A large, 18th & 19th century, rural estate, with a chateau and outbuildings
in 25 ha of parklands, meadows and woods in south Burgundy
Charolles, SAONE-ET-LOIRE burgundy 71120 FR

Location

In the Saône-et-Loire department, where the borders of the Charolais, Beaujolais and Clunysois regions meet, this estate can be easily reached via the A6 motorway and the Central Europe Atlantic Route (RCEA) from Lyon in 1½ hours, Geneva in 2 hours and Paris in 4½ hours. Furthermore, Mâcon-Loché and Le-Creusot-Montchanin TGV train stations, with 1½-hour links to Pairs, are both a 45-minute drive away.
The area around the property is part of a UNESCO classification project involving the Charolais-Brionnais lands recognised for the quality and authenticity of their landscapes and environment. All shops and amenities can be reached in 10 minutes by car.

Description

The current structure of the estate, standing on the site of an old Seigneury, predominantly dates from the 18th and 19th centuries. In the peace and quiet, with no visual or audible nuisances, it can be accessed via various private roads. The main driveway goes around the landscape parklands, bringing the symmetrical facade of the chateau into view. The outbuildings, constructed on the north side in the 19th century, delimit a courtyard which opens on to a large, walled vegetable garden. Away from the buildings, the woods extend over approx. 12 ha. The entire property is, however, in need of a new lease on life and major renovation works for its history to continue.

The chateau

This chateau is laid out in an elegant U-shape in the midst of its parklands. The regular, symmetrical southern facade most certainly dates from the late 18th century. Spanning two floors in addition to a level under the rafters, it is flanked by two slightly protruding wings, both linked by a stone terrace. The entire main building is covered with glazed tiles and topped with numerous finials. On the courtyard side, two lower, robust wings set at right angles, covered with flat tiles, were added in the 19th century, together with two towers and a projection forming a terrace in front of the main building.


The ground floor
The chateau is entered via a vast vestibule, with terrazzo flooring and a black marble fireplace, which provides access to the two wings set at right angles. In the central building, a corridor opens on to the south-facing, stone terrace and the parklands. It leads to the reception rooms: a dining room and a lounge, spanning approx. 50 m² each, on the south side, a library and a study on the west side. Most of these rooms have herringbone pattern parquet flooring, wainscoting, French ceilings, marble fireplaces and wrought casement bolts on the windows. The presence of an impressive marble wash-hand basin is worthy of note in the dining room. The east section is given over to utility rooms: a bedroom, with a bathroom, a functional kitchen and a back kitchen. The two wings set at right angles on the courtyard side have separate entrances with two vast, bright rooms, one of which has a marble fireplace, and some windows are enhanced with stained glass. Both towers house stairways: one is the main one and the other is for staff use. The elegantly fluid, main stairway, made of stone with wrought iron railings, goes up to the first floor. The stairwell is illuminated via a stained-glass window and decorated with painted rendering. The second, back stairway, also made of stone, goes up to the attic space and the staff bedrooms.
The first floor
A long corridor in the main building provides access to six, south-facing bedrooms, all with a view stretching into the distance. Marking the importance of the estate and its residents, their decor is as rich as that in the reception rooms, but the inlaid parquet flooring, marble fireplaces, trumeaux, casement bolts, wainscoting and wall hangings are all in need of some attention. Most of these bedrooms have their own bathroom. In the two wings set at right angles on the east and west sides, a corridor provides access to seven additional bedrooms, with parquet flooring. On the courtyard side, a vast terrace can be accessed via a French window in the corridor.
The second floor
Reached via the back, stone stairway, this level is composed of the old staff bedrooms, illuminated via tall south-facing dormers set in the main building. It would appear possible to convert another nine bedrooms following renovation works.
The cellar
Laid out under the east section of the chateau, the cellars constitute the old foundations of the medieval fortress. They form a variety of vaulted stone tunnels and passageways.

The outbuildings

These outbuildings, laid out around a main courtyard on the north side of the estate, were constructed from stone and brick in the late 19th century. Reflecting the character of the model farms of the time, they are the result of mechanisation and the development of farm production techniques in these vast, landed estates. All the buildings necessary to the social and economic life of such a property are still present: an orangery, a stable, a cowshed, a shelter for carriages, a farm shed, a caretaker’s cottage, etc.


