Hold onto your French vanilla lattes because we’ve just found the most beautiful home in Europe. Located 36 kilometres west of Paris rests a fairytale home from 18th-century France. According to the listing, the historic Petit Versailles Château (meaning small Versailles) was designed by Jean Benoît Vincent Barré, one of the most important architects of his time. If you’ve ever been to the Palace of Versailles, you’ll recognize the level of detail this structure has by comparison – which is where Petit Versailles draws inspiration from.
French regality come to life
The property is a remarkable feat of architectural genius, adorned with fixtures reminiscent of the French Regency period. Throughout the main building, the rooms are delicately decorated with ornate pieces such as patterned hardwood flooring, sparkling chandeliers and original sculptures lining nearly every room and walkway across the Château. The variety of rooms provides excellent opportunities for entertaining guests for any occasion.
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An artist’s playground
The beauty continues outdoors with a courtyard flourishing with tree lines and a 550-metre-long mirrored lake for those picturesque photos. The grounds encapsulate approximately 247 acres of lush farmland and a surprise moat. There’s even an underground dungeon located beneath the gardens – just in case. Throughout its history, the Petit Versailles has been a haven for artists and poets alike. Even Pablo Picasso himself visited from time to time.
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At this point, you’re probably wondering who has deep enough pockets to purchase this palatial paradise. Czech energy billionaire and AC Sparta football club owner Daniel Křetínský faced a hefty asking price of $52 million Euro and ultimately won with an undisclosed offer. To say that we’re jealous is an understatement. We can only hope Křetínský opens up Petit Versailles to visitors as did his predecessors.
Photos courtesy of Engel & Völkers.
