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They say every man’s home is his castle. But if you cross the channel, owning an actual castle is a possibility – even when on a budget.
While £500,000 in the UK typically gets you a two-bed flat in Birmingham, four parking spaces in London or seven beach huts on the coast, there are numerous gorgeous castles for sale across Europe for around the same price.
Here’s our guide to 21 castles and chateaus currently on the market, from as little as £150,000.
FRANCE
Nontron, Dordogne, Nouvelle-Aquitaine (£503,163)
The chapel at this gorgeous chateau dates back to the 13th century – but rest assured it has plenty of modern comforts, including a recently fitted kitchen and plunge pool.
Sitting in a tiny hamlet in the Dordogne Perigord National Park, the chateau has retained many of its characterful features including high ceilings, oak flooring, a tower and, in the chapel, stone flooring and a fireplace.
The five bedrooms include a huge master, and the south-facing terrace overlooks the gardens and neighbouring fields. There is also a shepherd’s hut. Limoges and Bergerac international airports are 34 and 49 miles away respectively.
Buy it: savills.com
Charroux, Poitou-Charentes, Nouvelle-Aquitaine (£329,446)
This appealing chateau comes with a renovated coach house and glorious 9mx4m outdoor swimming pool. The main bedroom house has high ceilings and large original windows throughout.
The coach house provides the possibility for additional income or separate accommodation for family and friends.
Situated within walking distance of the popular village of Charroux, there is a choice of shops, cafes, restaurants and schools.
Buy it: prestigeproperty.co.uk
Tarn et Garonne, Midi-Pyrenees (£462,014)
You certainly get a lot for your money here: two houses, a studio and ruins of a late 13th century chateau with a sizeable pool.
Surrounded by 18 acres of woodland, pastures, a rose garden and far-reaching countryside views, the six-bedroom property has retained many of its original and characterful features including beamed ceilings, parquet flooring, tiled floors, cellars, impressive oak doors and staircases, decorative ironwork, two towers and a room with a fine vaulted Gothic ceiling. There’s also a 16mx8m pool in the garden.
Buy it: prestigeproperty.co.uk
Bazas, Aquitaine, Gironde, Nouvelle-Aquitaine (£514,118)
Medieval history buffs will love this property, which was a former fortified stronghold and home for the commander of the Knights Templar, which protected Europeans travelling to the Holy Land in the 12th century.
Set in almost 10 acres of land and enjoying delightful views over the surrounding rolling hills and valleys, there’s a lake in the grounds, as well as evidence of further walls, towers, a chapel and presbytery.
Renovated and enlarged, the property, 30 minutes from Bordeaux, is a good mix of new and old, with a modern wing which sits alongside the characterful original section. Elegant features include a walnut spiral staircase, exposed beams, cellars and a terrace. Several large towns are nearby, with thermal baths, a golf course, and a bi-weekly market.
Buy it: prestigeproperty.co.uk
Gensac, Gironde (£536,130)
Just 24 miles from Bergerac Airport in south-west France, this 19th century chateau is ripe for restoration and has six bedrooms and numerous living rooms.
The adjoining outbuildings, which were former tenant farmers’ accommodation, could be converted into gites, and the property retains many original features in its 20 acres including two circular towers, a courtyard and dovecote. Though surrounded by beautiful countryside, towns with various amenities are nearby.
Buy it: savills.com
Narbonne, Aude, Languedoc Roussillon (£629,086)
This spacious 19th century castle is nestled within spacious attractive grounds with mature trees, shrubs and lawns. At the foot of the Clape Massif in a very private location, it is just five minutes from the historic town of Narbonne.
The property has nine bedrooms and would be perfect as a bed and breakfast. With three living rooms, high ceilings, traditional tiled floors and original glass doors, it’s full of charm.
Just nine miles from the Mediterranean and six miles from the Canal du Midi, and with lovely cafes and restaurants nearby, you won’t run out of things to do.
