Castles / chateaux
18th century residence in the French department of Tarn-et-Garonne
Location
Situated 32 miles from Toulouse (TGV train, airport, motorways, etc.) and close to a town of art and history with 60,000 inhabitants (TGV train station, motorways, etc), this residence and its estate dominate a rural environment containing several villages characteristic of the south west of France.
Description
Set in the heart of partly walled parklands of more than 10 ha (24.7 acres), all the buildings can be accessed by means of a driveway opening via a carriage entrance on to the large service quarters’ courtyard (900 m² or 9,687 sq ft). This closed courtyard, leading to the castle, is patterned by its many entrance gates, carriage entrances and gateways to bridle paths as well as the buildings (700 m² or 7,535 sq ft) laid out around it. Said buildings, including stables, tack room, dwellings (caretaker’s cottage and flat), greenhouse, barn and kennels, alternate modest constructions (dwellings) and architectural feats reserved for noble activities.
The castle (600 m² or 6,458 sq ft), built of the bricks much favoured in the south west, demonstrates an architecture that is typical of the second half of the 18th century. Lacking an actual “main facade”, symbol of the pompous splendour used in previous centuries, its construction is in line with the basic principles of a new art of living closer to the outside world and nature. Thus the ground floor, the new living area of the nobility, includes miscellaneous adjoining reception rooms (lounges, galleries, dining room and library) which, thanks to the large windows and French windows are all luminous and have access to the parklands. Most of these rooms still contain interesting Louis XVI style decorative features (wainscoting, stucco decorations, fireplaces, etc.) or, like the dining room, were redesigned in the 19th century in a fine, inspired neogothic style (floor-to-ceiling panelling, monumental fireplace and painted ceiling).
With four newel posts, the main stairway is impressive not only because of its size but also due to its wrought-iron banister incorporating newly-opened flowers and buds and the complexity of the ornamentation of its structure. Upstairs are seven bedrooms, each with marble or wooden fireplaces, and four bathrooms, some of which await completion of their conversion.
Our opinion
This property is of considerable architectural interest. Vestige of a rich and prosperous era, prior to the ups and downs of the 19th century, it is steeped in the elegance and delicacy of the art of living of the second half of the 18th century: luminosity, simplicity and sobriety of the decoration, diversity of rooms, etc. And in addition to its artistic appeal, the quality and good state of repair of the outbuildings, the richness of the parklands together with the geographical position of the site perfectly complete a property that is just waiting to be restored and lived in. The proximity of a large town coupled with the size and calibre of the outbuildings would possibly suit a profitable business activity.
Price: 1 060 000 €
Our fees are included in the stated sale price.
Reference 2272WK
| Land registry surface area | 12ha / 29.652 acres |
| Main building surface area | 600 m² / 6,456 sqft |
| Outbuilding surface area | 700 m² / 7,532 sqft |
Regional representative
Wilfried Kathemann +33 (0)6 11 13 73 05
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.
