French Chateau For Sale
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203 properties
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Character 12 bedroom French Chateau for sale in Madiran, Gers, Midi-Pyrenees
Ref 242901
Recommended
Situated in a quiet setting in Madiran, right in the heart of the Gers area and surrounded by vineyards, this superb Gascon property offers an enchanting setting just 5 minutes from all amenities a...
2,500,000 EUR
Historical 8 bedroom Chateau for sale with countryside view in Saintes, Poitou-Charentes
Ref 242816
Recommended
Outstanding Fifteenth Century chateau set in an estate of over 230 acres, beautifully renovated and awarded a 5-star luxury furnished accommodation status by Tourisme de Charente-Maritime. Aft...
4,350,000 EUR
14 bedroom Chateau for sale with Income Potential in Saumur, Pays-de-la-Loire
Ref 242659
Rare Nineteenth century property full of character and charm set in over 2 acres, located within easy walking distance of all shops and amenities in the heart of Saumur, within easy reach by car of...
1,050,000 EUR
Historical 15 bedroom Chateau for sale with countryside view in Loches, Centre
Ref 242603
Recommended
Rare Sixteenth Century Chateau with exceptional historical character, superb condition and full of preserved features, in a beautiful location with panoramic countryside views, set in over 56 a...
1,680,000 EUR
Historical 11 bedroom Chateau for sale with countryside view in Saintes, Poitou-Charentes
Ref 242514
Simply stunning 17th century French Chateau ideally located in a quiet setting just 6km from Saintes, set within a vast plot of almost 70 hectares (175 acres), including 38 hectares of agricultural...
1,950,000 EUR
12 bedroom Chateau for sale in Haut Anjou, Pays-de-la-Loire
Ref 242280
Beautifully renovated Nineteenth Century French Chateau with gites, outbuildings and equestrian facilities, nestled in 47 acres of land with lake while enjoying far reaching countryside views from...
1,950,000 EUR
Income Producing 13 bedroom Chateau for sale with countryside view in Condom, Midi-Pyrenees
Ref 242048
Superb French Chateau in the countryside of the South West of France set in an estate of over 180 acres, including vineyards and equestrian facilities, within easy reach of a town with amenitie...
2,900,000 EUR
6 bedroom Chateau for sale with countryside view in Montcuq, Midi-Pyrenees
Ref 241801
Impressive and superbly presented French chateau in a beautiful countryside location. Built in stone with its superbly integrated pretty tower, this property benefits from a private setting. This ...
2,950,000 EUR
Historical 9 bedroom Chateau for sale with countryside view in Bethune, Nord-Pas-de-Calais
Ref 241774
Grand and historical 9 bedroom chateau, situated in quiet setting in Bethune: GROUND FLOOR: 253m2. MAGNIFICENT BANQUETING HALL 100m2 beautifully decorated to the very highest standard with faux e...
2,000,000 EUR
13 bedroom Chateau for sale with countryside view with Income Potential in Aignan, Midi-Pyrenees
Ref 241739
Charming French chateau set in a country estate of 15 acres in the Gascony countryside, providing luxury living in a beautiful setting with impressive views reaching to the Pyrenees. This much lov...
2,650,000 EUR
Historical 11 bedroom Chateau for sale with countryside view in Nogaro, Midi-Pyrenees
Ref 241724
Recommended
The chateau briefly comprises, over 2 floors : eleven bedrooms eleven bathrooms and reception rooms, kitchen, utility, additional storage space, all rooms fitted with double glazing. The annexe c...
2,900,000 EUR
Income Producing 13 bedroom Chateau for sale with countryside view in La Mastre, Rhone-Alpes
Ref 241592
Excellent lifestyle and income opportunity with this impressive French chateau in the heart of the Ardeche region of France, set in over 4 acres with outbuildings, gites and swimming pool. The ...
980,000 EUR
Character 6 bedroom Chateau for sale in Montaigu de Quercy, Midi-Pyrenees
Ref 241584
Charming character property with pool and set in over 6 acres in a village setting located 30 minutes from Agen, and 23 minutes from Montagu de Quercy. The lovely stone property features a ma...
740,000 EUR
Refurbished 5 bedroom Chateau for sale with countryside view in Monbazillac, Aquitaine
Ref 241566
Recommended
Full of character and charm, this magnificent 5 bedroom Chateau, with a total spacious living area of 342m2, is ideally situated in a quiet setting, yet just a few steps from the charming village ...
1,300,000 EUR
Income Producing 24 bedroom Chateau for sale with countryside view in Agen, Aquitaine
Ref 241192
Fabulous 24 bedroom fully furnished luxury hotel nestling in over 3 hectares of glorious landscaped gardens with trees and expansive pool, while enjoying far reaching countryside views from its per...
2,288,000 EUR
Historical 8 bedroom Manor House for sale in Villeneuve sur Lot, Aquitaine
Ref 241145
Exquisite 3 storey, 8 bedroom Maison Bourgeoise nestling in 14.5 acres of glorious land with stables and cottage, enjoying wonderful views across the river from its peaceful location near all ameni...
1,263,500 EUR
Refurbished 7 bedroom Chateau for sale with countryside view in Duras, Aquitaine
Ref 241070
Tastefully renovated barn conversion, which is ideally situated within a quiet, peaceful and elevated setting surrounded by countryside with fabulous far reaching views. Set on a plot of 7,360m2,...
1,475,000 EUR
14 bedroom Chateau for sale with countryside view in Le Mans, Pays-de-la-Loire
Ref 240977
Currently undergoing restoration, this exquisite French chateau offers 680m2 of habitable space plus an additional house and outbuildings sitting on 25 hectares of land with beautiful gardens, eque...
2,640,000 EUR
Historical 13 bedroom Chateau for sale with countryside view in Cognac, Poitou-Charentes
Ref 240905
Superb French Chateau, full of character and charm, built in 1880 at the request of a famous Cognac family, this stunning listed chateau is beautifully set within an idyllic setting on the banks of...
3,021,000 EUR
Refurbished 9 bedroom Chateau for sale with panoramic view in Monestier, Aquitaine
Ref 240904
Recommended
Beautifully and tastefully refurbished 9 bedroom stone built property, with a total spacious living area of 500m2, set within a mature landscaped plot of 3,303m2 with a swimming pool and stunning c...
1,150,000 EUR
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Area Guide

