Saint-Sauveur-en-Puisaye, Burgundy 89520

A historic pleasure palace from the Second Empire surrounded by a 40-hectare estate with 27 hectares of woods and an immense pond near the birthplace of the famous French author Colette. After having passed through several villages typical of the region, a small country road leads to the property's two entrances: the first is indicated by a small gate and a former caretaker's lodge, while the second, much more impressive, is marked by two large spiked wrought-iron double gates supported by four brick and stone pillars, while original guard stones run alongside the low briquette walls, which support the finely-crafted fence. The latter entrance faces a majestic pond thanks to the beauty of its banks and resident swans, a chivalric and romantic symbol if ever there was one.A little further on, a small drive provides access to a third wrought-iron gate, which opens onto a track that climbs upwards towards the property. Large oaks line the drive that leisurely passes by the outbuildings, followed by the fields where horses can be seen frolicking. A large semi-circular courtyard, where orange and palm trees stand side by side with Medici vases, faces the chateau overlooking its grounds, while a staircase in front of the chateau leads to a former orchard, decorated with an original stone fountain adorned by two cherubs. Lastly, hidden within the grounds' vegetation is a caretaker's cottage, located near an enclosed farmyard surrounded by outbuildings, in the centre of which is an ancient brick footbath for horses.