castle with reception room for sale Plaigne, France

Leave the main roads behind and follow a winding path… and the property immediately makes its presence felt. Perched atop a hill, this private hamlet spanning nearly 4 hectares offers a world of its own. An 18th-century château of around 530 m², bathed in natural light, blending historic character with modern comforts (roofing, electricity, heat pump). Surrounding it are a guest house (200 m²), a caretaker’s cottage (150 m²) and a 400 m² loft to be transformed according to your plans. A charming inner courtyard with its stone walls, a swimming pool, a chapel and, in the background, the Pyrenees. A rare, secluded place where everything begins.

A 19th century Mansart style chateau and its outbuildings set in 32 hectares of parklands, meadows and woods 30 km from Carcassonne. A driveway with centuries-old plane trees, bordered on either side by vast pastures, leads to the 1879 Haussmann-style chateau. A little bit of history: Chateau Saint Joseph, which was formerly known as Chateau de Caulet, in Mazerolles-du-Razès, is the incarnation of Belle Epoque refined elegance in the Razès sector of the Aude area. It was built in 1879 by François de Gentil-Baichis, at the time a recently retired French Navy lieutenant, a talented water-colourist and the loyal captain of the Duke of Orléans’ yacht, the Maroussia. This Haussmann-inspired residence surrounded by a majestic row of hundred-year-old plane trees, either replaced or was built on the site of a former feudal castle whose traces can be found in the 18th century and which belonged to the estates falling within the remit of Mazerolles. François de Gentil-Baichis was an amateur artist and produced many water-colours and body colours of the famous yacht Maroussia. These works are today sought-after and highly valued on the art market. According to local legend, Jean Jaurès himself is said to have often visited the chateau, where bedroom 14 (now known as the Edwige bedroom) was his favourite: this peaceful room on the second floor boasts exceptional views of the grounds, its more than two-hundred-year-old cedar tree and the Pyrenean summits on the horizon. According to another local legend, there was a former farm on the lands of the chateau that was used as a refuge by the Cathars in the Middle Ages, in this region that bears deep traces of their history. The L-shaped edifice is bordered by a main courtyard on its east and north sides. The three-storey main building features extensions on either side. The left wing comprises two more modest, two-storey dwellings of similar style. To the right and slightly set back from the main building stands a rectangular three-storey tower topped by a four-pitched, slate roof with a crest, finials and crenellated white stone frieze - the same material used for the surrounds of the three large windows with carved stone mullions. Next to the tower is a chapel dating back to 1890, covered by an abundant Virginia creeper, with two tall stained-glass windows framing a heavy wooden door. At right angles, the right wing of the building houses a reception room and two flats currently rented out as gîtes (holiday accommodation). The main building and tower have slate roofs, while the gîtes and chapel are monk-and-nun tiled. There are also several outbuildings to the immediate right of the chateau, including a barn, a winery and a stable. Set in 32 hectares of parklands, meadows and woods in a dominant position, the chateau is protected from all forms of disturbance.

AUDE - 12 KM FROM CASTELNAUDARY This superb property is both a chateau and a fortified farm, with a fine collection of buildings dating from the 15th to 17th centuries. Access is via a beautiful plane tree-lined driveway leading to a double châtelet, a beautiful dovecote and a hangar with large stone arches. The entrance to the chateau is via a courtyard of honor with a wide stone staircase leading to a beautiful vaulted entrance, extended by a magnificent 18th-century monumental staircase with baluster, which serves the renovated part to the west and the part to be renovated to the east. The renovated second floor features a library entrance on the right, two bedrooms with en-suite bathrooms, and a dressing room. To the left, a huge gallery leads to a beautiful living room with a fireplace, in the south-facing dungeon overlooking the surrounding countryside, and two bedrooms with en suite bathrooms on the second floor. On the ground floor, a medieval kitchen with a large stone fireplace opens onto an inner courtyard with a central well, leading to a cellar and chapel. From the kitchen, you enter a magnificent dining room with a monumental stone fireplace, followed by two other rooms with painted French ceilings. Upstairs, two large rooms followed by a gallery with painted coffered ceilings from the 17th century lead to three other rooms that need to be finished. A large west-facing outbuilding houses a heated indoor swimming pool. A caretaker's cottage with a lounge, a kitchen, three bedrooms and a bathroom complement the house. Two towers and a watchtower surround the chateau to the north, overlooking a garden. The château is surrounded by 4 ha of land, part of which is planted with trees. Energy class: E Climate class: E Estimated annual energy costs for standard use: between 14,750 euros and 2,020 euros per year. Price indexed to 2021, 2022 and 2023. Information on the risks to which this property is exposed is available on the Géorisques website: www.georisques.gouv.fr

Between Toulouse and Carcassonne, in the heart of the preserved landscapes of Lauragais, this remarkable character property reveals the elegance of 19th-century architecture in an exceptional natural environment. Located on a wooded park of about 3 hectares with century-old trees, wells, and a spring, the estate includes a prestigious castle and three independent gîtes totaling 12 suites. Fully restored two years ago, the whole combines historical charm, modern comfort, and high-end development potential. Built in 1880, the estate develops nearly 800 m² of living space spread between the main house and its dependencies. From the moment you arrive, the castle imposes its elegant appearance with its tall towers, distinctive façade, and a large south-facing terrace offering an unobstructed view of the surrounding countryside. The three independent gîtes cover 317 m². They allow for considering high-end hospitality, event, or tourism activities in a particularly sought-after sector. The activity can be immediately resumed thanks to a fully operational structure sold turnkey if desired. The main castle itself has 477 m² of living space divided into 9 rooms, including 6 suites. The bright volumes, preserved decorative elements, and restored tapestries in the same style attest to the care given to the renovation and respect for the historic character of the place. Technical features meet current standards for a prestigious property: central heating with heat pump, underfloor heating on the ground floor, reversible air conditioning in bedrooms, double glazing on many openings, and a high-performance Wi-Fi network throughout the estate. The roof and masonry have been carefully maintained, providing an immediately exploitable property without work to be done. The top floor features large light-filled open spaces, particularly suitable for organizing seminars, wellness retreats, private events, or artistic projects. A remarkable vaulted stone cellar of about 60 m² completes this rare property. Much of the furniture, household linen, and bedding is included in the sale, allowing for immediate activity restart or quick installation in privileged conditions. The property benefits from a sought-after location near Lake Ganguise, the bastides of Revel and Mirepoix, the Canal du Midi listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the famous medieval city of Carcassonne. Toulouse and its international airport are accessible in just 35 minutes via the A61 and the Mediterranean sea is at 1h 20mn. An exceptional residence combining heritage elegance, contemporary features, and strong valuation potential in one of the most sought-after sectors in the South.