Alès

The estate extends across approximately 2.4 hectares (6 acres) of landscaped grounds bordered by the River Gardon and surrounded by wooded hillsides rich in wildlife and natural beauty.

The château is spectacular and boasts a history that can be traced back at least 400 years. It is built of golden stone from the surrounding hills and set around a charming central courtyard. In the 1890s the château was bought by a high-ranking French diplomat who renovated and updated it adding a beautiful 'Parisian' façade and designing the park with its stately plane trees which sweep down to the river.
Accessed via a small bridge crossing the river, the property is approached through wrought iron gates and a long lavender-lined driveway leading to the château’s elegant central courtyard with its original stone fountain fed by a natural spring.
The château itself combines historic elegance with modern comfort. The main residence features:
• An impressive entrance hall with sweeping stone staircase
• A beautiful reception room with moulded ceilings, marble fireplace, and river views
• A high-quality renovated kitchen with bespoke cabinetry, premium appliances, and wood-burning stove
• Multiple bedrooms and guest suites with en-suite bathrooms
• Magnificent views over the gardens, river, and surrounding countryside

The main entrance doors within the beautiful 19th-century façade overlook the gardens and river. Sweeping stone steps lead into an impressive entrance hall (18 m²) with an iron-balustraded stone staircase rising to the upper floor. To the right of the hall, double doors open into the principal reception room (40 m²) featuring a high moulded ceiling and carved marble fireplace. Tall casement windows enjoy beautiful views across the gardens towards the river.

Adjacent is the newly renovated kitchen (32 m²), a bright and spacious room with warm exposed stone walls. Large windows overlook the courtyard, lavender-lined driveway, and swimming pool. The extensive hand-built kitchen units by ‘Plain English’ feature approximately 11 metres of polished reconstituted stone worktops and high-quality appliances throughout, making the space ideal for both professional catering and family living. A wood-burning stove adds warmth and atmosphere, creating a true heart-of-the-home feel.

From the kitchen, a second staircase leads to a cosy mezzanine living area. Beyond lies a corridor giving access to four bedrooms (14 m², 9 m², 9 m² and 17 m²). At one end, a door opens onto the main landing connected to the principal staircase. Opposite is the family bathroom with Italian-style walk-in shower, as well as the master bedroom (21 m²) with en-suite bathroom. All bedrooms enjoy magnificent river views and have been recently refurbished.

Returning to the entrance hall, matching double doors opposite the main reception room lead to a private guest apartment, which could also function as a sixth gîte. This accommodation comprises a second living room (28 m²), a small fully equipped kitchen (8 m²), and two bedrooms (14 m² and 20 m²). Both bedrooms include en-suite bathrooms with Italian-style walk-in showers, and one opens onto a private terracotta-tiled courtyard with independent exterior access.

Adjacent to the guest apartment is the largest of the five gîtes, ‘Les Pins’ (120 m²), offering a spacious open-plan living and dining area with wood burner set within an inglenook fireplace, an equipped kitchen, four bedrooms, and two shower rooms with walk-in showers. Outside, a large covered porch and gravel terrace provide ideal outdoor dining spaces with views extending across the gardens towards the river.
The main house, guest apartment, and Les Pins all benefit from full central heating.
Above Les Pins, at the southern end of the property, is a magnificent covered terrace (340 m²) with balustrades and open views across the hillsides, gardens, and river. This impressive space is perfectly suited for weddings, retreats, and events.

Leading from this terrace, within the upper section of the original courtyard, lies ‘Les Citronniers’ (63 m²), with independent front and rear access. The gîte comprises a large living room with open-plan kitchen and wood burner, a double bedroom, bathroom, and mezzanine sleeping area with three single beds.

Behind Les Pins on the ground floor is a large studio or gym area (73 m²) complete with steam room and sauna. This space also includes a shower room, two WCs with wash basins, and an additional kitchen. Large windows overlook a peaceful rear courtyard. Adjacent is a further room (12 m²) currently used for storage.

The south-west wing of the building comprises three additional gîtes: Les Tilleuls (60 m²), Les Châtaigniers (45 m²), and Les Acacias (48 m²), each with independent access. These charming gîtes offer two bedrooms, living rooms with open-plan kitchens, and private outdoor terraces. Les Tilleuls and Les Châtaigniers also feature wood-burning stoves.

The château benefits from central heating in the principal accommodation areas, insulation, mains water and drainage, as well as high-speed internet access.

OUTDOOR & LEISURE FACILITIES
The grounds are one of the estate’s most exceptional features and include:
• Mature gardens and woodland
• Direct private river access with natural swimming areas
• A large spring-fed swimming pool (bio-UVC-ozone) with spa and children’s pools
• Sun terraces and shaded relaxation areas
• Vegetable garden, polytunnel, and paddocks
• Walking paths and outdoor recreation spaces
• Stunning panoramic views across the valley and hills
The peaceful natural setting creates an atmosphere perfectly suited to wellness retreats, yoga, creative residencies, weddings, or eco-tourism activities.

BUSINESS & LIFESTYLE OPPORTUNITY
Currently operating as a successful holiday rental and retreat destination with several independent gîtes and guest accommodations, it would suit a hospitality project, wellness retreat, events venue, or exceptional private residence with income potential.

Rarely do properties of this scale, authenticity, and natural beauty become available in such an accessible yet unspoilt part of Southern France.