Auxerre, Burgundy 89000

In Burgundy, an hour and ten minutes from Paris, an 18th century mansion house. This mansion house stands in the midst of extensive wooded, enclosed parklands in the middle of the town. Spiked, wrought iron gates open into parklands, laid out in a French formal manner and bordered by old walls, pleasantly covered with wisteria and vines. In front of the residence is a parterre planted with old roses. Various species of tall trees, over a hundred years old, set the tone. Behind the building is a small, medieval vegetable garden, planted with different herbs.Historical background This mansion house was built in 1780 as part of the major urban planning works, including the construction of the town hall and the development of the banks of the river Yonne, that took place in the town in the 18th century.A middle-class home, it stands but a few metres from the political and military decision-making centres and accommodated such illustrious characters as Prince Ferdinand-Philippe, Duke of Orlans, oldest son of King Louis-Philippe. A private ball was held in his honour in the mansion house's staterooms.This historic property was then lived in by Fernand-Schneider, a great military character, one of whose sons married one of the daughters of Jacques-Chaband-Delmas. The Schneider family remained here until 2010.