Argentan, La Basse Normandie 61200

A watermill and its millrace in a beautiful bucolic backdrop, nestled by the meanders of the River Orne in Normandy. A country road leads down through woods and meadows to a private lane that takes you to the dwelling. A large gate opens onto a paved driveway that leads to the watermill. There is a big wooden garage behind it. A millrace made of stone runs alongside one side of the house and harnesses the river water through two oak sluice gates that open to let tree trunks float to the sawmill. A large island lies in the river. Two wooden footbridges lead to it. Behind the house, a terrace with a view of the River Orne lies opposite a timber shed. The watermill is made of local stone. It offers a floor area of around 200m. Its hipped roof of flat tiles is punctuated with hipped dormers and skylights. One section of the roof is raised. A continuous balcony runs along the first floor. Two timber corbels support a canopy above the entrance door. On both sides of the house, a broad stone terrace runs alongside the lawn. A lime-rendered elevation is dotted with large windows fitted with shutters painted blue and French windows that lead out into the garden. This watermill has appeared on maps since 1881. Today, its waterwheel has gone. Before, the mill used the river's energy to saw wood. The waterwheel was opposite the lounge window. The sluice gates, the machinery of which is still here in place, would be opened so that logs could float along the millrace then be placed on a cart to be sawed. A saw blade, operated by the water's energy, stretched across the room where the lounge is today.