Provence-Alps-Cote d`Azur, Vaucluse, Rustrel, France

Fabulous and historic French chateau and country estate, built around 1600, with a rich past, now offering a property of exceptional character, blending heritage, prestige, and authenticity.

Once owned by the co-seigneurs of the region, establishing it within a feudal tradition where several noble families shared the rights and responsibilities of a single seigneury. This arrangement strengthened local influence and ensured collective management of the land. In the 19th century, the chateau became a literary retreat for Pierre Alexis Ponson du Terrail, who wrote parts of his famous serialized novel Rocambole here, giving the estate a unique character.

The first of the current owner's lineage purchased the chateau as a hunting lodge, and each summer, the family from Marseille would come to stay and hunt. This ancestor was a devoted supporter of Count de Chambord, King Henri V, the last legitimate heir to the throne for royalists. This allegiance reflects the chateau's deep ties to French history.

In 1920, an agricultural wing was added, designed by a renowned architect to form a complete farm estate. It includes a sheepfold, hay barns, several dovecotes, pigsties, kennels, a silkworm house, a washhouse, an old bread oven, vehicle spaces, a water cistern, and worker accommodations.

The current owners continue to run this agricultural operation and lease the surrounding land.

In the 1970s, modern comforts such as gas central heating, a new kitchen, and upgraded bathrooms were introduced.

However, the original condition remains largely untouched, offering excellent restoration potential.

Today, maintenance costs have become too high for the current owners, and, after seven generations, they reluctantly offer the estate for sale.

There are around 16 hectares of arable land, and the woods are managed by a simple forestry plan, to be continued by the buyer. With a renovation budget (for roofing, floors, plumbing, electricity, and sanitation), this property can be restored to its former splendour.

This chateau is located close to a charming village of around 750 residents in the Luberon, Provence. A bakery is just steps away, where the baker sells excellent bread, the grocery store offers local cheeses and charcuterie, and the terraces, brasseries, and restaurants under the grand plane trees provide a friendly atmosphere.

The village is lively, with a post office, a nursery and primary school, a town hall, an antique store, a bistro, an inn, a pizzeria, pottery studios, and a few galleries.

Nature is ever-present, with lavender fields, endless forests, the mountains behind the village, and the ochre cliffs offering breathtaking colours during each hike.

The town of Apt, with shops, a high school, middle school, cinema, and restaurants, is 10 km away.

The Avignon TGV station is about 1 hour 15 minutes away, and Marseille Airport is around 1 hour 30 minutes by car.

REFERENCE: 255903