Normandy, Eure, Verneuil-sur-Avre, France

Rare opportunity to acquire a beautifully refurbished 16 bedroom French Chateau with outbuildings, nestling in 14 acres of glorious land with gardens and fruit trees near Verneuil sur Avre, in the heart of Normandy in the wooded region of the Pays d'Ouche.

This magnificent property is ideally situated to the west of the Paris Basin (130 km from Paris), on the borders of the Eure and Orne departments, close to the town of L'Aigle: train station less than 2 hours from Paris (Gare Montparnasse), schools, supermarkets, hospital, etc.

A long tree-lined driveway (approximately 300 m) leads to the chateau and its annexes (on the left: pasture with horses; on the right: a large car park) and its well-kept grounds set in the heart of the Normandy countryside.

This vast and beautiful property began to be refurbished in the 2000s, to accommodate 120 people (room) and around 50 beds. Recent work to install heat pumps (PaC) has enabled the site to be better maintained (3 PaC: 2 for the chateau and 1 for the annex).

All the windows have also been replaced (53 double-glazed and PVC windows). Thanks to these recent improvements, the energy rating is now C (and the GHG rating is A).

This magnificent Norman chateau dates back to 1630 (and was then gradually refurbished in 1830 and 1895). It is built over a crawl space (no worries about damp), and has 27 rooms with almost 900m2 of living space, in grounds of almost 6ha.

The gite and event reception business (now closed) used to host around 35 events a year. This property is immediately ready for events (compliant with standards: fire doors, PRM, fire extinguishers, evacuation plans, smoke detectors, smoke extraction hatch ).

The chateau comprises a main building with two square towers elegantly topped by a four-sided roof. The whole is built of traditional flint with brick quoins for the windows. The property comprises 3 levels as follows:

The ground floor: Most of the living space is currently on the ground floor (+ 2 bedrooms on the 1st floor). Some refurbishment work is required (painting of the walls and ceilings), as well as electrical work on the ground floor. A 6m2 entrance hall is located on the east facade, and a second entrance opens onto a large, glazed gallery on the east side, with a surface area of 30m2, very bright with a beautiful wooden staircase.

The ground floor comprises 1 study of 24 m2 with parquet flooring, 1 utility room of 30 m2, 1 laundry room of 11 m2 with WC, 1 beautiful living room of 29 m2 with parquet flooring, a marble fireplace and a moulded ceiling, 1 second study of 32 m2, 1 dining room of 29 m2 with a Renaissance fireplace (the radiators on the ground floor are still cast iron), and the floor features terracotta tiles dating from 1630.

There is 1 kitchen (21m2) with a piano (to be refitted), 1 boiler room (8m2, 2 x 200l hot water tanks and 2 x 400l hot water tanks); the gallery leads to the library. Ceiling heights are 2.80 m on the ground floor.

On the 1st floor are 8 bedrooms (6 rental bedrooms: 15-28-27-22-16-15m2 + 2 private bedrooms: 31-15m2), 6 of which have en-suite bathrooms and WCs, a separate shower room and a walk in wardrobe (parquet flooring throughout and tiled bathrooms).

2 bedrooms (24-28m2) with en suite shower rooms and another bedroom (9.5m2) with a separate shower room are on the second floor. They are connected by a gallery.

There is the possibility of converting 5 additional bedrooms (electricity installed, water inlet and outlet also).

Annexe 1 is a long, brick-clad flint building of approximately 500 m2, renovated over 2 levels, topped with dormer windows and covered in flat tiles. Reserved for weddings, seminars, conferences and accommodation.

Ground floor: 1 hall (30m2), 1 reception room (60m2) with cathedral ceiling and acoustics, underfloor heating (radiators upstairs: PaC), mezzanine (12.5m2, children's playroom); 1 seminar room (31m2) equipped: internet, TV, video projector, motorised screen); and a cloakroom.

The property is very bright, with a catering area (18m2, access to the room and terrace; 2 ovens, microwave, fridge, hob, dishwasher, dish storage); 1 electrical room complying with 2008 standards, 1 technical room, WC for disabled people; 1 bedroom for disabled people (17m2 + bathroom for disabled people).

1st floor: WC, 1 bedroom with shower room (14m2) and 1 dormitory with 8 beds (24m2).

Annexe 2: Flint building with tiles in need of renovation, used as a cellar and storeroom, topped by an attic and storage space.

Annexe 3 corresponds to the former stables; flint building with slate roof, comprising a double garage (2 cars), a technical room (general electricity and water booster in case of emergency) / former stables plus an electric socket for a car.

The grounds are laid out in the English style with a vast lawn (suitable for helicopters, fireworks, etc. ), and there are numerous species on the property (some of which are over a hundred years old: Sequoia, Ginkgo-Bilobas, acacia, cedar, beech, chestnut, pine, wild cherry, tulip tree, chestnut, not forgetting wisteria, Virginia creeper and other flower beds).

The orchard features apple, cherry and mirabelle trees. A pond collects the water purified by the mini biological station. The whole property covers 5ha 66a with no easements. The sewage system on the property is compliant (ecological mini-treatment plant).

Possibility under the PLUI of developing a new tourism or leisure activity (extension, construction, swimming pool,. ) Consideration may be given to acquiring additional land to the rear of the property (an additional 2 hectares with a 60m2 house, 1 outbuilding and a kennel). The equipment sold for the gite is sold separately (catering area, crockery, video projector, beds, bedsprings, white, etc. ), price to be discussed.

REFERENCE: 251633