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Location
On the “south-side” of Touraine, 169 miles from Paris (125 of which are on motorway) and 28 miles south-east of Tours (airport with 4 flights per week to London and daily flights during the summer).
Away from traffic, secluded amidst undulating and thickly wooded countryside, the property is nevertheless only a few minutes away from an outstanding medieval city; a renowned “Town of Art And History” with a history-filled past and extremely rich in architecture.
Description
This estate of almost 74 acres (14.8 acres of woods and 59.2 of grasslands) is contained in a large dale on the edge of the forest that predominantly makes up the neighbouring property.
The small access lane ends in front of the monumental entrance gates, from which a yew tree-lined driveway leads to the buildings situated on a lower level.
The castle is surrounded by trees several hundreds of years old planted in grasslands which slope gently down to the bottom of the dale, to the right of which sprawls a lake.
Local archives show a building in this location since the 13th century but there are no remains apart, perhaps, from several floors in certain ground floor rooms.
The castle as it is today dates from the 15th and 16th centuries with, however, a magnificent 14th century spiral stairway. Its architecture did not undergo any major transformations during the four centuries that it remained in the hands of the same family, hence its French MH listing, (with the exception of a tower rebuilt in the 19th century).
Twenty or so years ago, millions of Francs were spent restoring it from top to bottom by a couple of show business performers, since then it has been well-maintained by its subsequent two owners.
The east-west facing building comprises a central dwelling flanked by two wings set at right angles and forming a courtyard of honour to the west, facing the entrance gates.
A total of almost 10,377 sq ft of living space. Entered via a vast seven-arch gallery which opens on to large and small lounges and the dining room, making a total of 2,368 sq ft of adjoining reception rooms in the central building; hunting room and kitchen in the north wing; television room and study in the south wing.
On the 1st floor of the central building also accessed via a gallery: 4 bedrooms with bathrooms; 1 large bedroom with shower room in the north wing and 2 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms in the south wing.
The second floor of the south wing is set out as a suite with 1 large bedroom, 1 lounge, 1 shower room and a kitchen area.
The mezzanine in the north wing is accessed from the hunting room and set out as a flat for domestic staff.
There are vast numbers of period features throughout. On the outside, watch turrets, machiolation and mullioned windows are mixed with Renaissance-style dormer casement windows and acroteria. And, on the inside where “Versailles” parquet flooring, Renaissance-style fireplaces and French ceilings blend harmoniously with Pierre Frey and Braquenier wall-coverings.
Outbuildings:
Former sharecropper farm: 18th century building with a floor surface area of approx. 1,076 sq ft that spans two stories. Walls, roof and door and window frames were recently restored with a view to turning it into a guest house. The inside has still to be done.
. Small building with a floor surface area of 538 sq ft: two-car garage on the ground floor and 484 sq ft caretakers’ flat upstairs. Nearby, two large loose boxes.
. A little way away, 1,615 sq ft stables: four large loose boxes, and for the well-being of the horses: hot shower, solarium, tack room and grooming area.
.Pool house and machine room close to the heated swimming pool set in the middle of a garden with palm and mulberry trees providing shade for relaxation.
Further away, the tennis court is currently used as a riding arena but can easily be renovated.
Our opinion
There are no works to be scheduled for this property unless redecoration is required.
New owners will simply have to follow a strict maintenance schedule to continue preserving a building which time has left unscathed.
It is in an excellent state of repair, and can be lived in straightaway in a setting which, in all objectivity, we have to qualify as “almost perfect” for fear of being overly complimentary.
Price
4 000 000 €
Our fees are included in the stated sale price. Reference
1817EL
Representative
Eric Leveilley
Telephone
06 19 67 16 41
contact
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.
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