A beautiful house with a Frankenstein connection
Romantic, therapeutic and with an ever-changing vista, living on a lake is a dream for many. But for writer Mary Shelley it inspired the creation of one of the most classic horror stories in a little house on Lake Geneva.
Back in 1816 the English author was touring the lake with her husband Percy when they stayed in a little guesthouse on the waterfront in the medieval village of Nernier, Haute Savoie. During a violent storm the writer put pen to paper and created the character of Frankenstein of the eponymous novel. The (real) story goes that she and Percy met up with Lord Bryon – staying in the area – and they had a competition to write the best horror story. Mary’s story about a scientist who creates a monster was published two years later, when she was only 20.
But the four-storey house she had stayed in is now a beautifully renovated 200 sq m four-bedroom private residence, with an internal lift, balconies overhanging the water, and private steps and jetty. The views overlook the pretty little harbour and across the lake towards the Jura mountains.
Nernier itself – known as the ‘Pearl of Lake Léman’ offers a fabulous quality of life, from swimming and sunbathing in the lake to bars, restaurants and art galleries. In the winter, there are wonderful walks along the lake, taking in the snow-capped mountains, or ski resorts such as Les Gets and Morzine 50km away.
It wasn’t always the affluent commune it now is, as is clear from the diary of Mary Shelley that describes the ‘’deformed and diseased ‘’ of Nernier (then known as Nerni) that she observed. She also talks of the ‘purple and misty waters’ of the ‘beautiful’ lake.
The community is a real melting pot of nationalities, where French locals, whose families have been in the village for generations, give a warm welcome to expats. Says local agent Andrea Thein Win: “This unique property offers the best of both worlds: you can live in an idyllic, peaceful lakeside village, but just half an hour away you have the thriving cosmopolitan city of Geneva, with its attractive Swiss salaries and international airport. So this property would suit so-called frontalier workers, commuting to Switzerland to work, but choosing to live in France. Equally, it would be an amazing place to holiday or to retire.”
The property is for sale at €2.7m.
This property is set in the beautiful medieval village of Nernier.
A unique and historical property, set right on the harbour of Lac Léman.
With beautiful views across the lake, perfect for admiring the boats while enjoying your breakfast!
A cosy interior for those days when you just want to enjoy your homely living space!
Here is the Plaque to prove the story behind this magnificient property!
