A 105 m² apartment in a listed medieval château set in more than 2 hectares of grounds
between Lyon and Geneva in the Ain department
between Lyon and Geneva in the Ain department
Bourg-en-Bresse,
AIN
rhones-alps
01000
FR
Location
In the east of France, at the gateway to the Jura department and the Alps, the apartment is located inside a medieval château in a small town in the Ain department, between the vineyards of Bugey and the thousand lakes of the Dombes. The village, crossed by the River Ain, lies between green mountain landscapes and lake-covered plateaux. The town is famous for its fishermen, as well as its huge medieval stone bridge.
The town covers all basic needs in terms of services. From the train station, which is just 2 minutes away, Lyon is 20 minutes away and Geneva 1.5 hours. The TGV takes you to Paris or Marseille from Lyon, the former Gaul capital, in 2 hours. At the crossroads of important routes since the Middle Ages, the village is easily accessed and linked to the A40 and A42 motorways, which head north and south.
Description
Overlooking the village and the river, at the top of an estate terraced by thick stone buttresses, the château is built at the southern tip of the Revermont mountain range.
Beyond the gate at the entrance to the grounds, there is a vast parking area opposite, while there is a tree-lined driveway on the right. This leads to former outbuildings arranged around a courtyard: a farmhouse, a barn and a former convent building converted into accommodation. Beyond their rendered facades covered in canal tiles, the château can be glimpsed from the south, with its grounds which are lined with large lawns and shady footpaths.
Rebuilt in the 16th century, and with its gravelled area in front, the east-facing building stands out due to its size. Its impressive rendered facades are topped with a hipped flat tile roof and pierced by numerous high windows, giving an indication of how bright the interior must be. At the north end, the castle is flanked by a heavy square tower. At the end of the 15th century, it housed the tomb of Philibert Le Beau, Duke of Savoy, and the chapel of his wife, Marguerite of Austria, daughter of Emperor Maximilian I, whose name is on the main building staircase. The tower, built of exposed cut stone, is influenced by Renaissance architecture: the position of its cross-mullioned bays, topped with triangular or round-arched pediments, follows the stone staircase it houses.
The apartment, which is on the second floor, begins with a hallway that leads to almost all of the rooms. The 105 m² property has a bright living area with an open-plan fitted kitchen, three bedrooms with built-in wardrobes and views of the grounds and river, a bathroom and a separate toilet.
The site, château and outbuildings have all been listed as historic monuments since 2004.
Beyond the gate at the entrance to the grounds, there is a vast parking area opposite, while there is a tree-lined driveway on the right. This leads to former outbuildings arranged around a courtyard: a farmhouse, a barn and a former convent building converted into accommodation. Beyond their rendered facades covered in canal tiles, the château can be glimpsed from the south, with its grounds which are lined with large lawns and shady footpaths.
Rebuilt in the 16th century, and with its gravelled area in front, the east-facing building stands out due to its size. Its impressive rendered facades are topped with a hipped flat tile roof and pierced by numerous high windows, giving an indication of how bright the interior must be. At the north end, the castle is flanked by a heavy square tower. At the end of the 15th century, it housed the tomb of Philibert Le Beau, Duke of Savoy, and the chapel of his wife, Marguerite of Austria, daughter of Emperor Maximilian I, whose name is on the main building staircase. The tower, built of exposed cut stone, is influenced by Renaissance architecture: the position of its cross-mullioned bays, topped with triangular or round-arched pediments, follows the stone staircase it houses.
The apartment, which is on the second floor, begins with a hallway that leads to almost all of the rooms. The 105 m² property has a bright living area with an open-plan fitted kitchen, three bedrooms with built-in wardrobes and views of the grounds and river, a bathroom and a separate toilet.
The site, château and outbuildings have all been listed as historic monuments since 2004.
The apartment
The main entrance is a stone porch with a double staircase protected by a wrought-iron scrolled balustrade, which leads to a carved wooden double door with a glazed fanlight. The vast entrance hall with its cabochon tiled floor leads immediately to a prominent wooden staircase with a three-quarter turn and half-landings. Dating back to 1594 and restored in the 19th century, this architectural vestige of ancient craftsmanship features a finely sculpted balustrade with antique column balusters.
White panelling runs along the lower walls and the floors are straight parquet throughout. Two decorative stone fireplaces, the first topped by a trumeau mirror, adorn the large living room and one of the bedrooms. Some walls are enhanced by warm colours, while mouldings decorate the ceilings and cornices.
Communal areas
The chapel, renovated in the 19th century, is paved with terracotta tiles and large white stone slabs. The stained glass windows illuminate the inside with a multitude of colours and the walls are decorated with red diamond patterns and flowers. A shared terrace at the top of the tower provides panoramic views of the surrounding area.
A vast parking area measuring more than 1 000 m² is available free of charge within the grounds and is secured by an electric gate with an entry code and intercom.
A cellar and bicycle storage area are also freely accessible to occupants. There is a communal reading space on the chateau's first floor.
The grounds
Spanning more than 2 hectares, they are dotted with many centuries-old trees, including apple, pear, cherry and walnut trees, as well as pines and cypresses. A wide variety of flowers add colour to the landscape. Two ponds measuring around 7 m in diameter are home to a variety of carp and goldfish. A garden area is available for barbecues.
Practical information
Protection of historic monuments is subject to a specific tax regime. As such, certain expenses relating to protected areas - such as works, loan interest, property tax and insurance - can be deducted up to 50% from taxable income. These expenses are deductible from property income.
Our opinion
An apartment “suspended” above the Jura landscape, in a 15th and 16th century château, which is a blend of a medieval structure and Renaissance décor. The apartments are modern, bright and comfortable, while the communal areas have been refurbished to a high standard with fine decorations and materials. In addition to the feeling of going back in time that captivates visitors to the main building, the chapel conjours up thoughts of the eminent figures that frequented it in the past, reminding us that the site has long been a place of rest and tranquillity.
Reference 590697
| Land registry surface area | 2 ha 3 a 40 ca |
| Main building surface area | 105 m2 |
| Number of bedrooms | 3 |
| Number of lots | 30 |
| Annual average amount of the proportionate share of expenses | 2280 € |
Aucune procédure en cours menée sur le fondement des articles 29-1 A et 29-1 de la loi n°65-557 du 10 juillet 1965 et de l’article L.615-6 du CCH
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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.
