furnished castles for sale Ceret, France

Majestic and emblematic medieval castle, crowning the top of a charming picturesque village, with a history dating back to the 12th and 13th centuries, and enriched by successive renovations in the 16th and 18th centuries. Just 20 minutes from the coast, this historic treasure has been meticulously restored with a deep respect for its heritage during a process that spanned over 15 years from the 1980s onwards. The property covers approximately 2,000 m2 between the main residence and the staff house, set on a plot of almost 5,000 m2. The castle consists of 8 bedrooms, 7 bathrooms, 2 large living rooms, a library, 2 kitchens, a spacious hall, a defensive tower and a chapel. Modern comfort blends with historical charm thanks to the propane gas heating system. In addition, a separate staff house, spread over two floors of 100 m2 each, offers 2 bedrooms, 1 bathroom, living room, kitchen, dining room and sitting room. Two parking areas provide space for 8 to 10 cars. The outdoor grounds are beautifully landscaped and include a swimming pool, jacuzzi, bathrooms, changing rooms and sun terraces. This jewel in the heart of the Baix Empordà boasts 6 additional bedrooms, several living rooms, a wine cellar, a chapel, a well and pool areas, along with garages for 8 cars. In short, this property represents one of the most extraordinary acquisitions available on the Costa Brava, combining history, luxury and contemporary comforts in one place.

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.

Let yourself be swept off your feet by the magic emanating from this property, just five minutes from the village of Saint-Marcel sur Aude, 15 minutes from Narbonne and all its amenities. A prestigious castle with a majestic history, which once accommodated several kings of France. The mouldings, the floors, the extravagant volumes are characteristic of upper-class period architecture. The total surface area of the chateau is approx. 870m², with 12 bedrooms, 11 shower rooms, a gym, a hammam, a swimming pool, an outbuilding of more than 150m², on grounds planted with fruit trees.