Domaine de Ballerand, France
Marval, France
2004–2014
4,215 sqm + 180 ha of land
Completed
Private
Castle, manor house and stables as guest wing, vintage car garage as island, helipad, lakes, bridge, park, golf course
Domaine de Ballerand: a castle of superlatives
The estate Domaine Château de Ballerand is located in Marval, 70 km south of Limoges in central France. First mentioned in the middle of the 15th century, this 230-hectare property includes not only one of the former hunting lodges of the Sun King Louis XIV, but also parks, wooded areas, some lakes, a private hunting ground and two quarries.
The estate of the current owners, who have moved their permanent residence to Ballerand, was not under monument protection and was ready for changes. What Kehrbaum Architekten initially found was a castle on a silted lake, completely hidden behind trees and bushes. However, the owners of the castle wanted a representative, “open” castle to live and entertain in.
»Based on a master plan, areas for agriculture, a park, a golf course and 7 restored lakes were developed.«
Along the course of the stream, a flower path over 1 km long was laid out, mixed with shoulder-high grasses. The former farm wing was designed as a long stables building, the area between the castle and the farm buildings was developed as a fairground with water feature. The castle, formerly situated on a peninsula, was upgraded to a moated castle by blasting. Furthermore, an underground car park for the private car collection of the owner was built on the castle island. The little sister island was developed as a helipad.
Domaine de Ballerand is now the largest foreign-owned property in the country. It was developed at enormous expense and now represents an increase in value for the entire region.
