Sick of neighbours? This island fortress is the ultimate escape

Off the coast of Ploumanac’h, France is a rocky island that is home to a stunning 19th-century castle. 

It was first built in the 1890s by a wealthy mathematician and inventor, Bruno Abdank-Abakanowicz. 

In its heyday, the castle was a meeting place for Polish artists and writers, including a Nobel Prize winner. 

Now, the Chȃteau de Costaérès – and the island it sits on – could be yours for $15.8 million. 

At high tide, the island can only be accessed via boat; but at low tide, it’s possible to walk across the 700-metre stretch of sand that connects the island to the mainland. 

You’re first met by a stone gatehouse that rises from the sandy beach. In the distance, the turrets and terraces of the chȃteau itself can be spied through the trees. 

Inside the castle are five spacious bedrooms, a kitchen, several bathrooms, and a neo-Gothic Knights’ Hall with an imposing fireplace. 

Despite the home’s historic roots, the facilities are surprisingly modern thanks to a 1980s renovation that connected the island to mainland electricity and water. 

Outside, the two-and-a-half acres of grounds are home to over 200 species of plants, and there are two sandy beaches to choose from. 

A heated in-ground swimming pool with massage jets offers stunning ocean views. 

The island is on the market for €9.5 million ($15.8 million) with Peter Bos and Ronan Pradeau from Bretagne Nord Sotheby’s International Realty. 

“Just 700 metres from the charming fishing village of Ploumanac’h, facing Brittany’s illustrious Pink Granite Coast, lies this lushly planted island,” the Sotheby’s listing says. 

“The preserved ancient elements, the beauty of the knights’ hall, the reception and banqueting room give the place a unique character.” 

The sale is a rare opportunity to buy one of the region’s most iconic local landmarks. 

Images of the island and its castle regularly appear on postcards and travel guides for the Côtes-d’Armor area.