Behind the classic 17th-century façade of this splendid château lies a history spanning hundreds of years of empires and world wars.

The château has 60 rooms and stands in 13 acres of grounds, on the edge of Pleurs, a village in the Champagne region. It is on the market for €1.2 million (£1.06 million) but the owner would be happy to sell for €900,000.

A Roman fortress first stood on the site - the current owner has found Roman coins in the garden - but the original castle was given a total makeover in the 17th century, when the family of barons who owned it was promoted to marquis by Louis XIV. The family decided to create a home to match its new status. The fortress was demolished and its stones used to construct a home complimenting the ostentatious tastes of the time.

During the Franco-Prussian War (1870-71) parts of the estate were used as a jail: scratched into the walls are names, dates and remarks from prisoners. During the Second World War German soldiers occupied the château. Their graffiti can be found on the carriage houses in the grounds, where they also added artwork in charcoal, including some erotic drawings of women, to the walls.

The château is a 15-minute drive from Sézanne and 75 miles east of Paris. Spread over five floors, it has 18 en suite bedrooms, two main staircases, five reception rooms, store rooms, kitchens, vaulted cellars and a lift. There are 13 acres of grounds, with a castle moat, a river with trout and perch, a sheep park (sheep included in the sale), a tennis court and a swimming pool.

There are also two pavilions, two carriage houses, a gate lodge, a workshop and one of the largest and prettiest dovecotes in France, with 1,800 nesting holes. Some outbuildings need renovating; that could add €1 million to the price.

Savills 020-7016 3811, savills.com

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