French Manoir For Sale
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235 properties
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Character 7 bedroom Chateau for sale with panoramic view in Mont de Marsan, Aquitaine
Ref 243841
Rare residence in an idyllic setting, completely renovated with taste and style and with strong potential for guest rooms. There is also a large reception room of 320m2, which is fully equipped f...
1,280,000 EUR
Renovated 12 bedroom Chateau for sale in Valence, Rhone-Alpes
Ref 243724
Beautiful and sympathetically restored French Nineteenth Century manor house with gites in a very popular area close to Valence, set in manageable grounds of over 2 acres with swimming pool. The ...
2,980,000 EUR
Historical 7 bedroom Castle for sale with panoramic view in Seillans, Cote d'Azur French Riviera
Ref 243723
This charming and beautifully presented 7 bedroom Gallo-Roman Chateau, with its origins dating back to before the 4th Century, is situated on the upper level of the medieval village of Seillans and...
1,250,000 EUR
Authentic 4 bedroom Manor House for sale in Pezenas, Languedoc-Roussillon
Ref 243661
Charming 4 bedroom, 19th Century Manor House nestling in over half an acre of beautiful mature gardens with pool, ideally located in a peaceful area near all amenities in Pezenas. This exceptional...
1,280,000 EUR
Elegant 8 bedroom Manor House for sale in Pers Jussy, Rhone-Alpes
Ref 243634
Full of character and charm, this stunning 8 bedroom home is ideally situated in a quiet setting in Pers Jussy and just 20 minutes from the centre of Geneva. This stunning property with historical...
5,250,000 EUR
Renovated 5 bedroom Manor House for sale in Nontron, Aquitaine
Ref 243527
Highly desirable historic property with swimming pool and Medieval origins set in a tiny hamlet in the Dordogne Perigord National Park. The oldest part of the chateau, dating from the 13th centur...
636,000 EUR
Historical 7 bedroom Manor House for sale with countryside view in Bergerac, Aquitaine
Ref 243501
Graceful and imposing 18th Century family home set in over 3 acres of mature grounds, offering numerous light and spacious rooms, high ceilings and period features. With total living space of 438...
897,750 EUR
Income Producing 7 bedroom Manor House for sale with panoramic view in Vieillevie, Auvergne
Ref 243497
A spacious country house full of character features, income potential plus a swimming pool, in a sunny position that offers sweeping views of the mountains and valley with the river just below. T...
550,000 EUR
Belle Epoque 11 bedroom Chateau for sale in Carcassonne, Languedoc-Roussillon
Ref 243258
Fabulous Belle Epoque with 11 bedrooms in a great location close to the Canal du Midi, vineyards and situated in the beautiful historic Languedoc region. This spacious 455m2 property combines a t...
1,400,000 EUR
Income Producing 5 bedroom Manor House for sale in Carennac, Midi-Pyrenees
Ref 243120
Wonderful opportunity to acquire an exquisite 5 bedroom Maison de Maitre with garden and pool, being run as a B & B and restaurant in an ideal location in the voted most beautiful village in France...
480,000 EUR
Historical 8 bedroom Chateau for sale with countryside view in Saintes, Poitou-Charentes
Ref 242816
Recommended
Outstanding Fifteenth Century chateau set in an estate of over 230 acres, beautifully renovated and awarded a 5-star luxury furnished accommodation status by Tourisme de Charente-Maritime. Aft...
4,350,000 EUR
Character 8 bedroom Manor House for sale in Chatellerault, Poitou-Charentes
Ref 242787
Lovely character 'maison de maitre' in an old small town, set in over half an acre with main house, 2 gites, swimming pool and attractive outdoor space. Built in 1833, this spacious stone propert...
866,250 EUR
14 bedroom Chateau for sale with Income Potential in Saumur, Pays-de-la-Loire
Ref 242659
Rare Nineteenth century property full of character and charm set in over 2 acres, located within easy walking distance of all shops and amenities in the heart of Saumur, within easy reach by car of...
1,050,000 EUR
Historical 15 bedroom Chateau for sale with countryside view in Loches, Centre
Ref 242603
Recommended
Rare Sixteenth Century Chateau with exceptional historical character, superb condition and full of preserved features, in a beautiful location with panoramic countryside views, set in over 56 a...
1,680,000 EUR
Historical 11 bedroom Chateau for sale with countryside view in Saintes, Poitou-Charentes
Ref 242514
Simply stunning 17th century French Chateau ideally located in a quiet setting just 6km from Saintes, set within a vast plot of almost 70 hectares (175 acres), including 38 hectares of agricultural...
1,950,000 EUR
12 bedroom Chateau for sale in Haut Anjou, Pays-de-la-Loire
Ref 242280
Beautifully renovated Nineteenth Century French Chateau with gites, outbuildings and equestrian facilities, nestled in 47 acres of land with lake while enjoying far reaching countryside views from...
1,950,000 EUR
Stylish 10 bedroom Manor House for sale with panoramic view in Bargemon, Cote d'Azur French Riviera
Ref 242266
Recommended
Ideally situated in a quiet setting, yet just a few minutes from the charming village of Bargemon, this captivating property spans approximately 58.5 acres of private grounds. With its origins da...
3,950,000 EUR
Exclusive 3 bedroom Manor House for sale with countryside view in Aix en Provence, Cote d'Azur French Riviera
Ref 242120
Absolutely exceptional 3 bedroom luxury Provencal bastide set in lush mature gardens with pool, located near all amenities in Aix en Provence. Surrounded by a veritable postcard of olive groves, v...
Enquire For Price
Income Producing 13 bedroom Chateau for sale with countryside view in Condom, Midi-Pyrenees
Ref 242048
Superb French Chateau in the countryside of the South West of France set in an estate of over 180 acres, including vineyards and equestrian facilities, within easy reach of a town with amenitie...
2,900,000 EUR
Exclusive 20 bedroom Manor House for sale with countryside view in Putanges Pont Ecrepin, Normandy
Ref 241872
Recommended
Set in the heart of Normandy's horse breeding countryside, the property has been a working stud farm for the most part of the past 250 years, during which time is has produced some renowned thoroug...
4,685,000 EUR
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Area Guide

