Location
Surrounded by several mountain ranges, on a low altitude plateau overlooking the Isère plain and the Combe de Savoie valley, the property is ideally situated in the centre of the Grenoble/Chambéry/Albertville triangle. The motorways (Lyon/Geneva/South of France) are easily accessible. The Chambéry TGV train station is only 25 km away and the international airports (Geneva and Lyon) can be reached by car in 1h15. The major ski resorts are less than an hour’s drive. Italy is just 80 km away.
Description
The castle
The estate was the abode of titled dynasties and the primitive feudal enclosure included at least two fortified houses. The foundations of the castle date back to the 16th century. The architectural style reveals a reconstruction during the 18th century and the castle was modernised at the end of the following century and finally completely restored by the current owner in 1995. The castle, which has a rectangular layout, is flanked on the inside of one corner by a pepper box turret. It has slate roofs. A large number of openings in the walls light up the interior. The surface area of the castle, spread over four levels, is about 525 m2. The gateway onto the park links the beauty of the property with the surrounding countryside. The roof, the doors and windows and the fabric of the building itself are in excellent condition.
Garden level
The recently completed interior fittings and decorations have been particularly well executed. The garden floor is bright and opens onto the park on all sides. The entrance, protected by a large glass and wrought iron canopy, is adjacent to the tower. It leads to a vast hall paved with mosaic tiles. A door leads to the drawing room and, in its extension, to the professional kitchen. The dining room is located on the opposite side. The white moulded ceilings emphasize the brightness provided by the large openings. The door and window frames, the fireplace and its dark wood mantelpiece contrast with the walls, the white ceiling and the honey-coloured wooden floor. A spiral stone staircase leads to the upper floors.
First floor
The first floor is designed as a private flat. The landing leads to the bedroom, the living room, the dressing room, the bathroom and its toilet. Large windows provide excellent light in each room.
Second floor
Each of the seven very comfortable rooms in the castle is unique in its specific configuration. Classic or rustic, the materials used such as the old-style parquet floors, marble, exposed beams and finishes reflect the essence of a beautiful renovation. On this floor, the staircase leads to a landing and a corridor that serves four spacious bedrooms with their own bathroom and toilet.
Third floor
This last level is the attic floor. The corridor leads to three bedrooms with their own bathroom and toilet .
The outbuildings
On either side of the castle, several outbuildings are cleverly hidden from view. Some have been restored and some remain in their original state. Each has been put to a specific, complementary use.
Former rural farm
The farmhouse has been refurbished. Four studio flats have been created on the courtyard level each with a fully equipped kitchenette, bathroom and toilet. Their surface area is approximately 23m2. In addition, a flat of 62m2 has also been created on the courtyard level. It comprises a living room, a dining room and a fitted kitchen. The two bedrooms, a bathroom and toilet on the second level are reached by a wooden staircase. Each flat has a private access.
House
This is a former fortified house. It is also called "the convent" because it housed nuns. Built on three levels of about 165 m2, it requires a full restoration.
The stables
The former stables are currently used as storage space and maintenance workshop with a floor area of 100 m2 on two levels.
Outbuilding
The floor area of this unrestored building is 127 m2. The ground floor consists of three rooms used for storage. The attic can be converted.
Open barn
The helicopter hangar is a recent construction of 220 m2 with a roll-up door. The adjoining heliport of 450 m2 is signposted and lit at night.
Farmhouse building
Called a “Sarto” in Savoie dialect, the farm building was formerly a house or a cellar used on a temporary basis for wine-making. This 290 m2 building has been entirely refurbished. It consists of a reception room of 120 m2, a pantry, a kitchen, a laundry room, a fitness room, a massage room, toilets and bathroom, the boiler room and a wine cellar. Two covered patios have been built nearby, one next to the swimming pool and the other on the park side.
The swiming pool
The infinity pool is nestled in the greenery near the sarto. It measures 6X15 metres and is surrounded by a 30m2 terrace. A little further up, a large 140m2 terrace overlooks this part of the grounds. Nearby, the jacuzzi is in the open air while the sauna is hidden in a Savoyard mazot (a former granary).
The tower
The square tower is the remains of what is thought to have been a genuine fortified encampment. It must have been one of the main landmarks of a feudal enclosure that crowned the ridge. This watchtower, nearly 30m high, ideally situated on a "molard" (small mound), was used to watch over the valley. It needs to be restored.
Our opinion
The castle in the heart of the estate seems withdrawn from the world. It is a secret garden, an intimate hideaway on the road to the Alps and to nearby Italy. The region is in constant development, thanks to the proximity of the large lakes for summer activities and the major resorts for winter and summer sports. The property is currently adapted to the luxury hotel business. It could nevertheless be suitable as a main residence or, on the contrary, be developed further to ensure optimum commercial exploitation. The estate is in immaculate condition. This makes immediate occupation possible. This is the ideal place to discover and enjoy all the riches of Savoie. A truly authentic object set in a realm of stillness and quiet.
4 500 000 €
Fees at the Vendor’s expense
Reference 235999
Land registry surface area | 6 ha 36 a 2 ca |
Main building surface area | 525 m2 |
Number of bedrooms | 12 |
Outbuilding surface area | 660 m2 |
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.