French property in Midi Pyrenees - Haute Garonne - Château de Saint-Élix - an exceptional Classé (Grade 1 listed) Historic Monument.

THE CASTLE OF SAINT ELIX
In its greenery surroundings, the high brick towers covered with shiny slates give to the Castle Saint Elix a
magnificent and legendary look. The legend itself is there, originated by a true story between King Francois
the First and a charming lady whom beautiful eyes rushed the King to build a castle just for her, as what was
said all during the 19th century. But the truth is somehow different, as attractive as the legend however, as
this land of Saint Felix was in fact part of the historical accounts of France. This seigniory was purchased in
1529 by Pierre Potier, the proud owner also of the one of La Terrasse, very close to Carbonne. Notary and
secretary of the King, Pierre Potier married Beatrice de Bertier, the daughter of an important person reigning
over the waters and forests of Comminges upon instruction of Francois the First. Later on, such assignment
was kept by his family. Pierre Potier is therefore a very wealthy man which allows him to build a really
luxurious castle. Unfortunately, the Potier family will not keep this castle for long, after 2 generations it will
reverse to the Bellegarde who will then sell it to the Gondrin de Pardailhan. This family is know because of
Madame de Montespan, the concubine of King Louis the 14th, and in 1702, the son of this famous lady, the
notorious Duke d’Antin get rid of Saint Elix, the new buyer being a rich man of Toulouse, Jacques Jacob,
who in turn leaves in his testimony the castle to his nephews, among them is Jean-Charles de Ledesmé.
This Renaissance castle will then revive with the new Baron of Saint Elix, General Major assistant and
Bailli of Valois, which will transform the castle into one of the most exquisite residences of the whole region
of Toulouse. To realize this project he gave precise instructions and was kept so far some sketches by his
own hand of the park layout and a view in perspective of the whole estate. The residence was decorated by
his own friend, the sculptor Francois Lucas, and it managed to travel in time without major damages, even
during the French Revolution (only 2 towers were affected) and the 19th century. The troubles start when
the family Suarez d’Almeyda will sell the estate in 1926, the castle is then made empty and will be transferred
several times to other owners. Later occupied by a training school of the French Air Force, the roof
was destroyed by a fire in 1945, this is the time the castle was abandoned, then ruined and looted just before
it was bought in 1975. 5 extensive years of refurbishment were necessary to rehabilitate the castle as it was
originally in the 16th century. The 2 main towers are restored and the huge roof structured frame is reinstalled,
this being a very unique restoration project ultimately reestablishing this residence of Francois the First
era into our modern times.

The construction phase of the castle is precisely well-known, as Francois Potier registered to the Notary all
of the construction steps in 1541. He adopted a layout which is very unusual in the south of France which
actually turned the Saint Felix castle into a smaller version of Chambord donjon. The castle itself is erected
on an isolated terrace protected by large dry moats, it is built in pink brick stones but the opening structures
and mullions are made out of stones. The cubic living quarters are flanked by 4 towers at each corner, covered
by a conical slated roof. The castle itself has a pavilion type of slated roof of 18 meters high, giving
a magnificent look to the whole, as it was done for the castles in the Northern part of France. The main
facades have 3 dormer windows on top of the big windows line, without having the pilasters connecting the
different floors as it is the case in the castles of the Loire Valley at that period, most likely because of the
techniques used to work the brick stones, finally it gives to the castle its architectural signature and brings it
closer to the southern tradition.
The entrance was behind a drawbridge, still in place up to the 17th century, then the inner yard opens to a
double staircase up to the door of the residence. There is an entrance to the basement directly to the kitchens
floor and service area on both sides of a central corridor. The same layout is applied in the two residence
floors and in the large attic space, like it was in Chenonceaux castle. At the main floor, there is the large reception hall and master bedroom, and on the left side of the corridor 2 rooms connected to many other servicing
rooms part of the towers for storage or wardrobe. There is the same layout on the upper floor, serviced
by a straight staircase parallel to the corridor. Everything was conceived to live in style and comfort, the
central hallway has an arched ceiling in brick stones with crossed lancets on stone pillars. The main living
room has still its stoned chimney with the blazon of the Potier family. The architect Laurent Clary actually
used the same pattern in other residences of Toulouse and in the castle of Castelnau-Estretefonds. The castle
was completely overhauled only during the middle of the 18th century, and the baron of Ledesme, an art and
architecture savvy, designed himself the layout of the French styled garden, where some features still do exit
nowadays. He first built on both sides of the Renaissance castle 2 other huge buildings for the stables and the
winter garden, which included the full size statue of the Great Bailli made by the sculptor Francois Lucas in
charge of all statues and decorations within the castle and the park. The park at that time covered a 56 hectares
area and could easily compete with those of Merville and Rochemontes. Very few still exists however,
but the layout of the park with its century-old maritime pine trees are the sole witnesses of this amazing era.

Location and surroundings
This estate is located in a very unique environment of 500 hectares of woods, facing the Pyrenees Mountains,
on the foothills of said mountains.
The estate is of easy reach from the national roads and highway.
The estate and its activities
This estate full of woods and meadows is set on 500 hectares about, fully fenced (such surface can possibly
be extended by negotiation with the neighboring properties). There are numerous and various activities provided.
. This is a hunting ground for small (pheasants, partridges, gooses, rabbits…) or bigger wild game (wild
boar, deer, roe deer, fallow deer and mountain deer).
Fishing is also possible on the 4 hectares wide lake.
. This is an estate dedicated to outdoor leisure, with 80 kilometers of tracks for mechanical sports, quad, 4
wheels drive, motorbikes,…
. The estate has its own helipad and short runway for light mountain planes and helicopters.

. Finally there is nearby a water-cure city providing a golf course, with a casino and water-cure therapy in its
spas.
Accommodation
. The estate includes a castle on its upper part, surrounding the entire valley at its foot. Built with the local
stones, it comprises 3 reception rooms, a convention hall and a large terrace outside with a splendid 360
degrees view.
In addition, 2 suites made of 2 rooms each can accommodate the guests.
. There are also 2 completely furbished farms with all the modern amenities to be used as guest houses.
one of them has a suite, a double bedroom and 2 single rooms,
the other one has 2 suites and an apartment of 3 bedrooms.
These buildings all together have a floor area of 800 square meters with modern comfort, cable TV or satellite
TV, soundproofing and isolation windows, foal l of the 13 customized bedrooms.
On top of it, a dedicated catering service makes dining available on the spot.
This estate is an historical landmark, with its 16th century tower, its roman stone quarry and pre-historical
monolith, which offers a truly refined residence, very charming and rich of numerous leisure activities.

DPE : We are in the process of updating all DPE test.

Type

• Off Plan-Investment
• Chateau
• Commercial
• Barn
• Equestrian
• Belle Demeure
• Lake
• Land without CU
• Land with CU
• vineyard

Location

• Lakeside
• Mountains
• Village

Features

• Mountain view
• Close to ski resort
• Close to golf course
• Well
• ADSL
• Outbuildings
• Private parking
• Garage
• Walking distance to shops
• River Frontage
• Lake
• Other Drainage

Conditions

• Land
• Restored
• Habitable