10 Bed Property for sale
Bourges, Cher, Centre, France
Full Description
Built at the end of the Renaissance in the Agenais region of southwest France, this brick-and-stone château overlooks the Garonne Valley. It has retained much of its original architecture, including its remarkable grand staircase and some distinctive elements of its late 17th-century interior decoration. Four centuries later, it awaits a new owner to write the next chapter in its history.
The estate extends over 5 hectares, including 4 hectares of agricultural land currently in use. The buildings comprise the seigneurial wing of the château, overlooking an east-facing terrace, and a gatehouse formerly equipped with a drawbridge.
On the principal floor, nearly 500 m² of reception rooms are arranged in an enfilade: a former great hall of 160 m², two former drawing rooms of 80 m² each, and two 40 m² rooms within the corner pavilions. At the centre of the composition, the grand staircase leads down to an entirely vaulted basement, while the upper floor contains an unfinished room. An adjoining dwelling also provides approximately 50 m² of habitable accommodation.
The history of this château begins in the late 13th century, when a fortress was erected on a promontory to control the valley. The territory passed repeatedly between English and French rule until the end of the Hundred Years’ War.
At the end of the 16th century, the fortress was dismantled to make way for a more comfortable and prestigious residence. This ambitious aristocratic construction, characteristic of the reign of Henri IV, is distinguished by its Mannerist architecture: mullioned windows framed by diamond-point rusticated stonework, rigorous symmetry and a sophisticated architectural composition.
During the reign of Louis XIV, the lands were elevated to a marquisate, and the château was adorned with richly refined interiors. A few remarkable features have survived, including an elaborately carved fireplace and a vaulted ceiling decorated with a fresco depicting Flora, the Roman goddess of flowers, attributed to the school of Nicolas Poussin.
Confiscated during the French Revolution, the château was subsequently neglected until 1818, when a demolition campaign began. Fortunately, the work was halted, and only the uppermost storey was lost. During the 19th century, the former seigneurial residence was even used as a tobacco-drying house.
Today, the château awaits a major restoration. Its generous proportions, high ceilings, monumental staircase and surviving decorative features still bear witness to its former splendour. Its graceful, harmonious architecture offers remarkable potential for a restoration project, whether as a private residence or for another use compatible with the character of the property.
Inspired and ready to discover this château? We would be delighted to introduce you to its architecture, its history and its restoration possibilities, and to reveal a few more of its secrets.
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