Castle Bordeaux (33)
A 19th century hotel château, restaurant and outbuilding in two hectares of grounds near Bordeaux. The château, sheltered from outside view by its vast grounds, is reached by a road, with three separate entrances providing access to the property. The first is used by the staff and suppliers of its restaurant; the second opens onto a driveway lined with eight lime trees, which leads to the rear facade; the third opens onto a large parking area for guests of the 19th century residence, which is currently a hotel. From here, the grounds extend as far as the château which is on the right. A few stone steps lead up to the imposing main building, which is built in a U-shape with two symmetrical projections to the south. With two storeys separated by a stringcourse, the central part of the building has a flat zinc roof and the sides are covered with single-panel canal tile roofs, surrounded by a stone balustrade with pear-shaped balusters and highlighted by modillions. Its south-facing facade is built of Bordeaux stone and has impeccable symmetry. Adjacent to the west gable of the building, a former chapel with a gabled tiled roof, which is now a reception room, extends the ground floor. This is completed at the rear by a Florentine gallery, set at right angles and topped by a gabled tiled roof. The outbuildings are opposite the château, to the north. These include the caretaker's cottage, while the restaurant is housed in an extension to the west, set back from the former chapel. The extension has a gabled tiled roof and is built in the place of the former horticultural greenhouse belonging to the first occupant. Finally, the grounds stretch as far as the eye can see around the house. Numerous French windows from various terraces provide access to them.
… $5,980,800
By Patrice Besse
