Forget Australian house prices, buy a French chateau for less

House prices in Sydney and Melbourne are widely acknowledged as (insert expletive here) ridiculous.

In December 2016 the median house price in Sydney was $1,123,991, and $795,447 in Melbourne, according to the Domain house price report.

In Bellevue Hill, an eastern suburb of Sydney, the median house price was $4,112,500, which is equivalent to €2,944,869. That sum, as you’ll find with just a little research, will provide you with rather a lot more outside of our shores.

So goodbye tiny Melbourne weatherboard with no off-street parking, and hello historic French mansion with sprawling grounds. Let’s consider the possibilities of the European dream.

1. CHATEAU ORADOUR SAINT GENEST, LIMOUSIN – €749,000 or $1,045,976

The 7 bedroom Chateau Oradour Saint Genest, Limousin, France. On the market for just $1,045,976. Photo: PRESTIGEPROPERTY.CO.UK

Ascend the lavender lined path to this beautifully renovated chateau, built in 1871.

Decked out in a contemporary style, it offers 290 metres squared of living space in the chateau itself across seven bedrooms, plus a 110sqm loft-style converted barn.

The property also features a pool, ornamental pond, bread oven, parking for six cars, 35sqm industrial kitchen, oak floors, marble fireplaces, solar hot water system, pigeon house, two garages, and additional storage/outbuildings.

2. CHATEAU CARCASSONNE, AUDE, LANGUEDOC-ROUISSILLON – €750,000 or $1,047,372

Straight out of a fairytale, it’s the 12 bedroom Chateau Carcassonne. Photo: PRESTIGEPROPERTY.CO.UK

Attention wannabe Disney princesses, this one is for you. This baby pink 19th century chateau boasts 12 bedrooms across 600sqm in the main building, a tiled pool with cabana and bar, 55sqm orangerie, kitchen garden, and chapel, all amid 6889sqm of landscaped grounds.

3. CHATEAU RIBERAC, DORDOGNE, AQUITANE – €742,000 or $1,036,200

Run a weddings and events business from home or live in pure bliss and beauty at the Chateau Riberac in Aquitane for just $1,036,200. Photo: PRESTIGEPROPERTY.CO.UK

Built in 1870 in delightful Dordogne, the Chateau Riberac is situated in an extremely private setting on seven hectares of land, and accessed by its own private woodland drive.

Comfortably renovated, with eight ensuite bedrooms, you’d have more than enough room to have the family to stay. But if that’s still not enough, there are three additional buildings that could be converted to guesthouses.

With a charming spiral staircase, yoga studio and mature flowering garden, this mansion is pretty as a picture and just what you’d expect to gain by spending over a million dollars.

4. CHATEAU HAUTE VIENNE, LIMOUSIN – €848,000 or $1,184,229

Chateau Haute Vienne, once home to French royalty, it could be home to you for less than a place in Sydney. Photo: PRESTIGEPROPERTY.CO.UK

Set in 3.74 hectares of parkland, this historic home was built in 1174 and is one of the oldest castles in the area, dating back to the knights Templar. It’s also been home to the French royal family from time to time, hence the carved Fleur de Lis insignias you’ll notice around the place.

Mostly restored and fully liveable, the chateau boasts 17 bedrooms, plus a 13-bedroom coach house, chapel, menagerie, barn, stables, and various outbuildings. Climb one of the turrets to enjoy the 360 degree views of the countryside.

5. CHATEAU BRUNIQUEL, TARN, MIDI-PYRENEES – €910,000 or $1,270,812

Forget escaping street noise, Chateau Bruniquel has 38,103 metres squared of gardens and a landscaped maze for you to get lost in. Photo: PRESTIGEPROPERTY.CO.UK

Set in classical landscaped gardens complete with a maze, this 18th century chateau looks like something straight out of Jane Austen. Fittingly, there is a large ballroom that dominates the ground floor.

At 453sqm the mansion has 8 bedrooms, and rests on a plot of 38,103sqm. The home is renovated up into the attic, which is a large open space ideal for workshops, conferences, or an art studio.

6. CHATEAU AMBERIEU EN BUGEY, AIN, RHONE-ALPES – €890,000 or $1,242,882

Chateau Amberieu en Bugey, complete with Rapunzel tower and swimming pool for $1,242,882. Photo: PRESTIGEPROPERTY.CO.UK

Last but not least, set conveniently between Lyon and Geneva, this renovated 14th century mansion with an enormous 13th century tower sits on 7,500sqm of parkland.

The property has all the mod-cons for living comfortably, plus a “romantic swimming pool” and a huge, ancient sequoia tree in the gardens.

The main house offers 450sqm of modernised living space and 9 bedrooms, plus outbuildings and a 400sqm vaulted cellar.

The tower offers an additional three levels, spiral stairs and an original super-sized fireplace.