This monochrome French mansion was once the home and studio of playwright Alexandre Dumas Jr.

Marly-le-Roi – a village between Versailles and Paris – was a royal retreat for King Louis XIV and his friends. It later became popular with French creatives, including writer and librettist Adolphe de Leuven, who gifted his 19th-century property to Dumas after his death.

Dumas built a second dwelling on the plot for his writing studio and performance space ‘so that he could put on his work before it was presented to the general public,’ says agent Patrice Besse. Today the two houses have been merged into one contemporary five-bedroom home, on the market for €1.69m.

A glass walkway and stark black-and-white colour palette unite the two dwellings. White walls are offset by black-framed windows, doors, and painted floorboards. Even the exterior has been given a monochrome makeover, with the property’s traditional French shutters reimagined in a moody black.

Bursts of colour comes courtesy of the climbing plants which have made their way across the chateau’s rendered brick walls, while a few bright green pieces of furniture have crept into the the 262 sq m home’s minimalist interiors.

Most of the living spaces can be found in the main house, including the kitchen and living room, a vast music room and two bedrooms. Three more bedrooms can be found in the second half of the French property, as well as a vaulted wine cellar, and attic games room.

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