Bespoke Residences by Michaelis Boyd Hit the Market in France’s Loire Valley
The 1,400-acre Les Bordes Estate recently launched a collection of 89 single-family homes within a UNESCO World Heritage Site
Tucked in France’s idyllic Loire Valley, just 90 minutes from Paris, Les Bordes Estate opened in 1987 on some 1,400 unspoiled acres within Sologne Forest, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Originally a members-only golf club, the sprawling property came under new ownership in 2018 and is now ready to unveil its next chapter. Noted design firm Michaelis Boyd has been tapped to conceive a collection of 89 bespoke single-family residences on the gated compound. The first of those dwellings, which are being called Cour du Baron, have now hit the market with prices ranging from $1.5 million to $6.5 million and above. Move-ins are slated to begin in late 2023.
Eighteen of the 21 phase one homes have already been reserved by golf club members, while the three remaining homes—as well as 24 phase-two dwellings—are now available in three distinct styles: traditional, contemporary, and classical. Regardless of architecture, however, each property offers buyers customized stone and timber options as well as curated furnishing packages. (Many have a pool option, as well.) Home sizes range from three to seven bedrooms and will always emphasize a connection to the natural world, with carefully considered outdoor living spaces that perfectly lend themselves to a relaxed country lifestyle.
“Contemporary homes like these are truly rare in France and in the Loire Valley region, where the luxury residential offering consists mainly of historic castles and estates,” said Les Bordes Estate CEO, Max Binda, in a statement. “At Cour du Baron, residents now have the unique opportunity to live in a stunning natural landscape and rich, historic culture while still having all the luxuries of a modern-day, fully gated residential community at their fingertips.”
Already among France’s leading golf destinations, Les Bordes is planning to offer new residents access to fishing lessons, biking and hiking trails, a white-sand beach on a lake, and an equestrian center as well as a go-kart track and petting zoo for kids. Residents can also become golf club members to access to the existing courses and the Clubhouse Bar, the glam interiors of which feature the original limestone flooring and fireplace.
Notably, Six Senses is set to transform the property’s 19th century ‘Chateau Bel Air’ into an 88-key luxury hotel and spa, while the Les Bordes Golf Club recently opened its highly anticipated second 18-hole course by golf architect Gil Hanse. Ultimately though, the ambitious vision for the project includes a bustling town square lined with restaurants, shops, a farmer’s market—plus an amphitheater anchored by the estate’s restored 13th-century priory.