castle for sale Foix, France

A fifteenth-century chateau and Benedictine abbey with splendid grounds in one of France’s most beautiful villages, in the country’s Ariège department. You reach the property via a narrow lane that runs along the chateau. The edifice forms a U shape, adjoined to an abbey. It enjoys a commanding view over the River Hers valley. The property is a haven of peace in the heart of a region with an eventful past: Occitania. The chateau stands like a fortress. It is the fruit of a long monastic story: a combination of medieval history and Benedictine architecture. The existence of this Benedictine abbey was first mentioned in a deed that dates back to 923. Charlemagne, returning from a campaign against the Saracens, chose the spot in 778 to build a monastery and a church. A natural dam that held back Puivert lake nearby burst on 18 June 1279, destroying all the villages in the valley. The monastery was rebuilt between 1280 and 1316 to look like France’s royal fortresses with arrow slits. Then its monks abandoned the edifice during the Hundred Years’ War. Later, in 1502, a phase of reconstruction began, resulting in the buildings that we can see here today. This was an initiative from Philippe de Lévis, the Bishop of Mirepoix, who gave the fortified priory a majestic, serious look. He created apartments in the rectangular tower that the chateau still features today. From this period onwards, especially during the edifice’s second phase of restoration in the eighteenth century, the chateau never stopped being embellished with rich decorative features that expressed the abbey’s powerful influence. The edifice is made up of three sections crowned with gabled and hipped roofs that are covered in monk-and-nun tiling and edged with triple-row génoise cornices. The first section is long and thick. It has three floors and an end tower that is taller than the rest of it. Many evenly placed arched or right-angled windows punctuate its walls. The two other sections adjoin the church. They form a cloister around a garden courtyard. The west section has three floors and the east section has two floors. The latter was recently converted into a gîte. In front of the edifice’s large south-facing facade, a terraced garden leads down to parkland that includes an age-old magnolia in its range of trees.

Stylish home in the wing of a historical chateau, private courtyard and old stables. Immaculate shared parkland, pool and tennis courts. This carefully renovated property offers the luxury of chateau living without the constraints of upkeep. Walking distance to a small friendly town with café, small market and regular events. Ideally positioned within an hour of the Pyrenean ski resorts. This would make a fabulous holiday home or equally a year-round residence. ;;There are spectacular communal areas including the arms room and monumental stone staircases. Parkland and gardens with ancient trees surround the chateau;;The front door opens off the main courtyard into the house which offers a large light filled sitting room with stone fireplace and glazed doors opening onto a private, walled courtyard.;;A formal dining area with stone steps leading up to the first floor and 2 double bedrooms, one with en-suite bathroom, the 2nd with shower room, both with views over the courtyard to the countryside beyond.;;On the second floor is a huge master suite with vaulted and beamed ceilings and en-suite bathroom with shower and double basins.;;Back out in the courtyard we find the old stables which provide more scope for creating habitable space. There are large, double wooden doors giving direct access to the courtyard.;;Stone floors, walls a meter thick and stunning original features make this a highly desirable and unusual property which has been carefully renovated to conserve the character and integrity of this stunning building whilst offering comfortable modern living.;;;;;To visit this property, and help you with your French property search, contact Kingsley HODGKINS (EI), (Agent Commercial -454 036 492- RSAC CARCASSONNE) on +33 (0)6 80 74 23 47 or by email: [email protected];;;;;Annonce rédigée par un agent commercial. Prix : 450,000 € Honoraires à la charge du vendeur. Frais de notaire en sus.