Cheshire Hunt County is filled with properties described as “nestled in the rolling hills of Chester County.” But at Vezelay, we find a modern French chateau situated on aptly named Hilltop View Road, with a commanding view of its own 50+ acres extended to the neighboring preserved 700+ acres of the Laurels Preserve. Here are panoramic views from walls of windows, balconies, terraces, gardens, pool, bocce court and barn — ideal for sharing with a full house of guests, extended family, or savoring privately after a day’s hunt, ride or hike on the glorious property.

Grand, Yet Intimate

  Hidden from the road, the main house is embraced by a European-style stone courtyard. Built in 1996 and extensively renovated by the present owner as her permanent home, the stately manor house is at once grand and intimate. With flexibly designed space and every amenity, the home’s unique layout allows a clear view from master suite to kitchen, providing a surprisingly cozy feel in a property of this scale.

  Grandness starts in the vaulted entrance, its double doors accented by brass kickplates and doorknobs from England, opening to the elegant living room (25 x 22), with cathedral ceiling and huge windows drawing you past the fireplace to the spectacular view.

  For outside viewing, French doors open to a series of terraces shared by the formal dining room (18 x 17) and kitchen area, to the right. The major living spaces are well-oriented to take in the westerly view over lush meadows and on to the Laurels Preserve, flooding rooms with natural light. Similar design sensitivity provides a seamless flow from room to room and from inside to outside along the interconnected terraces and patios.

  The home’s orientation, design and outside spaces capitalize on the extraordinary views and access to the woodlands, streams (Buck and Doe Runs), trails and fields of the Laurels Preserve, permanently protected by the Brandywine Conservancy.

Gourmet Kitchen Complex

  More kitchen complex than mere kitchen, the custom cabinets, granite counters, glass tile backsplash in the work area (13 x 31) would please the most demanding chef, along with six-burner Viking stove, Thermador wall oven, Bosch dishwasher and Franke rimless sink. The adjacent pantry area adds a second dishwasher and sink and more counters than some commercial kitchens enjoy.

  To the left of the kitchen is an informal eating area (10 x 9.5), surrounded on three sides by windows, perfect for morning coffee or a snack with a view. For more extended stays in this warm corner of the house, the kitchen opens onto a sitting area (19 x 15), anchored by a welcoming fireplace and stone façade. French doors allow more terrace access.

  Still within sight of the kitchen (past a laundry room and powder room), is a charming garden hall (8 x 23), which is sunroom/breezeway/indoor garden all in one, with French doors that open on both sides. Access here, or through arched doors off the pantry, leads to an intimate rose garden, a prime spot for a quiet cup of tea or intimate meal al fresco.

Bedrooms on Three Levels

  On the main level, left of the living room, is the luxurious master suite, with its own sitting room/library (16 x 16) complete with gas fireplace, walls of built-in bookcases, cozy reading nook and access to the master patio overlooking the horse fields. Cathedral ceilings in the elegant master bedroom (22 x 19), with raised gas fireplace, enhance the sense of openness created by large windows framing views of the countryside and French doors leading to another terrace. The white marble master bath (16 x 16) boasts modern amenities, from double sinks, Kohler Jacuzzi, two-person shower, separate water closet and bidet. And, because this is newer construction, there are more closets, built-ins and storage areas than most could dream of filling.

  The second floor of the original house has two bedrooms, each with private bath and ample closets, and one with a fireplace and skylight. The lower level houses another large bedroom (22 x 20) with walk-in closet and bath and opens directly onto the pool area.

  More bedrooms are in the 2007 addition to the house, built in the wing with the two-car garage, with indoor/outdoor kennel. Of particular note is a self-contained suite with a fifth bedroom, plus kitchen, bath, large sitting room or office (17 x 23), perfect for an in-law suite, au pair or extended-stay guest. Although the realty listing notes six bedrooms, this spacious home could easily accommodate more.

Rooms for Everything

  Some rooms in Vezelay are difficult to catalog, let alone describe here. As in most modern homes, there’s a spacious media room (with surround sound, of course), this one on the lower level, opening to the heated pool. There’s an exercise room with a view, walk-in cedar closet and mudroom.

  There’s also the expected home office (outfitted with cable, plenty of outlets, camera closet), but here you get an assistant’s office (separate entrance and half bath), in addition to a large art studio with cathedral ceiling, personal library and storage room.

  What’s even less expected is the Dollhouse Room, home to two large custom dollhouses, and Breyer Horse room, housing a 20-some-year collection, and a walk-in gift room. These unexpected features — and surprises like the bocce court outside, climate controlled squash court in the barn, new 30-foot wide balcony, plus room for a sauna and downstairs apartment — give the home its distinctive character.


Beauty of a Barn                                        

  A 50+-acre property in prime hunt country needs a barn, and the barn at Vezelay is a beauty! Designed by the owner and built by King Construction in 2006, the barn’s walls are custom stained, varnished pine, the floors are rubber mats, and each stall is well-appointed, airy and open to the outside so even the horses enjoy the magnificent view. The multi-stall barn also houses a feed room, tack room, washroom (heated, with hot and cold water), storage room, workshop, and three-bay garage. And that’s just the first floor!

  Again, the unexpected is what makes this property unique. This time it’s on the barn’s second level: a climate-controlled, regulation squash court and basketball court (not regulation, but it is an indoor basketball court!).

  And that’s just a taste of what you’ll find at Vezelay in Chester County. -CL-

  For more information about this stunning property, only minutes from Unionville, contact Karen Nader or Brett Jones, Brandywine Fine Properties Sotheby's International Realty, 302-654-6500; BFPSothebysRealty.com