How to escape to the chateau and find your own French fairy tale
How to escape to the chateau and find your own French fairy tale
If you are harbouring an ‘escape to the chateau’ dream, Home Hunts’ latest selection of French properties might just take your fancy. Whether you’re seeking a doer-upper, or you’re after a secluded turreted castle that’s ready and renovated, there’s something in the collection for you.
Move in near George Clooney and Brad Pitt
Home Hunts has hit the headlines recently with this 120-room chateau in Provence that isn’t too far away from George Clooney and Brad Pitt’s French homes.
You can live like a star here with the choice of 25 bedrooms, two pools and a private helipad – and you’re surrounded by vast verdant grounds, landscaped gardens and fountains. This extraordinary property (HH-14762495) is perfect for horse lovers, due to its Olympic-sized equestrian arena and stables, and is on the market for €18 million.
If this isn’t quite in your price range, however, then these other properties may well be.
Dreaming of the Dordogne
The mediaeval town of Sarlat-la-Canéda is one of the most popular destinations in the Dordogne. This stunning eleven-bedroom property (HH-14795707) has two wings, one from the 17th century, the other from the 21st. It is five minutes away from the closest market town and 15 minutes from Sarlat – the airport in Bergerac is under an hour and it’s two hours from Bordeaux and Toulouse.
Highlights include the fully-tiled mosaic pool, a superb red-velvet cinema, home gym, Jacuzzi and large, stunning terrace overlooking the valley. It’s currently on the market for €3.9 million.
A five-star find in the country
Those in the market for a fully-renovated French chateau need look no further. Set in 32ha of its own private parks and woodland – 12ha of which can be used for vineyards – this exquisite historic chateau (HH-14877267) is a jewel in the Aude countryside. Having preserved many of its original features and striking architecture, the chateau has been lovingly renovated to a high standard.
Offering 34 beds for an asking price of €3.5 million, this grand dwelling offers many fantastic features that would offer new owners an ideal French lifestyle as well as an income opportunity. There are multiple event spaces, such as a cinema room, sports room, historic chapel and orangery, as well as en-suite bedrooms and separate apartments. Equally striking and sustainable, it comes with several solar panels, solar water heaters and a well.
An automated salt pool, historic bread oven, beach volleyball area, petanque court, giant chess area, stables and wine storehouse are among some of the most exciting features this chateau has to offer. But as it’s not far from Carcassonne and Narbonne there’s plenty to explore in the surrounding areas, which would put it on the map for potential clients and tourists too.
A Napoleon III period castle near Paris
Just 50 minutes from Paris, this remarkable Napoleon III period castle sits regally on a walled 16-hectare park. A grand 12-bedroom estate (HH-14726625), it has been embellished with two elegant polygonal turrets pierced with skylights. Original features include the period fireplace, ceiling moldings and a beautiful staircase with iron railings.
On the park side, there is also a two-level outbuilding that includes caretaker’s accommodation and two listed storage sheds that could be converted. There are also horseboxes and a small house to renovate.
At €3.4 million, this chateau could bring plenty of commercial opportunities to visionary owners, especially as it is just half-an-hour from Disneyland.
Sensational sea views from a 18th century marvel
Palm trees, a sun-drenched swimming pool and a beach less than a kilometre away, this chateau is the dream itself, either as a family holiday home or perhaps an upmarket hotel or wedding venue.
A 19th century marvel (HH-14858835), situated between St-Tropez and Le Lavandou, and only 30km from Toulon-Hyeres airport, it’s easy to get in and out from – if you ever want to leave that is.
Offering eight glamorous bedrooms, this luxury home has everything owners need to live a five-star lifestyle, from the beautiful pool, to the private lush gardens and magical sea views. It is currently on the market for €3.3 million.
A waterside wonder
Imagine life in a 19th-century waterfront castle, sipping chilled wine by your shady riverbank. If you move into this spectacular eight-bedroom chateau (HH-14873873), your daily routine would never be the same again. Set in the heart of a wooded park this elegant home is ideal for a family and summer entertaining. It would also work well as a hotel – the 11th century chapel really adds to the charm.
Featuring access for reduced mobility, two terraces, a swimming pool and a barn, this is a special property with so much to offer – and as some elements need refreshment, at €2.2 million it presents an excellent investment opportunity for the right buyer.
If you are looking to buy property in France, or just want to know more about the property market, check out www.home-hunts.com, or keep an eye on this page, but to discuss your criteria with a Home Hunts consultant, get in touch at info@home-hunts.com or +33 (0)970 44 66 43.
