Moussey, Ardennes 10800

An elegant, 19th-century manor house and its garden, five minutes from Troyes and 1.5 hours from Paris. Completely enclosed by walls, the property is accessible via a pedestrian gate that opens on to a path that leads to the dwelling and its outbuilding, while the edifice's undeniably symmetrical design recalls other manor houses found throughout the Champagne countryside, which were built in the late 19th century, a period when the surrounding agricultural prosperity gave rise to these dwellings in which modern comfort went hand in hand with elegant architecture. As for the two-storey dwelling, it is cadenced by brick or pale stone horizontal stripes, highlighting the building's proportions, whereas its arched brick window/door surrounds provide a polychromous touch and its quoins accentuate an impression of solidity. With tall, low-arched windows safeguarded by wooden shutters, in the middle of the dwelling a couple of front steps lead to its oak double-door entrance, while the dwelling's understated appeal is showcased by two brick chimneys, which emerge from its flat tile hipped roof. Surrounded by vast grounds, the dwelling also includes a glazed extension, which was discreetly added to the back, allowing the historical edifice to retain its charming allure from the street.