dreaming of a chateau

by Sharon Santoni
I thought that for the weekend we could all do with a little something to dream about…
This property has recently come up for sale – it’s less than an hour west from us, deeper into Normandy.  A medium-sized château and typical of the style around here, built in brick and stone.  It has beautiful grounds, stunning outbuildings, a pool and a lake!
So let’s pretend we have $8 million to invest with,  what will it bring us?.  Listen carefully and I’ll tell you …..for that bargain price, Sotheby’s is offering us a pretty 17th century chateau …
large country chateau in patterned red and white brick
… that we can admire from the front and the back …
(can’t you just see those steps and lawn being perfect for a big summer ball!)
back of a large chateau with wide steps leading down to a lawn[blank]
lavishly draped four-poster bed in a luxurious bedroom
…..11 bedrooms with beds of all shapes and sizes……
(I grabbed this one, so you’ll have to look further down the hall)
bedroom with floral-patterned wallpaper, four-poster bed and a fireplace with sitting area
…….8 bathrooms too…..
wood-paneled bathroom with large bathtub
[blank]
large bathroom with high ceiling, window seat, dressing area, and bathtub

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(If you need to bring a governess with you, don’t worry she gets her own quarters.)
detailing of the ceiling moulding with garlands and fleur-de-lys medallion
we’ll have ornate plaster work on the walls and ceilings,
and carved stone decorations on the façade
detail of an angel's face on the stone facade[blank]
large salon with multiple sitting areas and fireplace[blank]
two-story foyer with grand staircase, plans, and deer heads on the wall
….. we get a massive hall, and four large reception rooms including a real library….
large dining room with table and chairs, and china on the walls[blank]
warm-toned sitting room with couches and art [blank]
thatch-roofed pool house with pool in a manicured lawn[blank]
large outbuilding with slate roof and shutters
in the grounds of the house we have a pool – complete with  thatched pool house,
a stable block,  a 17thC dovecote, a 19thC guest house,
a caretaker’s house and a Norman manor.
(now that’s a real relief because I’d hate us to feel squashed in there
when friends come to visit!)
stable building with intricate brickwork and large doors[blank]
rounded brick tower and an exposed beam house with ivy
…we could take afternoon tea on the terrace…
(this, by the way, is my favourite shot)
small outdoor seating area on the terrace of the main house
[blank]
expansive lawns with manicured hedges and a small pond surrounding by autumn trees
…… and when the weather is fine we can walk (all day) around the extensive
300 acre property, and even check on the duck’s eggs in the laying
baskets that will  have been carefully positioned by our gamekeeper…..
laying baskets with duck nests inside
Sotheby’s rather touchingly labels this a ‘luxury single family’ property.
One assumes, this is because – once you’ve lodged the army of staff necessary
for maintenance –  there will only be the space for one family.

Seriously though, I think this place is stunning.  We definitely couldn’t afford to buy or
maintain it, but I am thrilled to think that some people can and will.

Wishing you a dreamy Sunday..
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42 comments

Snippets/Sarah February 5, 2011 - 9:49 pm

That is dreamy for sure! What is wonderful about seeing your posts is that we actually get to SEE not only these houses but the interiors. Whereas Americans tend to have houses sitting right on the road for all to see, many of the houses in Europe are tucked way back down long winding roads. Thank you for this glimpse into another world!

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à la parisienne February 5, 2011 - 9:49 pm

This chateau is so beautiful. I would love to just take a stroll on the grounds. I wouldn't mind a set of those steps in my back yard though!

Mandy

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Emily February 5, 2011 - 10:21 pm

Thank you for the BEAUTIFUL eye candy. Even a mere visit would be satisfying!

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Grace @ Sense and Simplicity February 5, 2011 - 10:49 pm

So does it come furnished? Inquiring minds want to know…Simply gorgeous.

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Pamela Terry and Edward February 5, 2011 - 11:20 pm

And there's even room for Edward!!

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Tamra February 5, 2011 - 11:29 pm

Only 8 million? Darling, who do I make the check out to? (LOL!)

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**Anne** February 5, 2011 - 11:41 pm

Oh WOW, what a beautiful place to dream of living in. I love those window seats and a library, I can only dream how much fun I'd have in there. Thanks for sharing.
Anne xx

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The enchanted home February 5, 2011 - 11:48 pm

Sold! Fabulous….very beautiful and a dream for sure. The grounds are incredible, impossible to recreate….thanks!
Put up a great and exciting new giveaway please stop by…its a French chair! Thanks…
http://www.theenchantedhome.blogspot.com

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Sarah B February 5, 2011 - 11:48 pm

Wow, what more is there to say? Probably "dream on Sarah"…

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Kathy February 6, 2011 - 12:11 am

Here's hoping "the right people" buy it…and maintain this treasure. It's startlingly cozy for such a manse. Thank you for the posting…k

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vonda jessup February 6, 2011 - 12:12 am

There are some things money can buy..love the beauitiful rooms..even though the home is very large it has a very warm feeling to it. thanks for sharing. Vonda

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webb February 6, 2011 - 12:42 am

I think you should buy it for your B & B! And then I can come visit and sit on that terrace sipping great French wine!

