A 15th-century chateau
on a 13-hectare estate, an hour from Lyon
on a 13-hectare estate, an hour from Lyon
Roanne,
LOIRE
rhones-alps
42300
FR
Location
The property, combining town and country, is nestled in the heart of France's Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region, between the Saône-et-Loire, Rhône and Puy-de-Dôme departments. It is six minutes away from the historic centre of Roanne, an hour from Lyon and 50 minutes from Saint-Étienne by motorway. The town of Roanne, with its historic centre, its pedestrian streets and its markets, is linked to Lyon, with trains running every 30 minutes to Lyon-Part-Dieu high-speed train station, and to its international airport via the Rhône-Express tramway.
Description
Protected from all visual and audible nuisances, this Renaissance-style chateau has been lived in since the Gallo-Roman era. It is reached via a lane going through a wood, concealing all of the buildings. Gates open on to a large courtyard which, set in the middle of an estate spanning 13 continuous hectares of woods and meadows, is bordered by all of the buildings. The limits are visible, marked by tall trees forming a natural perimeter wall. Destroyed by fire in 1594 during the Holy League Wars, the chateau was rebuilt immediately afterwards. Restored, it still currently features stone mascarons representing people on the west facade of the large interior courtyard. Jeanne-Chézard-de-Matel, founder of the Order of the Incarnate Word, was born here. The Poulot family inherited the property at the end of the 19th century.
The chateau
Entirely modernised, the impressive, symmetrical and rectangular building, with its classical facade, faces east over the meadows and a small lake. Its three levels, each spanning approx. 280 m², are topped with attic space covered with a roof featuring dormers. A large, vaulted cellar, ideal for tasting evenings, takes up a section of the basement.
The ground floor
Double glazed doors open into a little gallery which runs the length of the west side of the building, giving access to all the rooms on the ground floor. It is followed by a vast entrance hall that opens into a large dining room, its semi-open-plan kitchen, enhanced with a glass-panelled window, and a storeroom. These rooms are extended by a corner lounge, with its three large windows, its fireplace and its mosaic floor tiles, featuring daisy motifs. A toilet, with a wash-hand basin, can be reached via the lounge. The gallery provides access to two bedrooms, a study, a dressing room, a shower room and a separate toilet. Also on this level, a last bedroom, with its little lounge area as well as its shower room and toilet, can be reached directly from the gallery or via a door opening off of the interior courtyard.
The first floor
A stone stairway goes up to the first floor on either side of the building, thus keeping the owners’ living area private from the guest bedrooms. A large corridor leads to one of the seven bedrooms, all fitted with their own private shower rooms and toilets.
The second floor
The top floor comprises four bedrooms, each with its own shower room and toilet, as well as a suite, spanning approx. 80 m², with a lounge, a bedroom, a bathroom and a toilet. The suite is predominantly used for newly-weds on their wedding night.
The basement
A large, vaulted, stone cellar, with gravel flooring, is currently used for wine tasting. Two small cellars, laid out longwise, can be reached from the vaulted cellar. PAVA 2028.
The “Loges” holiday accommodation rental unit
With a private external entrance, this unit is laid out over two levels. It can accommodate up to twelve people. The ground floor comprises a lounge, an eating area and a fitted kitchen. On the first floor are six double bedrooms, each with their own shower room and toilet.
The small “Loges” room
This area was once used as stables as is shown by the pebbles that were traditionally laid on the floor. Equipped with a small kitchen, it is now used as a breakfast room for paying guests.
The “Loges” studio flat
Laid out on the first floor of the “Loges” buildings, it comprises a kitchen area, a lounge, a bedroom and a shower room with a separate toilet.
The billiard room
On the first floor of the “Loges” buildings, this large room is enhanced with a kitchen and a lounge area. It spans a surface area of approx. 130 m².
The function room
Opening directly out on to the chateau’s large interior courtyard and its lawn, this function room spans a surface area of 250 m² (including the utility areas). It is used for large family and professional events. Adjoining is an area for caterers, with professional equipment, as well as a parking area. An awning, spanning approx. 60 m², provides this area with a covered extension.
The “Paradis” house
Once the old caretaker’s cottage, it is now used as a holiday accommodation rental unit, standing on the south side of the property. It spans two levels with a lounge-kitchen area, a bathroom and a toilet on the ground floor and two bedrooms as well as a relaxation area upstairs.
The “Chateaubus”
Three converted buses, providing an unusual form of accommodation, are parked at a distance in the southern section of the property on the edge of the wood with a view over the meadows. With all modern-day home comforts, they include a sleeping area, a kitchen and a bathroom with a toilet. Able to accommodate between two and four people, they are air-conditioned or heated in keeping with the season.
The annexe buildings
These comprise a large farm shed, a covered area, a double garage, workshops and storage areas as well as a little old orangery, transformed into an exercise room. They are all laid out around the small “Loges” interior courtyard.
The parklands
Spanning a surface area of approx. 13 continuous hectares, the parklands are composed of 7 ha of woods and 6 ha of meadows. A small, fish-filled lake, shaded by a magnificent Ginkgo-Biloba, is reached via a flight of steps on the east facade.
The swimming pool
A swimming pool has been installed near to the “Paradis” house on the south side of the property. Measuring 12x6 m, it is protected by safety fencing and includes a bar.
Our opinion
Amongst the many varied possibilities as regards lodging or activities are the accommodation of guests in the Renaissance-style chateau’s many bedrooms, all with views over the meadows stretching for as far as the eye can see, and the organisation of events. These premises take residents back into bygone times but with modern-day home comforts. In 2019, the chateau was given the “Hotels Combined Recognition of Excellence” award, putting it amongst the top 3% best qualified in the world. This activity could obviously be continued without any particular additional conversion works. Living and working in such a setting would be ideal for a professional and family way of life, away from that of the urban variety.
1 820 000 €
Fees at the Vendor’s expense
Reference 386837
| Land registry surface area | 12 ha 70 a 9 ca |
| Main building surface area | 734 m2 |
| Number of bedrooms | +20 |
| Outbuilding surface area | 745 m2 |
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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.
