For sale a 17th century castle of approx. 741 m2 in need of renovation, set in 26 hectares of wooded parklands, with outbuildings of approx. 450 m2. This classical Renaissance-style castle stands in a dominant position offering panoramic views. 
Description
This castle is situated on the outskirts of a village in the Deux-Sèvres department on the border between Touraine and Anjou. Thouars is 8 km (5 miles) away and Saumur is 30 km (19 miles) away. This northern sector of the Deux-Sèvres, known as the Thouarsais, was a historical crossroads during the Hundred Years' War and the Wars of Religion. The area was originally inhabited by a Gallic people known as the Picts. Accessed via a tree-lined country lane, a perimeter wall welcomes you to this 26-hectare wooded estate, this early 17th century chateau with approx. 741 m2 of living space and outbuildings of approx. 450 m2 overlooking the countryside. The grounds comprise 22 hectares of woods and 4 hectares of meadows.
The 17th century castle.
This classical Renaissance-style château was built in the 17th century around 1640 by a family of farmers-general and lawyers from Vendôme. The château suffered some damage during the 1789 revolution. In the 19th century, the château was extended to suit the tastes of the time. From the main courtyard, you can see the symmetrical limestone facade flanked by two wings of outbuildings. This 17th century castle, steeped in history and set in a dominant position, comprises: the castle with an entrance hall featuring a sculpted stairwell with central handrail and baluster, a reception room with French ceiling opening on to a terraced garden and fireplace, a dining room with wainscoting, a small lounge, a bedroom with its bathroom on the ground floor and, upstairs, 7 bedrooms with their own bathrooms. Attics are available for conversion. The outbuildings include a hunting room with a fireplace, a vaulted cellar, stables, a workshop and two wells.  Major restoration works are planned. 
This includes the roof of the stairwell, the electricity and the heating, as well as the comfort, as the castle has not been lived in for 20 years.
  
Courtyard of honour.
Once through the gates, you are greeted by a courtyard of honour. To the left is a 450 m2 outbuilding divided into three sections, opposite which is the late Renaissance-style facade of the chateau in large stonework. The south-facing facade features a large main building surrounded by two pavilions adorned with rustication and topped by a four-sided roof. The central part, with its main entrance, features an arched pediment topped by a domed roof. The north facade features a main section between two projecting pavilions, a projecting central forecourt adorned with a portico with banded columns and a pediment stamped with a coat of arms.
The ground floor of the 17th century castle.
The main entrance is via a stairway with a central core and half-palaces, pilasters, mascarons and balusters. The 19th century floor is decorated with cabochons. To the left, a large 58 m2 lounge with French ceiling and marble fireplace, trumeau. This is followed by a small lounge of approx. 30 m2 with 18th century wood panelling and herringbone floor. On the right, a dining room of 34 m2 with herringbone floor, a kitchen of approx. 23 m2 with interior wooden shutters. A utility room of approx. 22 m2 with the old wood-fired boiler. A bedroom of approx. 40 m2 with 18th century wood panelling and coffered flooring, a boudoir with 18th century wood panelling and fireplace. A linen room of approx. 10m2 with 18th century cupboards.  A bathroom with bath. A passageway from the entrance hall leads from all these rooms to the back staircase.

First and second floors
The grand stone staircase with baluster leads to a landing room on the first floor. To the left, a gallery leads to 4 bedrooms. A bedroom of approx. 39 m2 with an 18th century alcove, wainscoting and fireplace adorned with a trumeau. The second bedroom of approx. 34 m2 features a fireplace with overmantel, French ceiling and coffered parquet flooring. The third bedroom of approx. 38 m2 has wood panelling and coffered parquet flooring. A beam has fallen down. A study of approx. 20 m2 with a tiled stove. The fourth bedroom (approx. 23 m2) has an 18th century fireplace and an overmantel. From the landing, on the right, 3 bedrooms of approx. 28 m2 with 19th century wallpaper. Three rooms with terracotta floor tiles totalling approx. 60 m2. On the top floor, attics with tiled floors, where you can admire the carpentry work carried out by naval carpenters. The high ceilings make them ideal for conversion.
The outbuildings
In the courtyard of honour, on the left, a large outbuilding of approx. 450 m2 divided into 3 sections: Stables. A hunting lounge with a fireplace of approx. 35 m2. A cellar with an annex of approx. 250 m2. The outbuilding on the right is not sold with the château but could be sold at a later date.
The grounds 
The 26 hectares of parklands are all in one piece, including 22 hectares of woods and 4 hectares of meadows. The château is supplied with mains water and 2 wells.
The works 
Renovation work on this 16th century château is extensive. The roofs are in good condition, with the exception of the roof of the dome, which needs to be redone, and the electricity needs to be brought up to standard and a heating system installed for the château. As the château has not been lived in for some time, it has retained the soul of its history. A budget of 1.5 million could be envisaged.
Location
This 17th century castle at the gateway to the Dordogne is situated at a crossroads between Touraine, Anjou and Poitou. Thouars is 8 km (5 miles) away and Saumur 30 km (19 miles). Tours airport is 90 km away and Angers airport is 90 km away. The history of the Thouarsais region is punctuated by great events: the Hundred Years' War and the Wars of Religion. Motorway access 50 minutes away. Shops 5 km away. Numerous hiking trails will enable you to discover this natural environment and its rich history.