The number of French Chateau for Sale is huge, with tens of thousands on the market at any given time. The truth is that these homes are not as expensive as you may think, nor do they need as much maintenance as many people assume. According to the office du tourisme in France, there are over 45k chateaux in existence.
Chateau de Riviere
Chateau de Riviere has 65 acres of vineyards and is located in the Bordeaux region of France. It is planted with a combination of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Cabernet Franc. The wines are aged for 12 to 18 months in French oak barrels. Chateau de Riviere also produces a dry white Bordeaux wine made from a unique blend of 67% Sauvignon Blanc and 33% Sauvignon Gris. The vineyards are surrounded by limestone, which aids in the conservation of the wine.
The Chinese firm that has bought Chateau de Riviere is moving forward with its development plans. The Chinese firm plans to add a tea tasting area and a spa to the estate. After the devastating helicopter crash on 20 December 2013, it has been sold again to the Chinese family who had purchased it from former owner James Gregoire. The Chinese businessman’s company, Brilliant Group, is also planning to build a luxury hotel.
The estate produces an Aria cuvee, which is a luxurious cuvee. It is made from the estate’s oldest Merlot vines and is aged in 100% new French oak barrels. Chateau de Riviere produces around 24,000 cases of Aria each year. The estate also makes two other wines, Les Source Chateau de Riviere.
Chateau de Riviere is one of the oldest estates in the Fronsac appellation. Its history goes back to 769 when Emperor Charlemagne ordered a fort to be built on the site. The ancient Romans also used the land as a burial mound. The chateau itself is situated on 65 acres of vineyard.
The luxury property is masterfully constructed. The materials used are timeless, yet the amenities are modern. It features glass mosaics, plaster moldings, imported marble, Brazilian Cherry flooring, and hand forged iron. The home also has ten full and three half bathrooms. The master suite is spacious and has a palatial marble bathroom.
Chateau La Perriere
The 17th century Chateau La Perriere is a luxury property situated in the Loire Valley, France. Set within 10 acres of parkland, the estate also has an 18-hole Robert Berthet golf course and a gastronomic restaurant. It is one of the most beautiful venues in the Loire Valley and is a popular holiday rental property. The owners have been renovating the Chateau for the past 16 years. The property also has a private swimming pool and is a great venue for weddings and other events.
Karen and Paul Horne first discovered the property through a newspaper ad. After spending six hours touring the property, they put in an offer shortly after. They were thrilled with the price, but had reservations about the French language. Karen and Paul were also worried about the weather, which was considerably colder and drier than the UK.
The Chateau La Perriere has a capacity of up to 450 people and is ideal for corporate events. The venue offers 25,000 square feet of inspired design and timeless glamour. It has seven elegant reception rooms and ten versatile meeting/event rooms. In addition, the property has a small chapel, as well as a garden area with exquisite landscaping. The onsite restaurant serves innovative French cuisine prepared from local, seasonal ingredients. Guests can also enjoy lunch on the terrace or dine in the 17th century salon.
The chateau is located in the Loire Valley, an hour’s drive from Tours. The chateau had to be renovated, as its facade was crumbling and the boiler needed replacing. There were also issues with the old carpets and peeling wallpaper. However, Sunita and Andrew McDonald, an English couple, were interested in the chateau and bought it for EUR280,00. During their time in the chateau, the owners decided to fix all the problems.
Buying a chateau is not for everyone. While some foreigners are interested in purchasing these luxurious properties, there are many pitfalls to avoid. Many foreigners are unaware of the costs and maintenance involved.