Chateau in Bourges

Proposed by the Mercure Forbes Group, this exceptional property comprises the following:
– A château of approx. 700 sqm built over an entresol, ground floor, second floor and converted attic,
– A hunting lodge comprising garages, workshop and guest or janitor’s cottage,
– Approx. 1.7 hectares of fully enclosed parklands.
– Set in over 208 hectares of forest.

Property location

Property location :
The property is located in the Cher department, in the Centre-Val de Loire region. This charming Solognot village, with a surface area of 7,500 hectares, is a welcoming place crossed by 70 kilometers of communal roads. It is located at the intersection of the roads linking La Chapelle-d’Angillon to Salbris on the one hand, and Aubigny-sur-Nère to Vierzon on the other.

The commune boasts a varied landscape of forests, moors, plains, meadows, ponds and streams. The Rère, a tributary of the Sauldre, also rises here. According to the latest census, the commune has 314 inhabitants and belongs to the Sauldre et Sologne community of communes.

The main house :
Structural work:

The main building comprises a square main building with a pavilion, facing north-east/south-west, with asymmetrical facades.

The northeast façade features a square main building topped by a pavilion with terrace. On the south-west side, the square main building is enhanced by a cylindrical tower and a square-based tower, both of which protrude.

The rendered rubble stone walls are decorated with brickwork around the dormers and quoins, giving the building a style typical of the Sologne region. With a length of around 27 meters, the main building has an imposing appearance. Finally, the natural slate roof is in good condition, adding to the charm and elegance of the whole.

Built on an entresol: The entresol of this building comprises 14 rooms, including a boiler room.

This space is conveniently served by an interior service staircase, allowing quick access from upper or lower levels. For added convenience, the entresol can also be reached via an external staircase, providing an independent, direct entrance to this intermediate floor.

Access to the chateau is via a staircase on the north facade, leading to a porch that marks the main entrance. A 33 sqm vestibule serves as the focal point for the distribution of the reception rooms. The floor, adorned with old cement tiles, lends an authentic charm and a touch of character.

Ground floor: 250 sqm.
The main access to the château is from the north façade, where a staircase leads to a staircase distinguishing the main entrance. A vast 33 m² vestibule, with a floor adorned with antique cement tiles, serves as the focal point for the distribution of the reception rooms, bringing charm and character to the space.

To the left, the vestibule leads to an elegant billiard room, decorated with picture rails and oak parquet flooring.

To the right, a rotunda office, with herringbone oak flooring, is bathed in light thanks to five large windows, and its marble fireplace adds a note of refinement.

To the south-west, a bright 45 sqm living room with large bay windows opens onto the outside. Herringbone parquet flooring and a marble fireplace add elegance and warmth to the room, while the 4-metre high ceiling accentuates the feeling of space.

Further on, a reception hall leads to a majestic, solid-wood grand staircase.

A corridor leads to a small 18 m² living room and an elegant 26 sqm dining room in the bow window. The dining room’s oak parquet floor and fireplace are topped by a mirror framed by an overmantel, adding a touch of sophistication to the ensemble.

The spacious and functional 30 sqm kitchen features natural stone flooring, a central island and a cooking piano. It opens onto a tower, offering direct access to the park and a harmonious transition between interior and exterior.

To the east are a laundry room and toilet, offering practicality and convenience. A functional oak service staircase links all floors, from the mezzanine to the converted attic, ensuring easy, fluid access to the entire building.

1st floor: 230 sqm
It is served by the grand staircase and the service staircase, each leading to distinct but complementary spaces. Opening onto an elegant landing, this floor distributes a master suite, comprising a bedroom bathed in natural light. This room opens onto a vast terrace, offering a breathtaking view of the outdoors. The suite also includes a second bedroom, laid out in a row, which benefits from an intimate balcony. Finally, a refined bathroom, equipped with a lion-foot bathtub, completes this level. A welcoming corridor, carefully decorated, leads to two generously-sized bedrooms. These share a contemporary bathroom, combining practicality and refinement.

A little further on, an elegant master suite is revealed, complete with private dressing room. It is accompanied by a sumptuous bathroom, equipped with a balneotherapy bathtub, inviting moments of absolute relaxation and well-being. The overall atmosphere is intimate and refined, ideal for serenity and escape.

The rooms are distinguished by their walls adorned with sumptuous wall fabrics and skins, creating a warm, elegant ambience. Carefully crafted parquet floors add a touch of sophistication. To complete the picture, each room has a fireplace, enhancing its charm and comfort.

2nd floor : 220 sqm
The second floor, accessible only by the service staircase, enjoys a special intimacy. Carefully renovated, it now houses three bright bedrooms (20 sqm, 13 sqm and 9 sqm), a modern 14 sqm bathroom, a large 50 sqm room and an attic. The renovation has skilfully preserved the authentic charm of the premises while optimizing the use of space.
The floor of the second floor is covered in sisal, adding a warm, natural touch. Meticulously insulated walls and ceilings ensure optimum thermal and acoustic performance, offering enhanced comfort.

