listed castle for sale Brive-la-Gaillarde, France

Built in the late 16th century, the château is a fine example of Renaissance architecture in the Périgord Noir. Steeped in history and architectural elegance, this château is a rare and distinguished property located just outside the medieval jewel of Sarlat-la-Canéda, in the Dordogne department, Nouvelle-Aquitaine, southwestern France. This region is renowned for its medieval architecture, rolling countryside, and popularity among international buyers seeking prestigious heritage properties. This Renaissance château is best known as the childhood home of Étienne de La Boétie, the renowned political philosopher and confidant of writer and philosopher Michel de Montaigne. Constructed in the late 1500s, the château features a symmetrical rectangular plan with round towers at the corners, classic of the transitional style in the phase between fortified medieval castles and more domestic Renaissance châteaux. The main residence boasts a stone spiral staircase, large fireplaces, stone mullioned windows, and spacious rooms with high ceilings typical of its period. The ground floor opens with an elegant dining room featuring stone flooring and a central stone fireplace, creating a warm and authentic atmosphere. From here, you have direct access to the main living room, kitchen, guest WC, and the striking spiral staircase housed in the château’s southern tower. The adjoining annexe houses on the ground floor the fully equipped kitchen, laundry room, a half bathroom and a bedroom. The living room is generously proportioned, showcasing a second impressive fireplace, exposed timber beams, and double-aspect windows that flood the space with natural light while offering views of the gardens. The first floor features a spacious master bedroom, complete with a beautiful stone fireplace, a private ensuite half-bathroom, a separate WC, and double-aspect windows that offer serene views over the château’s gardens and the valley. Also on this level are two additional well-proportioned bedrooms, which share a charming family bathroom, and two further bedrooms and a WC in the annexe, making it an ideal layout for guests or family living. The property is equipped with gas central heating which is underfloor in the dining room. The property with its 5.1 hectares is complemented by a charming stone barn, featuring central double doors and an original stone floor that exudes rustic character. Inside, the historic wooden cow stalls remain intact, offering a unique glimpse into the property’s agricultural past. This versatile space presents excellent potential to be transformed into a workshop, studio, or stylish additional living accommodation, perfectly blending heritage with modern adaptability. The domaine is completed by a round stone dove cote. While some areas may require modernisation or restoration, these features offer a strong foundation for a luxury residence, boutique hotel, or heritage museum. This chateau offers a rare opportunity to acquire one of France’s most culturally significant Renaissance châteaux. It stands as both a living piece of French intellectual history and a stunning architectural landmark, making it a once-in-a-generation opportunity for discerning buyers. Sarlat-la-Canéda benefits from excellent transport links despite its rural setting. The nearest international airports are Brive (approximately 45 minutes) and Bergerac Airport (just over an hour), both offering regular flights to major European hubs such as Paris, London, Amsterdam, and Brussels. For long-haul connections, Toulouse and Bordeaux International Airports are each around two hours away by car. Rail services from Paris to Souillac or to Sarlat via Bordeaux.

At the border of Cantal and Aveyron, overlooking the valley of Goul, a castle from the Middle Ages and the Renaissance stands on a 15-hectare site. Established in the center of its territory and isolated in a completely preserved environment free from any nuisance, the fully classified historical monument rises above the valley that marks the historical boundary between Haute-Auvergne and Rouergue. The main access is from the eastern side where an ancient drawbridge likely once stood. Its origins date back to the Middle Ages when the site was merely a keep surrounded by a wall of five to seven defensive towers. Today, only the western keep, a second tower raised in the 15th century to the east, and one truncated defensive tower remain, surrounded by terraces and open spaces. The central living quarters, built during the Renaissance between the two square towers, feature numerous bays with mullioned windows on its southern façade and a sculptural decor around the main entrance door. An additional wing was added to the north in the 18th century. Inside, the layout of the rooms has not been altered. In addition to a monumental Italian-style staircase, the ground floor consists of an old low hall that now serves as a dining room, a small television lounge, two kitchens – the original one and a more recent one – as well as access to the cellars and a garage. The first floor contains an old lordly room, a contiguous small lounge, two bedrooms, and a shower room with toilets. Access to the 18th-century section leads to a succession of three bedrooms with water points, a bathroom, and separate toilets. The second floor includes a spacious room known as 'the Queen's room', an office, two additional bedrooms, and a shower room with toilets. A landing passage leads to a shower room and to the attic of the 18th-century section. The third floor comprises an exhibition room, followed by a spare bedroom, former service rooms, and an interior pigeon house. A small staircase then leads to the loft with a large hall under the framework and two chimneys. This precedes a chapel and the upper parts of the two towers. A caretaker's house and a swimming pool are also located on the estate.This description has been automatically translated from French.

Sheltered from view, at the heart of a preserved estate spanning several hectares, Domaine de Lespinassat stands as one of the most remarkable heritage properties in the Bergerac region. This 18th-century château, listed as a Historic Monument, embodies with elegance the classical architecture of the Périgord and the very essence of the French art de vivre, in its most authentic and timeless expression. Originally built during the Age of Enlightenment as a prestigious residence within a vast rural estate, Lespinassat bears witness to the history of the great families who shaped the landscape and identity of the Bergerac area. Over the centuries, the property has preserved the integrity of its architecture, the nobility of its volumes and the coherence of its original design. The château’s harmonious façade reveals a sober and perfectly balanced composition, characteristic of the grand residences of its time. Inside, a succession of reception rooms, remarkable ceiling heights, monumental fireplaces, period woodwork and original floors create an atmosphere of rare distinction, serenity and understated refinement. Set within a walled and landscaped park, planted with mature trees and historic avenues, the château enjoys an environment of absolute tranquillity. This privileged setting combines privacy with accessibility, just minutes from the historic centre of Bergerac, its shops, renowned vineyards and international airport.