Picture yourself driving down a tree-lined lane, crossing a small stone bridge as a stream murmurs beneath, emerging between two 15th-century pavilions to discover your own listed manor house waiting at the end. This is the reality that awaits at this historic estate in La Chartre-sur-le-Loir, where 72 hectares of woodland, streams, and open fields become your private sanctuary in the heart of France's celebrated Loire Valley region. Imagine autumn mornings when mist rises from the stream, deer emerge from the forest edges, and the only sounds are birdsong and rustling leaves - this is the vacation home experience that international buyers dream about, and it's remarkably within reach. This property represents a rare opportunity to own a piece of French history while creating a bespoke holiday retreat tailored exactly to your vision. The manor house itself, built in the 15th century and modified in the 17th, stands as a testament to noble French architecture, complete with high-pitched roofs, exposed beam work, and period fireplaces adorned with family crests. The residence retains its authentic character throughout approximately 100 square meters of living space, with quarry-tiled floors that have witnessed centuries of French country life and massive ceiling beams that showcase the craftsmanship of bygone eras. Currently in need of complete renovation, this property offers the increasingly rare chance to restore a listed building to your exact specifications - whether you envision a family vacation compound, a rental property generating income from heritage tourism, or a permanent residence steeped in history. The ground floor layout follows the classic manor design: an entrance hall runs from front to back with external doors at either end, creating natural cross-ventilation during warm summer months. The main salon spans an impressive 33 square meters, featuring a working period fireplace perfect for cozy winter evenings, large windows flooding the space with light, and those magnificent quarry tiles underfoot. Adjacent is a 9-square-meter room formerly used as a kitchen, offering flexibility for modern layout planning. Upstairs, two bedrooms await transformation - the master bedroom measures 31 square meters with its own pillared fireplace, while the second bedroom provides 19 square meters of space. The true gem lies in the 56-square-meter attic space on the upper floor, where spectacular original beamwork creates a cathedral-like atmosphere. This expansive area could become multiple guest bedrooms and bathrooms, an artist's studio flooded with light from the period dormer window, or remain as dramatic open-plan living space showcasing those remarkable structural timbers. Beyond the manor, the estate includes substantial outbuildings that multiply your possibilities. The adjoining eastern building, formerly used for livestock, offers two generous stone rooms of 40 and 42 square meters each, plus accessible attic space and a wood-clad storage extension. These structures could become guest cottages, event spaces, workshops, or even boutique rental accommodations. The two entrance pavilions flanking your private drive add even more potential: the western pavilion houses an impressive pigeonier - a traditional French dovecote - with vaulted tuffeau stone cellars beneath, while the eastern pavilion contains the former chapel, a 26-square-meter space with high vaulted ceilings and stone arched windows that whisper of its sacred past. Used as stables during World War II, this building could be restored as a meditation retreat, music room, or intimate event space. La Chartre-sur-le-Loir itself is a thriving market town that embodies authentic French provincial life while offering every practical amenity international owners require. The Thursday market fills the central square with local producers selling everything from farm-fresh cheeses and charcuterie to seasonal vegetables and flowers. Weekend antique markets draw collectors from across Europe, creating a vibrant atmosphere where you might discover treasures for your restoration project. The town's reputation extends far beyond regional borders, particularly during the legendary 24 Hours of Le Mans race and its classic car events, when magnificent vintage automobiles parade through these streets, connecting this rural area to global automotive culture. The central square cafes, hotel, and restaurants provide genuine French hospitality year-round, from summer evenings on terraces to cozy winter lunches by the fire. For vacation property owners, location determines lifestyle, and this estate delivers exceptional positioning. Vendôme, with its high-speed TGV connection to Paris, lies just 40 minutes away along the scenic river valley - meaning your Paris-based friends can join you for weekend getaways with minimal travel time. Tours and Le Mans are similarly accessible, each offering international airports, major shopping, universities, and cultural attractions. The property sits in the Loir Valley, often called one of the region's best-kept secrets, where tourism remains refreshingly authentic compared to the busier Loire château circuit. The Jasnières and Côteaux du Loir wine regions surround you, with cellar visits and tastings available at small family vineyards where winemakers still personally guide tours. The 53-hectare leisure lake at Marcon, just minutes away, provides swimming, fishing, sailing, and picnicking throughout summer months - a local favorite that remains wonderfully uncrowded. The famous Loire Valley châteaux - Chambord, Chenonceau, Amboise, Villandry - are all within easy day-trip distance, yet you