The most expensive house sale in the world? Former French chateau that once ... trends now
A French château once owned by the King of Morocco has been put up for sale for a whopping £363million - a price tag that would make it one of the world's most expensive private residences.
The sprawling Château d'Armainvilliers, located in Seine-et-Marne on the outskirts of Paris, is a true sight to behold.
Constructed in the late 19th century upon the foundations of a 12th century castle, it was owned by the Rothschild banking empire before being acquired by Morocco's King Hassan II in the 1980s.
Since then, the Moroccan monarch is believed to have made a battery of renovations and improvements to the huge mansion, which boasts more than 100 rooms, 2500 square metres of living space, 1000 hectares of land and a private lake, among many other decadent features.
Hassan II's son sold the property following his father's death to an undisclosed buyer in the Middle East in 2008 - and now it has returned to the market for a stunning €425million.
Ignace Meuwissen, a self-described 'real advisor to the global elite' who is managing the sale, said the estate embodies 'opulence and grandeur'.
But it remains to be seen whether potential buyers will meet the astronomical asking price after French real estate experts described it as 'absurd' and drastically inflated.
The sprawling Château d'Armainvilliers, located in Seine-et-Marne on the outskirts of Paris, is a true sight to behold
Constructed in the late 19th century upon the foundations of a 12th century castle, it was owned by the Rothschild banking empire before being acquired by Morocco's King Hassan II in the 1980s
The château, nestled in the countryside less than 20 miles from the heart of the French capital, is undoubtedly fit for royalty.
Besides the enormous living space, the massive property is replete with luxurious upgrades made by the Moroccan monarch.
It is said to include a hammam spa, beauty and hairdressing salon, and a fully-equipped medical and dental facility so the King and his family could receive top quality care in the comfort of their own home.
The interior has been painstakingly decorated with classic Moroccan mosaics and wall tiles, and there is also a set of stables large enough to house 50 horses - more than adequate for any equine enthusiast.
But perhaps the most decadent addition made by the King is found underground.
Underneath the
