We start with a question…
Which do you think is cheaper…a castle in France or a typical family home in California?
Now, just to be clear, when I say castle, that’s exactly what I mean…the type that comes with turrets, dungeons, and moats…something strong enough to withstand an enemy siege, zombie apocalypse, or anything else you care to throw at it.
One like this…
This castle is currently on the market in France’s Loire Valley. Listing here.
The answer to my (somewhat rhetorical) question is that the castle is cheaper.
In most of the U.S., the median home price is close to $400,000…and in some states it surpasses that. In California, the median house price for the third quarter of 2024 was $790,742, according to the Zillow Home Value Index.
France, meanwhile, is overflowing with castles. According to one study, the total number of castles in France sits at over 45,000. Many of them have been modernized and turned into stunning family homes.
Take the castle in the photo above…
It’s near the historic town of Loudun, in the famed Loire Valley region. It’s listed for €546,000 ($576,200)…that’s over $200,000 less than the median home in California right now. And you’re not buying some rundown, centuries-old shell. This is a striking home restored in just 2010.
Dating back to the 14th-century, this castle now has three bedrooms and 3,230 square feet of living space, set on grounds of just under 1 acre.
It’s on an ancient Roman toll road and has an imposing 15th-century fortified entrance gate…perfect for keeping unwanted visitors at bay. The castle also has the obligatory round towers. It was listed as a historic monument in 1931.
This could be your morning coffee spot, in front of a fireplace where knights once warmed their hands.
The property is arranged across two connected wings, set on either side of a large courtyard.
On the first floor of the east wing, there’s an entrance hall, lounge with an impressive fireplace, library, kitchen, utility room, and an en-suite bedroom.
The second floor has two large rooms, a bedroom, and a shower room in the tower.
Much of the castle has already been renovated, it’s move-in ready.
The second wing has a vast lounge, a bedroom with fireplace, and a tower that is yet to be renovated. The west wing also has a barn with an original wine press and a vaulted cellar.
The Loire Valley is France’s third-largest wine-producing region, famous for making some of the world’s best white wines, particularly Chenin Blanc and Sauvignon Blanc. There’s plenty of room on the grounds to plant your own vines, as well as space within the castle for bottling and storage.
After its restoration in 2010, the previous owner used part of the castle as an exhibition space. With a large, versatile property like this, you could also use it to host conferences, weddings, concerts, or classes.
This castle was previously used as an exhibition space and could potentially be used to host events for a little extra income.
This property is not an outlier. You’ll find castles like this for sale right across France…
Take this 15th-century castle about a 20-minute drive from the town of Thiers.
Known as the “City of Knives,” the medieval town of Thiers in the Auvergne region of central France, has been famous for knife-making since the 14th century and still produces over 70% of France’s knives today.
Perched on a hillside, the town’s winding cobblestone streets offer breath-taking views of the Durolle River valley below. Centuries-old half-timbered houses and artisan workshops line these streets and the town is surrounded by lush forests and rolling hills…the perfect setting for a castle home.
This imposing gothic castle comes with its own dungeon. It’s on the market near the historic town of Thiers for €415,800. The listing is here.
Perched above a gorge, the castle near Thiers has three bedrooms as well as a 13th-century dungeon and a 15th-century tower. You enter the castle via a tower leading into a kitchen/living room with a fireplace. There’s also a study and a second living room.
The second floor has two bedrooms, including the master bedroom, which has fireplaces, a study with a painted ceiling, and a bathroom. On the third floor there’s another bedroom and an attic.
The castle was redeveloped in the 18th century, just before the French Revolution, and was renovated again in the 1910s. Modern amenities like electricity were installed in 2010.
Outside there’s a barn with a vaulted cellar and just under an acre of grounds, which include a terraced garden, a moat, and the remains of a 14th-century church.
The castle is on the market for €415,800 ($438,000) and the listing is here.
The castle currently on the market near the town of Thiers is a large, imposing structure dating to the 13th century.
Here’s another option…
The Dordogne region of southwest France is known for its rolling green hills and winding rivers that weave through a countryside dotted with golden-stone villages. Here the Dordogne River meanders past vineyards, sunflower fields, and enchanting historic towns such as Sarlat and Beynac.
Over 1,000 castles dot the landscape of the Dordogne, a testament to the region’s strategic importance during the Hundred Years’ War between England and France. And living links to the past still exist at many of the traditional markets. A weekly medieval market in the town of Sarlat, for example, has operated continuously since the Middle Ages.
Right now, around 15 minutes’ drive from Sarlat, this six-bedroom, 13th-century castle is on the market…
The partially renovated castle is one of over 1,000 to be found in the Dordogne region. Listing here.
This castle has 3,660 square feet of living space and is set on 1.5 acres of land.
The stone building has been partially renovated and has period wooden beams and fireplaces. There are two lounges with fireplaces, a combined kitchen/dining room, and two master suites with en-suite bathrooms, plus an additional shower room. The castle has a further 325 square feet of attic space.
It’s listed for €503,500 ($530,400) and you can view it here.
This castle in the Dordogne retains many original features, like this beautiful stained glass window.
So there you have it…
Look across France and you’ll find lots of opportunities to own a genuine, centuries-old castle, in good condition, for less than the median price of a home in California.
That’s an opportunity more people should be aware of…
Think of it. Evenings spent savoring local wines in your own grand dining hall, weekends exploring nearby vineyards…and then of course there’s the bragging rights.
How fun will it be to say to family and friends: “Welcome to my French castle.”
Ronan McMahon, Founder, Overseas Dream Home & Real Estate Trend Alert
P.S. Of course, owning a centuries-old castle comes with a lot of upkeep. But there is a way to own a castle home and avoid this headache…
Many larger castles and chateaux in France have been subdivided in apartment communities. For prices in the $100,000 to $150,000 range, you could buy one of these apartments, pay a HOA fee, and let someone else deal with all the maintenance headaches. Plus, these communities can offer modern amenities like pools, tennis courts, etc.
Here’s a chateau apartment like this which we shared on our Your Cheap Dream Home Instagram channel recently. You can follow our channel here for more listings of affordable overseas dream homes like these…
Recently, my team uncovered an apartment on the grounds of this chateau for less than €100,000. Learn more here.
