Buying a heritage property is first and foremost the project of a lifetime, whether it's a listed or unlisted château, a manor house, a tourist estate, an abbey, a tower or a private mansion.
It's important to ask yourself a few basic questions.

Make your choice.

This is a very important step in your decision. If you're looking for a castle or manor house, it's important to target an architectural period that can match your sensibilities as well as your lifestyle.

A medieval castle, with its vaulted ceilings, mullioned windows, the size of its rooms and its high ceilings, is in no way comparable to a 17th or 18th century chateau or manor house.

Choosing a castle in an agricultural area with several hectares has slightly different implications than a manor house with 1 hectare close to a town and the use to which it can be put.

A castle for pleasure or a property with a commercial project requires a totally different approach to business planning.

Taking work into account

The purchase of a castle or listed property can be part of a tax exemption or heritage project.

A mill, a royal factory, an abbey, a manor house, an estate (wine-growing or not) or a tower will require you to think about the issues specific to each of these properties.

You'll need to think about the work involved and its importance.

The challenges.

Water is going to be very important in the future. Your future castle may be supplied by mains water, forage, wells or agricultural water. You'll need to pay particular attention to this. The creation of wind farms is becoming quite common. 

Formalities

If your future home in France is located in an agricultural sector, you'll need to take into account the Safer, a key partner in the world of farming and agriculture. Whether your castle is in the city or the country, you'll need to go to the town hall to find out about the various town planning projects underway or planned. If your project is to create an estate for tourism, you'll also need to declare it at the town hall.

Charges.

Property taxes as well as operating and maintenance costs must be carefully considered. Insurance, park maintenance, electricity, heating, water, etc.

Carrying out the work

The VVGroupe estate agency can provide you with craftsmen who can draw up estimates and advise you.