Inside a 1,000-year-old French castle rebuilt into a luxury mansion

Hey guys it's Hannah and welcome to The Luxury Home Show. I am in southern France where down here there are no shortage of beautiful homes but every now and then one comes along that completely rewrites the rule book. Behind me this isn't any old chateau okay this is nearly 1,000 years of history that's been reimagined into a world-class luxury residence and the great thing is I get to take you along for the ride. I'm trying not to say wow every time I walk into one of these rooms but this building is testing me. Wow! And then the icing on top of the cake are these original 15th century wall paintings. Now this for me is a snapshot are what living in the south of France is all about. It is utterly idyllic. We're in the stunning medieval village of Saint-Maximum just a few kilometers from the desirable town of Uzès in Provence. Famous for its pretty cafes spilling into ancient squares, boutique shopping, lively bars and outstanding restaurants, plus picturesque streets. All with an atmosphere that feels both luxurious and wonderfully relaxed. But if you fancied a day by the sea, the Mediterranean is about an hour away, which is actually where we stayed near Montpellier. Great for the beach, sunset drinks and food, and strolls along the promenade. I couldn't resist dipping my toes into the water either. Purely for research, of course. And while the location is one of the biggest reasons why buyers fall in love with this part of France, this is why we're here. A chateau that has witnessed Crusades, Kings, the Renaissance, the French Revolution, and now one of the biggest renovations I've ever seen. It's just under 15,000 square feet of living space to explore, including nine bedrooms, seven bathrooms, a guest house, cinema, spa, swimming pool and a rooftop view to die for. It's heading to auction on the 30th of July for between 2.25 million and 3.7 million euros. So let's go and have a look. I don't think I've ever been so excited to tour a property. I cannot wait, guys. Okay. outside now you might notice that it doesn't look like it was built at the same time and you'd be right over to that side is the oldest part of the chateau that is 14th century middle ages okay but there are architectural features in there that date back to the 11th century wow over here is 17th century more classical windows very symmetrical and then in the middle they added this 18th century façade to combine and link the east and the west wing and you've got that nice neoclassical triangle atop it. So let's go in because this is the kind of grand entrance that one day, one day I hope for. Not bad at all. During the middle ages this was a fortified residence built for protection just as much as prestige and this entrance fit for a king. This is a noble residence now. I feel right at home. Through that magnificent doorway and into this covered courtyard and I mean look at that vaulted ceiling you're gonna see a lot of incredible vaulted ceilings in this property. Nice bit of seating area perfect if you're welcoming guests a little pre drink because over here is the jewel in the crown. Your internal gardens where the chateau completely envelops itself around and you get to appreciate all of that beautiful medieval stonework including the mullioned windows, and I do need to draw your attention to these two, they have been meticulously restored using period-appropriate glassware, absolutely stunning, but taking centre stage, swimming pool. You can't be in the south of France without a swimming pool, okay, this is nine metres by five and a half, so a really good size for relaxing and taking a swim in, it's taking every ounce of self-respect, not to dive-bomb right into that. It's a hot day, that's calling me. All of this area is only about 40 years old, they've done a superb job of merging it into the rest of the property, but you've got plenty of space here to relax, sunbathe, I mean we're in Provence now guys, okay, this is the time to take stock, slow down a little bit, stop scrolling, grab a book or just admire this, I think I might. So these archways are more of those recreations and then take you up to another private garden courtyard. Just behind me, that's the 17th century part of the building where all of the bedrooms are, but then through here is your hidden oasis. We've got centuries old olive trees that have been here nearly as long as the chateau, lavender, I can hear the birds in the background, I mean all that's missing is a glass of rosé. Back into the central courtyard where we first arrived. Now I'm a little bit of a history nerd and I'm very excited to take you through into the medieval part of the building. First up, the dining room. I mean this is a pretty good family celebration table isn't it? You've got room for 20 and squeeze them all in 30 people that would be a good Christmas lunch wouldn't it? Speaking of food, I think this is giving me a clue that this was probably the original kitchen. I'm losing it. This is the original 12th century carved stone fireplace. Can you imagine? For 900 years-ish, people have been cooking here, warming themselves. I'm presuming the bread, be shoving your bread in there. I don't think it's a pizza maker. I don't think, I don't think we were there quite yet. This, this is 500 years old, yeah, and it would be attached and then you would spit roast a pig. Someone would be here for hours, it's just so cool. And then over here, this is a later edition, this is 17th century, so when the the men folk were, oh it's a swallow, sorry the swallows have been popping in in here, It's very sweet, they find their way out, don't worry. Right, back to the story. 