Unlock the Editor’s Digest for free
Roula Khalaf, Editor of the FT, selects her favourite stories in this weekly newsletter.
Château, Toulouse, €7.3mn
Where Thirty minutes’ drive south of Toulouse, inside an area of protected parkland. By car, the Mediterranean coast is an hour and a half and ski resorts in the Pyrénées less than three hours.
What An early 19th-century château on 14 hectares of land. Backing on to a lake, the main building includes a 75 sq m hall with a double staircase and nine bedrooms with garden views. Other features include a semi-professional kitchen, wine cellar, hammam and massage room.
Why Given a full renovation by the owner in 2016, the interiors combine historic features — such as painted ceilings — with contemporary design.
Who Terres d’Oc Sotheby’s International Realty
Château, Nérac, €1.74mn
Where On the edge of a village 8km from the picturesque town of Nérac. Condom, a historic pilgrimage town with a cathedral, is also a short drive away.
What A five-bedroom Gascon château on 7 hectares. Although tastefully modernised, historic features such as thick stone walls, fireplaces and exposed wooden beams have been retained.
Why The well-kept grounds contain a 30 sq m gatehouse in the same style as the house, a pigeonnier, orangery and formal gardens. There are panoramic views of the surrounding landscape and the Pyrénées in the distance.
Who Knight Frank
Château, Lectoure, €3.76mn
Where Near the Roman town of Lectoure, about 90 minutes’ drive north-west of Toulouse and its airport. The closest shops are a few minutes drive away.
What A château with 208 hectares of land, believed to have been commissioned at the end of the 13th century by Pope Clement V for his niece. With circular, square and hexagonal towers, the 950 sq m house contains reception rooms decorated in the early 19th-century French empire style, a guards room and gallery overlooking the courtyard. Outbuildings include farmhouses, a 16th-century dovecote and a mill.
Why The historic architecture includes Renaissance cloisters, a chapel, vaulted ceilings and an original stone fireplace in the master bedroom.
Who Barnes International Realty
House, Tarn, €1.395mn
Where A hamlet in the commune of Rabastens, about a 40-minute drive from Toulouse. The property is located at the end of a quiet road opposite a church.
What A two-storey house with four bedrooms (all with en-suite bathrooms) and outbuildings including a workshop, greenhouse and guesthouse. Renovated in 2012 by London-based craftspeople, the rustic interiors feature exposed beams, oak floors, stone walls and a library with floor-to-ceiling bookshelves.
Why The recently designed gardens include a wild flower meadow, orchard, barbecue pit, vineyard, woodland area and a heated pool.
Who Knight Frank
Château, Oloron-Sainte-Marie, €1.298mn
Where In Aren, a village 15 minutes by car from the town of Oloron-Sainte-Marie and about 50km from the Spanish border. The Pyrénées National Park is a short drive to the south.
What A four-storey, restored 14th-century château. The nearly 700 sq m of living space includes two Louis XVI-style lounges, a dining room, six suites with anterooms and bathrooms as well as six further bedrooms. Outside are a swimming pool, pool house and formal gardens.
Why Among the original medieval features are two watchtowers, a chapel and a mural depicting a courtly love scene from 1445.
Who Groupe Mercure
Find out about our latest stories first — follow @FTProperty on X or @ft_houseandhome on Instagram