Bidding opens on 15th-century French château with 710-acre estate

Concierge Auctions said bidding has opened at €1.25 million for Domaine de Ballerand, a 15th-century château estate in France’s Périgord Vert with six private lakes, a helipad and more than 700 acres. The sale will close live on 30 September as part of the company’s Hong Kong Global Sale.

Why it matters: - Domaine de Ballerand combines rare historical provenance, large-scale land holdings and auction access to an international buyer pool. - The property offers a chance to buy a centuries-old French estate with room for private use, hospitality use or further customization. - The Hong Kong Global Sale is designed to expose marquee listings to buyers across Asia, Europe and the Middle East.

What happened: - Concierge Auctions said the reserve has been met and bidding is open at €1.25 million for Domaine de Ballerand. - The estate is listed for €9.5 million. - The auction will culminate live on 30 September at The Upper House in Hong Kong. - Concierge Auctions is offering the property in cooperation with Michael Baynes and Christophe Chassin of Maxwell Baynes.

The details: - Domaine de Ballerand dates to 1498 and sits in France’s Périgord Vert region. - The estate spans 710± acres of private forest and farmland and is surrounded by six lakes. - The property has links to the royal hunting grounds of Louis XIV. - The 15th-century château is structurally sound, has a newer roof and has utilities ready for connection. - The château’s reception rooms feature picture windows overlooking the estate and its lakes. - A fully renovated main residence includes seven bedrooms and four bathrooms. - The estate also includes a two-bedroom mill, three turnkey apartments and additional outbuildings totaling nearly 28,000 square feet. - The outbuildings could support guest accommodation, a private gym, a spa or hospitality use. - The estate includes a private helipad. - Six private lakes include one that spans roughly 21 hectares. - The property supports fishing, small and large game hunting, and shooting across managed woodland. - Trails for hiking and cycling connect to the regional Flow Vélo cycling route. - The agricultural land is managed organically and traditionally. - The estate is located between Périgueux, Angoulême and Limoges. - Nearby landmarks include the Regional Natural Park Périgord-Limousin, Château de Montbrun and Brantôme. - Limoges International Airport and Périgueux Bassillac Airport are each about 45 minutes to one hour away. - Images of the property are available on Concierge Auctions. - Photography is credited to Andrei Oprescu. - The closing will trigger funding for new homes through Concierge Auctions’ Key For Key giving program with Giveback Homes.

Between the lines: - The estate’s mix of age, acreage and water access makes it unusually broad in appeal for a single private holding. - The ready-to-use main residence and customizable château create both immediate occupancy and longer-term project value. - Concierge Auctions is using the Hong Kong sale to reach buyers beyond the local French market.

What's next: - Bidding will continue until the live auction on 30 September in Hong Kong. - Buyers can review property details and diligence materials through Concierge Auctions. - The sale is expected to determine whether the estate closes near its €9.5 million asking price or below, depending on auction competition.

The bottom line: - Domaine de Ballerand is a rare historic French estate entering a global auction process with a low opening bid and substantial upside tied to its land, location and legacy.