17th century, the menfolk would be in the fields, toiling away, and then the women, when they were coming in for lunch, they'd be putting logs, wood logs here, massive cauldrons of soup. Food up, food up, hmm? It's just 21st century and 17th century and 12th century all coming together. Leaving the dining room, through this archway, and into the games room. Honestly, every time I come into one of these rooms, it just takes your breath away. More examples of this phenomenal vaulted ceiling. And you think, these are 700 years old. You know, they didn't have machinery back then. They did it all by hand. Amazing. So, this is the fun room, your games room. Plenty of space here for, we've got a foosball table, table tennis, bar. Great area if you are throwing a party. You know, you can spill out outside, Maybe it's good for the teenagers as well. You could just be like, go and have some fun. And somewhere else that you can go and enjoy is through here, a home cinema. So we've had historical and now we've got uber modern and any guesses how much this will cost? 400,000 euros, but you are fully immersed. You've got tiered seating, Bowers and Wilkins sound that's behind the screen and then Netflix, Apple TV fully integrated so very easy to use and whether it's the latest blockbuster or Sunday marathon of episodes, you're sorted. Opposite the cinema, no French Chateau would be complete without a wine cellar. Okay and this is at a consistent 14 degrees Celsius so perfect for fine wines, plenty of storage including these very fancy Euro cave fridges and considering you've got some of the best wine regions nearby I don't think you'd have any issues filling these up. You've got Cote d'Oron, Chateauneuf-du-Pape... anyone else being a little bit thirsty? Leaving the wine cellar and the cinema back into the games room and this place just keeps getting better. Of course it has its own wellness suite. We have a Turkish spa, easily imagine whiling away many hours in there and And then a home gym. I love the juxtaposition of that modern machinery against those medieval stones. And you have access out onto the pool, so if you need to cool down you can pop in for a very quick dip. Leaving the Games Room, and behind me, this was something that the owners uncovered during the restoration. This is the original well. This would have been absolutely essential, you know, not only for water, but this could have been the difference between survival and surrender if this chateau was ever under siege. Now rather than just preserving it as a historic feature, they've actually incorporated it into the building's climate control system. So cold air is drawn up from the well and then circulated and then at the very top the roof grills they'll open and let all of that hot air out so yeah working with the building. So leaving that room where the well was and into what was the former little courtyard. I actually think that's where a fireplace might have been as well but now they've enclosed it we have this phenomenal glass atrium And this staircase. What a contrast. Now, if you needed any proof that craftsmanship doesn't come cheap, this cost in the region of one million euros for one staircase. But remember, you're working with a protected structure and building. You know, you can't widen doorways or knock things down. You're working with all the little nuances of that stone. And I think it really, really works you know a lot of people will be thinking oh it's super modern it's not oldie worldie but there has to be some flexibility you know you need to make this fit for purpose and livable for people so that you can protect it for another thousand years and rather than try and recreate something badly you know have a big bold confident architectural decision all three floors you now have access onto. I mean, it's just a wow moment and it really emphasises all the medieval stonework as well. And with that, let's ascend! I'm up on the first floor, an amazing view, and about to take you through to one of the most impressive areas in the entire property and if you get the heebie-jeebies about glass walkways look away now. Okay I'm trying not to say wow every time I walk into one of these rooms but this building is testing me. Wow this is what we think the original chapel was and it's you just you just need to take a second to take it all in you know now this could be anyone's dream primary residence or maybe a European second home but I'm thinking business, hotel, B&B, an event space for weekends or a wedding venue you know come on you could make your own history here. Now Johnny behind the camera thinks this is where you would actually have the ceremony. I think there might be a better space but we're going to test it out, aren't we Johnny? Here we go, let's try it out. Da da da da, da da da da, da da da da. I do, it does feel good, it does feel nice, flowers, lights. Location number two, we've got to try out. Yeah, yeah, it still feels good, still feels good. This is option number three, I like it but I have to say on second thoughts I think this would be perfect for your drinks reception, you know, grab your glass of champagne and then you go in to