listed castle for sale Avignon, France

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.

SUMPTUOUS 18TH-CENTURY CHATEAU IN UPPER PROVENCE - Luberon - 13 Hectares - Superb view - Listed Historic Monument - 1 hour from Aix-en-Provence - Forcalquier - Provence. In a sublime landscape with views stretching for several kilometers, this classical palace built around 1720 perfectly illustrates the French art of living during the Regency period, worthy of the film Que la fête commence. The architectural magnificence of what is considered the finest 18th-century chateau in Provence is matched only by the extraordinary effort required to build it during the last plague epidemic in Europe, in Marseille from 1720 to 1722, combined with colossal financial means born from the financial euphoria of John Law's banking system. A work by the great Parisian architect Pierre-Alexis Delamair, who designed the Hôtel de Soubise in Paris, now home to the National Archives, its construction was entrusted to Jean-Baptiste Franque, who created some of the finest 18th-century monuments in Provence, notably in Aix and Avignon. Its 18th-century classical architecture, strongly inspired by Parisian and Versailles architecture, is particularly refined, classical and symmetrical, centered around a projecting central section with three bays of French windows beneath a large pediment. It is known as the “Trianon of Provence”. Its gables are equally remarkable, with extremely rich sculptures, elaborate wrought-iron balconies, and on the park side, overlooking from a broad terrace the vast formal French gardens recently recreated, the central projection of the façade displays a sumptuous portico of four fully rounded columns, exceptionally rare for a private residence in the 18th century, as such elements inspired by Antiquity were reserved for the highest-ranking figures connected to the royal family. Inside, beneath ceilings reaching 5.3 meters high and flooded with light from every direction, the entrance hall opens onto the grand 80 m² reception salon. It is decorated with pilasters topped by Ionic capitals, echoed by monumental free-standing columns leading to the majestic staircase, entirely open through its grand flight of steps rising to the upper floor, populated with columns forming balconies dramatically overlooking the hall. It is undoubtedly one of the finest private 18th-century staircases in France. The ground floor opens on every side into a sequence of reception rooms with very restrained décor, left unfinished in the 18th century after the collapse of Law's banking system in 1720, in which the Forbin family, patrons of the property, are said to have participated. A grand salon, a music room adorned with a balustrade, a salon with alcove and niche, a large dining room with a neo-Gothic fireplace, an entrance hall on the south gable at the location of the former chapel, two large rooms used as visitor boutiques, and a mezzanine apartment with 3 bedrooms. Linen room, WC. A mezzanine apartment on the south gable, a kitchen, a living/dining room, access via the south staircase; on the mezzanine level upstairs, an office, a linen room, two bedrooms, and access to the mezzanine of the music salon. On the first floor, an extraordinary and highly impressive gallery 45 meters long runs alongside the majestic columned hall overlooking the staircase. 8 very beautiful bedrooms, some with antechambers and private cabinets, decorated with fireplaces. A billiard-library adorned with magnificent 19th-century wallpapers. A chapel. A large attic. Large and beautiful vaulted stone cellars. Wine cellars. Tunnel. Central heating in part of the chateau. In the outbuildings: Two guesthouses with 2 and 3 bedrooms. A 3-bedroom residence. A reception hall seating 150 guests in the former orangery, professional kitchen, restrooms. A large garage for 2 cars. A swimming pool. Sumptuous terraced gardens arranged along a 500-meter axial perspective: 300 meters of grand avenue facing the chateau and 270 meters on the terraced garden side. Embroidery gardens recreating the original 18th-century plans by Pierre-Alexis Delamair preserved in Munich, reconstructed in 2023, highlighted by a monumental stone obelisk. A very beautiful and large ornamental pond with its fountain to the north. 18th-century double-flight staircases. Location: -2.5 km from the first shops and services. A hotel 1.5 km away. -3 km from a 5-star hotel. -5 km from Forcalquier, all shops and services. -20 km from the A51 motorway. -67 km from Aix-en-Provence (1 hour). -87 km from Aix TGV station (1h10). Paris in 2h50. Price: 5,900,000 euros agency fees included, payable by the seller. Fees to be paid by the seller. Not subject to DPE. Information on the risks to which this property is exposed is available on the Geohazards website: georisques.gouv.fr.

The real estate agency Marie MIRAMANT, specialized in character and luxury real estate offers in Aix en Provence (Bouches du Rhône, Provence Alpes Côte d’Azur), in the heart of Provence, an elegant 18th century castle enjoying a dominant view on a French park and a beautiful hilly landscape. The main building offers 1,600 m2 of majestic rooms and outbuildings of nearly 600 m2 (orangery, apartments, caretaker’s house). The castle classified as a Historic Monument, as well as the exterior, has been restored in accordance with the rules of art. A large water, majestic trees and a beautiful driveway complete this rare set. At the gates of the Luberon, 1:00 am from Aix-en-Provence, 1:30 am from Avignon and quick access to the airport of Marseille Provence, this unique property can accommodate multiple projects. It is waiting for the aesthetes who will be keen to pursue an exceptional story. Information on the risks to which this property is exposed is available on www.georisques.gouv.fr. This house is sold by our real estate agency in Avignon. CASTLE REFERENCE LOUISE