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VIDEO: The 16th-century French chateau – with its own perfume garden – on sale for €3 million

A historic 16th-century chateau, complete with drawbridge, world renowned gardens and its own chapel, has been put up for sale and could be yours for €3.25 million.

Published: 29 July 2019 08:50 CEST
VIDEO: The 16th-century French chateau - with its own perfume garden - on sale for €3 million
Photo: Chateau de Boutemont

The château de Boutemont in Ouilly-le-Vicomte, Normandy was originally an 11th century fortress, but the current building was completed in the 16th century.

Listed as a Historic Monument in France, the building is famous for its unusual half timbered exterior, as well as its stunning gardens which have been listed as 'outstanding' by EBTS.

With a living area of 1,200 sq m, the chateau has 15 bedrooms, several reception rooms and outbuildings including a chapel, a greenhouse, an orangery and a caretaker's house. It is surrounded by a dry moat with a drawbridge.

The gardens include an Italian garden, a small perfume garden and a French garden. They are open to visitors during the summer and school holidays.

READ ALSO Ten best properties in France you can buy for less than €100k

 

The chateau was owned by the de Boutemont family for centuries before passing into the hands of the renowned Paris music venue owner Bruno Coquatrix.

The owner of the Olympia de Paris venue entertained showbiz friends including Edith Piaf and Charles Aznavour at Chateau de Boutemont.

For more details of the same, contact estate agent Barnes.

 

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PROPERTY

Tenants in France: How to make your home more energy efficient

Insulation, ventilation, heating - given the cost-of-living crisis that’s affecting France as much as many other countries, it’s understandable that there is a lot of talk right now about improving energy efficiency in homes.

Published: 10 August 2022 13:20 CEST
Tenants in France: How to make your home more energy efficient

In France many people rent and although you would hope that your landlord would do improvements like this, if they are unable or unwilling than you have the right to do these works yourself.

It means the work is at your own expense, but if you’re a long-term tenant you may make the money back in savings on your energy bills.

Here’s how to go about it:

Inform your landlord

The first thing to do is inform your landlord you intend to carry out the work, at your expense. Do this by registered letter with acknowledgement of receipt. 

The letter must describe the transformations envisaged, the conditions under which these works will be carried out, and the name of the company undertaking the work.

If you have not received a written response in two months, you can assume you have the tacit agreement of your landlord to carry out the work.

Work you can carry out

A decree published in France’s Journal Officiel on July 21st defines the list of works a tenant can carry out at their own expense on the property they rent.

  • insulation of lower floors;
  • Attic and upper floor insulation;
  • replacement of exterior joinery;
  • solar protection of glazed or opaque walls;
  • installation or replacement of ventilation systems;
  • installation or replacement of heating and domestic hot water production systems and associated interfaces.

The work cannot affect communal areas of a shared property, and must “respect the expected energy performance”. 

Work cannot affect the building structure, its external appearance, require a permit, or change the purpose of the building.

What happens afterwards

Within two months after the completion of the work, the tenant must inform the landlord that the work has been carried out by the chosen company and that it corresponds to what was announced in the pre-work letter.

Other work tenants can undertake on a property they rent

In 1989, a law was passed that allowed tenants to undertake certain work on a property – painting and decorating, adding or changing floor covering – without the permission of the landlord and at their own expense.

Any other works require the written agreement of the landlord – otherwise the tenant may be obliged to return the property to its original condition. 

The landlord can also keep the benefit of the work done without the tenant being able to claim compensation for the costs incurred.

Landlord’s responsibilities

Landlords must provide decent housing, which implies, in particular, heating in good working order, and compliance with a minimum energy performance criterion. Under current rules, doors, windows and walls must be airtight. 

A tenant can only require work from his landlord on these elements, if they are deficient.

From January 1st, 2023, properties advertised for rent in France must have a Diagnostic de performance énergétique rating of G or better.

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