congratulate the happy couple. And then the icing on top of the cake are these original 15th century wall paintings. What an extraordinary discovery during the renovations and these are comparable in style to the artwork in the Palais de Pape in Avignon. I mean hopefully it's things like this that make these insane and incredible renovations all worth it it's safe to say that the French heritage authorities made sure that these are preserved and give joy to generations to come. Up onto the second floor we've got a bit more event space in front of me but before we leave the medieval east wing there is one final historical nugget that I want to show you and a rare surviving example of medieval military architecture. the original spiral staircase. Bit of a tight squeeze but that was the point because if you're defending the chateau you want to make it as difficult as possible for attackers, you know, you need to defend it. So if you're right-handed you'd have your sword and you'd be hacking away the person below you. That'd be very difficult to attack with your left hand coming up this way and time evolved and fun fact that is now why we as Britons drive on the left-hand side of the road. leaving the spiral staircase above me and we're actually now leaving the medieval east wing and we're going to go forward in time the 18th century but only briefly this is the link between the east and the west wing that is 17th century where we're heading next to see all the bedrooms We are now in the Renaissance part of the property and it is just as stunning. I mean, I mean, needless to say, this is all original. The stonework. I love the way that the light moves and bounces off. There's something about the light in Provence. It's just they just do it better here, you know. Now there are nine bedrooms in the entire home. Six are in this wing and we are heading through to the principal suite. Now it's a big one. So let's do a really quick whistle-stop tour starting with your own lounge but why not have a second living room with a grand piano? Now I do want to draw your attention to this phenomenal vaulted ceiling okay this is an example of sheer craftsmanship all of these stones would have been cut precisely there would have been scaffolding and then this square that would have been the last piece of stone to be put in and then the scaffolding was taken away. Squeaky bum time, does it hold? It's doing well so far. Now, this is set up as another bedroom, but you've got nine bedrooms. You don't need another bedroom. This is my walk-in wardrobe, okay? We've got a lovely fireplace, so much personality, and I like that they haven't over-decorated it, you know? And I should say at this point that most of the house has air conditioning, underfloor heating, central heating, you know, southern France in the winter, it can get chilly. And if you've been here in the summer, it gets hot. And this principal suite has two en-suites. This is the his, and all the bathrooms carry a very similar aesthetic. Clean, modern, beautiful. Back through your one, two living rooms, the main event, the bedroom, and this very grand four poster bed. You have a terrace with absolutely gorgeous views and then around here more storage space and the hers bathroom. Yeah this is the better one. We're back in the East Wing in the Middle Ages but we're going to take a brief interlude and visit the 21st century. We have a professional grade kitchen that is brand new. They didn't add it into the main building because that would have been really hard. So we've started again and this is what you want whether you're entertaining two or two hundred people, you know, whether you are putting a wedding on or you've just got your friends and family gathered around your outdoor dining space I mean can you imagine the summers just those little moments of having a morning coffee you know we love the spa we love we love all of those posh bits inside the grandeur and the size but it is those little moments where you just take stock relax and enjoy the time that you have here in Provence maybe on your own or with all of your loved ones finally we're heading into the last bedroom which is housed in the pigeon house I'll explain more inside Now, in medieval France, if you had a pigeon house, it meant you had a lot of status and a lot of wealth. Thankfully, they're not here anymore, but you can see their little niches. That's where the pigeons, the dovecoats, would have stayed. This also has a terrace, an ensuite. I am already mentally moving in. We have gone full circle and I'm now at the top of the stairs in the glass atrium because I might have saved the best till last. And I think this might be the best view I've ever seen on the Luxury Home Show. Now this for me is a snapshot of what living in the south of France is all about. It is utterly idyllic. We've got rolling countryside, olive groves, vineyards and we've got a bell tower there and all these terracotta roofs. Speaking of which you can still see the original pattern of the roof up here. It's amazing it survived and you could own this part of history. Remember it's going to auction. It was originally listed at 5.9 million euros. So you are getting a steal. All the details are in the description below. Let us know what you thought of the video. I mean, I think it's pretty obvious. I absolutely loved touring it for you and I will be back for more luxury properties from around the world.