Fairytale Castle With Park And Outbuilding In Burgundy

Located in the beautiful Burgundy region, one of the oldest castles in France is now for sale. This majestic 11th-century complex covers 1,200 sqm indoors and is set in a vast private park with a forest and land suitable for viticulture, totalling 4 hectares. The property, maintained in excellent condition through meticulous restoration, includes several ancillary structures including a guest house, the caretaker's house, towers, stables, a carpenter's shop, greenhouses and a garage. The buildings are equipped with central heating and electric convectors, making this prestigious estate ideal both as a private home or to be converted into a luxurious Relais Chateaux hotel.

The castle is located in the heart of Burgundy, in the Saône-et-Loire region, on the tip of the plateau from which it dominates the Drée valley. One of the most important wine regions in France and the world, this area is famous for its picturesque landscapes, punctuated by rows of vines that furrow the hills as far as the eye can see, its historic towns and delightful villages, abbeys, castles and the nature that finds expression here in all its forms thanks to rivers, forests and mountains. Nearby attractions include the city of Beaune, famous for its fine wines and medieval architecture, and the Morvan Regional Natural Park, ideal for hiking and outdoor activities. The region is easily accessible from Paris and Lyon, offering a central point for exploring France.  

This castle for sale has a rich history, with the laying of its foundation stone dating back to the year 1050. Over the centuries, it has seen several noble families pass through, including that of Nicolas Rolin, chancellor to the Duke of Burgundy, who carried out major restoration work in the 15th century. In the 18th century, the castle passed to the Clermont-Tonnerre family, who further transformed it by founding a glassworks. In 1794, following the guillotining of their son, the properties were confiscated, dismembered and sold, and the château ended up being subdivided into several dwellings. Restoration, renovation and conservation works followed one after the other over the years until the most recent renovation in 2005, which brought this incredible period estate to its current excellent state of preservation. 

The current structure comprises two main bodies of rectangular shape, with very high ceilings, arranged in an obtuse angle. In the inner corner formed by the two buildings is a polygonal turret containing a staircase. To the north and south, the castle is flanked by two original 14th-century square towers, five storeys high. The massive stone tower to the north-west - the oldest - is built on the same axis as the north building and consists of a ground floor, three square floors and a defensive floor. It opens with a large doorway surmounted by a round arch: this was originally the opening to the drawbridge.

The building, characterised internally by historical decorations such as bas-reliefs, friezes and ancient fireplaces, cannot be visited by the public.

The rooms of the castle are a riot of elegance and a journey back in time. The ground floor houses the entrance hall, two majestic halls, two kitchens, a bedroom and two offices. The first floor houses six rooms, four bathrooms, a kitchen, a library and a lounge. The second floor offers three bedrooms, two bathrooms, a sauna and two attics, while the third floor has two bedrooms, two bathrooms and a kitchen. The fourth floor has an attic and a games room. 

The 4-hectare park surrounding the castle is entirely enclosed by walls with wrought-iron gates, guaranteeing maximum privacy and security. The park contains paths, fountains and a variety of ornamental plants, creating a refined oasis of tranquillity. It is also home to the guest annexe, a six-room detached house on two levels, and the caretaker's house, which has four rooms. Other buildings include a stable, a carpentry workshop, greenhouses and a garage. Approximately 2.5 hectares of land are also already certified for viticulture, with a vineyard being planted that will be ready in spring 2025, offering the opportunity to produce one's own wine in the land of Burgundy.

Buying this fairytale castle means taking a journey back in time, immersing yourself in the history and magic of one of France's most fascinating regions. The property offers the opportunity to live in a beautiful place, rich in tradition and culture, while undertaking your own high-quality wine business in the heart of Burgundy. Lastly, this treasure could also be opened to the public by setting up a prestigious tourist accommodation business. Living in this château allows one to embrace a unique lifestyle, where history meets modern comfort, all surrounded by one of the most renowned wine-growing landscapes in the world.