luxury architect house for sale Chartres, France

Just one hour from Paris, nestled in a 60-hectare green sanctuary, this magnificent château embodies the full splendor of 16th-century Renaissance architecture. Originally built for Étienne Poncher, then Archbishop of Tours, the château underwent a significant transformation in the 19th century under its owner at the time, Sosthène II de La Rochefoucauld. In 1981, the property was converted into a luxury hotel. This remarkable estate combines historical prestige with strong operational potential, whether as a private residence or a high-end hotel or event venue project. Main features: • The main château: approximately 3,500 m² of space spread over several levels • An independent building offering nearly 500 m² • Outbuildings: former stables, garages, and a gatehouse of around 1700sqm. Accessibility: • 60 km from Paris • Close to highways and Montparnasse train station (33 km) Key advantages: • Preserved Renaissance architecture: rich heritage and historic charm • Natural and intimate setting: enclosed estate with no overlooking neighbors • Operational potential: conversion into a private residence, hotel, conference center, or event venue • Development project: design by a renowned architect, with building permits granted for the creation of 17 private villas hidden within the estate’s forest, all held in full ownership Ideal for exceptional project developers at the crossroads of heritage and high-end hospitality.

Detailed 50-page brochure available upon request. Within 60 kilometers of Paris, in the heart of Île-de-France, between Chartres, Rambouillet and Maintenon, stands one of those estates that defies time. The Domaine d'Esclimont belongs to that infinitely exclusive circle of historic properties accessible within less than one hour from the capital — a rare geographical privilege, an absolute strategic certainty. A Renaissance Architectural Jewel At the heart of a listed park spanning nearly 60 hectares, the Château d'Esclimont embodies, with sovereign elegance, the enduring permanence of French architecture at its most noble. Erected in the 16th century, remodelled in the 18th, then sublimated in the 19th by the architect Parent — who breathed into it that Renaissance spirit so revered of the era — the château stands as a living manifesto. Every stone narrates centuries of history, every façade reveals the continuity of an uncompromising architectural vision. The principal château, built across three levels above its cellars, unfolds as two wings arranged at right angles upon a square platform encircled by living moats. The reception salons preserve remarkable period panelling — silent witnesses to the grace of centuries past. The estate further comprises a 14th-century square keep, a former guardhouse crowned with a machicolated walkway and four corner turrets, a pavilion dating from 1870, its dependencies, and the château's outbuildings. The total built surface reaches nearly 4,000 m², set within an exceptional natural setting where a formal French garden and a sweeping English landscape park engage in a subtle, timeless dialogue. Water, Stone, Light — The Three Virtues of the Estate The abundance of water that flows through the domain — moats, ornamental ponds, natural mirrors — bestows upon Esclimont that suspended, almost ethereal atmosphere that only the greatest châteaux of Île-de-France can offer. Here, nature is not mere backdrop: it is an architecture in its own right, in constant dialogue with stone, amplifying the majesty of the place. Exceptional Potential for a landmark Hospitality Project Esclimont is not simply a legacy — it is an opportunity for creation, awaiting a visionary hospitality operator. Its transformation potential into a landmark French destination of the highest order is exceptional, underpinned by a validated planning permit for an ambitious hotel development of nearly 5,700 m². The approved programme includes: 50 rooms and suites distributed between the château and its elegant dependencies 27 suites spread across the estate A full wellness SPA with both indoor and outdoor pools Technical and maintenance annexes From suites within the towers of the medieval keep to character apartments in the restored outbuildings and throughout the Château itself, every space carries the promise of a singular experience — that of a distinctly French art de vivre, deeply rooted in history yet resolutely oriented toward contemporary excellence.