At the Manoir, there are taverns, concerts, farmers' markets, thrift stores, tattoos, guest rooms…
Well, I admit, there are a few first names missing from the title. Nina brings life to the Grand Fumechon, certainly, but she is not alone in that. Let's do justice to Brian, Ilan and Isaac, the three men in his life. They all have a role to play, at the Manoir de Fumechon. In the next two articles, I will introduce you to Brian and Ilan. Issac wasn't around when I went to my friends' house. This summer, he ran the manor's thrift store, located at the foot of the house, in a vintage caravan. Brian, as I told you before (see article from 04/11), he is the head tattooist. You will meet him tomorrow. As for Ilan, he is the estate manager. This will be our last meeting of the week, Friday. Well, let's go back to the fireside, with Nina.
A NEW HOUSE
Before coming across the Manoir de Fumechon, the little family visited some castles. None were suitable, so what could have seduced them here more than elsewhere? I ask Nina the question, she has some obvious answers to give me. The building is already new. Okay, I'm exaggerating a bit. Let's say that, for a castle, it is new. Originally, a castle was built here in 1832. A huge thing, covered in land as far as the eye could see. A castle that did not have an easy life, since it burned down twice. The second fire, during the Second World War, completely got the better of him. Never mind, the owner had it rebuilt, in the form of a manor. Work completed in 1950. Monuments like this, so recent, there are almost none. So, we will say that it is new. With all the interest of the recent; the walls are sound and well insulated. To tell you, in terms of energy class, we are in C! Connoisseurs will appreciate it. That's a significant attraction, when you have 700 m² to heat. Another advantage, the main roads are just a stone's throw away, it is super easy to access. And then what, you saw the photo, in yesterday's article, the building is magnificent!
A GUINGUETTE AND CONCERTS
But then? What to do with such a place? Do we start from the inside or from the outside? It's up to you… Come on, let's go for a walk in the park. I pity the guy who mows. I hope the lawn tractor has it in its belly, because the garden here is 50,000 m². 5 hectares, if you prefer. With outbuildings which already accommodate a few artists. A photographer and a furniture makeover, in particular. And then there is the tavern which takes over the lawns on sunny days. The large barn which houses the bar was found to be too small from the first season of operation. No worries, there is a good chance that next summer the bar will have taken a circular shape, to avoid queues. The lawns also have pretty groves in the background. The project is to dig a stage in one of these massifs. Just so that the concerts which will follow one another at the Manoir are really embedded in the greenery. Come on, it's starting to get cold, let's get warm.
TATTOO AND COFFEE
The Manor has 13 bedrooms and 13 bathrooms. Part of it is used to accommodate family and friends. For others, they are guest rooms. When you cross the threshold of the large building, you can choose to take the direction of the tattoo parlor on the right. The one I'll show you around tomorrow with Brian. If you wish, you can turn left, just to sit in the large central room, the epicenter of the place. A bar, a fireplace, very comfortable armchairs. There, we take the time to relax, sip a hot arabica while letting our eyes pass through the window to wander through the park. I, being curious, noticed the small adjoining room. We go down one or two steps and dream. This room too, I'll take you there tomorrow. Because it will still be time for me to introduce Nina to her man. If I find it, the Brian!