Castle - Page 2

Opt for life at the Château
Fulfil your wildest dreams by living the Château experience.

An 11th century château with its outbuildings and avenue of cedars in Gascony. A 19th century château with heated swimming pool in the Dordogne. A château with dovecote and stable for sale in the Tarn… Prestigious by definition, not everyone will be able to afford a château, but these coveted buildings are no longer entirely out of reach. Prices vary enormously, depending on region, floor area and/or outbuildings. But since there are more than 40,000 châteaux in France: classical, defensive, with large estates and even neo-gothic, you can be certain of finding one that’s a perfect fit for you, whether it’s in Poitou-Charentes, the South of France or Aquitaine.

Live like a lord (or lady)
So the price of a château is directly influenced by many different factors, including the size of the building, the amount of land, its location and, of course, the overall condition of the property and the likely cost of its restoration. Other specific details can also influence the overall cost, ranging from date of construction and originality to whether or not it’s a listed heritage building. Be particularly careful about this last point if you plan to carry out major renovation work. But whatever your circumstances, it’s always a good idea to estimate the likely costs involved in restoring and maintaining the property, especially if it has a lot of rooms and extensive grounds.

As well as all these essential considerations, it’s also important to understand that buying a château is nothing like buying an apartment, because in taking responsibility for a piece of national architectural heritage, you also have responsibility for bringing its history to life.