This 'baby Versailles' is up for auction – and there's no reserve price
Château de Blancafort is up for auction with no reserve price.


Set amongst the ancient towns, soft green hills and world-renowned vineyards of the Loire Valley is Château de Blancafort, a stunning 15th century castle originally built by the Boucard family on the site of an 11th century seigneury.
Dating back to 1453, Château de Blancafort has been significantly embellished over the years, with Romanesque style turrets and a French Baroque façade added in the 17th century.
Internally, the property benefits from beautiful Hungarian parquet floors, Regency woodwork and 17th century tapestries which complement the château's historic credentials.
Covering 22,000 square feet of accommodation (2,100 sq.m.) the château boasts a 2,700 square foot (250sq.m.) reception hall, an elegant library and extensive wine cellars, a convenient feature for a home just 30 minutes from the world-famous Sancerre vineyards.
Currently, Château de Blancafort is home to a French count and countess. Their carefully curated collection of furniture and tapestries is also available by separate negotiation.
In addition to the main castle building, the 42 acres (17 hectares) of ground also contain a caretaker’s house, tearoom, château shop and six-bedroom guest house.
The beautiful gardens have been landscaped to the exact specification of historic plans dating from the Renaissance period and the surrounding parkland provides picturesque views.
Exquisite houses, the beauty of Nature, and how to get the most from your life, straight to your inbox.
Just 90 minutes from Paris, Château de Blancafort is the ideal rural retreat and, on October 19, will go under the hammer with Concierge Auctions, a luxury property auction house.
Despite being previously listed for €4.95million, Château de Blancafort will sell without reserve to the highest bidder.
Concierge Auctions is now conducting previews of Châteaude Blancafort. To book an appointment, register your details at www.conciergeauctions.com
Top 10 places to buy property in France
Variety is the spice of life in France, with its cornucopia of landscapes and lifestyles open to property buyers.
The Tarn: An undiscovered part of south-west France that boasts beautiful properties
Between Provence and the Dordogne lies an undiscovered part of south-west France with panoramas that rival the best of Chianti,
Credit: Chateau Le Paluel - photo by Michel Chanaud
A chance to become a part-owner of a castle in the Dordogne for £46
This crumbling ruin was in fine fettle until it was destroyed during the Second World War - but now a
Agnes has worked for Country Life in various guises — across print, digital and specialist editorial projects — before finally finding her spiritual home on the Features Desk. A graduate of Central St. Martins College of Art & Design she has worked on luxury titles including GQ and Wallpaper* and has written for Condé Nast Contract Publishing, Horse & Hound, Esquire and The Independent on Sunday. She is currently writing a book about dogs, due to be published by Rizzoli New York in September 2025.
-
'Just look at those stairs. Just as an art form, they are bewitching, like the shell of a nautilus': The lure of buying a stairway to heaven
It seems like madness to buy a house purely because you fall in love with the staircase — but sometimes, they are simply so beautiful that it's impossible to resist. Toby Keel takes a look at some glorious examples of staircases we've seen in Country Life in the last couple of years.
By Toby Keel Published
-
'I found myself in a magical world of a sun-dappled forest, speckled with wild flowers of kaleidoscopic colours and brilliant mosses': Solo walking in the Pyrenees
The Pyrenees reserves its best treasures for walkers prepared to venture off the well-beaten trail, says Teresa Levonian Cole, on a solo holiday in Ribes de Freser.
By Teresa Levonian Cole Last updated
-
'Just look at those stairs. Just as an art form, they are bewitching, like the shell of a nautilus': The lure of buying a stairway to heaven
It seems like madness to buy a house purely because you fall in love with the staircase — but sometimes, they are simply so beautiful that it's impossible to resist. Toby Keel takes a look at some glorious examples of staircases we've seen in Country Life in the last couple of years.
By Toby Keel Published
-
A one-of-a-kind waterfront estate with two private beaches is for sale on the same storied American island that Jackie Kennedy, the Obamas and Princess Diana have all visited
Beach Farm on Martha’s Vineyard — a favourite summertime holiday destination with prominent American families — is a perfect melding of New England and Scandinavian design styles.
By Rosie Paterson Published
-
The architect who created the MI6 building only designed a tiny handful of houses — and one of them is now up for sale in one of London's most bucolic spots
Sir Terry Farrell designed the beautiful, light-filled, T-shaped Drum House in Petersham, with gardens laid out by John Sallis Chandler, who has won multiple RHS Chelsea Flower Show gold medals.
By Toby Keel Last updated
-
'True waterfront homes are finite... miss one and it could be years before you see another like it again': Why the best waterfront property always hits the spot
There’s no denying the appeal of waterfront property, which now sells for some 51% more than its inland equivalent, finds Knight Frank. Annabel Dixon explores the shore.
By Annabel Dixon Published
-
19 charming homes for sale, from picture-perfect cottages to beachside retreats, as seen in Country Life
This week's selection of some of the best homes to come to the market via Country Life this week.
By Toby Keel Published
-
Tim Burton is selling the house he shared with Helena Bonham-Carter, a sublime home on the Thames that comes with three private islands
Mill House in Sutton Courtenay, Oxfordshire, might just be the perfect English country home.
By Rosie Paterson Last updated
-
A spectacular tower for sale that's a blend of Victorian folly, architectural marvel and 21st century family home
Hadlow Tower has space, and a back story of love, jealousy and intrigue.
By Toby Keel Published
-
A spectacular, light-filled home on the Isle of Wight where you can see the water from practically every window
Penny Churchill takes a look at the grand and impressive Fishbourne Quay House.
By Penny Churchill Last updated