castle for sale Méry-Prémecy, France

A listed castle, once belonging to the Joyeuse counts, in 7 ha of parklands 2½ hours from Paris and Brussels in a region known as Argonne-Ardennaise. The geographic location of Grandpré castle, standing on a rocky spur, was already an advantage in medieval times. In a dominant position, looking out over the Argonne region towards the roads through the Champagne countryside, it was one of the border areas essential to the young kingdom of France. The county, divided since the Crusades, was gradually reunited until it fell into the hands of a powerful character, Louis-de-Joyeuse, chamberlain at the court of Louis XII. Supporter of the Catholic League, his heir, Claude-de-Joyeuse, amassed spoils and fortune in the 17th century, thus enabling him to embellish the estate and leave his mark on the surrounding buildings: the church and other buildings necessary to the inhabitants of the county. Distinguishing themselves from many of their contemporaries, the Joyeuse counts made their mark through military careers (Marshals of France and Lieutenant-Generals of the king’s armies) and followed Louis XIV. It was during 1685 that major works were carried out (large appartements, stables, etc.) and financed courtesy of the titles and offices acquired by members of the Joyeuses family following their military successes during the Wars of Spanish Succession around 1700. Marriages arranged with the large families in the Champagne region did the rest. However, despite a well-founded land heritage, lineage strategies proved too fragile and the estate gradually became divided in the 18th century. Furthermore, the estate was little occupied prior to the fall of the monarchy in 1792. It was requisitioned by General-Dumouriez, a famous republican hero following the Valmy victory against the Austrians. He settled his general quarters there prior to it becoming a hospital set up for the revolutionary armies. Despite a token show of renovation under the First Empire and during the Restoration era, a lack of constant upkeep led to a fire that started in the gatehouse and the destruction of the castle in 1834. Only one pavilion was restored, it now forms the current castle. An outstanding collection of outbuildings align the street going up the hill. A monumental pavilion, in a central recess, provides access to the outbuilding courtyard. The castle and its parklands are then reached by passing under the semi-circular arched porchway of the gatehouse.

Ideally located 3 hours from Paris, 40km from Moulins and Nevers, 62km from Bourges and 244km from Lyon, the chateau enjoys remarkable accessibility in the heart of France, within a 57-acre estate mostly wooded, crossed by a stream and a mixed forest of pine and century-old oak trees, on the edge of the prestigious Tronçais forest. Built around 1850 on the foundations of a medieval fortress, of which a 15th-century tower and its chapel still remain, the Château is an eclectic ensemble of red brick and blonde stone, characteristic of the Second Empire style. Its grand façade is organised around a monumental central avant-corps — clock, statue, double-flight staircase and stone balustrade — flanked by grey-rendered wings with pointed dormers and dark red woodwork. At the rear, a U-shaped courtyard opens onto an octagonal fountain. The 10-acre landscaped park with century-old trees features a heated 200 m² swimming pool, a tennis court and several outbuildings. The main building offers 40,900 sqm of living space spread over 4 levels: 36 rooms including 23 bedrooms, a 1,420sqm reception room with a remarkable ceiling height of 26 feet, a 807 sq ft dining room with stucco and gilded wood panelling, a 2,260 sq ft professional kitchen, three wine cellars and a complete wellness area in the basement (hammam, sauna, spa, jacuzzi). Fully renovated to ERP standards, it lends itself equally well to a luxury hotel project or a wellness centre.