Chateau Bellac

A stunning example of a twelfth century chateau with a detached gatekeeper’s lodge, both of which have been renovated and are currently enjoyed as both a family home and up-market Chambres d’Hôte/Boutique Hotel.

The Chateau The chateau, with striking towers, dates back to the 12th century and has been sympathetically restored using high quality materials and bespoke furniture. Many rooms have original features such as the flooring, oak doors, exposed beams, high ceilings, stone trimming around windows & external doors, some exposed stone walls, impressive fireplaces (Cantou - typical of the south west of France) and numerous “nooks & crannies” to discover.

From the driveway, large wooden gates open into the original cobbled courtyard, separating the chateau and the gatehouse. The main entrance into the chateau leads to: entrance hall with granite flagstones, stone ceiling & door surrounds and original stone staircase. The spacious kitchen diner with French flagstone flooring, painted beams, electric Aga, electric oven with gas burners, large bespoke island unit with excellent storage capacity and a feature granite fireplace incorporating a beautiful hand-painted ceramic Godin wood burner.

Interior Glazed double doors lead to the mirror room, a ground floor cloakroom with exposed stone walls and flagstone floor. There is also a glazed door from kitchen to the rear garden and access down to the vaulted cellar. From the kitchen, the tower utility room has a double butler sink and plumbing for dishwasher and washing machine. The drawing room is a welcoming venue, with superb granite fireplace with two original bread ovens, original Tomette flooring, glazed double doors to the garden terrace and parkland beyond, as well as a second doorway to the mirror room.

The dining room has stone floor tiles, glazed double doors to the garden terrace and also to the front courtyard, oak internal shutters, a wealth of oak beams and a unique iron door leading through to tower wine cellar with three deep-set windows and external door to the courtyard. From the hallway, the stone staircase takes you to the first floor landing. Bedroom 1 is light and airy with triple aspect windows, painted beams, built-in corner cupboard and large granite fireplace with seating area to the front. A door leads through to the tower bathroom featuring an original roll-top bath with shower over, toilet, sink, exposed stone walls and old Italian stone flooring.

Internal hallway with original Limousin oak floorboards leading to bedroom 2 with original Limousin oak floorboards and door through to dressing room and door to en-suite shower room with large walk-in shower, toilet, sink, exposed stone wall and high ceiling. Bedroom 3 with original terracotta Tomette flooring, triple aspect windows, exposed oak beams, feature granite fireplace and door to the tower shower room with shower, toilet, sink and exposed stone walls and tomettes. From the landing, the stone staircase continues to the second floor attic which is divided into three rooms and is ripe for renovation to suit new owners.

Gatekeeper’s Lodge Gatekeeper’s Lodge: This former house has been transformed by the current owners into a luxury Chambres d’Hôte/Boutique Hotel, which new owners could continue. Both the guest accommodation and public areas have been designed to provide maximum, modern day comfort, including a new gas-fired central heating system and sensor reactive corridor lighting. Access is from the courtyard, opening into the dining room with large double glazed, glass fronted wall overlooking the chateau. There is seating for 12 diners. The floor is tiled, the high beams and panelled walls are painted in pastel shades, the lighting recessed and a Godin wood burner provides additional warmth in the cooler months.

Kitchen with tiled floor, stainless steel sink & worktops, heated towel rail and fitted storage units. Reading Room ( with tiled floor and panelled walls, fireplace with wood burning stove and glazed door to rear terrace. Within one panel of books is a hidden door through to the laundry room with tiled floor, butler sink, plumbing for washing machine & ice machine, wooden worktops over storage units with hand crafted doors. Door out to small storage area, with further door out to the rear garden. From the reading room, a door leads out to a hallway off of which is a cloakroom with toilet, double wash hand basin and separate linen cupboard. Doors from the hallway into the potting shed, used for pre or post dinner drinks, which has a tiled floor, light wooden beams and glazed doors through to the rear terrace and front courtyard.

A wooden staircase from the hallway leads up to the first floor landing with wooden floorboards, half-panelled walls and door to bedroom 1 which is a suite. Sitting room with double doors to the bedroom and door into the shower room. Bedroom 2 has tiled floor, exposed stone walls and subtle lighting. Antique mirrored doors conceal the entrance to the en-suite bathroom with tiled floor, large walk-in shower, toilet, original 1920s basin with nickel taps and contemporary hanging rails. The second floor has landing with wooden floorboards and half-panelled walls and door to bedroom 3 with tiled floor, exposed stone walls, wooden beams, built-in wardrobe and sitting area. Door to en-suite bathroom with tiled floor, exposed stone wall and beams, roll-top bath, walk-in shower, toilet, sink and heated towel rail.

Attached to the gatekeeper's lodge is a barn which houses the oil boiler and oil tanks for the supply of hot water & heating to the chateau, as well as the gas boiler, which supplies hot water & heating to the gatekeeper’s lodge. Another large barn is opposite the chateau, with large double door access and two other doors, one of which is the original entrance to the former chapel. The grounds are laid to lawn with established shrubs and mature trees, lavender garden with floral covered iron arch. There are several terraced areas around the chateau and gatekeeper’s lodge, perfect for entertaining and dining. Across from the chateau is a large area of grassland and trees, which borders the village road. The property is located 30 kms from both Limoges city centre and airport, whilst access to the A20 motorway is 17 kms.

Viewing Arrangements Viewing is strictly by appointment with the selling agents Pavilions of Splendour International Inc. Letter of Interest & Proof of funds is required for a viewing appointment. To make an appointment either email info@pavilionsofsplendourinternational.com Telephone: 0034 603 424 175 Skype: pavilionsofsplendour www.pavilionsofsplendourinternational.com