Living the dream of owning a large, spectacular and historic building in many countries can often be somewhat difficult to realise. Not so, France. Almost every department has its share of imposing tower-topped chateaux dominating the landscape, if no longer the people. From long-forgotten manorial houses to the very largest monastic and secular palaces, a French chateau offers a vision of mystique and romance that perhaps the more solidly defensive English castles cannot touch.

Why buy a French Chateau?

At present, large estates are offering superb value for money compared to other prestige property around the world. Boasting acres of land, lakes, outbuildings and their own capacious floor spaces, a French chateau gives one the opportunity and space to choose how to live and work. Taking the figure of 1 Million Euros as an example, a French chateau costing this will far outweigh, in real terms, the real estate offered by other luxury and prestige property of the same price. In many locations, you are paying for exactly that - location - and will no doubt be jostling with other similar properties for the best view. A French chateau offers the rare ability to look out from your window and survey no land but your own.

The rise in disposable income and the freedom to travel between countries ensures that there is strong interest in buying such property for a family home or a tourism business - perhaps for fishing, an equestrian school, hunting, outdoor sports, walking or wildlife watching. The fairytale bulk of a French chateau is also one of its main attractions, particularly for weddings or hotel accommodation. What bride would not wish to be married within an ancient chapel bathed by soft light streaming through its stained glass windows, then withdraw across the lawn to the main building with its ornate decoration a background to the big day and the sounds of history echoing from its walls?

Many such properties also have existing income from timber or wine production.

French chateau types

If you are looking to buy a French chateau, be it for pleasure or business, we have many beautiful properties to choose from with prices of approximately 300,000 EUR to over 20 Million EUR. These properties take many forms, from smaller Logis and manor houses to fortified farmsteads and enormous stately homes encompassing many hectares of land with woods, lakes, guest houses and outbuildings.

