listed castle for sale Buzançais, France

A listed historical monument castle with vast outbuildings and 33-hectare grounds in the Centre-Val de Loire region . In the 15th century, a companion in arms and adviser to Louis XI built a sumptuous keep close to the original fortified manor house. In the 16th century, his descendants had four wings added to the original structure, featuring the Italianate galleries that are the hallmark of the present-day castle. One of these galleries was removed during the French Revolution, opening up the view over the grounds, while another of these wings was completely transformed into a corps-de-logis in the 19th century. The three remaining wings are thus arranged around an open courtyard, flanked by three round towers and the imposing former square keep at the corners. Standing near to the castle, the outbuildings form a long complex of 17th-century buildings. On three sides, they enclose a vast farmyard, in the centre of which stood the parish church until the 18th century, when it was moved to the village. The remains of a ditch and a drawbridge suggest that the complex was surrounded by a moat. The grounds extend beyond the complex, crossed by the river and featuring a 4-hectare lake with its landing stage and hut. The property's 35 hectares are entirely walled, with a turret seemingly standing guard at each corner. Two high entrance gates open onto the village, one in front of the castle and the other opposite the outbuildings. A third gate provides access to a country lane running along the perimeter wall.