Buy it: francepropertyangels.com
Nontron, Dordogne (£529,124)
It would be a thrill to drive down the long, tree-lined private driveway leading to enchanting landscaped gardens that surround this 15th century, five-bed chateau.
Fully restored and furnished, the lucky new owners could move straight in and enjoy the panoramic countryside views, original fireplaces, original tiled floors and wooden beams. There’s a natural drinkable well within the grounds, as well as a formal fountain and two terraced areas.
The property is within walking distance to the town of Nontron, with its cafes, shops, restaurants and train station which has direct services to Paris.
Buy it: prestigeproperty.co.uk
Limoges, Haute-Vienne (£461,897)
The new owners of this delightful 19th century chateau could move straight in, although the interiors could do with a refresh. The property has 11 bedrooms and two large reception rooms, each opening on to a south-facing terrace with far-reaching views over beautiful countryside.
Within the grounds is a barn with a three-bed apartment, an 18th century chapel and a swimming pool. A village with local shops, a doctor and chemist is one mile away, while Limoges, 12 miles away, has a train station, airport and hospital.
Buy it: sifex.co.uk
Chatellerault, Vienne (£583,716)
With its moat – complete with historical bridges including one created by Gustave Eiffel of the famous tower – you really can live like a king or queen at this exceptional property.
Located within a wooded park with meadows and a lake abundant with wild animals including deer, hares and herons, this listed 14th century castle has seven bedrooms and original features throughout including a magnificent stone staircase. There’s also a small medieval chapel and outbuildings.
Buy it: savills.com
ITALY
Anghiari, Arezzo (£226,801)
If you’re happy to share, this three-bedroom ground floor apartment is situated within a small medieval castle in Arezzo. Restored and in good condition, it has a spacious living room with a dining area and fireplace, a private courtyard, a garden and a spacious cellar/workshop.
The hill town of Anghiari is about ten minutes away, while Siena and Florence can be reached within 90 minutes.
Buy it: immobiliareitaliano.com
Biella, Piedmont (£665,550)
With a whopping 29 bedrooms, the main portion of this gorgeous castle in the northern Italian region of Piedmont is like something out of a Merchant Ivory film.
Standing on a hill with views of the Biellese Alps and plains of Novara, Valdengo Castle is just an hour from Milan and Turin airports, 20 minutes from the A4 motorway, and two hours from France and Switzerland. The property retains many of its original features including fireplaces, frescoed ceilings, French windows and perfectly preserved parquet floors.
With this price tag, unsurprisingly, there’s work to do on a new roof and some flooring.
Buy it: italy-sothebysrealty.com/en/
Matelica, Le Marche (£377,970)
The previous owner of this former castle, which dates back to the 17th century, has begun the process of converting the property into a five-bed, five-bathroom home with a spacious living area.
Exposed beams and characterful windows have already been erected at the property, which enjoys spectacular mountain and valley views. There is also permission to install an outdoor swimming pool.
Buy it: moulin.nl
Subbiano, Arezzo (£923,868)
Castles don’t come much prettier than this impressive Neo-Gothic structure which dates back to the end of the 19th century and offers eight bedrooms.
The property has retained many of its charming period features including a tower, exposed beams and original windows with views over the sweeping countryside.
The grounds extend to almost 500 acres and include two farmhouses, one for restoration, and the other to be rebuilt, as well as an elegant garden and forest.
Buy it: jamesedition.com
Cesena, Emilia-Romagna (£839,813)
This beautiful castle, first documented in 1216, is tucked away in the beautiful hills of Cesena, halfway between the Apennines and the Adriatic Sea. With the potential for 25 bedrooms, it is in need of considerable restoration.
The town of Cesena, rich in history and monuments, is a 15-minute drive away. The three-and-a-half acre grounds include a park with mature trees. Planning has been approved to convert the castle into a 25-room boutique hotel.
