Location

156 miles from Paris (147 of which are on motorway), 25 miles from Blois (105 minutes from Paris by train).
Between vineyards, forests, rivers and streams in a region full of picturesque countryside, the renowned architectural heritage of which attracts numerous tourists every year.
Close to the most beautiful of the Loire châteaux, almost within gunshot of the most famous of the Sologne hunting grounds; in a region with excellent goats’ cheeses and lively Touraine and Valençay AOC wines.
On the outskirts of a small town with 4,000 inhabitants, nestling in a loop of the river which quietly runs along the property borders.

Description

An estate of almost 86 acres: 13.6 acres of parklands with water-filled moats around the buildings, 6.7 acres of woods, a small 1.25 acre lake and 64.2 acres of grasslands and tenanted farmlands.
The village on one side, and countryside on the other. On a vast trapezoidal esplanade surrounded by wide moats, crossed by four bridges, several French MH listed buildings recount the history of the premises and the changes that took place between the medieval and Renaissance periods:
The old castle:
Built in the 16th century in line with the 13th century postern that still exists, the building spans a ground floor used for domestic purposes and a first floor which constituted the Seigneurial dwelling.
Apart from the presence of electric wiring, now obsolete, and the roof repairs carried out 20 or 30 years ago, nothing seems to have been done since it was turned into a leisure castle at the beginning of the 17th century.
Numerous period features (some in a poor condition): stone dormers with brick-filled pediments, oak wood beams, terracotta tiled floors, stone monumental fireplaces, oak wood wall panelling, ceiling panelling covered with the heads of winged angels and phytomorphic motifs, murals, etc.
Total floor surface area of approx. 6,781 sq ft:
. 2,691 sq ft on the ground floor divided into 5 wonderful vaulted rooms.
. 4,090 sq ft on the first floor: 4 large adjoining rooms and several small rooms.
The two floors are connected to one another by means of three stairways.
The north pavilion:
This brick and stone building topped with a steep-sided slate roof containing dormers and tall chimneys, is flanked by a superb round tower crowned with a candle-snuffer roof.
It has just been restored on the outside: new roof with numerous components of the roofing framework replaced, facade rendered, doors and windows changed where necessary.
However, despite the fact that the building was lived in up until ten or so years ago, everything needs replacing as the electric wiring, plumbing, heating and sanitary facilities are all antiquated.
There are many period features here as well: floors, panelling, monumental fireplaces, etc.
Approx. 5,974 sq ft of living space: entrance hall, large and small lounge, kitchen, study, 12 bedrooms, 6 bathrooms.
2,045 sq ft of attic space divided into four rooms that can easily be converted.
The south pavilion:
This identical, though smaller, version is connected to the north pavilion by means of a wall containing archways and oculi.
The outside has not been restored (apart from rapid works carried out on the roof) and the inside is in a pitiful state.
It is nevertheless full of potential: wonderful stone stairway accessing all floors, monumental fireplaces, and terracotta tiled floors.
There is a possible 2,691 sq ft of living space spanning four stories.
The outbuildings:
. Former 2,691 sq ft barn (corrugated iron roof).
. Walls of the former farm: two rooms with a floor surface area of 646 sq ft and one of 431 sq ft.
. Old vaulted cellars.
. Two small pavilions on either side of the entrance gates.

Our opinion

Something “has to be done” with this collection of buildings and their very rich architecture. It seems unthinkable to us, and the villagers, that they should be left in this almost abandoned state. The works undertaken a while back were enough to prevent them from falling into ruin as they were threatening to do and made it possible to envisage numerous uses. There is significant potential as regards restoration which would be helped by French MH classification.

Price: Contact us
Our fees are included in the stated sale price.

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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.