Exceptional Listed Château in Champagne – Historic Landmark Estate with 17 Hectares 【No.31455】
With Extensive Outbuildings – Asking Price: €3,020,800 (Agency Fees Included)
Location
This remarkable château is located in the Marne department, in the heart of the Champagne region, just a few kilometres from Châlons-en-Champagne. The area is internationally renowned for producing some of the world’s finest champagnes.
The estate lies within a charming village of approximately 380 residents, immediately adjacent to the village church. Everyday shops and essential services are available just 2 km away, offering a lifestyle that is both peaceful and convenient.
School transport operates directly in front of the château. A railway station with direct connections to Paris is located 17 km from the property.
Historical Background
Built during the 17th and 18th centuries, the château stands on the site of a former feudal manor dating back to 1264. Over the centuries, it has undergone several major transformation campaigns reflecting evolving architectural styles and lifestyles.
- 1608 – Acquired by Hugues Matet, General Receiver of Finance for Champagne. Restoration of the main building and courtyard dovecote.
- 1650 – Creation of the moats and canal, installation of a drawbridge, and design of formal French gardens by Jean Debarre, a pupil of André Le Nôtre.
- 1735 – Purchased by François-Jean-Marie Morel. Complete restoration of the château, modernization of façades, addition of smaller wings, and redesign of the bridge, entrance gate, gardens, ornamental ponds, and sculptures.
Through successive alliances, the château later became the property of the Counts of Dubois de Riocour.
Architecture & Setting
Constructed from chalk stone and roofed with distinctive Irish purple slate, the château stands at the centre of a rectangular island surrounded by water.
Access is via a bridge crossing the moats, leading to a monumental gate opening onto the formal courtyard. Two symmetrical two-storey pavilions (former dovecotes) frame the entrance.
The building is oriented east–west, ensuring excellent natural light:
- Formal gardens to the east
- Inner courtyard to the west
The architectural ensemble comprises:
- A central main building
- Two three-storey lateral wings
- Lower wings and courtyard buildings arranged symmetrically
The varied rooflines and balanced volumes give the château a unique and elegant silhouette.
A northern extension houses a heated swimming pool (4 × 10 m – 64 m³) powered by a heat pump.
Total built area: 1,535 sqm
Convertible attic space: 210 sqm
Unconverted attic space: 128 sqm
Interior Layout
Ground Floor – approx. 595 sqm
- Main entrance with double spiral wooden staircase and wrought-iron balustrade
- Entrance hall with original cabochon stone flooring (approx. 300 years old)
- Six reception lounges featuring:
- Parquet floors
- Wood panelling
- Decorative ironwork and bronzes
- Riocour family coat of arms
- Fully equipped kitchen
- 4 WCs, including 2 accessible to persons with reduced mobility
- Numerous corridors, cloakrooms, and storage areas
First Floor – approx. 610 sqm
- 8 bedrooms with private bathroom or shower room
- 2 secondary staircases
- Corridor serving 9 additional bedrooms, including 2 with private shower rooms
- 3 shared shower rooms
Extension
Private Apartment
- Kitchen
- 1 bathroom
- 2 WCs
- 4 bedrooms
- 2 offices
- Laundry room
Seminar & Event Facilities
- 2 training rooms
- 1 breakout room
- Independent access via dedicated staircase
- Large garage
Technical Features & Comfort
The property is meticulously maintained and offers high-end amenities combining historic charm with modern comfort.
- Fibre-optic internet
- Heating system:
- Water-to-water geothermal heat pump
- Oil-fired boiler as backup
- 7 hot water tanks
- Double-glazed windows
- Individual sanitation system
(connection to a micro-treatment plant planned) - Illuminated courtyard
- Heated indoor swimming pool
👉 Energy Performance Certificate not required (listed building status).
Park & Grounds
Total land area: approx. 17 hectares (42 acres)
- Formal courtyard
- Moats
- French formal gardens (currently being restored according to original Le Nôtre plans)
- Woodland and walking paths
Water features play a major decorative role, reflecting the architecture and enhancing the estate’s overall landscape harmony.
Parking & Event Capacity
- Private parking near the reception marquee area
- Large external parking capacity for over 350 vehicles, distributed across four zones
Heritage Protection
By decree dated 12 June 1990, the following elements are listed as Historic Monuments:
- The façades and roofs of the château
- Two lower wings of the outbuildings
- The two guard pavilions
- The main gate and columned gate leading to the gardens
- The moats and bridge (cadastral plots A123, 125 and 412)
The château is listed in the Supplementary Inventory of Historic Monuments, entitling French tax residents to significant tax advantages under applicable heritage preservation schemes.
Summary
This outstanding Champagne château combines centuries of history, architectural distinction, extensive grounds, and modern hospitality infrastructure.
An exceptional landmark estate offering remarkable potential for private residence, luxury hospitality, seminars, events, or prestigious investment within one of France’s most iconic regions.
