The neo-gothic estate called Chateau de Maulmont was once the hunting lodge of of Princess Adelaide, ... [+]
When not discussing 19th-century matters of state or private affairs with her older brother King Louis Philippe d'Orléans, the politically minded Princess Adelaide might be found enjoying leisure time at her Vichy hunting lodge in the Auvergne Rhone-Alpes region of France.
The neo-Gothic lodge was built in 1830 on the site of what had been a 13th-century Templar command post. It was converted to a chateau 60 years later.
Built in 1830, the chateau sits on what was once a 13th-century Templar command post.
Set on the outskirts of the Domaine Royal de Randan, a royal estate, the Chateau de Maulmont is today a listed historic monument frequented by tourists and wedding guests rather than huntsmen. More recently, the residence has been used for seminars and events that require accommodations.
Many aspects of the structure add to the castle-like appearance. The central rectangular tower has a Gothic arch-topped entry. Wings on either side spread out to turreted rotundas. The patterned brick façade is in keeping with the Troubadour style, a French deviation from the Gothic Revival designs seen elsewhere in Europe.
The property was converted into a chateau in the late 1800s.
The U-shaped layout frames a central courtyard where views take in the hills and forests of the Allier Valley.
The ground-floor reception hall features a cathedral ceiling. Elaborate ceilings, woodwork and herringbone parquet flooring continue in the wood-paneled bar and dining room, which opens to a terrace.
Spanning three floors, the chateau offers nearly 17,000 square feet of refined living space.
The chateau contains 1,575 square meters (nearly 17,000 square feet) of living space on three levels. Of the 33 rooms are various reception rooms, an office, fully equipped professional kitchen, 23 bedrooms and 21 bathrooms. One bedroom in a corner tower has a 360-degree-view balcony. There are indoor and outdoor swimming pools.
The 15-hectare (37-acre) property, which includes formal gardens, three ponds, a helipad, golf practice range and woodland, is being marketed by Groupe Mercure at €2.9 million or about US $3.1 million.
This estate features a total of 33 rooms, including reception areas, an office and a large kitchen.
The owner of a recognized historic property in France must maintain the property as needed, says listing agent Renaud Valentin. “Any renovation work affecting the listed parts has to be preapproved by a ‘monuments historiques’ architect.” There are tax advantages for French taxpayer residents, he adds, who must open the property to the public part of the year.
The next buyer could use the listed property as a personal residence, for professional purposes or both. “Very often, we see a mix,” Valentin says, a “private home with some activity (weddings or B&B) to cover maintenance costs.”
There are 23 bedrooms and 21 bathrooms.
While Valentin says he expects interested parties to most likely be French, this type of chateau would also appeal to international buyers. “Foreigners may come from North America, the U.K., Benelux, Germany, Switzerland,” he says. “Also Scandinavia, Australia or South Africa.”
The chateau is about 8 kilometers (5 miles) from local shops and services while the center of Vichy is 15 kilometers (9 miles) away. Paris can be reached by train in three hours while Lyon is two hours away.
There are indoor and outdoor swimming pools.
Vichy, a resort destination known for its thermal spas, cultural offerings and architectural heritage, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The 15-hectare (37-acre) property includes formal gardens, three ponds, a helipad, golf practice ... [+]
The chateau is 8 kilometers from local shops and 15 kilometers from Vichy's center.
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