The Delain Mill: a Story of Water and Stone

Property Description

A CHARACTERFUL ESTATE IN HAUTE-SAÔNE

Le Moulin de Delain, bordered by the Salon River, is a unique setting nestled between forest and meadows. Spanning over 3.2 hectares, this charming estate features a 148-square-meter home renovated in 2017, where exposed stone, solid hardwood floors, cement tiles, and high ceilings create a simple, warm atmosphere. Adjacent to it, the historic mill spans approximately 340 square meters across three levels, offering vast potential for a new project. A property where country living blends with the joy of inventing a new way of living.

A HOME INHABITED BY MATERIALS
First, you must leave the busiest roads behind, follow the countryside of Haute-Saône, and reach this cul-de-sac surrounded by nature. It is here that the Moulin de Delain reveals itself, its foundations dating back to the Revolutionary period. The site retains the memory of its former activity: in the past, the mill notably generated electricity for the neighboring village of Montot. Built in 1930 and then completely renovated in 2017, the main residence spans two levels. Inside, exposed stone meets solid hardwood floors, cement tile patterns, a spiral staircase, and an open mezzanine. The ceilings, sometimes over three meters high, create a sense of spaciousness and allow light to flow freely. The living spaces flow naturally around a separate, fully equipped kitchen. Two bedrooms on the ground floor and a half-bath complete the layout. Upstairs, the spacious layout makes it easy to envision a suite with a bathroom and walk-in closet. The house thus offers a flexible layout, suited equally to daily life and to more leisurely stays.

BEYOND THE WALLS, SPACES WAITING TO BE IMAGINED
The mill reveals another facet of the property. Approximately 340 m² spread over three levels await a new purpose. The spacious rooms and the fir-wood roof structure already give a sense of the space's scale, while a separate, insulated, and heated workshop is the first space to have been repurposed in this part of the estate. A barn and former stables extend this built complex. It is in this interplay that the unique character of the Moulin de Delain lies: on one side, a house that has already been restored and is ready to move into on the other, a heritage site to be reclaimed, transformed, and lived in differently. An artist's studio, spaces dedicated to a specific activity, guesthouses once renovations are complete, or a more personal project can all find their place here, in compliance with the permits and constraints specific to the site. The property thus appeals to those who are as attuned to what already exists as they are to what remains to be envisioned.


A LIFE PACE BY WATER AND THE SEASONS
Surrounding the buildings are more than three hectares of adjoining land, comprising flat areas, gentle slopes, and a wooded garden. A well and a natural spring complement this presence of water, while the historic millrace?now set to be reopened?serves as a reminder of the mill's original purpose.
Two donkey stalls are already in place, and the grounds are well-suited for a few animals. Facing west and partially sheltered by an arbor, the terrace invites you to linger outdoors as the day draws to a close. Further on lie the forest, the trails, and the landscapes of Le Salon and the Saône. Gray is about fifteen kilometers away, and Champlitte is eight kilometers away. The Château de Ray-sur-Saône, walks through the valley, and river-based activities anchor the estate in a rural setting where nature and heritage complement one another. Here, one can imagine mornings opening out onto the meadows, hours of work in the silence of the countryside, long days spent outdoors, and, over time, the mill gradually finding a new purpose. Whether as a primary residence, a retreat, or the starting point for a larger project, the estate leaves room for ideas just as it does for the changing seasons.

THE ADVISOR'S PERSPECTIVE
?What appeals to me about the Moulin de Delain is the opportunity to move into a house that's already been restored while still having a project ahead to create. The mill's 340 m², the outbuildings, and the three hectares of land offer true freedom of use. Water, stone, and the surrounding nature give the place its identity. I envision it in the hands of buyers who appreciate heritage and renovation, with the desire to develop the estate at their own pace and, in turn, write the next chapter of its story.'
Jessica Pernet