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IAMSNOWFLAKE February 6, 2011 - 12:46 am

Thanks for giving us a glimpse of this lovely property. I love playing this "let´s pretend" game. Every now and then my husband and I play it and tour houses we'd never afford but would love to own! Have a nice weekend.

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Rebecca February 6, 2011 - 1:19 am

What a wonderful diversion for me on this cold, snow-blown day! Maybe husband and I could move into the pool house and be groundskeepers????

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oldgreymare February 6, 2011 - 3:32 am

a very long, drawn out, softly exhaled …sigh

xx
z

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Linda H February 6, 2011 - 3:49 am

This is what I love about your blog! What a lovely post not that I could ever afford it, it is wonderful to dream!

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Jg. for FatScribe February 6, 2011 - 3:56 am

outstanding weekend choice! what's not to like? btw, one of my all-time favorite Ridley Scott films is "A Good Year" … if you haven't seen it, you owe it to yourself. curious about your thoughts.

https://fatscribe.com/2009/01/good-year.html

Thanks, Sharon!

Jg.

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White Ironstone Cottage February 6, 2011 - 4:06 am

I did not want this to end
Simply Wonderful
xxoo
Pam

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M.A.the2nd February 6, 2011 - 5:21 am

Sharon this is stunning ….. and we could so enjoy tea after a wonderful ride! I can also see a beautiful ball on the front lawn with ladies and gentlemen all in their finery. Such a beautiful post and I hope you have a beautiful Sunday!
best wishes
M.A. the 2nd
ps I was wondering if I could do a post on your gorgeous 18th century tablecloth with the crowns on it! I love it and am seriously thinking about it!
xo

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M.A.the2nd February 6, 2011 - 5:23 am

pps Forgot to say I love all the ornate plasterwork and relief! Gorgeous!!!

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Elizabeth February 6, 2011 - 5:38 am

I swear the one photo looks like the interior of the Rodin Museum…

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Erna February 6, 2011 - 9:02 am

I can see myself into the fourposter bed with a book and…..
Enjoy your Sunday
Erna

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Passionedeco...perchè le case hanno un'anima February 6, 2011 - 10:24 am

Oh my…. this will be a dreamy Sunday after reading this post!!
WONDERFUL!
If only….
Thank you Sharon, have a happy Sunday you too.
Fra

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Jojo February 6, 2011 - 3:49 pm

Oh to crash in that gorgeous canopied bed at the end of a rough day. Then again, if I lived in that chateau, maybe my days wouldn't be quite as hectic as they are!!! Oh what fun it is to do some dreaming….

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Beth - In My World... February 6, 2011 - 4:33 pm

This is absolutely breath-taking. Okay readers! Let's all pool our resources together and see what how close we can come to obtaining this for all of us to enjoy!

No? Well it was lovely to dream about for a moment or two…

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Janet M February 6, 2011 - 5:08 pm

Thanks for the day-dream, Sharon.

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Courtney ~ French Country Cottage February 6, 2011 - 9:10 pm

Oh. My. Gosh.
I would love to live in a wonderful, gorgeous historic old home such as this in France… wonder what the payments would be…
absolutely stunningly beautiful Sharon. Thanks for sharing!! 🙂

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design traveller February 6, 2011 - 10:02 pm

beautiful staircase…

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My Grama's Soul February 6, 2011 - 10:31 pm

I don't even think I can get my brain around this!! LOL

xo

Jo

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Fay February 6, 2011 - 10:43 pm

you are so right its divine and so good to see it also love the terrace and the turret mmm fay xxx

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chateaudelille February 7, 2011 - 12:34 am

I just love chateaux which is why my blog is named as such. This one is definitely dreamy. i loved your naration. Was such fun to read while enjoying the pics. fiona

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Katherine February 7, 2011 - 5:41 am

For the current owners of this Chateaux it all started with a dream…….. Sometimes life brings along wonderful surprises, so hang on to your dreams and dream big.

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Not Perfect But Nice February 7, 2011 - 10:03 am

Mmmmmmm this is my kind of dreaming!! But doesn't your place look a bit like this? 🙂 Wishing you a great week of dreaming……. xx Iris

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Robin February 7, 2011 - 7:16 pm

Thank you for sharing this beautiful home!!

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MilaneseGAL February 8, 2011 - 8:40 am

Thank you for sharing! Witty, funny post! A hug from Milam M.

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Philippines properties for sale February 9, 2011 - 9:45 am

This must be a nice place to live. I like very much these photos and the others. Your blog is amazing.

Paula M

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oneshabbychick February 10, 2011 - 2:35 am

This is a beautiful house, but I actually prefer yours! Yours is beautiful AND cozy… it doesn't get much better than that :-}

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Anonymous March 17, 2012 - 11:24 pm

i am drooling over those lovely chateaus. i particularly love the one with the variagated stonework. save your euros and maybe one day you might have a home like one of these. from melbourne australia.

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Olya Olegovna August 30, 2012 - 1:10 pm

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Property Access PH November 14, 2022 - 3:02 am

great blog! thank you so much for sharing this. this is such a beautiful house and calming place to live

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Prince Mina December 12, 2022 - 5:16 am

I enjoyed reading this, such a great content. thank!

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JamesOneil April 17, 2023 - 11:11 am

And Sharon
you are welcome on my team any day, this life or the next…

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