The property is set in 9 hectares of its own park and woodland amidst France's largest natural forest. This is the territory of lynx, wild boar and eagles - it is possible to get lost here.

The land sits on a promontory that has been occupied by Celts and later the Romans. Not only was the site defendable, but situated between two iron-ore bearing streams, and with endless forests for fuel and shelter, it was ideal. These forests contain many springs emerging at varying temperatures, and containing different minerals. They are still exploited in the curing of cardio-vascular conditions, and recognised for these qualities by the French Social Security system. Vittel and Contrexeville, with their internationally recognised mineral water sources, are a few kilometres away.

The present house was originally built in the early nineteenth century for the manager of the Manufacture de Bains situated further down the hillside. Following the Celtic tradition of ironworking, this establishment was appointed by Napoleon to make the nails for his army's horses' shoes. Much of the original feudal village has been restored with great taste and at considerable expense as an equestrian centre. The Manufacture was so successful that the manager was able to add a ballroom, chapel (with resident priest), fairytale tower, and terracing. Stable and carriage blocks were added (today used as car garaging), together with a guardian's house.

The immediate grounds consist of just over 2 hectares (around 5 acres) of mature parkland - some of the giant sequoias are over a hundred years old - and growing! Although several types of evergreen are grown, there are silver birches, a large magnolia to herald the Spring, and a particularly splendid Indian Bean Tree to echo warm summers. These trees are the natural habitat of birds and animals that normally only appear in nature books - kites, waxwings, firecrests and red squirrels.

The front of the house is approached via large wrought-iron security gates and a circular paved drive. There is garaging for several cars. It is possible to drive a maintenance vehicle to the rear through the tree-covered walkways. Established hedges give added privacy to this relaxation and fun area. This south-facing side's dominating feature is an immense tree-surrounded lawn nearly 200 metres long. The house was built with this lawn as a major feature, and the principal rooms have been designed with this in mind.

At the end of the park there is a path leading to 7 hectares of wild, rocky nature reserve with a trout stream as one boundary. Local deer and other wildlife have come to recognise that the present owner will protect them from the hunters' guns even though grants are available for exploitation of the timber.

The house has had a happy history. This is due to a number of factors - the farsightedness of the original owners, the lightness of touch of the architects, the situation on the hillcrest with the consequent panoramas in all directions, the tree-oxygenated air, the pure spring waters, but above all, the attitude of the local Vosgian people.

Perhaps the major development this century has been the building of a heated indoor pool. The current owner has had the entire house lovingly restored by local craftsmen under the full-time supervision of a professional architect. All electrical wiring, plumbing, and heating has been replaced, as have all pool pumps, filters and heating. The original parquet floors were taken apart piece by piece, numbered, cleaned and relaid. Most bedrooms have been given their own newly-tiled en suite facilities. The house has been completely redecorated, carpeted and curtained. The rooms are light, airy and spacious. Those on the ground floor have high ceilings with the traditional plaster decorations tenderly renewed.

The entire house is underlaid by high, vaulted cellars. Access to them is either from the outside or from internal stairs near the kitchen. Wide stone stairs lead up to both the front and rear doors.

The ground floor consists of eleven rooms. These lead from a wide, tiled entrance hall that runs front to rear and include the swimming pool, games room, covered verandah, utility room, large fitted kitchen, fitted office, dining room, library, drawing room, and ballroom. Fireplaces have been rebuilt throughout using local materials and stonemasons. Stairs leading to the first and second floors sweep up from the entrance hall.

The first floor has nine rooms including the chapel and a large bathroom in the tower that is en suite to the master bedroom. The chapel floor has been completely relaid using the method described above and employing several hardwoods. It complements the decorations of the chapel perfectly. Passing through the chapel it is possible to access the service stairs. These lead up to the priest's bedroom above the chapel. Next to this there is an outdoor rooftop terrace with panoramic views of the valley below and endless forests on the distant hills. These stairs lead down to an office overlooking the park, and to the kitchen and service entrance to the house.

The second floor consists of two bedrooms and a fully fitted and tiled bathroom and toilet with a landing.

In summary - the main house contains 12 bedrooms, there are 7 bathroom/showers, and three toilets on the ground floor, plus a shower for the pool. Copies of the architect's floor plans are available.

Bains-les-Bains is directly accessible from Nice, Nancy, Paris and the Benelux countries by rail. There is an air commuter service to Paris from Epinal airport (25kms.). Amsterdam and Calais are about 5 hours away by motorway. Germany and Switzerland are on the other side of the mountains. The Canal de l'Est links Northern Europe with the Mediterranean for quite large yachts and passes the foot of the hill.

Email us if you are seriously interested.