Buying a Chateaux if France – top tips

Living in a French chateau is a fairytale dream for most, and the prices associated with buying such a property ensure its exclusivity. France has a significant number of chateaux on the property market, many of which were built in the early nineteenth century when France’s dominance and wealth rose.

 

At FrenchEntree we have created a Chateaux for sale website so that our visitors can easily find all of the chateaux that we have for sale, and narrow their search criteria. 

 

Here are our top tips to consider when purchasing a chateau:

1. Decide whether you are looking for a renovation opportunity or a chateau ready to move into. Sometimes a chateau in need of renovation, either decoratively, structurally or both will come on the market. However, renovating a chateau is not always worthwhile because in many cases it is less effort and expense to spend more in buying a good example than in creating one. However, if you are after a challenge and have the necessary funds, there are a number of beautiful bourgeois buildings in need of some TLC.

 

2. Chateaux can make profitable businesses so consider your options. Chateaux with adequate grounds are often sought after for sporting businesses, such as fishing and equestrian schools, hunting, walking and wildlife grounds, as well as many other outdoor activities. Sometimes a chateau may even come on the market with a working, or the potential for a vineyard. Chateaux are also great venues for weddings and other functions, and make not only a spectacular setting for a restaurant, but desirable and luxurious hotels which attract affluent visitors.

 

3. Set your budget including how much you will need to spend once you have purchased the property. When looking at a chateau in need of renovation you should find out how much it will cost to renovate/ decorate once you have purchased it. From the structural point of view, it important to bear in mind the costs of renovating a substantial property as these of course can be considerable. Our agents advise that on average, you should consider spending anything between 500 and 1,500 Euros per square metre (the latter if it is a total rebuild) to renovate a ruin. If the property is merely in need of internal modernisation and refurbishment (for example kitchens, bathrooms and heating for instance) you can generally halve this figure.

 

4. Decide on the location in which you want to purchase a chateau. There are many chateaux available on the French property market from smaller manor houses to enormous stately homes, as well as grand royal and secular palaces. Such properties can be found in all regions across France, from Poitou Charentes to the Midi-Pyrenees. Limousin offers the chateau buyer some cheaper alternatives, with a number of manor houses on the market. While in the Provence-Alps-Cote d’Azur for example, you will get far less for your money.

 

5. Find a few agents in the area who deal with prestige property and let them know exactly what you are looking for and your budget. It pays to stay with an agent you can trust who will ensure you don't travel for many miles for a fruitless trip. Build up a good relationship with your agent so that they will let you know when properties meeting your criteria come on the market and so that they give you first refusal.

 

6. Don’t go for the first chateau you visit without careful consideration, especially if it is in need of repair. Nevertheless, be realistic in your expectations, it is of course extremely advantageous to find a chateau where the roof has been well maintained and there is absolutely nothing to repair or update.

 

There are of course many other factors to consider depending upon your personal situation.

 

Whether you are choosing a chateau for permanent residence or for a business opportunity, there are many chateaux for sale. So if elegance, style and exquisite architecture are what you desire in your property in France , why not make a French chateau your home?

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