Deal done! Julien Cohen buys the Auberge de la Beursaudière and continues to expand his reach in Burgundy

The purchase of the Auberge de la Beursaudière in Nitry (Yonne) is about to be finalized. With this new acquisition, Julien Cohen puts one more foot in Yonne, after the Hôtel de la Poste and the Maison des Brocanteurs in Avallon. The antique dealer explains to us the reasons for this buying fever in the region.

Added! One more war prize for Julien Cohen in Yonne. The famous antiques dealer is finalizing the purchase of the Auberge de la Beursaudière, in Nitry. A new acquisition which adds to the list of properties of the businessman in Icaunais lands.

As a reminder, the man with the blue glasses notably took possession of the Hôtel de la Poste in Avallon and the Relais Fleuri in Sauvigny-le-Bois. He is also the owner of the Maison des brocanteurs d’Avallon and an old church, transformed into an antiques shop in Vézelay.

It was during the work to rehabilitate the Hôtel de la Poste that Julien Cohen had the opportunity to take escapades outside the Avalonnais.

“I had dinner and lunch several times at La Beursaudière as part of the renovation which lasted 15 months”confides the antique dealer.

“At the time, the hotel restaurant was not open so I went there often. One thing led to another, and we came to discuss La Beursaudière and its future with the owners. Very quickly, Serge and Nanou told me that Beursaudière was for sale, but that they wouldn’t sell to just anyone.”

Like a sign of destiny, according to Julien Cohen, Serge one of the co-owners had already thought of him: “Before I came to his house, Serge told me that he really wanted to call me to come see his establishment.”

During these meals, the former host of the show Affaire Conclue was completely won over by the place. “Beyond being a hotel, it is also almost a flea market and antiques store”he confides with undisguised enthusiasm.

“It’s an accumulation of lots of objects with remarkable architecture even though it was built less than 40 years ago, for the hotel part. We have the impression that there are 200 years of history . When you are there you don’t have the impression that it was built 40 years ago. That’s what I found remarkable.

If there are still some papers to sign, Julien Cohen affirms, the buyout is good “effective”. The antiques dealer submitted his first offer to the couple eight months ago. From there, it sometimes had to be a bit of a struggle, as the property is so priceless in the eyes of the owners.

“When you have put so much energy, so much sweat, so much blood into a building and into a story like this, it is very difficult to mourn. and to say to ourselves that we are going to retire”includes Julien Cohen. “The most recalcitrant was not Serge, but Nanou, even though she has already been a little withdrawn from this activity for several years. She is attached to it as one would be attached to a child. It was very difficult for Nanou and it still is.”

Since then, things have settled down a bit and goodbyes are getting closer. Julien Cohen and the Beursaudière teams organized the traditional Saint-Pig festival for Friday, November 29. The future owner has fun: “Can you imagine a Cohen who organizes Saint Pig’s Day? It’s not nothing. I organized it under the leadership of Nanou. Usually this is only done in a room, but thanks to an appeal on social networks , we did this in two rooms. Nanou was delighted to tip the hat to such a wonderful event.

I’m going to continue the story, not change it.

If Serge and Nanou’s adventure ends with a tradition, the antique dealer intends to continue with the same values. “It is an adventure that will not be upset”he says. “We are not going to change much about the Beursaudière because people come for what she is: a very good gourmet restaurant with sincere and fresh people. We are going to stay in this spirit, we are only going to change the chairs in the restaurant and we are going to add six rooms because there is a small building in which they already had a project. There are already the plans, everything is already written.”

Julien Cohen now has properties well distributed in Yonne. But it was from Nièvre that he nourished his ambitions. “When I set foot somewhere I tend to be a little bulimic”recognizes the antique dealer. “I was in Nièvre for 15 years and each time, I took my friends to Vézelay on the weekend. At the time I bought the Saint-Étienne church in Vézelay to turn it into a boutique. antiques and a wine cellar I know how to do it, but for the cellar it was more complicated because I don’t know the difference between a Pétrus and a grenadine. Morin, our wine merchant, we created a beautiful cellar and a beautiful store.”

In Avallon, Julien Cohen also opened one of his second-hand shops. At the same time, he bought and rehabilitated the slaughterhouses on Rue de Lyon. Today, the place brings together 12 second-hand dealers and is very successful. “They are all very good friends now, whereas usually we are more of a profession that does its own business”he smiles.

“From now on, all six buildings are taken over. The elders thank me by telling me that before, rue de Lyon was empty and now when we arrive on Saturday we can’t find a place. This gives us pleases.”

Bringing new life and dynamism to small provincial towns is a bit of my leitmotif. These are challenges that I like, beyond the fact that I am passionate about architecture and France. I love our architectural and artisanal heritage.

The businessman does not hide it, he is always hungry for new acquisitions. And Burgundy could still be his hunting ground. “Yes, there are other projects in progress. I am looking for hotels in the same spirit as mine.”