French chateaux come in all shapes and sizes, ranging from archetypal, picturesque ones in the Loire Valley, to properties tucked away in the rural south amongst woodland and pastures.
Despite the grandiose name, many of these properties can be relatively affordable, and depending on the area, can cost significantly less than a flat in Paris.
Here are five that are currently on offer in the Dordogne in south-west France, a region popular with English-speakers who move to France.
1: 14-room literary chateau, $540,000
This 14-room chateau is situated on the outskirts of Périgueux with the 17th-century building constructed on the site of an earlier manor house.
It retains the charm and feel of a building from this era and is composed of two main buildings, each built over two floors.
Many rooms contain authentic fireplaces, and in the main living room of one, a fountain installed in the 18th century remains in place.
It may need some work completed on the interior and comes with 6.5 hectares of land in the surrounding Périgord area, including meadows and woodland.
The for sale price is $540,000, just under €500,000.
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The building also has an air of literary heritage – the French poet and dramatist François-Joseph de Lagrange-Chancel stayed here during the 1700s, and may have composed some of his works here.
You can find out more via estate agents Selection Habitathere.
Credit: Seleciton Habitat
2: Five bedrooms, swimming pool… and a tower, $655,000
If you are looking for something with a more traditional feel, this chateau close to Nontron has an authentic tower jutting out of one of its sides.
Parts of the original 13th-century building on the site – which was originally a chapel – still remain intact.
This includes the fireplace in the main room, and some of the stone flooring that remains throughout the property.
However, the property has a number of modern features, including a kitchen filled with mod-cons, a terrace, and a swimming pool.
Amongst the eight rooms in the main building there are five bedrooms as well as a roulotte (a kind of caravan) at the back of the property’s garden with its own mini-kitchen and shower.
This would allow the owners to remain on-site and occasionally rent out the main room, or as an extra space for people visiting.
This luxurious chateau contains 14 bedrooms, eight bathrooms, and is split into three distinct ‘areas’ within a grandiose main building.
Situated in the Castillonnès area, it was most recently used as a hotel.
Along with the main building – which contains a large dining room and modern kitchen – comes 1.5 hectares of land, and a large swimming pool on the edge of the estate.
Built on a hill, the chateau provides stunning views of the nearby woodlands, and despite its rural nature, is around 30 minutes drive away from Bergerac, the major town in the area.
The basement has been converted into a fully independent one-bedroom apartment, with its own kitchen and bathroom.
See more about the property here, via Christie’s international real estate.
Credit: Christie's / Maxwell-Baynes
4: Recently-renovated chateau with barn, $866,000
This 500m² property, close to the village of Sarlat, has seven bedrooms, a saltwater pool, and over 2,500m of land.
The site where the chateau is located has seen a number of constructions since the 14th century, however the most recent building, dating from the 19th century, has recently been renovated.
Despite this, charming stone walls remain in many of the rooms, giving an authentic feel to the building.
The original, larger chateau was split into three sections – the owner of this property would receive the centre and right-wing of the property, with the left-wing (that is not attached) remaining independent.
Although the property itself does not require any work, it comes with a barn that is in need of renovation, creating a project for a DIY enthusiast.
The property’s woods and parklands are fully enclosed, allowing the owner to work on the land as they wish (pending planning permission approval from the local mairie).
Do be aware, however, that the building has only one bathroom, and the kitchen does not come equipped.
More information can be found via Belles Pierres estate agents here.