A chateau, because of its size and history, usually has over 1 hectare of land - usually this is much more, even with lower budget examples. While there is a limited supply of French chateaux that are up for sale at any given time, there is likely to be a great variety. You may wish to buy a large building with little land to make your money go further. Or you may wish to buy a smaller Logis-style property, but utilise the land for horses, hunting or wildlife. However, there are many examples of chateaux for sale on the market with a large floor space and several dozen hectares, but they are understandably more expensive but not overly so. 1 million EUR can easily buy you 500m2 of floor space on several levels plus 20 hectares of land.

Whether a chateau dates from the 10th or 20th century, it will have its own style and history of decoration. Some can be a mix of styles from different periods as fashion and the owner's availability of funds changed. Other examples of French chateaux appear not to have changed since they were built. Many were built in the early 19th century as France became more dominant and wealthy. There are similarities between properties in that you are likely to find original features such as stone fireplace, parquet flooring, mouldings and carvings dotted around the rooms.

Where to buy a French chateau for sale

You can buy a French chateau in all states of preservation; from windowless shells requiring total renovation, to those requiring part-decoration, to immaculate 19th century bourgeois stately homes, the amount you will need to spend will depend on how much work you are willing to undertake. Being large properties, renovations can be very costly and time-consuming but need not be outside the budget of most serious buyers if planned correctly. Typically, to arrive at a habitable building you will need to spend around a total of around 500,000 Euros, whether you opt to renovate or buy an already renovated example.

Obviously, the more you spend to begin with, the larger the chateau, outbuildings and land you will acquire. While not always true, like most things it is usually sound advice to spend more at the outset to buy a good example than spend money creating one. In other words, it is better to let the previous owner use their money and time!

Our portfolio includes a great selection of French chateaux for sale in many areas of France. The Loire valley and the nearby departments offer particularly good investment opportunities for the chateau property buyer and we have over 30 examples in the Indre-et-Loire, Loir et Cher, Indre, Maine et Loire and Seine et Marne alone. Other good 'populations' exist in the Parisian departments and the south east, south west and north east areas of France. The market is remarkably fluid below 1.5 Million euros, with highly desirable properties changing hands within weeks of being offered for sale. This compares favourably with other prestige markets with regards to 'on-market' times.

Buying a Property in France

1. Signing the Agreement (Compris)

On finding a property you wish to purchase you will need to negotiate the terms, price and conditions of the sale with the owner.

The next step, once you are in agreement, is to sign the preliminary contract (Compromis de Vente). This is a legal document and after ten days will be binding on both parties. Rules change frequently in France and it is best to consult with your notary about when this period starts. Generally the compris will be signed in France with the Agent.

Variants can be included in the compris, for example an Acte (clause) can be added if the name or names to go on the title deed have not been finalised. If a mortgage will be required to purchase the property, the details for this, including the name of the mortgage company, must be on the compris.

2. Paying the Deposit

Generally the deposit will be 10% of the agreed purchase price. This will normally be paid to the notaire. There are exceptions to this, if the agent holds a carte professionelle, is bonded and fully registered then you may pay them, but do not hand over the deposit to anyone else. If for some reason the purchase does not go through, for example, if you write to the notaire and the agent that you do not wish to go continue with the purchase before the contract is binding (within seven days of signing the compris), then your deposit would be repaid. This would also apply if a condition had not been met, or the mayor or S.A.F.E.R. (a government agency that has the right of first purchase on most rural property that comes onto the market in France) could oblige the purchaser to give way. If you decide after the seven days 'cooling off' period that you do not wish to complete the purchase and pull out of the sale you would lose your deposit. If however the vendor pulls out of the sale then you will receive your deposit back plus the same amount from the vendor.

3. On Completion

Generally it will take around two or three months to complete the purchase.

During this time the balance of the purchase money must be paid into the account of the notaire, this must be done well ahead of the completion date. The notaire will prepare the documents, check that the deed of sale (Acte de Vente) is in order and have the legal title ready to be signed over. It is possible to have someone sign on your behalf if you give them power of attorney. An interpreter may be of use at this point if your French is not very good and many Notaires will suggest (or insist) that an interpreter is with you.

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