castle with panoramic view for sale Beaufort, France

History : Château de Saint Martin de Toques. This castle is considered to be the only completely reconstructed privately owned Catharic castle still in existence. Its origins go back further than the anti-Catholic religious movement that flourished in the region from 1100 to 1300; they date back to Roman times. In Roman times Saint Martin de Toques served as a guard post for the Roman roads that wound through the countryside below. Later, the castle became the property of the Vicomtesse de Narbonne. When the previous owner acquired the castle in 1990, it was in ruins. Something - the beauty of the location with a 360-degree view over the Corbières vineyards, the rugged strength of the remaining massive walls, the romance of the drawbridge - intrigued him so much that he embarked on a multi-year, multi-million- euro restoration. He didn't just rebuild, but restored every detail as it might have been in 978 AD, when the powerful de Narbonne family inhabited the site. Since there were not enough original stones for the entire project, additional material was excavated from a neighboring hill. Antique dealers from around the world were contacted to procure all the elements: the massive interlocking wooden doors, the huge carved stone fireplaces, the narrow spiral staircases, the gargoyles filling the plunge pool in the center of the courtyard with water. During the restoration, the previous owner added modern amenities that were carefully hidden so as not to destroy the historic atmosphere. The floors are made of solid stone slabs, others of oak blocks, 25 cubes in square oak frames that rattle quietly against each other as you walk on them. Most of the rooms have electric underfloor heating, making the castle pleasant to live in even in winter. Light switches are hidden in tiny niches carved into the rock walls. Indirect mood lighting provides light under the wooden beams. 7 of the 8 bedrooms have en-suite bathrooms, all individually appointed to match the charm of each bedroom. The bathroom fixtures and fittings are all antique and unique. Materials such as sandstone, marble, wood and copper are mainly used. This makes it possible for residents to feel the atmosphere of a bygone era without sacrificing the comforts of today. Two modern showers and 4 modern toilets have been carefully integrated. After 25 years of reconstruction and renovation, the property was sold in 2019 to the current owner, who continued the work with the aim of creating and renting unique apartments on the farm and raising the castle to a new level of quality of life.

Magnificent wine château with outbuildings and a potential of 40 bedrooms Situated in the Corbières mountains, just 40 km from the Mediterranean seaside resorts, this majestic estate of 350 contiguous hectares is one of the most beautiful in the Occitanie region, offering a remarkable holiday destination in a location sheltered from all disturbance. The 350 ha of land extend around the château, bastide, two sheepfolds and numerous outbuildings. Most of the land is composed of garrigue and woodland. The property also includes vineyards (3.4 ha), olive groves, a lake (1.7 ha) and around 30 ha of former wine-growing land that could be planted with vines or olive trees. Set in parkland shaded by a row of hundred-year-old lime trees, the château overlooks the four terraces that slope gently down to the château outbuildings. Entirely enclosed by walls, the grounds surround the château, the terraces and a vast swimming pool (25m x 10m). The chateau of approx. 1,200 m² offers undeniable charm and still boasts its original features (terracotta floor tiles, moulded ceilings, period woodwork, etc.) as well as high ceilings on all 3 levels. Behind the chateau, the outbuildings include two sheepfolds (5 bedrooms) representing an additional surface area of around 200m2. A beautiful bastide of 750 m² with its outbuildings stands approx. 300 m from the château. The bastide has 13 bedrooms, renovated in recent years, with 9 bathrooms. Between the château, the bastide and the two sheepfolds, the estate currently comprises 30 bedrooms with the possibility of creating 10 additional bedrooms for a potential of more than 40 bedrooms. A beautiful 10th-century chapel stands at the far end of the château. The estate covers 350 hectares, including around 3.4 hectares of AOP Corbières vines planted with Syrah and Grenache. The vines are cultivated directly by the estate and the harvest is taken to the local cooperative winery. At present, almost a hectare is planted with olive trees, providing a small production of olive oil for family and friends.