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$6 million bucks and a chateau in the Loire Valley in France is yours!

By Caroline Allison

Real Estate Agent with Re/Max Fine Properties 626443

January 26, 2009 03:17 PM

I came across this vacation rental for a several hundred year old chataeu 12,000 square feet in the Loire Valley in France - the "Chateau de Bussiere."

I have always romanticized about the notion of living like royalty for a week. Remember - the fairy tales that we all read and loved when we were little? Being a princess, queen, or king is something that seems like fantasy and not reality.

Well, that fantasy can be realized at the Chateau de Bussiere, which sleeps 14 people for $2000 per night. At first look, it may seem pricey, but break down the math with your 14 guests, and the price really works out to $140 per person per night. Cool, huh? A chateau for $140 per person per night. I could afford that fantasy! Hmmm.....so how do we make this happen? I'd need to invite a few friends.

And then I noticed that the chateau is for sale for $6 million bucks! Not that I would buy it, but to think that $6 million bucks buys a WHOLE CHATEAU!

In my area, Washington DC, million dollar homes are commonplace. And $6 million certainly won't buy a 12,000 square foot chateau! Seems like a bargain! Granted the real estate market sucks now and people are able to get steels on properties.

But I still was intrigued. What is it like owning a place in France? What are the hassles? Are taxes expensive? Is the market liquid? Does France create an attractive environment for homeowners - write offs, no red tape, etc.? Who do I talk to to get up on the market fast? Where can I find that info?

So as I'm planning my road trip around France, I'm looking for bargains on vacation rentals. I found a few! My favorites are:

Provence - 700 year old 3BR brownstone in Provence for $98 per night. Is this for real? The place is gorgeous! It looks like a cute little medieval village with a cute little place with a view in the middle of it all. This is definitely a place I want to consider seriously for my next trip to France.

Cannes - 1 BR condo in Cannes 300 meters from the famous Cote d'Azur beach for $92 per night! I had no idea that Cannes could be so affordable to visit! And the place is close to the beach! I think of Cannes and I think movie star - glitz, glam, and Riveriera expensive, so ths one really got me excited.

Nice - There there is this cute little 1 BR gem in Nice for $41 per night. Friends can stay on the couch to sleep a total of four - $400 to $500 per week is so reasonable!

So that's that. As I plan my next trip to France in vacation homes, I've got some great picks here for $100 per night or less. Except for the chateau, which is my special little splurge. I'll have to see what we can do to get a few friends together. :)

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Pam Engle

AHHHH! i spent 2 weeks in Provence last summer with 7 girlfriends celebrating a 50th b'day. We rented 2 cars and had SO much fun exploring the charming villages of the Luberon, which are all very close (Roussilon, Bonnieux, LaCoste, Gordes, just to name a few of my favorites). f you time it right you will see unbelievable purple fields of lavender. Of course, the food and wine are fabulous and the people are very nice. We spent 5 of the days near Gordes at Ferme de la Huppe, which was our favorite. At least try the restaurant there, but make reservations well in advance. Please let me know if you'd like more information. I'm ready to move there! (Charlotte Amalie's not bad either!!)

Jan 27, 2009 09:58 AM

Lyn Sims

Schaumburg, IL

Real Estate Broker Retired

I was there a few years ago on a Loire castle tour with Paris thrown in and I totally loved it. It is truly worthwhile so go if you can. I checked out the pics and the presentation & it seems like a nice unique place to stay. It would be very memorable for you & your friends. Don't forget to go to Versailles which is not too far away.

Jan 27, 2009 10:07 AM

Catherine Krueger

$6million is still pricey for France but prices are coming down. As a French citizen living in the US I wish I could afford it too. France was named for 4 years in a row as the best place to live according to a poll from International Living Magazine!!! Why did I leave France???? Oh yeah because I love California!!!

Jan 27, 2009 11:16 AM

Marian Gregor-Ann

Keller Williams - Ann Arbor, MI

Arbor area Real Estate

Hi Caroline, Stay in a French Chateau. Why not? I've looked into riding castle to castle- on horseback of course!

Jan 27, 2009 11:23 AM

Mike Henderson

Your complete source for buying HUD homes - Littleton, CO

HUD Home Hub - 303-949-5848

Great post this is localism at its best. Way to go to chase down your dreams. I'll definately check it out before we go on our European trip.

Jan 27, 2009 12:41 PM

Roland Carrillo, PhD - Mortgage Consultant

Cary, NC

When I was younger, my family would vacation in Europe. A few times we rented nice little cottages in Northern France (Normandy Region) for a week or two. A very memorable experience and at $200-250 per night for a family of 4, with kitchen and everything it is a great way to learn the local flavor and lifestyel.

Jan 27, 2009 03:00 PM

Caroline Allison

Re/Max Fine Properties - Sugar Land, TX

Above and beyond

Thanks Roland, Mike, Marian, Catherine, Lyn and Pam for your comments! I really enjoy reading your experiences. I had no idea, Roland, that you could rent a little cottage on vacation before the days of the internet. I couldn't imagine the planning that went into that. I like Marian's comment about riding from castle to castle on a horse. That would be funny!

Pam - your girls trip sounds awesome! How did you go about planning it? I'd love to hear more.

We are exploring the possibility of doing a blog tour - 30 days around the world in vacation homes for under $99 per night. If you have any suggestions for stops, places to stay, etc. that would be great. We'll publicize a schedule as soon as we've nailed down more details. We're combining vacation homes with social media, which is what Viscape is about.

My view is that vacation homes will lead the way in bringing real estate back.

Thanks again. Look forward to getting to know you more!

Jan 27, 2009 03:34 PM

Gabe Sanders

Real Estate of Florida specializing in Martin County Residential Homes, Condos and Land Sales - Stuart, FL

Stuart Florida Real Estate

It's not the $6 Million that's expensive, it's the heating and cooling. Taking care of the peasants. Feeding the knights and of course taking care of the queen and her court. That's the expensive part.

Jan 28, 2009 12:31 AM

Hilarious! All the parties and debauchery, I'm sure does get pricey. And taking care of the queen, that without a doubt, is hard to do no matter how much money is spent! he he :)

Jan 28, 2009 03:50 AM

Debra and Scott Brooks

Brooks Prime Properties, Lake Conroe - Conroe, TX

Lake Conroe Real Estate and Luxury Home Specialists!

Great info Caroline! A chateau for a pittance. Sets my sails to go. Long live the Queen!

Jan 28, 2009 02:00 PM

Caroline - This was in the late 80s and early 90s, so it was before the internet. There were plenty of apartment and house renting services you could contact in major cities. We would sometimes go in Paris after we arrived and you could view photos and descriptions along with prices. Other times we went to the area we were interested in and asked at the local tourist bureau.

The internet has made things easier. There are many websites now where you can rent an apartment or home in another country for a week or month. Some look amazing, and when you average it out per person as you have done it is quite inexpensive! Many 3-4 star hotels cost more per night... and although they have their benefits, there is something to be said for the experience of renting a home in a village or having an apartment in the city and diving into the local culture.

Jan 28, 2009 04:03 PM

$6 million bucks and a chateau in the Loire Valley in France is yours!

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