France has a wealth of unique historic Châteaux for sale and in many instances, the prices still represent remarkable value. The advent of the internet stimulated worldwide interest in the French market for the lifestyle and accessibility and in the Château market in particular. Buyers now come from all corners of the globe. The international interest caused prices to rise to levels hitherto unseen.
There is a bit of a myth that French property takes a long time to sell. More recently the French market has become incredibly active. Be aware of this.
With an experience of over three decades, Sifex has successfully facilitated the sale of a multitude of prestigious properties throughout France. Our extensive portfolio of French Chateaux for sale equips us to cater to clients who aspire to own a property in France.
At Sifex, we view ourselves as "introducers", connecting you with the most suitable estate agent to fulfill your requirements. We function as your personal matchmaker for property, guiding you through every step of the process, from the initial visit to the final signature.
Our dedicated Sifex agent works closely with you to ensure that you receive the best possible service, from the beginning to the end. Whether you're a first-time buyer or a seasoned investor, we provide unwavering support throughout the process.
With an unbeatable network of agents throughout France, our bilingual team based in the UK is here to assist you at every step of the way. We comprehend that buying or selling property can be an intimidating process, but with us, you can be assured of a smooth experience.
As consultants, we provide a neutral and informed overview of the French property market, offering you a competitive edge. Additionally, we understand that finding the ideal property can be a time-consuming and intricate process. That's why we take care of it all. We value your time, and hence we ensure that appointments are scheduled realistically to make the best possible use of your time as well as the agents' time. We are committed to taking care of all the details so that your experience is as stress-free as possible.
When you own a listed property in France, you can apply for a loan or subsidies to finance the renovation work. In either case, any renovation of a listed property will have to be approved by architects from 'Bâtiment de France' before works can be carried out.
Listed properties are subject to various restrictions on development so it is worth noting that if a property is eligible for 'listing', the process is likely to take months.
There are numerous advantages to buying a property that is designated as a Monument Historique:
From a structural point of view, it is important to be aware that the costs of renovating a substantial property can be considerable.
Running costs of a chateau are greater than most properties as the surface area is much larger.
For a large castle you could well expect to spend between 50,000 to 100,000 Euros a year on running costs including lighting, heating, insurance and maintenance.
Our agents advise that as a benchmark you could expect to spend anything between 1000 - 2000 Euros per square metre (the former probably for outbuildings – the latter if it is a total rebuild) on a renovation project.
If the property is merely in need of internal modernisation (e.g. kitchens, bathrooms and heating) you can generally halve this figure. It is best to find a property where the roof has been well maintained - especially if it is vast.
We recommend that you read our section on buying a property in France which can be found under ‘Buying’. View our selection of Châteaux for sale, or to receive details of Châteaux from Sifex, contact us on email: info@sifex.co.uk or telephone us on +44 (0)207 384 1200. Our office hours are 09.00 - 17.00 GMT Monday – Friday. If you leave a message, we will get back to you as soon as possible.
France is a large and varied country with each region and indeed each department unique from its neighbours. Our guide to each department can help you to understand more about the nuances of each area.
We have new properties arriving everyday, here you can see our latest listings to be added to our portfolio.
Read our guide to buying a property in France. The process could be slightly different to your own countries process.