Ref.4298 : French estate for sale in Normandy
We are in Normandy, in the heart of the Normandie-Maine Regional Nature Park, invited to share a few acres of the largest forest in Normandy. A rare domesticated clearing in the middle of more than 8,000 hectares of state-owned woodland combining deciduous and coniferous trees, this estate, rich in history, boasts an exceptional ecological environment and exceptional flora and fauna. A haven of peace if there ever was one, both close to and far from the hustle and bustle of civilisation, this property magically offers an exceptional setting for families and professionals alike, inspiring artists, craftsmen, horse riders, hunters ... or simply admirers of a highly preserved natural environment.
With all amenities and services less than three leagues away, the estate remains unaffected by the vicissitudes of modern life, allowing anyone to live here permanently, partially or simply as a holiday home.
A royal forest for over 800 years, a rich part of the Armorican massif, a jewel in the crown of Orne's heritage... welcome to Ecouves!

Three stories, one of which is attic space, provide approx. 400sqm of living space:
Ground floor : central main entrance hall (28sqm) facing the tower containing a noble wooden stairway leading to the first floor. On the right: vast kitchen/dining room (32sqm) equipped with a beautiful Godin stove. Adjoining utility room with boiler room; storeroom and wc. On the left: large tiled lounge (43sqm) with open fireplace (stove) - exposed beams. Next: two small rooms used as a library and study, measuring 18 and 14 sqm respectively.
1st floor : On the right-hand side, landing giving access to the private flats comprising a large bedroom (28 m²) with shower room, dressing room, linen room and toilet. On the left, through corridor giving access to 3 bedrooms (17, 18 and 26 m²) bearing the effigy of the 3 former owners and equipped with shower room/wc. Simple wooden staircase leading to the2nd floor.
2nd floor : landing leading on the right to a large bedroom (28 sqm) with adjoining annexe; a bedroom (16 sqm) in the tower. On the left, bedroom (16 sqm). Further attic (26 sqm); corridor with separate shower room and separate toilet.

The estate comprises 3 outbuildings:
the gite;
a small house used for farming;
the old glassworks.

THE GITE :
In 2010, the building to the south-east of the dwelling was completely refurbished and converted into a gite for 12 people, with around 133sqm of living space, as follows:
Ground floor: fitted kitchen (15 sqm) / dining room with sitting area equipped with a wood-burning stove. Wooden staircase. Underfloor gas heating. Butagaz tank rented).
Mid-floor: bathroom and wc.
1st floor: double bedroom / double bedroom / double bedroom - bathroom-wc.
2nd floor: 2 double bedrooms with sloping ceilings / shower room-wc. wc with outside access - Septic tank with sewage system. Utility room in basement.

THE SMALL HOUSE :
A small, single-storey limestone building with a fibre cement "Eternit" roof; it now houses a number of loose boxes.

LA VERRERIE :
An architectural and historical landmark of the first rank, with oversized premises that housed up to 230 workers in its heyday in 1865.
The ground floor was used as a workshop, with 2 wood-burning furnaces until a steam engine was installed around 1871. The workshop was a large sandstone building with a flat tile hipped roof and recessed brick and granite windows. The first floor was divided between the owner's accommodation, made of rendered limestone rubble with a slate gable roof, and the workers' accommodation, made of rendering, sandstone and limestone, with an exposed wooden frame.
This building housed the largest glassworks in Normandy, where a large number of carafes, goblets, wine glasses, oil dispensers and other chemical items were produced in admirable colours (white, blue, green)..... Some of these exceptionally beautiful pieces are still on the estate, where they will forever bear witness to Norman savoir-faire.
Enhanced by superb brick arches and stone paving, the building is ideal for the most ambitious projects, which architects and artists alike were sure to implement. Today, the glassworks houses several stables, a tack room, a workshop, a vehicle parking area and a vast storage area.

The property enjoys an exceptional setting thanks to its central position on the land, which gives it an uninterrupted 360° view over beautiful espalier pastures, with the beech and oak forests of the Ecouves massif as a backdrop. A private footpath runs around the entire property and offers several direct entrances to the national forest. Although the majority of the land is grassland, a wooded area to the south remains part of the estate (1.50 ha).... and, in addition to a few beehives, is home to a wide variety of wildlife (woodcock, rabbits, deer, etc.).
There's no shortage of water, with springs and pools teeming with enthusiasts of all kinds of fur and feathers.
Perfectly suited to horses because of the quality of their grass and the natural drainage they benefit from, the pastures have been laid out as paddocks enclosed by wooden fences and containing a number of appropriate shelters.
Chickens are also catered for, with a secure enclosure.
The property's immediate surroundings are planted with trees (maple, lime, Douglas fir, birch, sequoia, spruce, prunus, etc.), and numerous fruit trees (apple, plum, pear, cherry, etc.).
Leaving the main road, you come to a further plot of grassland, which slopes peacefully down to a lovely 1,600 m² pond teeming with fish (carp, roach, trout, etc.) and even crayfish, attesting to the quality of the surrounding biotope. Fed by a masonry spring, this pond serves as a "fire reserve", in accordance with current regulations.
The property is protected by the "Natura 2000" label, which ensures its long-term protection.
The whole represents an area of 13ha 66a 19ca free from any nuisance.

Cabinet LE NAIL - Lower-Normandy - Mr Eric DOSSEUR : +33 (0)2.43.98.20.20
Eric DOSSEUR, Individual company, registered in the Special Register of Commercial Agents, under the number 409 867 512 .
We invite you to visit our website Cabinet Le Nail to browse our latest listings or learn more about this property.

Information on the risks to which this property is exposed is available at: www.georisques.gouv.fr