In the French countryside, one can go big and go home — specifically to a 23-bedroom chateau in a small rural village in the center of the republic.
Set in the township of Baugy, the 19th-century Neo-Classical mansion takes its inspiration from the grand castles of the Loire Valley and Sologne region.
The chateau is reflected in a pond on the 30-acre property.
The elegant red-brick structure, standing more than 65 feet tall, is anchored on its corners by witch’s hat turrets. A broad stairway leads up to the double-door entry of the ornate stone-accented façade, which has a symmetrical design.
Scrolled wrought-iron handrails add a decorative effect, while sculptured figures flank the arched door. Dormer windows draw the eye up to the top of the gambrel-style hip roof, where a clock is perched.
At a similar stairway on the other side of the manor house, another pair of statues bid adieu. Views from this vantage point take in a fountain, lawn and a pond.
Floor-to-ceiling windows emphasize the height of the living room.
An abundance of windows bring light into the more than 23,680 square feet of living space containing six public rooms, a professional-grade kitchen and 23 en suite bedrooms. This is a house that has seen some opulent living.
Soaring ceilings, French doors and a herringbone-patterned inlaid floor add a sense of stateliness to the living room. A fireplace with an ornate mantel and embellished woodwork occupies one wall of the room.
Wainscoting brings a sense of grounding to diners in the massive space.
The tall ceilings and wood floors continue in the spacious dining hall, which is wrapped in a band of wainscoting. Elegant fireplaces, banks of windows and crown molding adorn the bedrooms.
The parklike grounds of 12 hectares, nearly 30 acres, are reminiscent of English gardens with two ponds, mature trees and expanses of lawn.
An outbuilding contains a 1,076-square-foot caretaker’s quarters and a barn with a five-stall stable.
The red-brick structure is topped on the corners by witch’s hat turrets.
The asking price for the recently restored chateau is more than $2 million, however, European prices fluctuate based on the exchange rate. Olivier de Chabot-Tramecourt of Groupe Mercure, a founding member of Forbes Global Properties, is representing the property.
Baugy can be reached by train, taxicab or car. It’s about 250 kilometers or 155 miles from Paris and 30 kilometers, close to 19 miles, from the medieval city of Bourges.
Regional points of interest include wineries, a chocolatier, historic churches and villages. The surrounding agricultural land offers an abundance of bucolic scenery.
After all, this is France. Good food, fine wine and culture are never far away.
The scenic acreage includes lawn, mature trees and two large ponds.
During four decades of covering luxury and celebrity housing, I’ve looked into people’s homes, lives and property records through many lenses. I was the Los Angeles Times
…During four decades of covering luxury and celebrity housing, I’ve looked into people’s homes, lives and property records through many lenses. I was the Los Angeles Times Real Estate section editor for eight years, the Hot Property columnist for six and did stints as a newspaper reporter, copy editor and page designer. My work for The Times Business, Home and Real Estate sections has garnered in-house and national awards for blogging, editing and feature writing. I recently edited a book on house flipping. My debut fiction, “Newcomer: The St. Cross Choir Series, Book 1,” is available at Amazon.com. In my free time, I’m a portrait artist and foster kittens and senior dogs. You can follow me on Twitter @laurenebeale.