Joigny Manor House

On the grounds of a former convent founded in 1609, this pleasure residence from the July Monarchy overlooks the Yonne River from its terrace. Surrounding it is a fully walled English garden, where century-old trees keep the secrets of the place. Faux marbles, woodwork, parquet floors, leaded stained glass, and painted ceilings: the original spirit has been carefully preserved and restored to offer a contemporary lifestyle today.

An exceptional tree
In the garden, a Chinese thuja, known as the ”tree of life,” was awarded the Remarkable Tree of France label by the A.R.B.R.E.S. association in September 2026. It is said to have been gifted to the monks around 1770, or possibly planted in 1838. At the main entrance, two seven-trunk Japanese pines spread a 14-meter-wide canopy, a true miniature canopy.

A rare architecture
The slope of the Saint-Jacques hill inspired the architect to take an uncommon approach: the house has two ground floors. On the river side, a double-ramp stone staircase, backed by the old convent wall, opens onto the terraced garden. On the hillside side, the main floor opens directly onto the upper park, allowing for discreet entertaining. The brick and dressed stone facades are classically strict and topped with four sculpted fire pots. The walls, about 60 cm thick, are double-walled.

Those who shaped it
The original convent owes its existence to Pierre de Gondi, Cardinal of Retz and Count of Joigny, who founded it in 1609. In 1838, the residence was built for a wealthy Parisian according to the architectural principles popular in the capital, attributed to a major Parisian workshop of the July Monarchy. The work was led by Louis Roblot (1811-1877), a graduate of the École des Beaux-Arts, who became the city architect of Joigny in 1839. The garden was entrusted to horticulturist-landscaper P. Montarlot, and the ironwork bears the signature of Rémy Garnier.

The art of entertaining
Entry is through a gallery with faux marbles (veined Carrara, faux Henriette, and Vert Campan) and original cement tiles. The grand staircase, with its wrought iron railing featuring scrolls and rosettes and a walnut handrail, displays its decorations throughout its height.

On the main floor, the first salon is topped by an oval ceiling painted with a sky of cupids, highlighted by rococo-style gilded stucco braces. Its Carrara marble fireplace features a carved scallop shell, and the parquet floor is laid in a herringbone pattern. A second salon allows for parallel entertaining. In the dining room, two original stained glass windows with cobalt blue and ruby red cabochons cast a colorful carpet on the floor at sunset.

On the garden level, the study-library retains its Arabescato Carrara marble fireplace. The former billiard room, now a salon, opens through French doors onto the garden.

The sleeping area
On the second floor, the master suite includes a living room, bedroom, dressing room, and bathroom. Two other bedrooms, each with its own shower room, and a bedroom or office overlook the Yonne valley. Under the attic, an independent apartment and a loft beneath an exposed chestnut frame welcome guests or family.

In total: 5 bedrooms, an independent apartment, a loft, and 7 bathrooms and shower rooms.

Discreet comfort
The restoration is thorough: Energy Performance Rating B, new double heat pump, elevator serving all levels, fiber optic internet, mechanical ventilation, and Italian-style showers. The slate roof is maintained with annual inspections.

An exceptional park
Classified as a protected natural area and part of the safeguarded sector, the garden is enclosed by walls. It features 32 isolated yews, a fastigiate yew over 8 meters tall, 21 century-old boxwoods, large lindens, and horse chestnuts. Anemones, Naples cyclamens, and wild strawberries carpet the ground through the seasons. Squirrels, hedgehogs, and green woodpeckers have made it their home, and the old convent well, equipped with a pump, still exists. An adjacent 160 m² buildable plot is included.

Outbuildings
An automated garage for two cars, a former kennel, a medieval cellar, and gates from 1875 complete the property.

Location
Joigny, a medieval town in the Yonne. The house is a few steps from the river, the old town center, the train station, and an aerodrome. Paris is 1 hour 15 minutes to 2 hours away by train.
Information on the risks to which this property is exposed is available on the Géorisques website: https://www.georisques.gouv.fr/