Praised as one of the prettiest towns in Ontario, Paris is well-loved by daytrippers for its charming atmosphere and friendly community. A mere 1.5 hours from Toronto, Paris isn’t just pretty, it’s accessible for those looking to commute. If this sounds like the community you’ve been dreaming of escaping to, the beautiful house at 1 Banfield St. certainly adds to this picture-perfect vision. It’s quite possibly the prettiest house in Paris (not to mention, it has all the historic charm you can imagine).

Built in 1854, 1 Banfield St. has played host to many recognizable guests over the years — people like Alexander Graham Bell, Henry Ford, Margaret Atwood, Christopher Plummer and even a young Queen Elizabeth II, who reportedly received a hand-picked bouquet from the estate garden. 

Surrounded by one acre of peaceful gardens, this meticulously restored Victorian house on the hill features five bedrooms, six bathrooms and a saltwater pool.

Listed at $4.25 million, 1 Banfield St is anything but your average house. It’s a lifestyle.

Tall windows, 19th-century decorative mouldings and world-class Murano chandeliers create an opulent space in the adjacent living and music rooms. 

According to the current owner, one of the best aspects of living here has been the amount of space the gathering rooms have offered for entertaining large numbers of guests. 

The formal dining room offers a glamorous old-world ambiance for dinner parties. 

There are five working fireplaces dotted throughout the house, each with its own vintage character maintained. 

After dinner, retreat to the spacious family room for evening drinks, or spend a golden morning catnapping and reading in the adjacent sunroom.

A large kitchen offers plenty of space for intimate family meals. Featuring chef-quality appliances, including a Wolf range stove with a double oven, a wine fridge and a butler’s pantry, this kitchen also offers oodles of storage and countertops. 

At the heart of the home, an antique curved staircase invites you to explore, while corridors adorned with fine art and chandeliers will captivate your imagination. 

Five stately bedrooms and an office span the second floor, boasting tall ceilings, fireplaces and peaceful views. Two even include private balconies perfect for a morning cup of tea!

 

In the backyard, come upon a luxurious 54 ft saltwater pool featuring two cascading waterfalls, and a large dining pergola flanked by two private cabanas. 

A large stone terrace embraced by gardens spans the front of the home, offering a welcome spot for garden parties. Adding a whimsical touch to this outdoor space, a rose garden climbs a sunny brick wall, while Renaissance-style statues keep a watchful eye.

Curved paths carve their way through well-kept lawns dotted with plants, trees and other curiosities, including an ornate three-tiered fountain.  

Nestled within a sleepy corner lot surrounded by gardens and tall trees, this historic house will delight any green thumb. 

The current owners have also expressed how private the property is — thanks to plenty of foliage, wrought iron fencing and a stone wall that embraces the grounds’ perimeter.

1 Banfield St. is listed with Kevin Haight, Alicia Haight, Paul Maranger and Christian Vermast of Sotheby’s International Realty Canada Brokerage.