the road which emphasises the privacy of the whole.

On the site are several parking spaces and under the newly built carport can be parked 4 cars. The driveway, site paving and terraces are made of sandy-coloured fine gravel. Everywhere there is room for large dining tables, lovely lounge seating, sun beds and chairs. The 12 orb trees on either side of the house are natural parasols that let in deliciously diffuse sunlight.

The pavilions next to the gate are former coachmen's houses, so the entrance door of these buildings is outside the park gate. The gatehouse on the left has been restored and furnished as a summer/yacht kitchen. The stainless steel kitchen top is 2.5 m long and has two sinks and a hot and cold water tap. There are also connections for fridge and freezer. The insulated attic space can be reached via the spiral staircase. The second gate house is authentic and in use as a storage room and bicycle room. The detached stone barn can be used as a garage or as storage space.
The park garden has been designed and laid out by the current owners completely under architecture. The central axis of the grounds runs from the middle of the entrance gate through the middle of the manor house. Then the central axis cuts through the artwork at the back of the park garden to end in a climbing rose against the eastern garden wall. The landscape design is symmetrical and executed in a French style. In order to provide structure and tranquillity, 5,000 boxwood and yew hedges have been planted. The hedges are robust and tightly designed. Within the hedges, English-style planting has been installed with more than 3,000 plants, including trees, rose borders and various types of shrubs. The whole has a beautiful spaciousness. The depth is emphasised by the long lines of sight.

The estate has its own vegetable garden, flower and herb garden and an orchard with various types of fruit trees. The grounds are surrounded by farmland that accentuates the country-life feeling. In the left part of the park garden is a spacious fishpond of 3,000 m2 with large carp, trout and many smaller fish species. The large trees give it the atmosphere and look as if nature itself had shaped it. The pond is fed by a natural spring. This gives the right to fish here without a permit.

A particularly attractive feature of the estate is the presence of literally inexhaustible springs, which flow into the pond. The well house contains the canalised water well, which now houses 15 pumps. One for the heat pump, which heats the entire coach house. Three pumps for the garden irrigation and one spare pump. The 3 garden pumps are connected to 3 watering units with a total of 25 taps, which is ideal in times of drought. The pond and the springs date from before the Napoleonic cadastral maps, in which they are indicated as 'les belles fontaines' (the beautiful springs). The estate owes its name to this.
Next to the manor house, there is a playing field for, for example, football. This is also an ideal location for a swimming pool or placing a stretch tent for a party or wedding. In the garden there is also a large chicken run with night shelter. On the other side of the house, in the same style, there is a dog run.
The charming town of Châteauvillain has a medieval past and is located on the banks of the Aujon. It is best known for its original castle park of 272 hectares and is very popular with hikers and cyclists. In the forest area, there is a fallow deer park where a hundred or so deer roam freely. For nature and hunting enthusiasts, there is the Fair of Hunting and Nature (Plaisirs de la Chasse et de la Nature), which is held every last weekend of August in Châteauvillain's Fallow Deer Park, with annually changing themes.

In the centre of the town is the town hall and basic services. Such as the supermarket, hairdressers, bakery, cafe, computer shop, bank, post office, primary and secondary schools and medical care.
Chateauvillain is ideally situated on the A31 motorway, the 'autoroute du Soleil' between the north and south of France at 17 km from the A5 motorway (exit 23). The département Haut-Marne is characterised by nature (50% forest - 50% landscape), peace, space, clean air, no polluting industry, no extreme weather conditions. There is a lot of beautiful weather, hours of sunshine. Chateauvillain is situated in the heart of the 11th National Park of France (Parc National de Forêts). With walking and cycling routes, bridle paths and at 20 km in Arc-en-Barrois a golf course and near Langres at 40 km with several lakes with water sports activities. In the town of Chaumont, 20 km away, there is a train station with a direct connection to Troyes (83 km) and Paris (200 km), where the international airport is also located. Also the cities of Geneva (225 km) and the winter sports areas of Chamonix and Les Deux Alpes are at about 300 km easy to drive. From Maastricht, via the A31,490km, Amsterdam at 630km via Brussels Reims. Also ideally situated for a stopover from the Netherlands to southern France.

