A wrought iron gate leads into the property. Guarded and bordered by yew hedges, the impressive ironwork opens onto a stately driveway lined with centuries-old oak trees forming a thick screen of greenery.
At first sight the chateau shows its full splendour: a large, projecting central section, stone balusters encircling the esplanade, a wing to the left and two to the right, one of which is slightly smaller. Next to the traditional Louis XIII-style building, there is a more modern extension. Built in 1898, some twenty years after the Republicans came to power, the chateau was commissioned by an officer whose family descended from a regiment of dragoons under the Ancien Régime and had prospered since their ennoblement under the First Empire. In the 20th century, the chateau enjoyed renewed splendour, although this was interrupted during the Occupation when it was requisitioned by the Germans. After D-Day and during the early days of the Liberation, American troops stayed here. During the French colonial wars, the chateau was inhabited by the mother of a famous writer. As part of the French government's 'civilising' mission, young Indochinese were brought here to learn French language and culture. Finally, in 1980, the chateau was bought by its current inhabitants. Major modernisation work was carried out, while taking care to preserve the original authenticity of the building erected towards the end of the 19th century.
The chateau and its terrace, built on the highest hillside, dominate the vast landscape to the south. Protected by a canopy of fragrant greenery, the building sits at the heart of elegantly designed parklands. A gravel walkway surrounds the entire property. Beyond the fence, the nearby forest stretches as far as the eye can see.
Finally, at the bottom of the highest part of the grounds, there is a former outbuilding that has been converted into a guest house. Here, the gently sloping parkland affords sweeping views of the surrounding area.

The chateau

With its mixed limestone and brick elevations, the south-facing, three-storey chateau is both imposing and elegant, as evidenced by the in-and-out bond courses on the jambs of the eighteen windows that mark the first two storeys. Further up, the third level, topped with a slate roof, is lit by six curved dormers decorated with small ailerons. These project slightly from the roof. The five hipped sections of the Mansard-style roof are of slate, with the upper and lower slopes adding movement and curves, strength and lightness to the overall appearance. To the north, the blind left wing facade enhances the corner quoins. On the gable end of the facade, three impressive brick chimney stacks protrude from the roof. On each of the first two storeys, six windows mirror those on the south side. Even higher up, there are three aligned rows of gabled dormers.
A basement with cellar can be converted as required for various different uses.

The ground floor
As in many late 19th century residences, the internal layout meets a number of rational and pragmatic criteria. On the north side, a hallway with a black and white Burgundy stone floor features double French windows. It serves the sitting rooms and other spaces on the south side. To the left, a straight oak staircase with a quarter-turn landing and a lift lead to the upper floors. The contour of the landing step, the carved pine-cone finial of the newel post and the ornate wooden doors topped with transoms opening on to the sitting rooms are the hallmarks of a rare quality of interior decor.
In the central section, the hallway leads to two brightly lit sitting rooms that open onto the south-facing terrace. Both rooms have retained their original door frames and glass transoms. The decor reflects the refined style of the Louis-Philippe period. Tones of raspberry, old rose and celadon blend with those of the striped and floral wall fabrics. One sitting room has herringbone parquet flooring and the other straight strip hardwood. While one features a Louis XIV-style marble corner fireplace, the other is wainscoted. The white ceilings in both rooms are bordered by thick cornices.
In the right wing, a spacious dining room can be accessed either from one of the sitting rooms or from the connecting corridor. It features a predominantly Louis XVI style: grey marble fireplace, herringbone parquet flooring, floral wall fabrics and curved cornices. In the opposite wing, another sitting room with hardwood flooring opens onto a vast tiled professional kitchen. This wing has been laid out as a virtually self-contained flat, with a bedroom with hardwood flooring and a bathroom. Finally, at the end of a corridor, a contemporary extension with an industrial frame contains a bedroom with hardwood floor, a mezzanine and an en suite shower room.
The first floor
The large landing and passageway feature walls lined with striped Louis XVI fabric. They provide direct access to two spacious bedrooms and their adjoining bathrooms. They exude an old-fashioned atmosphere, similar to that of the dining room below: narrow strip parquet flooring, doors with original woodwork, large double windows with plunging views over the grounds and into the distance, Louis XVI-style marble fireplaces with wooden overmantels, and walls lined with fabrics typical of the late 18th century. In each of the bathrooms, the flooring is of cabochon tiles and the marble washbasins complement First French Empire-style plasterwork.
A corridor leads to the left wing, where there are three other bedrooms, laid out according to the same plan as those in the central section, with straight strip hardwood flooring and bathrooms. In the opposite wing, there are two further bedrooms, one of which is fitted with cupboards with Louis XV "à la capucine" wood panelling. A service staircase, a storeroom and a linen room complete the level, which is served by the staircase and the lift.
The second floor
This level comprises seven further bedrooms, all with en-suite bathrooms. Some of the sleeping rooms are decorated in the same style as the first two levels, while others have been given a more contemporary feel and colour scheme. All have radiator covers and some also have fireplaces. The walls are decorated with dado rail panelling and stretch fabrics. Lavatories complete the first floor, which is served by the lift and the back staircase.

The guest house

Built like an elongated farmhouse, this rendered white stone building extends over a rectangular floor plan and two storeys. The gable roof with local tiles has three dormer windows. A last dormer with a wrought iron balustrade is located on the gable end. The facades feature climbing plants and windows set off by brick and dressed stone surrounds.

The ground floor
The first level is accessed either via the north or south facade, or via one of the French windows in the gable wall. A living room features a fireplace with insert. The Louis XVI surround is topped with an overmantel. The walls are lined with stretched fabrics. To the right is a small dining room followed by a fitted kitchen. At the end of a corridor are four bedrooms with straight strip hardwood floors. All are bright and on the same level, with direct access to the grounds. Bathrooms, lavatories and a boiler room complete the ground floor.
The first floor
A turned wood staircase with double pear balusters leads to a bedroom in the roofspace with painted beams, as well as a lavatory. The rest of the attic can be converted. At the rear, another staircase leads to a landing, a bedroom with sloping ceilings and a shower room.