Buying shares in French châteaux is possible!
Who has never dreamed of having their own château to themselves when thinking about the charm of these magnificent fortresses recounted in various stories? However, acquiring a château is not necessarily an easy thing, simply because these monuments often cost millions of euros to purchase and maintain. This is obviously not within everyone's reach.
Who has never dreamed of having their own château to themselves when thinking about the charm of these magnificent fortresses recounted in various stories? However, acquiring a château is not necessarily an easy thing, simply because these monuments often cost millions of euros to purchase and maintain. This is obviously not within everyone’s reach. Fortunately, there is a way forward, as an excellent solution exists: becoming a co-owner. Through this method, one can purchase a share in a château and enjoy all the benefits of co-ownership with other people.
Why embark on co-owning a château?
Generally, a château is purchased when it is seen to be in danger or not properly maintained by its current owner. Indeed, some châteaux are not listed and do not benefit from State protection, which means the owner has every right to demolish it if they wish. This would constitute a huge loss for history as well as lovers of old architecture. It is precisely towards these people that calls are often made to obtain their contribution in purchasing and maintaining the estate in order to protect it.
How co-ownership works
In this case, co-ownership is governed in the form of an association of the various owners of the building.
Membership
To access it, it is necessary to pay a certain amount online (generally less than a hundred euros) which corresponds to the price of the share one is going to buy. It is also possible to buy more than one share. Once the purchase is made, the new co-owner is registered with a number that allows them to become a member.
The community
The purchase is made in the form of a Simplified Share Company with all the regulations that go with it:
- The formation of a board of directors
- The holding of an annual general meeting
- Democratic decision-making
Who is behind the project?
It is difficult to proceed with purchasing a château by combining the money of thousands of internet users. Someone therefore needs to decide to initiate the project and successfully carry out the fund-raising for the purchase. There are two main promoters:
- The Dartagnans website
The Dartagnans website constitutes the online platform allowing co-owners or those who wish to become one to find out more about the progress of operations. Thanks to this, internet users will have no difficulty checking whether their money is being spent wisely.
- The Adopte un château association
This association works to protect and rescue châteaux across the country. It will make it possible to identify châteaux to purchase and make them known so that internet users become interested in them.
The co-owner’s entitlements
Buying a share in a château does not only mean that one owns a parcel of the estate, but that one has the right to enjoy it fully. One benefits notably from:
- A membership card.
- Priority access to the château.
A simple method that will allow you to own a piece of this French heritage and history that has inspired so many generations.