Soak up the morning sunshine rays whilst enjoying an al fresco breakfast on the terrace of your newly renovated French manoir or manor house nestling deep in the rolling hills of the Dordogne countryside; take a leisurely stroll through the ancient olive groves and trees bursting with ripe oranges and lemons surrounding your 16th Century stone manoir and enjoy the fabulous views of distant hazy mountains and a hint of sparkling blue sea; enjoy a relaxing afternoon messing around in boats on your own private lake before returning to your stylish French manoir for a chilled glass of champagne whilst watching the sun set through the dark green pine trees of the surrounding forest. Mostly located in beautiful locations, there is a wide range of French manoirs for sale throughout France providing investors with a very real opportunity of owning a property that has instant caché whether it is a stylishly renovated 18th Century stone manoir sitting in acres of woodland, a more rustic 16th Century manoir complete with traditional wooden beams and stone floors or a charming modern manor house surrounded by landscaped gardens and rolling green lawns.

A French manoir or manor house was a strongly fortified manor-house, which may include two sets of enclosing walls, drawbridges, and a ground-floor hall or salle basse that was used to receive peasants and commoners. The salle basse was also the location of the manor court, with the steward or lord of the manor’s seating location often marked by the presence of a crédence de justice or wall-cupboard (shelves built into the stone walls to hold documents and books associated with administration of the demesne or droit de justice). The salle haute or upper-hall, reserved for the lord of the manor and where he received his high-ranking guests, was often accessible by an external spiral staircase. It was common to "open" up to the roof trusses, as in similar English homes. This larger and more finely decorated hall was usually located above the ground-floor hall. The lord of the manor and his family's private chambers were often located off of the upper first-floor hall, and invariably had their own fireplace (with finely decorated chimney-piece) and frequently a latrine. In addition to having both lower and upper halls, many French manoirs also had partly fortified gateways, watchtowers, and enclosing walls that were fitted with arrow or gun loops for added protection. These defensive arrangements allowed these French manoirs to be safe from any local uprisings or armed rebellions which often happened during the troubled times of the Hundred Years War and the wars of the Holy League; however it would have been difficult for them to resist a siege undertaken by a regular army equipped with siege engines.

