A 19th century chateau with 14.5 hectares of grounds
surrounded by verdant countryside in north-west Isère
surrounded by verdant countryside in north-west Isère
Bourgoin-Jallieu,
ISERE
rhones-alps
38300
FR
Location
The property lies on a historic site in the Bas Dauphiné region, nestling between several regional nature parks, surrounded by a vast forest of 3,000 ha covering rolling hills and valleys with springs and meandering streams. The chateau stands on a hillside at an altitude of 460m.
It is ideally situated within the Lyon-Grenoble-Chambéry triangle, 50km, 75km and 80km respectively from the property. Geneva is a 1 hour 50 minute drive away. The motorways connecting to these towns can be reached in 20 minutes. It takes 40 minutes to drive to the TGV railway station and Lyon-Saint Exupéry international airport. The surrounding towns offer all the day-to-day services, facilities and shops.
Description
This vast estate, extending over approx. 14.5ha of gently sloping, uninterrupted land, consists predominantly of woodlands. A shady driveway leads to a large gravel parking area to the north-west of the main building. It then continues towards a courtyard in front of the chateau, where the woods give way to a large clearing. A secondary path followed by a flight of steps lead to a swimming pool on a plateau overlooking the forest. On the other side, a small wooden chapel is tucked away beneath the trees.
This was originally a forest house linked to an ancient 16th century Cistercian abbey.
After the French Revolution, it was used as the home of the steward responsible for managing the national forest. In 1888, a local grandee commissioned the architect Joseph-Étienne Mallaval to build a substantial four-storey extension.
The chateau, which has undergone several periods of construction and renovation, stands on the north-eastern edge of the grounds. Its most striking external architectural features are those dating from the 19th century. The distinct, homogenous volumes of each section follow one another cascading down to the outbuilding, reflecting the different periods in which they were built. The adobe, pebble, rammed earth concrete and clinker block facades are rendered. The roofs, clad with slate, monk and nun or flat “beaver tail” tiles are in good condition; they have all been renovated, with the exception of the roof of the 19th-century main building.
Today divided into various lodgings spread over three levels, the building has a total floor area of approx. 870 m². It is currently used as tourist accommodation, benefiting from one of the most peaceful environmental areas.
This was originally a forest house linked to an ancient 16th century Cistercian abbey.
After the French Revolution, it was used as the home of the steward responsible for managing the national forest. In 1888, a local grandee commissioned the architect Joseph-Étienne Mallaval to build a substantial four-storey extension.
The chateau, which has undergone several periods of construction and renovation, stands on the north-eastern edge of the grounds. Its most striking external architectural features are those dating from the 19th century. The distinct, homogenous volumes of each section follow one another cascading down to the outbuilding, reflecting the different periods in which they were built. The adobe, pebble, rammed earth concrete and clinker block facades are rendered. The roofs, clad with slate, monk and nun or flat “beaver tail” tiles are in good condition; they have all been renovated, with the exception of the roof of the 19th-century main building.
Today divided into various lodgings spread over three levels, the building has a total floor area of approx. 870 m². It is currently used as tourist accommodation, benefiting from one of the most peaceful environmental areas.
The chateau
This building differs from the other sections in that it has slate hip roofs and a large number of ornate pediments and wall dormers. It is flanked by two square corner turrets rising above the edifice, with pavilion roofs and broached eaves. All of these architectural features are typical of the 19th century.
Extending over 520m² of living space, it boasts a number of spacious rooms. The garden level and first floor are dedicated to hosting guests, while the top floor forms a private flat. All the lodgings are interconnected. Essential renovation work was carried out around ten years ago. The various openings are double-glazed. Insulation has been laid in the attic space. The chateau is equipped with an oil-fired heating system, additional firewood heating and an individual sewage system.
The garden level
This full-width level with windows on either side is extremely bright. The entrance is right next to the west tower. It opens onto a hall framed by two murals painted in the naïve style of the period, in reference to Douanier Rousseau. A double door opens into a sitting room with 19th century style wainscoting. An adjoining room is currently being renovated. The floors of the hall and the sitting room are Burgundy stone. Opposite is a dining room with straight strip oak flooring. The white ceiling and walls emphasize the brightness provided by the large openings. The sitting room and dining room both feature antique stone fireplaces with overmantel mirrors that are still in use, the first with a closed hearth. A door leads to the 18th century main building containing a kitchen. A half-turn oak staircase leads to the upper floors.
The first floor
A corridor serves four guest bedrooms, each with its own shower room and lavatory, including one suite with an additional bedroom. Each room is distinctive and comfortable, with large windows and oak flooring. In some rooms, the painted walls feature mouldings enhanced by different shades of colour; in others, they are covered with tapestries from a bygone era.
The second floor
This is currently a private flat for the owners. A corridor leads to a large, bright living room, a kitchen, a shower room with toilet, three bedrooms, a closet and a storeroom. All the rooms have straight strip oak flooring.
The attic
Given its size and layout, the attic space is not suitable for use as living space. The structural timbers are in good condition and the floor is covered with glass wool.
The cellar
The basement is accessed via the kitchen on the ground floor. The cellar is used as a pantry and boiler room.
The 18th century building
There is no evidence of the construction period of this building. Situated between the other two sections of the building, it comprises two comfortable flats, one with a floor area of 140m² and the other with a floor area of 60m². They are accessed from the courtyard and from the inside via both the back staircase and main staircase. A laundry room and storerooms complete this part of the building, which is equipped with an electric heating system, individual drainage and spring water supply.
The garden level
This forms the lower level of the first flat.
The first floor
This is the second level of the first flat.
The second floor
This level contains the second flat and the laundry room.
The 16th century building
With no distinctive features to show its time of construction, this is the northernmost part of the dwelling. Accessed via the courtyard, it is used as a self-catering gîte (holiday guest house), with a floor area of approx. 145m² extending over two levels. The gîte has electric heating and individual drainage.
The ground floor
Easily accessed, it is designed to accommodate persons with reduced mobility.
The upstairs
This is where the various bedrooms and en suite facilities are located.
The outbuildings
Abutting the main building, a dilapidated wooden barn of around 120m² needs to be completely rebuilt.
Situated to the east of the garden, a singular, modest chestnut chapel is in urgent need of restoration. A right of way has been granted to the family of the former inhabitants, who would like to pay their respects there, even though no-one has visited the chapel for a long time now.
The swimming pool
Close to the chateau and at a slightly higher level, the rectangular swimming pool is 4.6m wide and 9.4m long, bordered by paved surrounds. The pool is fed by spring water heated by a heat pump.
The grounds
Covering an area of over 14 hectares, the park comprises several plots of land, none of which are tenanted. It consists mainly of woodland planted with a variety of tall native trees.
Our opinion
A chateau and its estate, secluded in the heart of the Isère region, with a setting that is both bucolic and untamed, immersing the visitor in an atmosphere of soothing tranquillity, in harmony with the wooded surroundings. Although it is currently used for hosting guests, the building could be suitable for any other purpose and could continue to evolve: originally a forest house, now a chateau, its future remains to be written. Work needs to be carried out here and there, but the premises are perfectly suitable for habitation and their comfort is guaranteed.
Reference 247583
| Land registry surface area | 14 ha 44 a 45 ca |
| Main building surface area | 870 m2 |
| Number of bedrooms | 16 |
| Outbuilding surface area | 130 m2 |
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NB: The above information is not only the result of our visit to the property; it is also based on information provided by the current owner. It is by no means comprehensive or strictly accurate especially where surface areas and construction dates are concerned. We cannot, therefore, be held liable for any misrepresentation.
