CastleChalais (16)

In the heart of the Charente, this imposing 15th to 17th century Castle, cradle of the Talleyrand-Périgord family and a listed historic monument, stands majestically on its rocky spur overlooking the village of Chalais.Cross the drawbridge and enter through the carriage entrance sheltered by the gatehouse, into the courtyard around which the castle is built. It comprises the residence, with its mansard roof, flanked by its impressive square tower to the south. To the north, a first outbuilding between the residence and the gatehouse, with the scullery adjoining it, and to the south-east a square house. Other outbuildings below include stables, sheds and accommodation.The residence, of nearly 2000m2 built of stone, is currently open to the public for tours. On the ground floor, visitors can admire a magnificent gallery with an atypical wall that leads from one room to the next, French-style ceilings over 4 meters high, terracotta floors, oak Versailles parquet or tiles with marble cabochons, marble fireplaces, mullioned windows, and a 17th-century chapel with a woodworked and marble altar.A monumental stairway leads to the gallery on the upper floor, which also features high ceilings, a bedroom and its extraordinary study with painted wooden walls, as well as a reception room of almost 150 m2.Adjoining and communicating with the residence, a house with separated entry, with kitchen, bedroom, lounge and shower room is also possible.The future owner will be able to continue the restoration work undertaken by the current owner to restore the residence to its former glory, in particular by continuing to renovate the first floor and the top floor under the roof, as well as the outbuildings of nearly 3000m2.Between the residence and the gatehouse, an outbuilding rebuilt around 1880, which once housed a well-known restaurant, offers 220m2 of living space on the ground floor, divided between a large, vaulted room and a professional kitchen, and the same space on the first floor between accommodation and lounges.The gatehouse, with its slate roof, features two carriage entrance gates and rooms for lodging for the guards.The outbuilding to the east of the gatehouse hosts the concierge and the laundry.A square, slate-roofed pavilion built over a vaulted basement shelters the custodian's quarters.Below, the outbuildings comprise two elongated buildings that once housed stables, sheds and an accommodation.At the heart of the main courtyard is a rainwater collection tank.To the south, a magnificent esplanade provides a green setting for the castle.Please do not hesitate to contact me for further details!