Layout Country house:
The double front door with two, behind elegant wrought iron, opening windows give access to the central hall with antique floor tiles. Immediately upon entering, the pleasant light in the house can be experienced. The light and the view are present in all rooms. The distinguished circular staircase, with profiled wrought iron between the decorated wooden handrails, provides access to the top floor. From the hall, all the living quarters are accessible, as well as the toilet with fountain.
The double doors of the large living room emphasise the symmetry that is repeated with the double garden doors to the park garden. The living room is attractive because of the oak parquet floor and the fireplace in Burgundy stone with the high efficiency wood burner. The high plaster ceilings are finished with mouldings. The profiled door frames with panel doors and high windows with eight panes emphasize the style and charm of the room. There is a large passage to the dining room, which also has high windows on three sides and a door to the central hall. The room offers space for a real family table with 10 or 12 chairs. From the living room there is a door to the TV workroom, which is in the same style and finish as the living and dining room. This multifunctional room has an oak parquet floor in Hungarian point and a view of the side and back garden. There is also a door to the kitchen.

The kitchen is located to the left of the entrance and has a u-shaped cherry wood kitchen arrangement. The black granite worktop has two working heights which is ideal for the hobby cook. Care has also been taken with the equipment. This consists of a De Dietrich intermediate cooker with 6 gas burners, an electric grill plate, a large and a small electric oven. In the chimney is the corresponding extractor fan. Furthermore, there is a Miele combi microwave and Miele dishwasher and two refrigerators. In short, everything is prepared for fine cooking.
The walls and floors are tiled with authentic Austrian tiles from the 30s. The kitchen offers space for a dining table overlooking the front garden. From the kitchen, double doors lead to a platform with 5 steps to the garden and terraces.

1st floor:
The spacious landing has double garden doors to the balcony at the front of the house. The entire floor has wooden floors. From the landing there is a passage to a large bedroom/study with sunny yellow painted walls and two built-in cupboards. The spacious master bedroom has two large windows and a double door with a French balcony overlooking the park garden. Of course, all the luxury in its own private quarters. There is an adjoining dressing area and a luxurious bathroom with double washbasin and mirror cabinets, a large walk-in shower room with rain and hand shower, equipped with a hard glass wall with sliding door. On both sides is a panel door. Behind the right door is the toilet and on the left is cupboard space.
On the other side of the landing, a passage leads to a third bedroom/study with a black marble fireplace. Furthermore, there is a spacious guest toilet and a bathroom furnished as a laundry room with connections for washer and dryer. The electric boiler provides hot water to the bathrooms on this side of the house.

2nd floor:
From the large landing there is also a spacious bedroom located at the rear. Also in this room the three large windows overlook the garden. Behind a panel door is a washbasin. If desired, this can be extended to an extra bathroom. Furthermore, the room has a closet and a large wardrobe.
From the landing, the library room is on the left. This room leads to a hallway that provides access to two bedrooms. Between these rooms is the second bathroom. Modernly finished with a semi-circular shower cabin, a washbasin and a toilet.
From the landing, a corridor on the other side leads to two bedrooms and the third bathroom. This one has a bathtub with shower facilities, a washbasin and a toilet.
The round spiral staircase then leads to the 3rd floor where, behind a door, the floored attic space is located. The skylights provide for sunny light.
Under the kitchen and TV workroom of the ground floor is a large cellar. Here is the technical room. With c.v. Boiler, electric water heater, installations for heat pump, alarm, hot water circulation pump water filter etc.

The imposing chateau has an extensive history and there is much to tell about all the details. However, only a personal experience can convey the true beauty.
Do you feel attracted to a royal life on this estate. Please contact us for additional information and a viewing. You are most welcome.