return each evening to peaceful privacy rather than tourist-heavy towns. Outdoor enthusiasts will find endless activities across the seasons. The 72 hectares of estate land include exploitable fields currently used for crops and hay, natural woodland with established streams perfect for nature walks, and areas that hint at former formal parkland awaiting restoration. The existing annual hunting rental provides immediate income that can be renewed or discontinued based on your preferences. Spring brings wildflower meadows and migrating birds, summer offers shaded forest walks and stream-side picnics, autumn transforms the woodlands into a spectacular palette of golds and russets, while winter creates a serene landscape ideal for contemplative walks and cozy fireside evenings. Cycling enthusiasts will appreciate the quiet country roads winding through vineyards and past neighboring châteaux. The Loir River itself offers kayaking and riverside paths for walking or cycling. For families considering this as a vacation home, the area provides excellent educational and recreational infrastructure. Multiple schools and colleges serve the region, making extended summer stays or even temporary relocations feasible. The combination of rural tranquility and urban accessibility creates ideal conditions for children to experience authentic French country life while parents maintain connectivity to business and cultural centers. The climate in this Loire Valley location offers four distinct seasons, each with its charm. Summers are warm and sunny with average temperatures in the mid-20s Celsius, perfect for outdoor dining and exploring the estate. Spring and autumn bring mild weather ideal for renovation work, garden projects, and regional exploration. Winters are cool but rarely harsh, with occasional snow creating postcard scenes without the isolation of more mountainous regions. From an investment perspective, this property presents multiple value propositions. Listed on the Inventory of Historic Monuments since 1983, the manor house and pavilions enjoy protected status that preserves their heritage while potentially providing access to renovation grants and tax benefits available for historic properties in France. The substantial land holding - nearly 300 acres in total - represents significant intrinsic value in a country where large estates rarely come to market. The renovation requirement, rather than being a drawback, offers the opportunity to create exactly the property you envision while potentially acquiring the estate at a more accessible price point than a fully restored equivalent. The rental potential is substantial: heritage properties near Loire châteaux command premium rates from tourists seeking authentic French experiences, while the multiple buildings could generate income from several rental units simultaneously. International buyers should note that France offers straightforward property ownership for non-residents, with established legal frameworks and professional support systems. The renovation project aspect requires careful planning and budget management, but the region has numerous English-speaking architects, contractors, and project managers experienced in historic property restoration. French property taxes remain remarkably reasonable compared to many European countries, and the absence of inheritance tax between spouses, plus favorable rates for children, makes French property ownership attractive for multi-generational planning. Key features include: Two bedrooms currently, with attic space for significant expansion. Ground floor living areas with period fireplaces and original architectural details. 56-square-meter convertible attic with exposed beamwork and dormer window. Substantial outbuildings including former stables and storage buildings. Two entrance pavilions: traditional pigeonier with vaulted cellars and former chapel with arched windows. 72 hectares of mixed land: fields, woodland, streams, and former parkland. Listed status providing heritage protection and potential renovation benefits. Income-producing hunting rental arrangement currently in place. 15th-century construction with 17th-century modifications preserving authentic character. Located between Vendôme (TGV to Paris), Tours, and Le Mans for excellent connectivity. Walking distance to La Chartre-sur-le-Loir market town with all amenities. Close proximity to Jasnières and Côteaux du Loir wine regions. Easy access to Loire Valley château circuit and cultural attractions. Suitable for permanent residence, vacation home, or income-generating rental property. Renovation project offering complete customization potential. This is more than a property purchase - it's an invitation to write the next chapter in a building's centuries-long story while creating your own French vacation home legacy. Whether you envision hosting extended family gatherings in restored historic rooms, developing a boutique rental operation that showcases French heritage, or simply enjoying the profound peace of your own vast estate, this manor provides the foundation. The combination of protected historic status, substantial land, multiple buildings, and prime Loire Valley location creates a unique value proposition rarely available in today's market. International buyers seeking authentic French country property with genuine restoration potential and significant land will find few comparable opportunities. Contact Homestra today to arrange a viewing and begin imagining your life at this remarkable estate, where history, nature, and possibility converge in one of France's most celebrated yet accessible regions.
