A historic 11th-century castle that survived the French Revolution and was sold for the first time in 1,000 years, take a look at the lavish interior!
The castle belongs to the Rochefoucauld family and has a long History of Europe, but is also equipped with modern facilities such as central heating.
Castle exterior view.
There's a real castle on the French market, and for $3.3 million, it's yours.
According to Patrice Besse, a luxury real estate agent who owns the listing, the huge property once belonged to the Rochefoucauld family. The Rochefoucaulds were one of the oldest and most famous families in the French aristocracy.
Built about 1,000 years ago and severely damaged during the Hundred Years' War and the French Revolution, the houses are in good condition and have undergone several restorations and renovations over the centuries. According to the list, it is even equipped with some modern conveniences, including new windows and central heating in some parts of the castle.
The current owners, Sixte de La Rochefoucauld and his wife Ingrid, both in their 60s, told The Times of London that due to Sixte's declining health and because "to maintain the building, they need to sell the property on the public market". A lot of money is being spent. They couldn't find anyone else in the surviving branch of the Roche fuco family to buy the castle.
Take a look at this historic house.
This sprawling property has undergone several renovations since the French Revolution.
Trees and benches line up the path from the entrance to the main castle.
The château is located in a village along the Charente River in southwestern France, about a two-hour train ride from Paris.
According to Patrice Beth, this huge V-shaped castle has 14 en-suite bedrooms. It has a central gazebo.
The hallway is lined with upholstered chairs that match the hue of the room.
Two important events in European history, the French Revolution and the Hundred Years' War, left their mark on the castle. During each period, it suffered major damage and was extensively restored.
Patrice Besse says the first round of restoration work took place in the 1400s after being besieged during the Hundred Years' War, referring to a series of wars between France and Britain between 1337 and 1453. According to The New York Times, the original structure was destroyed in that war and then rebuilt with the original stone.
In the 1500s, members of the Rochefouc family, who owned the castle, collaborated with King François I of France to renovate it into the Italian Renaissance style with the help of Italian craftsmen.
The most extensive restoration work took place after the French Revolution. The castle was severely damaged in a fire in 1793.
The agency lists lavishly decorated lounges, bedrooms, reception rooms and marble fireplaces spread over three floors.
Charles Quint room on the second floor.
According to the listing information, the ground floor has a kitchen with a coffered ceiling, a vaulted entrance hall, two spacious lounges, a reception room and a small bedroom.
Accessed via three different staircases, there are also two lounges and four bedrooms on the second floor. According to The New York Times, two of the bedrooms are more formal than the others and have hosted prominent royal figures.
According to The Times London, one of the bedrooms was even called "la chambre Queen Mum" because Queen Elizabeth had lived there during her visit in 1980.
There are nine bedrooms on the third floor – there is also a marble fireplace, linen room and a hallway with a view of the courtyard.
According to the Times, new owners also have the option to purchase gorgeous furniture that is not included in the listing price.
"Buyers will be able to choose from a wide range of furniture, paintings and decorative items, such as 17th-century Italian furniture, Louis XVI's toilet and Murano chandelier," Besse, president of patrice Besse, told The Times.
The Louis XVI Room, pictured below, is one of the lounges on the ground floor.
The Louis XVI Room is named after the last king of France.
Named after the last king of France, the lavish lounge features painted ceilings and chandeliers.
Historian Jeremy David Popkin, writing for the Encyclopædia Britannica, claims that King Louis XVI ruled the country from 1774 to 1792, when the monarchy was abolished after the French Revolution. He was sent to the guillotine in 1793.
According to the list photos, the unicorn lounge, another lounge of the castle, shares the same high ceilings and chandeliers.
Unicorn Lounge.
The Unicorn Lounge also features several large works of art on the beautifully decorated ceilings and walls.
The Rose Salon features huge windows that allow plenty of natural light to enter. Like the other lounges discussed in the list, this lounge also has chandeliers and artwork.
Rose salon on the second floor.
Two-storey library.
The library has vaulted ceilings and is located on the site of a former watchtower.
According to the listing agency, there are several chapels on the castle grounds.
One of the several chapels of the castle.
The castle has several churches dating back to the 11th and 12th centuries, two of which were discovered in the 20th century.