Set amongst the ancient towns, soft green hills and world-renowned vineyards of the Loire Valley is Château de Blancafort, a stunning 15th century castle originally built by the Boucard family on the site of an 11th century seigneury.
Dating back to 1453, Château de Blancafort has been significantly embellished over the years, with Romanesque style turrets and a French Baroque façade added in the 17th century.
Internally, the property benefits from beautiful Hungarian parquet floors, Regency woodwork and 17th century tapestries which complement the château's historic credentials.
Covering 22,000 square feet of accommodation (2,100 sq.m.) the château boasts a 2,700 square foot (250sq.m.) reception hall, an elegant library and extensive wine cellars, a convenient feature for a home just 30 minutes from the world-famous Sancerre vineyards.
Currently, Château de Blancafort is home to a French count and countess. Their carefully curated collection of furniture and tapestries is also available by separate negotiation.
In addition to the main castle building, the 42 acres (17 hectares) of ground also contain a caretaker’s house, tearoom, château shop and six-bedroom guest house.
The beautiful gardens have been landscaped to the exact specification of historic plans dating from the Renaissance period and the surrounding parkland provides picturesque views.
Just 90 minutes from Paris, Château de Blancafort is the ideal rural retreat and, on October 19, will go under the hammer with Concierge Auctions, a luxury property auction house.
Despite being previously listed for €4.95million, Château de Blancafort will sell without reserve to the highest bidder.
Concierge Auctions is now conducting previews of Châteaude Blancafort. To book an appointment, register your details at www.conciergeauctions.com
Top 10 places to buy property in France
Variety is the spice of life in France, with its cornucopia of landscapes and lifestyles open to property buyers.
The Tarn: An undiscovered part of south-west France that boasts beautiful properties
Between Provence and the Dordogne lies an undiscovered part of south-west France with panoramas that rival the best of Chianti,
Credit: Chateau Le Paluel - photo by Michel Chanaud
A chance to become a part-owner of a castle in the Dordogne for £46
This crumbling ruin was in fine fettle until it was destroyed during the Second World War - but now a
-
A well-connected rural playground with 23 acres on the edge of the South Downs National ParkOld House Farm is an impressive family home with a wealth of amenities that would inspire any rural passion.
-
The UK gets its first ‘European stork village’ — and it's in West SussexAlthough the mortality rate among white storks can be up to 90%, the future looks rosy for breeding pairs in southern England.
-
A well-connected rural playground with 23 acres on the edge of the South Downs National ParkOld House Farm is an impressive family home with a wealth of amenities that would inspire any rural passion.
-
18 magnificent homes for sale from £550k to £20 million, as seen in Country LifeFrom a charming thatched cottage to a 300-acre estate with its own vineyard, here's our pick of places to come to the market via Country Life of late.
-
If heaven is on earth, it might be in this home with a converted chapel that is now a swimming pool5 Wood Barton Town House is part of an exclusive 80-acre development in Devon that also comes with fishing rights on the River Avon and four bedrooms.
-
The sounds of spring and stained glass in an Arts-and-Crafts masterpiece in DorsetWith 35 acres, more than 10 bedrooms, a swimming pool and tennis court, Winterfield has it all.
-
An eight-bedroom wonder in East Sussex where the outdoors are an adventureThe interiors of Old Middleton are pretty good too.
-
A lakeside farmhouse on the market in the beautiful heart of PembrokeshireA lake, streams, 15 acres and five bedrooms. Rogershook might have it all.
-
An idyllic countryside home that's light, spacious and comes with a Grade II-listed follyHagg House is a gorgeous family home that just happens to have a miniature castle in the gardens. Annabel Dixon explains more.
-
A historic villa for sale on the Via Nomentana worthy of Rome's rich historyThree floors, lots of balconies, and a private garden in one of Rome's loveliest neighbourhoods.
