From central London to spa resort towns dating to medieval times, property agents are increasingly banking on Middle Eastern buyers.
And it does not matter whether the estates are brand new or require extensive renovation.
Up for sale is Le Domaine De Bassaraba in the Amphion village, a couple of minutes’ drive from the elite spa town of Evian les Baines in south-eastern France. Located on the shores of Lake Geneva in France, the property might look neglected and unloved but it comes with a price tag of €8 million (Dh38.63m).
Glossy brochures aimed at the Middle Eastern investor show a facade of peeling paint and wood work that requires extensive repair. But the faded pastel paint and spotty floors featured in one of the rooms overlook a breathtaking expanse of Lake Geneva and the mountains beyond.
Spread over 7,366 square metres, the main house itself covers 600 sq m, according to agents Knight Frank.
Extensive lawns and greenery block the view of neighbouring houses from the estate.
Covering four levels, including a basement, the house has eight bedrooms and two reception rooms but if renovated, there is enough space to make all eight bedrooms en suite according to the agent.
The estate also includes a park containing 100-year-old trees and a private jetty with a boat garage.
The property has a historic past and is associated with some colourful figures. In 1869, Wallachian Prince Grégoire Bassaraba de Brancovan purchased the property, then called Villa Irène as it was named after one of the daughters of its previous owner, Count Alexandre Colonna-Walewski. The count was rumoured to be the illegitimate son of Napoleon I.
Built in the Alpine style popular in spa towns in the 19th century, the Evian chalet once featured a balcony with a double B, the monogram of the Bassaraba de Brancovan.
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