At the heart of a charming historic village in France’s Vienne department—between the vibrant cities of Tours and Châtellerault—stands a one-of-a-kind architectural treasure. This 1890s Art Nouveau villa, commissioned by Rodolphe Salis (founder of Montmartre’s famed Le Chat Noir) for his muse Marie-Louise Boulanger, whispers stories of the Belle Époque from every ornate windowpane and carved cornice.
The villa is attributed to Henri Deglane, a celebrated architect of the Grand Palais in Paris, and carries all the hallmarks of an era enchanted by beauty, eccentricity, and emotion. Composed of two asymmetrical wings—one more traditional, the other rising like a tower—its façade captivates with flourishes of stained glass, glazed tile, brickwork, and elegant wood details. Oriel windows and red-painted shutters hint at the artistry inside, where the spirit of the late 19th century remains deeply embedded.
Ground Floor:
- Living room with intricate moucharabieh cupboards, 18th-century marble fireplace, blue-hued stained glass, and oak parquet floors
- Renaissance-style dining room with a carved white stone fireplace featuring a bust of Boulanger, stained glass windows depicting Pantagruel and Gargantua, and hand-painted tiles bearing her monogram
- Kitchen with original tiled floors and wooden cabinetry, connecting to a charming bedroom that opens onto a small courtyard
- Ceiling heights reaching nearly 3.7 meters on this level, enhancing the atmosphere of refinement and grace
First Floor:
- Two understated yet elegant bedrooms and a third with ceiling frescoes of cherubs, a marble fireplace, gilded moldings, and painted panels referencing Cabanel’s Birth of Venus
- Wardrobe room with decorative plant motifs and painted ceiling
- Bathroom in the oriel window featuring vivid stained glass portraying irises, peonies, and a proud peacock—echoing the garden views
Second Floor:
- Bright and open room with pine floors and exposed beams, windows on three sides offering peaceful views over the village rooftops and the tall cedar trees in the garden below
Cellars and Outbuildings:
- Two cellar spaces, including a boiler room and wine storage
- Detached buildings include a two-room annex, a garage, and a two-storey cottage accessible by an exterior staircase—ripe for conversion into a guesthouse or studio
The main walled garden spans nearly 1,470 m² and features mature trees, climbing roses, and a Lebanon cedar that watches over the villa like a gentle sentinel. A weathered stone basin hints at leisurely days spent outdoors among the flowers. Across a quiet pedestrian path lies a second parcel of land measuring 1,200 m², offering potential for further landscaping, a vegetable garden, or a peaceful orchard retreat. Altogether, the combined grounds exceed 2,500 m² of countryside charm.
