11th-century Gothic Castle In The Heart Of The Loire Valley

Immersed in the charming Berry region, in the Indre-Loire department, this fascinating 11th-century Gothic castle, built on a 10th-century Benedictine monastery, is for sale. It has 4 levels, measures 2,900 sqm overall and is surrounded by a wonderful, 2.5-hectare private park. This impressive fortress, with a wall and three corner towers, offers a unique opportunity to own a piece of history.

This marvelous fortress is covered in charm and mystery, with stories that harmoniously mix reality and legend. Napoleon is said to have stopped here on his way back from Waterloo, making the royal sappers work tirelessly for days to bury a never-recovered treasure in the garden. And here George Sand, French writer and playwright, author of novels and short stories, set the famous novel Les Maîtres Sonneurs.

This magnificent 11th-century castle, built during the Hundred Years' War, is composed of two separate structures, the main fortress and an annex built on the south wing of the walls, and offers 2,900 sqm overall. Originally a building with four corner towers, the fortress was then modified in the 19th century, when the north tower was demolished, a big terrace was built on the south side and windows were added to each wall. This property offers a total of 9 bedrooms, 7 bathrooms and 14 rooms including halls, studies and lounges for an elegant and skilful combination of spaces. The ground floor is accessed via a monumental external staircase and a big stone terrace, and on this level there is an equipped kitchen, a dining room, a library and two big halls. The ground floor, unlike the upper levels, is characterized by geometric paving in fine white and red marble, and by frescoed ceilings with geometric friezes. The two upper floors offer a total of 6 bedrooms, 2 large connecting lounges and a second dining room. The first and second floors are embellished with an enchanting, perfectly preserved antique parquet floor and ceilings with exposed wooden beams. Stone fireplaces enrich the bedrooms, adding a touch of warmth to every room. The keep and the 13th-century porticoed gallery, with the colonnade on the eastern façade, complete the interiors, taking guests on a magnificent journey through time.

Outside, the property features a wonderful 2.5-hectare park, with a plan to aménagement as an Italian garden, it is said that the garden preserves copper plates linked to an editorial project by Napoleon, concerning his archaeological discoveries in Egypt.

This majestic castle for sale in the heart of the French Loire Valley is a unique opportunity to own a piece of history in one of the most fascinating nations in Europe. Its exclusive position and the strategic division of the internal spaces make it the ideal investment both as a private home and as an accommodation facility.