Buy it: jamesedition.com
Moncalieri, Piedmont (£415,760)
This five-bedroom apartment is set within Castelvecchio Castle, dating back to the 15th century. The apartment includes a tower with panoramic views of the plains and the Alps, as well as a gallery, living room, large kitchen/diner and cellar.
The castle, home to nine other apartments, is surrounded by 10 acres made up of gardens and a park with woods and orchards.
Buy it: jamesedition.com
POLAND
Dzierzoniow , south-west Poland (£449,255)
Fancy being the lord or lady of the manor? How about Dobrocin Palace – a 122-room, 18th century property situated on a huge estate with woodland, pastures, an orchard, agricultural land and three ponds. In addition, there is a house, coach house, chapel and various other outbuildings.
Although the property requires renovation, numerous original features including wall paneling and stylish stucco decorations have been preserved.
Buy it: castleist.com
CZECH REPUBLIC
Citoliby, Louny (£578,204)
If you’re feeling a bit cramped in your current home, this early Baroque three-winged, 30-room castle just might be the ticket.
The main entrance opens into a courtyard, and highlights of the property include a grand ballroom featuring a Baroque fireplace. The garden is entered via a stone arched bridge which leads to a stone terrace. There used to be a fortress on the site, built between 1543 and 1562, while the present-day layout of the castle was established in the early 18th century.
The property, on the outskirts of the west Bohemian town of Louny, is in need of renovation and is a protected national monument and therefore there are building guidelines to follow, although grants may be available.
Buy it: luxent.cz/en
SPAIN
La Zubia, Granada, Andalucia (£915,529)
Just two miles from Granada’s city centre, this 15-bedroom historic estate dates back to the 17th century.
The expansive grounds are home to an orchard, ponds, a swimming pool and parking area for six cars, as well as a second, smaller property – formerly the caretaker’s – which has been converted into six one-bed apartments.
Once owned by the Marquis of Montes, as the stone shield of arms shows on the facade, the palace was used by famous Spanish composer Manuel de Falla, who spent his summer holidays at the estate. The tower overlooks the town of La Zubia, Granada and the Sierra Nevada ski resort, which is just 30 minutes away.
Buy it: jamesedition.com
ROMANIA
Viforata, Dambovita (£154,541)
Fancy a castle for £150,000? It seems almost impossible to believe but head for Romania and prices are especially low. Darascu-Enigarescu castle, built in 1890, sits on a hill three miles north-west of Targoviște city.
With just more than an acre of land, the property features two circular towers and has 11 circular bedrooms. The property, which has two levels and a high basement that covers the entire footprint of the building, is in need of restoration work.
Buy it: sothebysrealty.com
PORTUGAL
Barbacena, Portalegre (£745,832)
Few castles in Portugal are privately owned and therefore opportunities to snap one up are rare. Dating from 1273, Barbacena Castle overlooks the Alentejo plains towards Spain in the east.
It requires considerable restoration but planning has been approved for four large living rooms, a dining room, swimming pool and 13 suites, each with a private bathroom. The property, originally built for military purposes due to its elevated position, also comes with two typical Alentejo cottages, which on restoration would provide two further suites.
The castle, which is eligible for funding from the national tourism association, is formally classified as a property of public interest, meaning there would be controls on materials used and changes made.
It is a two-hour drive from Lisbon airport and nine miles from the main Lisbon-Madrid highway. Barbacena lies in the DOC-classified Borba wine region, which produces some of the country’s best known wines.
Buy it: jamesedition.com
GREECE
Naxos (£923,868)
Nestled in Naxos’ Old Town, this attractive Venetian property is part of a protected and classified complex of buildings dating back more than 800 years.
The property, which was originally constructed in the 13th century by Marco Sanudo, the first Duke of Naxos, has planning permission to be converted into a five-bed, five-bathroom home.
The balcony offers sweeping views over the port of Naxos and the iconic Portara, or Temple of Apollo. The new owners could be eligible for subsidies, which could cover up to 70 per cent of the construction costs.
Buy it: jamesedition.com
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