Location
Courtesy of the proximity of the A83 motorway, the town centre of Nantes is less than an hour away and its international airport is but 45 minutes away. La-Roche-sur-Yon (20 km) is easily reached via the main road. The A87 motorway makes it easy to get to Cholet (50 minutes) and Angers (1½ hours). La-Roche-sur-Yon train station has regular links to Les-Sables-d'Olonnes, Nantes and Paris.
This chateau, in the French department of Vendée, is just a stone’s throw from Grasla national forest where the local population took refuge during the 1793 uprising. It stands on the outskirts of an old Vendée fiefdom which now has all local amenities and is renowned for having welcomed one of the nephews, and marshal, of King Louis XIV.
Description
The chateau
This 19th century chateau, spanning a floor surface area of 485 m², and its 305 m² outbuildings were constructed in 1830 on the vestiges of an old Seigneury, dating from 1495. It comprises a central building, with two towers, partially built into the carcass, at each end of the south side and two wings set at right angles, with pavilion roofs, on the north facade. It is constructed from dressed stone and topped with a traditional roofing framework, covered with natural slate. The entire carcass is in an excellent state of repair.
The ground floor
The chateau is accessed via a summer lounge which leads to its impressive glazed entrance door, flanked by carved wooden ornamentation. A long corridor leads, left, to a south-facing dining room, steeped in sunlight courtesy of its two tall windows. A fitted kitchen houses an impressive, 18th century, exposed granite and brick fireplace. It adjoins a storeroom and a back kitchen. Opposite the dining room is a linen room as well as a storage area with a toilet. The other rooms, on the right-hand side of the central corridor, include a study in the rotunda, a reception room with a granite, Louis XVI style fireplace, a bedroom with a view over the parklands and the main lounge with its solid oak wood parquet flooring, laid in a herringbone pattern.
The first floor
The main, solid wood, monumental stairway goes to the upper floors. A central corridor on the first floor provides access, on either side, to four bedrooms, overlooking the landscaped parklands. For the comfort of the visitors, four bathrooms have been created as well as a linen room. A vast wooden terrace can be accessed all year long.
The second floor
The attic space, spanning a floor surface area of approx. 190 m², already has windows and could easily be converted. It features an impressive roofing framework.
The group of buildings
All the holiday rental accommodation units are self-contained and have fitted kitchens, shower or bathrooms and oil-fired central heating with radiators.
Holiday Rental Accommodation Unit 1:
The first large, 220 m² outbuilding, on the east side of the property, was once the chateau’s stable. With 4 bedrooms and a dormitory, it can accommodate up to 12 people. Restoration works have greatly enhanced the character of this building. An impressive granite fireplace, featuring the estate’s coat-of-arms, and exposed beams contribute to its warm, welcoming atmosphere.
Holiday Rental Accommodation Unit 2:
This building, once the chateau’s forge, spans 120 m². Renovated in the same vein as the other units, it can accommodate between 6 and 8 people.
Holiday Rental Accommodation Unit 3:
The hunting lodge, the main section of which comprises a 3-storey hexagonal tower, stands at the entrance to the estate. It comprises 2 bedrooms and a large living room with a Louis XVI style fireplace. It has an extremely pleasant, private garden, overlooking the chateau’s parklands.
Holiday Rental Accommodation Unit 4:
This building is on the north side of the parklands, near to the old farm buildings. Spanning a total floor surface area of 140 m², it can accommodate up to 8 people in its three bedrooms.
Holiday Rental Accommodation Unit 5:
This south-facing unit is laid out all on a level. It can accommodate up to 7 people. Its 200 m² enclosed garden includes a private, closed garage and a superb terrace with its garden furniture. Inside, it comprises a dining room and an American style, fully fitted kitchen. A corridor provides access to 3 bedrooms with storage and hanging space.
A 2-roomed, caretaker’s cottage spans 65 m².
Our opinion
Visitors neither smile nor frown when faced with the elegance and soberness of this 19th century construction. Its high level of home comforts is obvious even from the outside. One facade features a large terrace set between two slight, square projections. On the other are towers, topped with candlesnuffer roofs; its central bay is a rotunda, letting in copious amounts of daylight. The logical course of action would be to continue the bed & breakfast and holiday rental accommodation unit activity, extended by its outbuildings, which the visitors’ book proves is much appreciated. French director, Frank Guérin, filmed “Un jour d'été” (A summer’s day) here in 2006. The organisers of the “Tour de France” cycle race have included the chateau along its route in 2018.
1 468 000 €
Fees at the Vendor’s expense
Reference 605066
| Land registry surface area | 12 ha |
| Main building floor area | 483 m² |
| Number of bedrooms | 4 |
| Outbuildings floor area | 800 m² |
French Energy Performance Diagnosis
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.