castle for sale Valensole, France

A 17th century chateau and its outbuildings, in 6 ha of parklands and gardens, facing Sisteron citadel. This property is on land that borders the Durance Valley, to the north of the town of Sisteron and to the north-east of Buëch bridge. Once a hunting lodge belonging to the Captain of the Cazette, it was then remodelled and given its current appearance. This 17th century building stands at the end of a driveway, lined with plane trees. It comprises a central, rectangular building which spans three levels and is extended by two wings set at right angles. The main facade is bordered with a terrace, the view from which was outlined in William-Turner’s travel sketchbooks in 1830. The painting resulting from this draft is now displayed in the Tate Gallery: Baume Rock with, on its hillside, the outskirts of the town, the confluence of the rivers Durance and Buëch and the citadel standing on a rocky spur. A flight of stone steps goes from the terrace to an Italian-style garden which runs alongside the bank. It gives access to the old stables, to a succession of cellars and to a greenhouse. Parklands, planted with trees hundreds of years old, surround the estate, ensuring its privacy. Near to the chateau, a dovecote stands next to a listed, ornamental pool. An old goat shed adjoins the stables and a farm shed, a barn borders the river bank. A lake is lost from sight in the estate’s woods. Six springs are scattered throughout the property.

A unique, centuries-old chateau and its terraced garden on the edge of a typical Provence village set in a regional nature park. A raised driveway bordered by hedges leads from the village to the estate. A wide wrought iron gate, framed by two masonry pilasters and topped by an interlaced decorative motif, marks the entrance to the property. The terrace in the upper part of the estate reveals a succession of buildings and the long eastern facade, as well magnificent views towards the valley in the distance. The scent of boxwood and roses wafts across the landscape, while the sound of trickling water can be heard in the moat below. Built in the 17th century and enlarged in the 18th century following the main stylistic principles of classical Provence architecture, the building was extensively altered in the 19th century with the addition of a corner tower and an aviary, giving it its current castle-like appearance. The various parts of the edifice, which have survived the centuries, thus present a unique appearance, somewhere between a bastide (Provence farmhouse) and a chateau. The complex comprises four different sections. Three of them have juxtaposed east-facing elevations with regular, symmetrical windows, while the fourth is set back behind its stone-paved courtyard and blue-painted wrought-iron gate and railings. The western facades have fewer and more discreet windows than the other elevations and are all aligned along a little-used village street to the rear of the buildings. The different materials used for the facades and roofs - coursed rubble masonry, brick, slate and terracotta - reflect the construction periods of the various buildings and extensions. The buildings are bordered by several terraced garden areas, benefiting from a water source in the village that is reputed to be inexhaustible. The upper level, at the foot of the château, comprises a rose garden with its pond to the south, a terrace with its water fountain and an impressive chestnut tree in the centre and, to the north, a formal French-style garden with its parterre of pruned box and a series of eleven vaulted ponds, fed by the spring and releasing the overflow of water at the bottom of the estate. A large field at the bottom of the estate provides a distant view of the valley overlooked by the chateau.

The imposing and magnificent Citadel is located in the village of Mane, near Forcalquier, in the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence. Built in the 12th century at the top of a safre mound, it offers a breathtaking 360-degree view of the village and the surrounding landscapes. The Citadel, the only feudal fortification in perfect condition in the Haute-Provence region, is defended by a double helical enclosure, the first of which forms a wall of more than 36 ft. Built by the counts of Toulouse, the medieval citadel counted among the owners: Guillaume II, count of Forcalquier, Charles I of Anjou and families of Provençal nobility. The House : On the ground floor, a large vaulted room, which serves as a reception hall, leads to the summer dining room which opens on one side to the office in the small tower and on the other side to a summer living room with direct access to one of the castle terraces. Kitchen, laundry room, several storage rooms including one in the large tower. On the first floor, a winter living room with fire place and ancient parquet, a winter dining room with terracotta tiles, both with mullioned windows, 3 bedrooms, one with a dressing room and one in the small tower. In the large tower is the library office with a fire place. Kitchen, 2 shower rooms, WC and pantry. On the second floor, an archive library with access from the office on the 1st floor and 3 additional rooms in the attic. The guest house which is located near the swimming pool, surrounded by an enclosure wall, includes a living room where there is a wood-burning oven, a small kitchen, 2 bedrooms and 2 shower rooms. A small tower on the west terrace includes a game room. A well, numerous rooms, moats and vaulted cellars including an old walkway. This building, unique in its historical character, will benefit from a renovation work that will complete the magnificent work of preservation and restoration of the Citadel undertaken by its current owner for nearly 60 years. Please contact Barnes Provence - François LE TROQUER - +33.(0)4.42.53.54.55 Agency fees payable by vendor - François LE TROQUER - Agent commercial - EI - RSAC 881 715 031

Sole agent - Michaël Zingraf Christie's International Real Estate, the Domaine d'Aiguines is a unique property, offering a dominant view of the Verdon Gorges valley. Heritage of the Renaissance and the rule of Henri IV, the castle, restored by Balthazar de Gauthier, majestically dominates the Sainte Croix lake, with a remarkable view as far as the Valensole plateau, the pre-Alps and the mountain range. Luberon. The building has more than 3000 m2 of surface area in an excellent state of conservation. Of square structure, massive but elegant, with, at each corner, round towers topped with a roof of glazed tiles from Moustiers, there are several reception rooms, some of which are decorated with plasterwork, numerous rooms, suites or apartments private, or even rooms dedicated to art, well-being or work. A chapel completes the symbolic character of this place. This exceptional estate extends over more than 15 hectares, where vines rub shoulders with terraced gardens, ponds and fountains recall the history of the place, and the swimming pool blends into the blue of the lake. Its helipad gives it an additional luxurious asset. He can authorize all projects. A lover of the site who decides to invest will have the choice, beyond the land investment, to jealously guard this setting, or to transform this jewel and its numerous outbuildings into a hotel with 25-30 rooms of character. This place which seems removed from the world enjoys a privileged location, nestled in the heart of grandiose and wild nature, with spectacular views, while remaining accessible from motorways. A unique estate steeped in history, it today represents an exceptional heritage site.