French Castle Kept In The Family For Centuries Asks $2 Million

The sand-colored stone castle in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region, listed for about US $2 million, has been owned by the same family since it was built in the 17th century (GROUPE MERCURE).

Generation after generation of one household from the village of Orléat in central France has walked the same grounds for some 400 years.

This sand-colored stone castle in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region has been passed down within the family since it was built in the 17th century. Over the years, events put on by the owners have attracted a collection of esteemed guests, including writer and politician François-René de Chateaubriand, political theorist Madame de Staël and mathematician and inventor Blaise Pascal, to name a few.

french castle interior entryway

Writer and politician François-René de Chateaubriand, political theorist Madame de Staël and mathematician and inventor Blaise Pascal are among those who have attended events at the castle (GROUPE MERCURE).

But the property has yet another notable feature. The centerpiece of the 13,000-square-foot chateau is a two-story library filled with shelves housing a collection of 60,000 books. A spiral staircase connects the two levels in one corner of the wood-clad room. A book-lined gallery features inlaid wood floors and French doors.

reception rooms inside a Center of France – 17th Century castle with a large history

The elegant reception rooms feature high ceilings, elaborate moldings and gracefully arched windows (GROUPE MERCURE).

A mansard roof and conical turrets top the two-story residence. The elegant reception rooms feature high ceilings, elaborate moldings and gracefully arched windows. Many of the 10 bedrooms are on the first floor.

dining room inside a 17th century french castle groupe mercure

High ceilings and tall windows create volume in the formal spaces (GROUPE MERCURE).

A grand staircase leads to a landing before splitting in opposite directions to access the second floor.

art and statues inside a Center of France – 17th Century castle with a large history

Antiques, paintings and elaborate busts further the property’s Old World feel (GROUPE MERCURE).

There’s additional space in the attic, where dormer windows bring in daylight, and the basement.

60,000 book library inside a 13,000-square-foot chateau in france

The centerpiece of the 13,000-square-foot chateau is a two-story library filled with shelves housing a collection of 60,000 books (GROUPE MERCURE).

Tucked at the end of a path on the wooded grounds is a neo-Romanesque chapel designated as a Monument Historique, a national heritage site.

large library gallery with inlaid floors and french doors 17th Century castle

The massive book-lined gallery features inlaid wood floors and French door (GROUPE MERCURE).

Various outbuildings provide more housing and storage.

bedroom inside a 17th century castle

The castle features 10 bedrooms, many of which are located on the main floor (GROUPE MERCURE).

The estate encompasses 50 hectares (about 125 acres) of forest and gardens overlooking a valley. The views also take in the Chaîne des Puys. The now dormant volcanic range contains cinder and lava domes, as well as craters.

staircase inside a 17th Century castle with a large history

A grand staircase leads to a landing before splitting in opposite directions to access the second floor (GROUPE MERCURE).

Sophie van Cayzeele of Groupe Mercure is the listing agent for the estate, priced at EUR 1.7 million (US $2 million).

Located 20 minutes from Clermont-Ferrand 17th century castle owned by same family

The estate encompasses 50 hectares (about 125 acres) of forest and gardens overlooking a valley (GROUPE MERCURE).

The property is about 20 minutes from the university city of Clermont-Ferrand, where sites to see include a Gothic cathedral made from black lava stone and the Place de Jaude, a broad public square centered on a statue of a war hero from Julius Caesar’s Gallic Wars. The city also has a renowned rugby team.

Nestled in a green setting, the chateau is for sale with about 50 hectares

The views also take in the Chaîne des Puys (GROUPE MERCURE).

Regional delicacies include local cheeses, wines and aperitifs.

The chateau is approximately 10 minutes from a freeway and 70 minutes to Lyon and the international Lyon—Saint Exupéry Airport. Clermont-Ferrand Auvergne Airport is the nearest air hub.

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During four decades of covering luxury and celebrity housing, I’ve looked into people’s homes, lives and property records through many lenses. I was the Los Angeles Times Real Estate section editor for eight years, the Hot Property columnist for six and did stints as a newspaper reporter, copy editor and page designer. My work for The Times Business, Home and Real Estate sections has garnered in-house and national awards for blogging, editing and feature writing.

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