La Maison du Pêcheur

La Maison du Pêcheur first belonged to a neighbor, who had inherited it from her aunt. A family home, a treasure trove of memories. When Änni, already captivated by the house, shared a few renovation ideas, the owner replied, ‘You’re the one who should take it on. I can’t wait to see what you’ll make of it.’ And she was right: after the renovation, the neighbor was delighted with the transformation.

Once oriented toward the street, the house was thoughtfully reconfigured by Änni and Jean-Pierre to open up the view to the river. The original soul remains intact: the stone façade and certain walls were preserved, allowing the home to navigate gracefully between past and future.

While the architecture stays true to the Champagne style, with stone and understated elegance, the décor invites you to travel. Änni and Jean Pierre are seasoned treasure hunters, drawn to anything with a story behind it. “We don’t hold back, we follow our intuition,” she says.

La Maison du Pêcheur is a joyful mix of discoveries: bold wallpapers, shell wall lights, folding screens, embroidered canvases that echo the carpet, a collection of vintage clocks, and even a bed framed with old fishing rods.

The kitchen, the heart of the house, is crafted from raw oak by the village carpenter. The tableware was gathered from all over France. And in pride of place in the living room stands a grey blue Godin stove. It is a cheerful “more is more” style that delights travellers who love interior design.

“How to sum up Marnay sur Seine? Charming, inspiring, and beautifully preserved. It is an artists’ village with a hint of Barbizon, but on a more intimate scale. Visitors from abroad love it, likely because you can wander through it as if walking inside an impressionist painting, without the crowds.

Must dos include the village’s botanical garden, temporary exhibitions and cultural events, a walk along the Seine, and a summer swim in the calm branch of the river. For those who like to explore, Provins, Nogent sur Seine, and the Camille Claudel Museum are only a few kilometres away.

Food lovers and the curious will enjoy L’Expressoir, the village’s cultural café, Kinga’s breads from the local artisanal bakery, Champagne Hélène Monleau for vineyard tours and sparkling tastings, and a pottery workshop with Natacha Roche, perfect for waking up your inner ceramicist.”