See inside: Henry IV’s French hunting lodge for sale

Good King Henry, King Henry IV, was the King of France from 1589 to 1600, and was the first monarch from the House of Bourbon. He was born in Pau in 1553 and was once married to Catherine de Medici’s daughter, a pairing that contributed to the St Bartholomew Day massacre due to Henry himself being a Protestant.

Now, one of the places Henry IV regularly visited for hunting weekends has come up for sale in the heart of the Limousin in Bessines-sur-Gartempe, this generous 16th-century mange house is currently used as a hotel and restaurant business.

It benefits from a centralised location, just minutes from the A20 that links Chateauroux and Limoges. It’s also conveniently located near to the popular leisure lake of St-Pardoux. The hotel offers 12 bedrooms in addition to staff bedrooms and a three-bedroom apartment for the owners. There is also a caretaker’s cottage that is in need of renovation

There are three dining rooms, each offering different options from breakfast to fine dining. The commercial kitchen is also in very good condition, and perfect for serving up a feast fit for kings. For a more relaxed option visitors can enjoy the bar or head out to the terrace to enjoy their apéro.

The property has retained many of its original character features including granite open fireplaces and wooden beams. Subject to permission, some of the 1.5 hectares of land could make for a campsite, while the property could also be a wedding venue. In true hunting-lodge style, horses can be kept in the stables and paddocks.

This historical hunting lodge has much to offer and is on the market for €500,000 with Cendrillon Immobilier