France’s Historic Petit Versailles Château Sold – Inspired Pablo Picasso – Includes Moat & Dungeon

France’s Historic Petit Versailles Château Sold – Inspired Pablo Picasso – Includes Moat & Dungeon

The Régence or French Regency period marked the years from 1715 and 1723 when King Louis XV was considered too young to govern and the country was run by his uncle, Philippe d'Orléans. The period is known for its Classical Revival style (borrowing elements from Greek and Roman architecture) and Roccoco (playful and delicate, featuring curves and natural patterns) styles. One of the most remarkable buildings from the period is the Château du Maraisent, located 36 kilometers west of Paris in the town of Le Val-Saint-Germain. Known as “Petit Versailles” (Small Versailles) the striking property, which is also a national historic monument, was designed by Jean Benoît Vincent Barré, one of the most important architects of the 18th century. Long owned by French aristocrats, including the Noailles, Castellante, Talleyrand-Périgord dynasties and, most recently, the Pourtalès and Frotier de Bagneux families, the property has been sold to Czech energy billionaire Daniel Křetínský (who also owns the AC Sparta Prague football club) for an undisclosed sum. The original asking price was 52 million euros. 

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The palatial estate includes a 35-hectare landscaped park featuring magnificent gardens and a 550-metre-long mirror lake running towards the west façade of the main château. Characterized by a central cupola preceded by a peristyle with two symmetrical wings on each side, the imposing main house looks out over a cobblestone courtyard. The interiors are immense and have been beautifully maintained. Featuring domed roofs, exposed wood-beams, elaborate ceiling murals, gorgeous chandeliers, patterned hardwood floors, and intricately designed wall coverings, the residence embodies the ornate style of Regency architecture. Original period details adorn the spacious rooms, including original furnishings, paintings, sculptures and handcrafted objects with their own rich histories. The home includes dozens of rooms, each uniquely turned out, and provides endless options for entertaining guests.

Surrounded on all sides by water, the grounds encompass 247 acres of rolling farmland. In addition to the main château, the estate includes a museum, several round towers, multiple water features, a bamboo forest, a working business producing hemp-based building materials,  a chapel, and an underground dungeon. The previous owners kept the estate open on Sunday afternoons in the summer for tours, and operated a bed and breakfast. Throughout the centuries, numerous poets, writers and artists, from François-René de Chateaubriand and Pablo Picasso, have been inspired by their stays at the Château.

Only an hour’s drive from Paris, the Essone region of France feels like a different world. Marked by serene forests and the tributary of the Seine known as the Essone River, the region is known for its historical buildings, of which the Château du Maraisent is the most prominent. The town of Le Val-Saint-Germain is a picturesque village with fewer than 1500 residents.  Nearby options for entertainment include the UGOLF du Stade Français Courson golf course and the Camping Parc de la Fontaine.

The listing was held by the Engel & Völkers Market Center in Paris. Photos courtesy Engel & Völkers.

Source: www.engelvoelkers.com