Francis York

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This 18th Century Chateau in Brittany is Waiting to be Restored

This property is on the market for €2,800,000, listed with Patrice Besse.

The dreamiest fixer-upper, this 18th century chateau is set on the Emerald coast of Bretagne, France. 

Considered a jewel of local heritage, the chateau is nestled in a 64 acre estate with woodland and parkland, just 5km from the sea and overlooking Mont-Saint-Michel Bay. 

Originally built in the 18th century for the Bonabes-de-Rougé, the chateau was destroyed and rebuilt on its site in 1776 for the Le-Fer-de-La-Saudre family, shipowners from Saint-Malo, incorporating Gênes marble and Chausey granite. 

The French writer Chateaubriand famously referenced the chateau in his memoir d'Outre-Tombe (1849), describing its "magnificence of which we have no idea in Paris". 

Inside the listed chateau—part-way through a restoration project—find a grand hall paved with French monochrome stone tiles, flanked by a monumental staircase made of Carrara marble. 

With soaring ceilings, an abundance of French windows illuminate the spaces, just waiting to be reimagined by its next owner. 

The chateau offers accommodations across 3 levels, with a basement and attics. An original chapel from 1871 is tucked inside one of its towers. 

The entrance gates to the chateau are located on the fringes of a small town, with the chateau hidden from view until you approach. Built on a feudal moat and accessible via a quarry stone block bridge, the chateau dominates the surrounding countryside and features a large courtyard with surrounding outbuildings. 

The property includes a caretaker’s cottage, dovecote, greenhouse, and a tennis court. 

An incredible project in the dynamic coastal region of Brittany, the chateau is a 2h15 train ride into the capital (with train access in town), and just 20 minutes from Dinard airport and the ferry ports. 

All photos belong to the listing agency.