The traditional French manoir is nowadays a very sought-after type of property both as a second home and for holiday rentals and across France there is a healthy supply of French manoirs for sale. The larger properties – those with five bedrooms or more - offer excellent opportunities for holiday rental income with some having been converted into individual apartments or operating as a ‘bed and breakfast’.

There is a wide variety of styles and locations throughout the whole of France and prices range from around 350,000 EUR to over 2m EUR for the very top end of the market. Tucked away between the Pyrenees and the Loire Valley is the beautiful region of the Dordogne. Named after the river that runs through it, the region is home to truffles, foie gras, peppery Bergerac red wine and fabulous hiking and biking scenery. There are French manoirs for sale in the heart of this region overlooking tranquil valleys and secluded woodland. All renovated to a very high standard but retaining original features - some with additional guest accommodation and swimming pools - they offer superb accommodation for families and/or holiday rentals. Moving more south west to Gascony, the region of sunflowers and gently rolling hills, medieval bastide towns and classic French farmhouses, vineyards and typical French country restaurants, all set against the dramatic backdrop of the Pyrénées mountains. The elegant manoirs of Gascony are grand residences usually dating from the 18th and 19th century but designed on a more intimate scale than the Chateaux, often for landowners who lived from agricultural rents. Most are very symmetrical with grand entrances and hallways, sweeping wooden staircases, high ceilings and tall windows with either exterior or interior shutters. Distinctly different – Brittany’s northern border of beautiful jagged coastline and golden sandy beaches gives way to a mysterious, spell-binding land of myths and legends brimming with meandering canals and rivers, romantic chateaux and charming, picturesque towns. Here the manoirs are varied in style; choose a 15th Century renovated stone manoir set in acres of parkland resplendent with its great hall adorned with granite fireplaces, wooden floors and spiral staircases or an elegant 18th Century manoir with its beautiful original entrance hall with wood panelling, original decorative tiled floor and ceiling rose and polished parquet flooring, wood panelling and decorative tiled floors throughout.

French manoirs are special; evoking the traditions and romance of a bygone era yet providing all the convenience and luxury of modern day living, they are becoming increasingly popular as an investment both as a residence and also as holiday rental accommodation. There are French manoirs for sale throughout the whole of France and for the wise investor, these properties can provide an excellent investment opportunity.

Buying a Property in France

1. Signing the Agreement (Compris)

On finding a property you wish to purchase you will need to negotiate the terms, price and conditions of the sale with the owner.

The next step, once you are in agreement, is to sign the preliminary contract (Compromis de Vente). This is a legal document and after ten days will be binding on both parties. Rules change frequently in France and it is best to consult with your notary about when this period starts. Generally the compris will be signed in France with the Agent.

Variants can be included in the compris, for example an Acte (clause) can be added if the name or names to go on the title deed have not been finalised. If a mortgage will be required to purchase the property, the details for this, including the name of the mortgage company, must be on the compris.

2. Paying the Deposit

Generally the deposit will be 10% of the agreed purchase price. This will normally be paid to the notaire. There are exceptions to this, if the agent holds a carte professionelle, is bonded and fully registered then you may pay them, but do not hand over the deposit to anyone else. If for some reason the purchase does not go through, for example, if you write to the notaire and the agent that you do not wish to go continue with the purchase before the contract is binding (within seven days of signing the compris), then your deposit would be repaid. This would also apply if a condition had not been met, or the mayor or S.A.F.E.R. (a government agency that has the right of first purchase on most rural property that comes onto the market in France) could oblige the purchaser to give way. If you decide after the seven days 'cooling off' period that you do not wish to complete the purchase and pull out of the sale you would lose your deposit. If however the vendor pulls out of the sale then you will receive your deposit back plus the same amount from the vendor.

3. On Completion

Generally it will take around two or three months to complete the purchase.

During this time the balance of the purchase money must be paid into the account of the notaire, this must be done well ahead of the completion date. The notaire will prepare the documents, check that the deed of sale (Acte de Vente) is in order and have the legal title ready to be signed over. It is possible to have someone sign on your behalf if you give them power of attorney. An interpreter may be of use at this point if your French is not very good and many Notaires will suggest (or insist) that an interpreter is with you.

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