Brive-La-Gaillarde, Limousin, Address available on request

A 17th-century manor house, its outbuildings and 21 hectares of grounds between Limoges and Brive. A lime tree lined driveway off the road towards Pompadour leads to the elongated residence, which comes into view behind a plane tree of the same age. The caretaker's house is hidden by greenery and its terrace overlooks the garden. To the right of the perimeter wall that encloses the property, an orangery and a corner turret complete the picture in a harmonious blend of shapes and materials.
The history of the house goes back to 1639, when it was decided to build a forge that would in fact produce up to 30 tonnes of steel a year for two centuries. The house also served as a hunting lodge for an eminent family, member of the court of King Louis Xiii. Finally, in 1907, the property became a place of creative writing and education, which has influenced generations of readers to this day.
This Périgord-style, flat-tiled residence is three storeys high. Its double facade is punctuated by numerous large, small-paned windows and glass doors, illuminating the interior and providing direct access to the outdoors. Each opening has retained its solid or louvered wooden shutters.
The main facade, on the east side, faces the parkland at its centre, a double wooden door topped by a tiled canopy opens onto a hallway with the start of a staircase. The western facade overlooks a former water mill a few metres below.