A characterful chateau in a landscaped estate,
in the Berry sector near Bourges
Vallenay, CHER center-val-de-loire 18190 FR

Location

This property is on the edge of a village in the Cher area in the Centre-Val de Loire region, located 30 minutes from Bourges and its railway station, from where Paris can be reached in two hours. Fifteen kilometres away, the town of Saint-Amand-Montrond boasts all essential everyday amenities: convenience shops, supermarkets and restaurants. By car, Paris can also be reached in 3 hours via the nearby A71 motorway.

Description

This chateau, erected in 1844, in the midst of an environment made up of meadows, woods and undulating countryside with remarkable viewpoints, boasts neo-classical architecture typical of the 19th century. The estate is tucked away in a haven of greenery and can be reached at the end of a driveway after passing by several outbuildings, such as a caretaker’s house, stables and an orangery. It boasts a perfectly symmetrical facade, topped by a triangular pediment, punctuated by tall windows with louvred shutters and underlined by a double stone staircase leading to the main patio.
The residence possesses ample reception volumes, which are bathed in light through the many openings, in keeping with the style of manor houses of its era. The harmonious proportions, noble materials and architectural balance bestow a sophisticated, welcoming and timeless ambiance on the edifice.
The approximately 20-hectare landscaped parkland made up of vast lawns, hundred-year-old trees and private spaces extend the warm atmosphere of the residence outside. A water feature further enhances this special setting and is an invitation to contemplation as well as calm.
The chateau discretely overlooks the estate and enjoys an uninterrupted view of the surrounding countryside. It harmoniously combines the character of a historical residence with the gentleness of remarkable parkland and the potential of a family seat or reception venue.
In addition to the caretaker’s house, the property also boasts many other outbuildings:
- The estate’s former stables.
- The equestrian facilities with ten recent, concrete looseboxes, plus pastureland, a round pen and two dressage areas.
- A former farmyard.
- A dovecote transformed into a holiday cottage.
- An orangery.
- A wooden agricultural storage building and another, covering almost 300 m².
- A recent 150-m² holiday cottage.
- A 10-metre by 5-metre swimming pool with a technical installations room and a lavatory.
- An artificial turf tennis court.

The chateau

The rectangular, two-storey edifice topped by a converted attic level beneath a hipped roof boasts a simple and perfectly organised layout, with approximately 200 m² of living space on each level, made up of harmonious volumes with ceiling heights of 3.70 metres.
The ground floor is bathed in light through three large, semi-circular arched windows in the reception rooms, dining room and main lounge. A kitchen, a scullery, a smaller lounge and an office are set either side of the entrance hall. Above, the windows on the first floor are impeccably aligned and light streams through them into five bedrooms, three of which have en suite bathrooms and are used for a guest accommodation activity, as are two further bedrooms on the second floor, accompanied by a lounge and a fitness room.
The entire chateau has been fully renovated and maintained to the highest standards.

The former stables

They boast a refined design made up of simple and elongated shapes, light ochre / beige coloured rendered facades and large, red-painted carriage gates.
Robustness and functionality are the watchwords for this building, though it does possess a certain elegance.
The main space stands out through its greater height, the clock and bell pinnacle at the top of the roof and its more noble appearance than the side wings, which are lower and display a more technical nature.
The current layout includes several sections: parking for vehicles, workshops, storage zones, six old looseboxes and a saddlery.
On the first floor, an apartment requiring renovation and two spaces beneath the rafters in each wing could be transformed into a reception venue.
The roofs have been renovated, incorporating solar panels on the main slope.

The dovecote

During the Ancien Régime period, the right to possess a dovecote was a privilege reserved for lords. It is adjacent to a farmyard containing aviaries which are today used as hen coops. The edifice is made up of two parts: a main section and a circular tower. It is topped by a conical slate roof, which is its most remarkable feature. The dovecote has been transformed into bed and breakfast accommodation / a holiday let. It is made up of a living room, a kitchen, a bedroom upstairs and a large, covered patio.

The orangery

This approximately 40-m² edifice is situated at the entrance to the chateau. In aristocratic residences, an orangery was a social symbol. This one blends harmoniously into the rest of the estate’s outbuildings, devoted to its horticultural aspects, while the outhouses as well stables served agricultural purposes and the dovecote fulfilled a symbolic and practical role.

The equestrian facilities

This building houses the looseboxes and is set around a courtyard alongside pastureland. To the left, there is a long wing, while another building is set perpendicularly, around a central earthen track. It is made up of a series of approximately ten looseboxes fitted with openwork doors, on which the lower parts are made of solid wood and the upper parts can be opened to facilitate ventilation and contact with the horses. The building at the back of the courtyard houses a saddlery, a fodder store and various other storerooms.
The flooring in the looseboxes is made of concrete and all the facilities are in excellent condition.
Several expanses of pastureland can be found nearby as can two dressage areas and a round pen.

The holiday cottage, swimming pool and tennis court

A 150-m² recently built holiday cottage can be found at the northern entrance to the chateau, with a separate means of access. It is made up of a large living room, three bedrooms, two bathrooms and two lavatories.
A 10-metre by 5-metre swimming pool with a technical installations room, shower and a lavatory, plus an artificial turf tennis court can be found nearby.

The parkland

It was designed by a famous landscape architect under the reign of Napoleon III in the style of an English tradition landscaped garden. It boasts a wide variety of vegetation, including isolated ornamental trees, groups of trees of contrasting types, tall trees in the background and open meadows.
This alternation of clearings and wooded areas is characteristic of the Romantic period’s landscape art. Visitors are prevented from seeing the entire estate with one glance and are instead introduced to one scene of vegetation after another, which is one of the fundamental principles of landscaped gardens in the English tradition.
Two streams, an almost 1,500-m² fishpond and two water features, one of which is equipped with jetties and stands near to the chateau, punctuate the parkland
At the entrance to the estate, there is a one-hectare wood and a more than 300-m² agricultural storage building in excellent condition.

The caretaker’s house

Visitors are welcomed at the caretaker’s house, through the wrought-iron gate at the entrance to the property. It has a surface of approximately 60 m² and can be found near to the equestrian facilities.

Our opinion

This estate, in the heart of meticulously designed landscaped grounds, with a pond and remarkable trees, boasts the utmost character and standing of the grand properties of yesteryear. It is set around an elegant residence as well as a considerable number of historical outbuildings, including outhouses, a dovecote, an orangery plus equestrian facilities, and bears witness to a rich past and preserved architectural heritage. The property is steeped in history and exudes authenticity, enjoying an exceptional living environment, both as a main residence or as a home for receiving and welcoming family members. Its potential also makes it conducive to creating an activity focused either on luxury holiday lets, event hosting, wedding receptions or organising seminars, in a unique environment where heritage and the art of living come together with distinction.

Exclusive sale

1 850 000 €
Fees at the Vendor’s expense


See the fee rates

Reference 823938

Main building floor area 600 m²
Number of bedrooms 10

Information on the risks to which this property is exposed is available on the website: www.georisques.gouv.fr

Consultant

Frédéric Grouvel +33 1 42 84 80 85

contact

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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.

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