The guest house
On the north-west side of the estate, constructed over several storage areas, this guest house comprises a kitchen, a dining room, four bedrooms and a bathroom. A pleasant terrace on the west side is shaded by two lime trees. Spanning a floor surface area of approx. 120 m², it awaits some improvement works.
The caretaker’s accommodation
On the north-east side of the estate, concealed by the trees, this cottage includes a boiler room, a kitchen and a lounge, with a fireplace, on the ground floor. The first-floor landing provides access to two bedrooms as well as a shower room. Spanning a floor surface area of approx. 75 m², it awaits renovation works.
The reception building
The old orangery and the stables were converted into function rooms at the beginning of the 21st century. Although they have not been used for several years, they could easily become operational. The main room, spanning approx. 160 m², was laid out in the old orangery, looking out over the formal garden, followed by an 80 m² dancefloor. Three adjoining function rooms have been laid out in the old stables: one spans 120 m² and the other two span 70 m². A vast professional kitchen, with an easy, independent access, has been added at the back. With their cleverly designed layout, these function rooms could produce an interesting income.
The outbuilding
Other buildings, previously used for farming and storage purposes are in a seriously dilapidated state. Major rehabilitation works or even partial destruction would need to be envisaged depending on the new owners’ requirements.

The grounds

Spanning a total floor surface area of approx. 25 ha, these perfectly coherent grounds are homogeneously laid out around the buildings. They comprise vast, landscape parklands, a formal garden, a vegetable garden, meadows and woods. They are completely free of tenants and rental agreements.


The parklands
These parklands, designed in the late 19th century by Baron-des-Tournelles, extend southwards, with a clear view stretching into the distance. With a contrived natural air, the views and the alleyways are cleverly delimited by copses of trees. An artificial, earth promontory makes it possible to look down over the estate and admire the undulating scenery. Numerous mature oak, plane, lime and horse chestnut trees are to be seen. The property is enhanced on a lower level by two cascading pools, spanning a surface area of approx. 7,500 m².
The tidy garden
On the west side, facing the orangery and on a slightly higher terrace delimited by a hornbeam hedge, eight yew trees have been decoratively trimmed into dome shapes. An old, recreational greenhouse is also present. The main courtyard features a square, laid to lawn, and a wide, stone ornamental pool.
The vegetable garden
This vegetable garden looks down on to the main courtyard. The heavy surrounding features (wrought iron railings and gates as well as high stone walls) indicate the importance given to the growing of vegetables on the estate. Spanning a surface area of 3,000 m², it includes ornamental pools and an old greenhouse. Espalier-trained, fruit trees (pear, apple, vines, etc.) run the length of the walls. It is sheltered on the north side by a thick copse of northern red oak trees.
The mixed grove
The woods, about a hundred metres away from the estate, are reached courtesy of a right of way. They can also be accessed via a country lane. Spanning a surface area of approx. 12 ha, they are predominantly composed of Douglas fir and acacia trees. Also to be found there is a spring which makes it possible to supply the entire estate without use of a pump.

Our opinion

It is rare that such an untenanted and homogeneous estate comes on the market nowadays. In a balanced, peaceful and nuisance-free setting, it would be possible to imagine living here in a self-sufficient manner, whilst remaining open to the rest of the world, with features that are both rare and common: abundant water, verdant meadows and woods. The chateau stands proudly, bearing witness to a noble past and free of any adulteration. The quality and the diversity of the outbuildings would, furthermore, make it easy to imagine an economic activity. Consequently, this property has everything required for an ambitious renovation project with the aim of breathing new life into the premises.

1 800 000 €
Fees at the Vendor’s expense


See the fee rates

Reference 356665

Land registry surface area 25 ha 82 a 52 ca
Main building surface area 750 m2
Number of bedrooms 15
Outbuilding surface area 865 m2

French Energy Performance Diagnosis

Consultant

Gautier Dumontet +33 1 42 84 80 85

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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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