Carsten Sprotte
In remembrance of "Democracy in America"
The château where Alexis de Tocqueville wrote his seminal work This is the way I would like to imagine the scene: with two glasses of...
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Le Château de la borde
classic loire valley mansion on 17 acres of landscaped, river-front property
1 995 000€*
*Agency fees included,. Current USD value: $1 938 000
There are many châteaux in the famous Loire Valley. The most famous will never be for sale.
This particular château located near Tours, may not be a national monument, but it does have its own claim to fame. This is indeed where Alexis de Tocqueville wrote the seminal work "Democracy in America". It was once home to General Lafayette's granddaughter, and in these latter years became the residence of Swedish-American artist Claes Oldenburg, who undertook along with his wife Coosje van Bruggen a thorough renovation of the château, its outbuildings, and its grounds.
As a result, the château de la Borde is an exceptionally well-maintained, fully-furnished mansion, marked by classical elegance combined with sleek contemporary design and the best of modern comforts.
In total, it offers six living rooms and eight bedrooms, including two guest houses and an independent 3rd-floor studio apartment. A large outbuilding (showroom) completes the 700m2 (7500 sq ft) property.
The legacy can now become yours. Start your visit with a bird's-eye view of the château and its surroundings.
Introduction
Château Virtual Visit
Château Interiors - Virtual visit
1. Front view of château
Southwest facade of the château, also the main entrance.
The following rooms are visible from this view from left to right:
Ground floor
- Kitchen side area
- Kitchen main area
- Sitting room
- Grand entrance
- Formal living room
- Library
Second floor
- Artist workshop
- Bedroom
- Hall
- Grand stairwell
- Master bedroom
- Master bath
Third floor
- Independent studio
- Tower room
- Exercise rooms
To view the room behind each window, click on the icon to open a photo in a new tab.
2. Back view of château
Northeast facade, overlooking a vast lawn sloping down to the river Dême
The following rooms are visible from this view from left to right:
Ground floor
- Library
- Formal living room
- Grand entrance
- Dining room
Second floor
- Bedroom
- Bedroom
- WC
- Master bedroom
- Master bath
Third floor
- Home cinema
- Hall
- Independent studio
3. Guest House
The guest house is fully-equipped and independent from the château.
The following rooms are visible from this view from left to right:
Ground floor
- Living room
- Kitchen & dining room
Second floor
- Bathroom
- Study
- Bedroom
4. Summer House
The "summer house" is a second but smaller fully-equipped guest house where are currently stored all of the furnishings and equipment for outdoor living.
Ground floor
- Living room & open kitchen
Second floor
- Bathroom with skylight
- Bedroom with skylight
5. Showroom
The traditional stables were transformed into a showroom by the famous artist and previous owner, Claes von Oldenburg. It is a long building in two sections with very high ceilings and a spacious upstairs loft room. The building also includes a large separate room serving both as a laundry room and workshop.
Ground floor
- Laundry room
- Garage
- Showroom
Second floor
- Game room or conference room
Click here for photo set.
Guest Houses Virtual Visit
Photo Gallery
Showroom
Photo gallery
The carousel below features only a few photos. For an exhaustive set of photos, including the château exteriors & interiors (room by room), as well as all of the outbuildings, the grounds, and the surroundings, please open this link. As the link opens a new page, remember to keep this one open as well so that you can return.
Visit of Château Grounds
visit of château grounds
The carefully-landscaped grounds cover 7 hectares in a form that resembles a butterfly wing. The river Dême defines the northern border, and a tributary stream the western border. Two roads mark the other two borders. The property offers a natural spring and pond fed by the river.
By clicking on the map below (or on this link) you will open an interactive map directly in the Google Earth interface.
sales presentation
Download this presentation of the château and its location.
Includes price and cost information.
Sales presentaton
more about tocqueville
About Tocqueville
"Money can’t buy love,
but it can buy a legacy…
a legacy of love."
"If you faithfully pass down the heritage of a historic château, you will be enriched beyond any price. It will confer to you its inherent nobility.”
- Carsten Sprotte
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