Chartres, Centre-Val de Loire 28000

A spacious, contemporary house in a historic town with a garden on the banks of the River Eure, perfect for canoeing and relaxation, 1 hour west of Paris. The house is in a quiet one-way street, and is easily accessible by car after passing under a centuries-old bridge spanning the river, below the cathedral. A famous collegiate church a little further down the road has been transformed into a cultural centre. The building is a former primary school surrounded by stone walls topped with 19th century railings and a large old double-leaf gate. You cross the old playground to enter the recently refurbished brick and stone building. The ground floor facade is encased in a glazed veranda that rises up towards the old attic floor: a contemporary reference to Palladio's colossal order. There are nine low-arched windows surrounded by brick and topped by four roof dormers with hanging windows and triangular pediments that open up the slate roof.