A 12th Century castle with 21st century luxury Comprehensively restored throughout, this wonderful Château Fortress provides a luxurious and exceptional level of 21st Century comfort, it is without doubt one of France's most noted and treasured monuments. The Château sits on a very old site dating back to the 12th Century, it suffered enormously during the 100 years war (1337-1453) and was rebuilt several times. Most of its current from was built in the 16th century, between 1533 and 1558 by Gabriel 1st Foucould, whose coat of arms and those of his wife Francoise de Villelume, are carved into the keystones of the staircase hall on the ground floor. For over 600 years the Château Fortress defended the Foucauld family seat - a Protestant, noble Clan, Companions-at-Arms with Jean D'Arc. In October 1605 King Henry IV stayed at the Château, in the room now known as 'The Kings' Suite' - he trusted and bore great friendship to the Foucauld family. Surrounded by its own water system that certainly predates the Château’s construction and thought to date back to Roman times. These same strong water sources feeds three lakes and finally cascade into a fish-stocked moat surrounding and protecting the Château. On entering the stone Gatehouse, the drive winds its way through a glade of exotic and mature trees and shrubs. There, with its shimmering slate roof glistening in the late afternoon sun, one sees for the first time the stately home of one of the many powerful, warrior families of medieval France. Worn from centuries of conflict, a bridge across the moat and a remotely operated wooden drawbridge permits limited access to the inner sanctum of the Château - total seclusion ensured at the touch of a button. During the recent refurbishment, no rebuilding took place, simply a full restoration of the remaining 16th and 19th Century buildings - where before, there were a number of tiny dark rooms, now there are a small number of spacious and comfortable living areas, here, modernity co-exists with architectural elements that have evolved over five centuries, providing all the creature comforts one would expect: luxurious bedroom suites / apartments incorporate exquisite Carrera marble bathrooms built by Italian craftsmen, and the finest Philippe Starck sanitary ware. Polished oak floors conceal start-of-the-art plumbing and electrics - there can be few historic Châteaux more habitable, than this beautiful home in the Creuse.