Gallardon, Centre-Val de Loire 28320

A Renaissance dwelling, listed as a Historical Monument, with a garden and medieval cellars, 75 minutes west of Paris, in Gallardon. Known as the 'Fiefdom of the Marmosets', built above three levels of vaulted medieval cellars and nestled between the street and the garden, the dwelling's carved timber-framed façade represents a stunning testament to the decorative whimsy and technical craftsmanship of woodworking artisans in the early 16th century, while portraits of such notable figures as François I and Claude de France, as well as their respective emblems, the salamander and the swan, support the hypothesis of a link with the artisans who worked on the ornamentation of the pavilions erected on the historic occasion of the Field of the Cloth of Gold. As for its interior, it features rooms articulated around a central spiral staircase, whereas visible ceiling beams, timber framing, original terracotta floor tiles, parquet and colourful diamond-patterned stained-glass windows create a stunning décor, which has been faithfully restored over the centuries. With four storeys, the dwelling, of approximately 400 m², includes an immense living area, a large library and a game room, four bedrooms, including one located in the extra attic space and two studies, while several significant renovation projects were conducted over the past couple of decades under the supervision of Bâtiments de France architects. Lastly, in the back, a walled garden, of approximately 400 m² and facing south towards Gallardon's rooftops as well as the valley, extends the living areas to the outdoors, whereas, facing the property, a separate garage, of nearly 65 m², is large enough to accommodate two vehicles.