Location
This property is in the south-east of the French department of Allier, some 20 minutes from the centre of Vichy, its SNCF train station and slip roads for the motorway providing links with Paris. It stands on the edge of a quiet village, with shops and schools.
Description
The chateau
An elegant building, constructed by architect Persigny in 1897, this little chateau stands on a gentle knoll in the midst of enclosed, planted parklands. The south facade features two levels of seven aligned openings, with a balcony in the middle of the first floor, as well as a flat on the attic floor, illuminated on the facade via a large dormer window. Two square corner towers protrude from each end. Eight steps go up to a terrace porch, enclosed by a balustrade and running alongside the ground floor.
The white limestone walls and the slate roof reflect the local character of this neo-Renaissance chateau.
Ground floor
Double doors open into a meticulously decorated vestibule, with a high ceiling, a stucco arch and period floor tiles. It provides access, on one side, to a large lounge and a second, smaller one; on the other side are a dining room and a fully fitted, contemporary kitchen. Each of the corner towers, flanking the facade, house a very small, 6 m² lounge on each of their three levels. A large, straight stairway at the end of the vestibule conceals the entrance to the cellars, running the full floor surface area of the chateau as well as a door leading out the rear of the building to the parklands.
First floor
This level comprises four bedrooms, only one of which has its own bathroom, the three others share a large communal bathroom. There are also a dressing room and a toilet as well as the two little ladies’ sitting rooms in the towers. The central bedroom opens on to the balcony via double French windows. High ceilings and large windows let in copious amounts of light. The floors are covered with parquet flooring and each bedroom has a marble fireplace.
Second floor
Two bedrooms, a large lounge with fireplaces, a bathroom, a dressing room, a linen room and a study as well as the two ladies’ sitting rooms in the towers. All the rooms have parquet flooring except for the bathroom with its marble floor.
Basement
The basement can be reached from the inside and from the outside. It spans the full floor surface area of the chateau, is perfectly sound and comprises seven cellars as well as a boiler room.
The parklands
The parklands, spanning a surface area of 8.32 ha, are fully enclosed by walls, fencing and hedges. The property is delimited on two sides by lanes and, to the south, by two private properties. It has three entrances off of the roads, two of which have remote-controlled gates.
The southern section is taken up by a meadow, with an ornamental lake, used as a watering-hole by the animals. The rest of the land is predominantly wooded and home to a herd of fallow deer that has lived on the estate for more than a century.
The garden
A vegetable garden, laid out near to the ornamental lake, features squares separated by paved alleyways. It is fitted with a watering system. A gazebo provides shelter for the gardener.
Meadows
These are tended and alternate with wooded sections. The cut grass is used as fodder for the fallow deer.
Outbuilding
A long traditional farmhouse, with brick framing around the doors and windows, spans a ground surface area of approx. 250 m². It is divided into a caretaker’s cottage (uninhabitable in its current state), old stables, with two loose boxes, workshops and garages. The first floor comprises a vast area, once a hayloft, covering the entire surface area of the garages and the stables. Featuring several openings, this attic space could be converted.
At the back, in an enclosed courtyard are a kennel, an aviary and an old cowshed.
Well
A small shed houses the property’s water pumping and distribution system, supplying the ornamental lake, the ponds and the fountains.
Our opinion
This chateau, with its Renaissance appearance, has been converted to include modern-day home comforts in rooms that have all been renovated since 2016. These first-class restoration and conversion works were based on the chateau’s archives, history of art and the owner’s knowledge. Aesthetics and charm reign in this completely natural, pastoral setting with its animals just 20 minutes from the centre of Vichy.
1 295 000 €
Fees at the Vendor’s expense
Reference 286687
Land registry surface area | 8 ha 31 a 90 ca |
Main building surface area | 450 m2 |
Outbuilding surface area | 360 m2 |
Number of bedrooms | 6 |
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.