La Motte Des Ouches

Property Description

A 16TH-CENTURY MANOR HOUSE IN BURGUNDY

In Provency, in the Yonne department, La Motte des Ouches is laid out along a surprisingly precise axis. From the entrance gate, the eye is drawn to a library situated beneath 16th-century stone arcades, passes through the gardens, and then rests, beyond them, on the dovecote. This perspective reveals the layout of the property, where the main house, farm buildings, and outdoor spaces once formed a single cohesive whole. First mentioned in 1554, the manor has evolved over the centuries while retaining the spirit of its various eras. Stone, beams, terracotta floor tiles, irregular openings, and thick walls still define its character. Surrounding the house are a gravel courtyard, a mature orchard, landscaped gardens, a barn, and old stables that extend the home's presence.

A HOUSE BUILT IN LAYERS
The 250 m² of living space is divided among eight main rooms, including four bedrooms. The floor plan retains the layout of an old house, with rooms flowing into one another and spaces of varying proportions. The reception room, dining room, and library form the heart of the house. Stone, wood, terracotta tiles, and historic plasterwork lend the interiors their character. The 16th-century arcades are among the manor's most remarkable features. They create visual connections between the courtyard, the rooms, and the garden, while the stone spiral staircase evokes the building's age. The current owner, a California-based architect, acquired La Motte des Ouches in 2023 and undertook several renovation projects. The master bedroom and its bathroom were renovated, the roof was replaced, the electrical system was upgraded, and the bedrooms were equipped with air conditioning. These improvements enhanced the home's comfort while preserving its historic materials, spacious rooms, and elements inherited from its various eras. The contemporary features thus blend seamlessly with the existing structure.

ALONG THE AXIS OF THE DOVECOTE
Outside, the 4,700 m² of land includes a gravel courtyard, a landscaped garden, an orchard, and the former outbuildings. Set apart from the main structure, the swimming pool adds a more contemporary touch while preserving the character of the manor and its surroundings. From the house, the views open up to the various features of the property. In particular, a central axis runs through the entire property from the gate to the dovecote, creating continuity between the buildings and the outdoor spaces. The outbuildings include a stone barn, former stables, a wine cellar, a summer kitchen, and the dovecote. These various structures can retain their current use or be repurposed for new projects: a workshop, reception area, separate guest rooms, a workspace, or a space dedicated to a collection. They are an integral part of the property and offer numerous possibilities for renovation.

A BURGUNDY LOCATION
La Motte des Ouches is located in Provency, in the Yonne department, in the heart of Burgundy, where historic rural estates often combine a main house, farm buildings, a garden, and land behind a single gate.
The manor is fully in keeping with this landscape. Its stone walls, dovecote, old stables, and compact layout are inseparable from the land on which it was built. However, the architect-owner's vision offers a fresh perspective on this heritage. The house remains deeply Burgundian, while the restoration departs from the expected repertoire of the French country house. This approach is reflected in the property's overall balance: a historic residence on a domestic scale, outbuildings large enough to envision new uses, and generous grounds, always designed with everyday life in mind.

THE ADVISOR'S PERSPECTIVE
I particularly appreciate the way the architect's vision has transformed this house. His intervention has allowed it to adapt to a more contemporary way of life, while preserving its materials, proportions, and traces of its various eras. Comfort has been seamlessly integrated into the existing structure, without overshadowing the site's history. The outbuildings and remaining spaces now offer the same freedom: the freedom to imagine new uses and, in turn, to continue the transformation of La Motte des Ouches.
Alexis Mouchet