Extraordinary 15th–16th C. Château Lavishly Restored In 19th C. For Ducal Family Pays De La Loire

An extraordinary 15th–16th century château, sumptuously restored in the 19th century for a prominent French ducal family by the renowned architects Henri and Clément Parent - Spectacular interior décor, ceiling heights exceeding 5 metres, and magnificent woodwork, stucco, and sculptural ornamentation - Museum-quality 16th-century tapestries listed as Historic Monuments - Approximately 5,000 sqm of built area, comprising 30 principal bedrooms and 30 staff rooms, set within a single block of 44 hectares. Pays de la Loire – 178 km from Paris – 32 km from the Le Mans 24 Hours Circuit

Set within a 44-hectare park just two hours from Paris, this remarkable and enchanting château, originally dating from the 15th century, has belonged to some of France’s most powerful aristocratic families, including Harcourt, Luynes, Montmorency, La Rochefoucauld, and Bourbon-Parma. Extensively restored between 1880 and 1888 by the Duke of Doudeauville at considerable expense, it stands as one of the most luxurious and expansive private châteaux in France of the 19th century.

Its flamboyant Gothic architecture, bristling with towers, dates in part from the 15th and 16th centuries and in part from the major 19th-century restoration works. Entry is via a vast hall beneath the gatehouse porch of the drawbridge, opening onto the inner courtyard and leading to both reception and private areas.

The interiors are a masterpiece of French Neo-Gothic style, notably featuring sumptuous reception rooms with ceilings over 5 metres high, adorned with exceptional 16th-century tapestries. This monumental tapestry cycle, The Story of Psyche, woven in Brussels circa 1555–1565 after designs by Giovanni Battista Castello for the Genoese palace of Prince Pallavicino, comprises four wool and silk tapestries in remarkable condition:

Psyche Sorting Grain at the Feet of Venus
Psyche Receiving Her Sisters in the Palace of Love
Psyche Welcomed to Olympus
Psyche Presenting the Waters of the Styx to Venus

Originally consisting of 16 tapestries, only 11 are known today: four remain in the château; three are held at the Château d’Azay-le-Rideau within the French State collections; three are housed at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London; and one is in Edinburgh. Preparatory drawings are preserved at the National Gallery of Scotland, making this ensemble a work of outstanding museum significance.

Reception areas also include bow-window salons, an extraordinary two-level gallery library with open walkways, a dining room, a guard room, a sequence of salons leading to the private quarters, and a large terrace opening from the grand salon. The décor throughout is of exceptional quality, featuring linenfold wood panelling, marquetry flooring, richly painted and gilded heraldic and arabesque motifs on walls and ceilings, and finely sculpted fireplaces with painted and gilded ornamentation.

The château offers 30 beautifully appointed bedrooms, including three magnificent apartments (for the Duke, the Duchess, and guests). Each room is carefully decorated, some with refined Louis XVI-style wood panelling, marble fireplaces, overmantels, alcoves, and high-quality wall fabrics.

Additional features include:

30 staff bedrooms
A splendid chapel with stained glass, sculpture, and painted decoration
A grand ceremonial stone staircase richly carved with mythological motifs, coats of arms, and arabesques
Two service staircases and a service lift

The basement level includes two large kitchens, a billiard room, boiler room, wine cellars, and numerous ancillary spaces.

Outbuildings and Grounds

Beautiful 19th-century Neo-Gothic outbuildings (requiring restoration), luxurious marble-appointed stables, garages, staff accommodation, a hydraulic wind turbine, and a water tower.

The 44-hectare estate is contiguous and partially enclosed, featuring water features, a नदी, and water-filled moats.

The park also includes ancillary buildings with garages and workshops, a ruined mill, and two animal shelters.

Location

178 km from Paris (approx. 2 hours by car)
23 km from the A11 motorway
32 km from Le Mans TGV station (Paris in 53 minutes)
34 km from the Le Mans 24 Hours circuit

Historic Monument Protection

Listed as a Historic Monument (by decree dated 29 November 1991): the château (excluding the 1880 north pavilion), outbuildings, park and kitchen garden (including the Bollée wind turbine), and enclosing walls.

Price : On application (guide price: €6M–€12M)
Agency fees payable by the seller

Information on the risks to which this property is exposed is available on the Géorisques website: https://www.georisques.gouv.fr/