Facilities and comfort:
– Water: communal network
– Oil-fired central heating, forced-air boiler (new), 5000-liter underground tank
– Hot water: 4 cumulus heaters recently installed
– In front of the château, an ingenious irrigation system collects rainwater and takes it to a well to water the garden.
– Independent oil-fired boiler for the swimming pool
– Sanitation: One septic tank for the château, a second for the hunting lodge,
– Fiber optic cable at the entrance to the property (currently being connected).

This exceptional property is complemented by a recently built janitor’s cottage, or relais de chasse, whose architecture blends harmoniously with the château’s style. This charming residence features a large, light-filled living room and kitchen, perfectly suited for entertaining, and four bedrooms on the first floor, which can accommodate up to ten people. Two toilets and a bathroom complete the layout, guaranteeing every comfort for its occupants.

In addition to its functional layout, the house has two garages and a lean-to, providing parking for up to five vehicles. This configuration ensures great practicality and facilitates access and storage for residents or their guests.

Facilities and comforts:
– Slate roof in good condition
– Electric heating
– Double-glazed windows
– Septic tank drainage,
– Electric vehicle charging station

The swimming pool:
Situated to the south of the château, it is sheltered by an elegant glass roof (19 x 8 m), which allows it to blend harmoniously into its surroundings. The pool measures 11×5 meters (automated salt treatment and independent boiler).

The park: Covering some 2 hectares, it is entirely enclosed and harmoniously laid out. It features carefully trimmed boxwoods and superb rhododendrons with predominantly white flowers, adding a touch of purity to the landscape. Several peaceful corners invite you to savor the calm and beauty of the setting. The park is also home to a number of remarkable trees, including rare species such as araucaria araucana, sequoia, mulberry, catalpa, maple, liquidambar, ash, hornbeam, oak and century-old pine, all of which add a historic dimension to the area. An orchard completes the ensemble, offering a variety of fruits and reinforcing the bucolic atmosphere of the park.

The owners currently lease 208 hectares of woods, land and two ponds for 17,800 euros a year. This lease is tacitly renewable for three-year periods. In the years to come, it is likely that the owners of the woodlands will sell the land (which could represent an opportunity to sell the land).

In the heart of the Centre-Val de Loire region, in the Cher department, this territory is part of the Sologne, a vast natural region known for its wooded landscapes, ponds and exceptional wildlife, but the Sologne du Cher has its own special characteristics.

A preserved natural environment.
Sologne du Cher is a haven of peace for nature lovers. The region is marked by a great diversity of environments: forests, moors, ponds, rivers and marshes. These varied environments are havens for exceptional flora and fauna. Sologne is renowned for its rich ornithological diversity, with numerous bird species, as well as for its game populations, such as deer, wild boar and roe deer, making it a prized territory for hunting enthusiasts.
> Ponds, which dot the landscape, are a key feature of the Cher Sologne. These bodies of water, often of artificial origin, create unique ecosystems and are home to a wide variety of animal and plant species. They are also popular sites for fishing and hiking.

A cultural and historical heritage
The Sologne region of Cher, while largely dominated by nature, also boasts a rich cultural and historical heritage. The region is home to many typical villages, castles, churches and historic monuments that bear witness to its past. Notable sites include the Château de la Verrerie, near the town of Gargilesse-Dampierre, and the many stone buildings that blend harmoniously into the landscape.

A land of traditions and know-how The Cher Sologne is also a region where rural traditions are still very much alive. Agriculture plays an important role, with crops such as cereals and vines (Sancerre is 30 minutes away), as well as poultry and small animal farming. The region is also renowned for its gastronomic expertise, with local products such as game, pond fish and local produce.

Accessibility and tourism
Although Sologne du Cher is located in a relatively rural area, it is very well served by roads and freeways. Close to major cities such as Bourges (European Capital of Culture 2028), the region attracts lovers of nature and peace, as well as history and heritage enthusiasts. A wide range of tourist activities are on offer: forest walks, pond discoveries, visits to castles, and hiking or biking on the many trails that criss-cross the region.

In short, Sologne du Cher is an ideal destination for those looking to recharge their batteries in the heart of a preserved natural environment, while discovering a region rich in history and traditions.

Sale price including fees: 2,270,000 euros
Buyer’s fees
Fees : 5% incl. VAT of the price excluding fees, i.e. 108,000 euros
Sale price excluding fees : 2 162 000 euros

Energy class : NA
Climate class : NA

Information on the risks to which this property is exposed is available on the website: georisques.gouv.fr