Treat yourself to a castle for 2 million euros: one of the jewels of the Gerso heritage put up for sale

Become the owner of a castle for just over two million euros? This is what the city of Istres (13) offers, which has put the castle of Couloumé-Mondebatin Gers. “It is a facility that was acquired by the municipality in the 1990s, it was intended to create a holiday center for the children of the city,” explains Nicolas Davini, general director of services of the municipality of Bouches-du-Rhône .

Despite an environment conducive to educational stays, children, teachers and caregivers ended up not visiting the building anymore. “Due to various regulations, but also due to the distance from Istres, we found ourselves, over time, with a very expensive and insufficiently operated facility,” explains the director.

Thus, from September 2023, the property was for sale for the sum of 2.1 million euros. Or the price of a beautiful villa on the Basque coast… In the hands of the Palace Agencythe palace of the Gers is looking for its buyer.

1.3 million euros of renovations

And the arguments are solid. Built in the 11th century, the castle offers more than 2000 m2 of living space, on eight hectares of land. Reception hall, meeting room, suites, offices, workshops: the 40-room building overlooks the typical Gersa countryside.

In the last two decades, this castle has undergone a radical transformation, with more than 1.3 million euros invested to modernize its infrastructure, improve comfort and expand its activities. “First, we started with the various and varied compliance changes required by the regulations and to strengthen the site and make it more attractive,” explains the director. Thus, the large reception room, called the press room, then the courtyard, called the round courtyard, adjacent to the castle have been rehabilitated. A swimming pool has also been added to this gem of Gersan tourism. Previously, the kitchen and dining room had already been renovated, as well as the entire roof.

“We did not organize this sale to get a return on investment”

Despite these very good, the building is sold at a “low” price for a castle of this scale. “We did not organize this sale to get a return on the investment”, explains Nicolas Davini “We did it to no longer have to manage the equipment and to preserve public funds so as not to lose out of financial transactions, but to providing a public service has provided this for several decades and today it is no longer able to do so due to the lack of assistance for children in the city.

Despite this need not to spend more on the building, it is with regret that the municipality has registered its sale. “It is a beautiful piece of equipment that has been greatly appreciated, but its use means that we have to share with it,” adds Nicolas Davini, recalling the good times past for the city’s children.

Today, the building offers its services for various types of events: seminars, holidays or school outings, weddings, professional meetings, etc. Located about an hour from the stations of Mont-de-Marsan and Tarbes, and the airports of Lourdes and Pau, the Couloumé-Mondébat castle awaits its buyer.