castle for sale Soudorgues, France

A castle and its feudal keep with a 30-hectare estate in the heart of the Cévennes national park, in the south of Lozère. Formerly the stronghold of the Arnal family, who at the end of the 17th century owned most of the valley and the hamlet of Beaumelle, hence the name Arnal de la Beaumelle, the castle was burnt down in 1702 during the War of the Camisards. When it was rebuilt between 1730 and 1740, it became more residential. The keep still dominates the surrounding buildings and has a wonderful view over the valley. The complex consists of a castle resembling a feudal residence flanked by two towers, as well as a number of outbuildings destined for farming, including cowsheds, a shed for drying chestnuts and the remains of an old castle chapel. This mainly west-facing hilltop property commands the southern valley. Fed by two springs, the estate has developed over the last two centuries thanks to livestock activities and terraced crop cultivation on numerous sun-drenched terraces. At the edge of the stream, the property is completed by the ruins of an imposing mill powered by its water.

Overlooking the village at the gateway to the Cévennes, this listed Historic Monument ranks among the most remarkable historic estates in the Gard region. Originally built on medieval foundations dating from the 14th century and extensively remodelled during the 17th and 18th centuries, it possesses the rare distinction of having remained in the same family for nearly seven centuries. Set within more than seven hectares (17 acres) of enclosed grounds, the estate perfectly combines the elegance of a grand aristocratic residence with the richness of an exceptional landscaped heritage. Designed in the English style, the park features sweeping lawns, majestic century-old Cedars of Lebanon, ginkgo trees, historic bamboo groves, a traditional kitchen garden and ornamental gardens. Its remarkable hydraulic features include a monumental water wheel (noria) and an elegant 17th- and 18th-century nymphaeum, while a Palladian-inspired swimming pool blends discreetly into this setting of rare harmony. Offering approximately 1,100 sq m (11,840 sq ft) of living accommodation across four levels, the château eloquently reflects several centuries of architectural evolution. Its magnificent Italian-style staircase, richly decorated with stucco work and mythological bas-reliefs, is regarded as one of the finest examples of its kind in Languedoc. A succession of grand reception rooms reveals generous proportions, abundant natural light and beautifully preserved period interiors, while the formal dining room retains its early 18th-century Italian frescoes. The principal drawing room houses an exceptionally rare panoramic wallpaper by the celebrated Réveillon manufactory, official supplier to the Court of Versailles, preserved in an outstanding original condition. The lower levels reveal the château's medieval origins through vaulted cellars, historic kitchens, a Renaissance laundry room and an impressive collection of original service areas. Extending to more than 1,850 sq m (19,910 sq ft), the outbuildings include a former silk mill converted into an elegant reception hall, an orangery, a traditional silkworm house (magnanerie), a library housed within one of the towers, stables and an 18th-century gatekeeper's house, together offering exceptional scope for a wide range of prestigious residential, cultural or hospitality projects. Our Opinion This estate unquestionably belongs among the finest historic châteaux in the Gard. Very few properties combine such an unbroken family history stretching back to the Middle Ages, architecture of such remarkable integrity, interiors of exceptional quality and landscaped grounds of this scale. The harmonious balance between the grandeur of the château, the remarkable heritage value of its outbuildings and the beauty of its gardens gives the estate an outstanding identity, making it one of the region's most distinguished historic properties. The estate also enjoys an exceptionally privileged location. It lies just thirty minutes from Nîmes and its TGV high-speed rail station, forty-five minutes from the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Pont du Gard, and less than one hour from Montpellier, Arles and Avignon. At the heart of one of France's richest regions for both historic heritage and contemporary culture, it is within easy reach of internationally renowned institutions including Carré d'Art in Nîmes, LUMA Arles, MO.CO Montpellier and the Fondation Maeght. The private airfield of Alès-Deaux, only fifteen minutes away, further enhances its accessibility. A comprehensive and recent restoration, carried out with unwavering respect for authentic materials and the spirit of the property, has restored the estate to its full splendour while seamlessly incorporating the standards of contemporary comfort.

This château, located in the Gard region at the gateway to the Cévennes, is one of the most remarkable historic properties in southern France. Listed as a Historic Monument, this exceptional estate extends over more than 7 hectares of entirely enclosed grounds and combines an 18th-century château, substantial outbuildings, a remarkable landscaped park, and heritage features of rare quality. Built on medieval foundations dating from the 14th century and extensively remodeled during the 17th and 18th centuries, the château remained in the hands of the same family for nearly 700 years, ensuring the exceptional preservation of its architecture and decorative features. Carefully restored over recent decades, it now offers a rare balance between historical authenticity and contemporary comfort. The château offers approximately 1,100 m² of living space spread over four levels. Its layout is centered around a spectacular Italian-style staircase adorned with stucco decorations and mythological bas-reliefs, considered one of the finest examples of its kind in Languedoc. The reception rooms include a dining room featuring early 18th-century Italian frescoes, several interconnected drawing rooms, and a grand salon preserving an exceptional Réveillon panoramic wallpaper, a rare work from the Parisian manufactory that supplied the Court of Versailles. The upper floors accommodate several suites and apartments, while the service levels preserve vaulted cellars, a historic kitchen, a Renaissance laundry room, and medieval remains. Surrounding a vast paved courtyard are more than 1,850 m² of outbuildings: a former spinning mill converted into a reception hall, an orangery and silkworm house, independent apartments, a tower library, converted former stables, an 18th-century caretaker's house, and several buildings offering significant development potential for residential, hospitality, cultural, or event-related projects. The English-style park, extending over more than 5.7 hectares, forms a remarkable landscape ensemble combining vast tree-lined lawns, woodland, sculpted gardens, historic bamboo groves, clusters of ginkgo trees and Lebanon cedars, a large vegetable garden, and technical areas. It also features a rare monumental noria and its 17th- and 18th-century nymphaeum, supplied by several wells, as well as an elegant Palladian-style swimming pool with pool house. Through its history, state of preservation, protected decorative features, exceptional parkland, and the quality of its restorations, this château represents a unique opportunity on the French historic property market. A rare estate, ideal as a prestigious private residence, reception venue, luxury guest house, or large-scale cultural project. This exceptional property has been selected by our Janssens Immobilier agency in Uzès. Thanks to our exclusive partnership with Knight Frank, a global leader in luxury real estate, Janssens Immobilier offers each property exceptional international visibility. This alliance strengthens our local expertise with the power of a network present in more than 50 countries. Information on the risks to which this property is exposed is available on the Georisques website : http://www.georisques.gouv.fr In accordance with current regulations, the EPC surface area of this property is calculated based on a standardised measurement of the living space. This measurement may differ from the total surface area measured accurately by our sales teams.