Avesnes-sur-Helpe, Calais 59440

A manor house in 12, 000-m tree-filled grounds, 100 km from Lille, in the Avesnois regional natural park. The manor house features on Cassini's famous map of 1754 and stands in walled grounds of more than 12, 000 m. It also possesses outbuildings and an estate keeper's cottage. Its general layout already featured on the first land registry published in 1806 mentioning the edifices, which could be reached by an entrance tower. The land registry of 1868 indicated that the main residence possessed 32 doors and windows. The elevations are made of rough-hewn blocks of shale and bricks for the western faade overlooking the courtyard, while the rear, east-facing faade is made of bricks and Tournai stone. The construction was overhauled in 1927 following a fire and the faades were rendered. This two-storey building has a floor surface of approximately 300 m. It also boasts a first floor and a convertible attic also measuring 300 m, as well as a barn and a lean-to. The tree-filled grounds, divided into ornamental gardens, boast tall, hundred-year-old trees. It also includes a 64-m estate keeper's cottage, which is currently unoccupied. The property is hidden away from prying eyes and only looms into sight after passing through the entrance gate.