Aquitaine, Gironde, Bordeaux, France

Built of light-colored limestone with an overhauled slate-covered roof, the château is positioned at the center of 5 hectares or 12 acres of grounds accessed by a star shaped network of graveled paths. A rare 19th century wind turbine known as an ‘Eolienne Bollée’ with foot access was used to draw water to feed cattle grazing on pastures around the château. Today it provides a remarkable feature nestled into the woodland. A 29 m² heated outdoor swimming ‘lap’ pool with counter-current, pool house and shower sit next to the château. A ‘son et lumière’ installation lights up the château in the evening whilst music projects from hidden loudspeakers across the château grounds.

Every room in the château offers sweeping views onto the surrounding park. The 65 m² living room has South, North and East facing floor-to-ceiling windows inviting nature into the château. This resolutely modern inside/outside living concept sits beautifully with the restored classical features such as open fireplaces, original doors and rendered stone walls. Alongside the living room is a vast entrance hall opening to both the South and the North sides of the château and a billiard room. This makes for 130 m² of reception space. A fully-fitted modern kitchen with prep-pantry connecting to an adjacent formal dining room, and a wheelchair-accessible ground floor en-suite bedroom make up the ground floor.

A wheelchair-accessible glass elevator connects the four floors of the château. The elevator ride has internal views onto rooms on each floor as you climb from the basement to attic levels. Unusual for a Bordeaux château, the basement covers the entire château with a wine cellar, gym, workshop and a technical control room with direct access to garden and pool areas. The first floor is comprised of a master bedroom with balcony and dressing room, generous master bathroom, 2 additional bedroom suites as well as an office space and meeting room. The first floor demonstrates the modularity of the sizeable floor space across the château. The second floor or attic has an open-space, loft feel with separate bedroom and bathroom. The main property offers some 830m² of usable space.

A private motorized gate offers access to the grounds where you will find both the renovated 18th century post house converted into three separate apartments (430m² usable space) and the converted chicken coop, now an independent guest house (50m2 usable space) secluded behind the bamboo grove.

All technical systems (electrical, plumbing, heating) were completely renewed in all buildings, as well as all floors, wall and ceiling surfaces with stucco cornices. All roofs were thermally insulated and retiled. The château’s under-floor heating is self-reliant from geothermal energy (heat source groundwater), complemented by solar panels for electricity.