<a href="http://www.immobestinternational.com/web/ibi/225-le-chateau-de-vigny-grandiosite-et-romantisme.php">Chateau de Vigny</a> in Val d'Oise, France. Located about 55 kilometres from Paris, this fairytale-worthy estate dates to 1504 and once featured in a Rihanna music video. The castle and its chapel may need some serious TLC but with eight houses on the adjoining land, there are plenty of charming living options. The property is priced at about $7.8 million. Photo: Sebastien Lory
If you don't have millions to splurge on a whole castle of your own, you may wish to consider a one-bedroom apartment within Scotland's <a href="https://www.smithsgore.co.uk/property-for-sale-Pencaitland-24449812">Saltoun Hall </a> outside Edinburgh. 32 acres really up the ante on the regular apartment block 'communal garden' concept. The flat is selling for about $440,000.
Within a half hour drive of Pisa and a little further from Florence, this fabulous Tuscan castle's asking price has been recently reduced to $17.5 million. Renovated four times in its history - in 1700, 1830, 1875 by the architect Bellincioni who favoured this castle-shaped design, and again more recently - the three-storey villa comes with annexed farm and stables. The castle consists 20 apartments and 6 ensuite bedrooms. Your money will also secure paddocks, parkland and gardens and a swimming pool.
<a href="http://www.castle-forsale.com/castle-for-sale-france.html#.VPaOdPmUd8E">Montburn Castle</a> dates to the 12th century, restored to very high standards and rumoured to be where Richard the Lionheart passed away after receiving a fatal injury from an arrow during battle. History buffs, can I get an allelujah?! The castle comes with a golf course, five lakes and a heliport, spread over more than 400 acres and will cost you $29.32 million (but the price is negotiable!).
This <a href=" http://search.savills.com/property-detail/gblaixlai120071">French chateau</a> in Cognac will set you back about $3.7 million and boasts 10 bedrooms, 42 sweeping acres of parkland and its own river frontage. Thankfully, you can put all your staff up in the neighbouring cottage, apartment and office.
<a href="http://www.leggettprestige.com/french-property-for-sale/view/19062HB73/house-for-sale-in-saint-pierre-de-l-albigny-savoie-french-alps-france">This stone chateau </a> with twin turrets and Mont Blanc views currently puts its 10 ensuite bedrooms to good use as a wedding venue. With a stream and natural 'swimming pool' it is quite the romantic package, one that'll cost you $5.4 million.
Feeling more virtual world than olde worlde, <a href="http://www.estately.com/listings/info/450-brickyard-rd">this US property</a> in the state of Connecticut took seven years to construct and has stone walls, towers, and even a moat. The price has been slashed from $58 million to a very reasonable $50 million since it hit the market last year.
If you're pining for something older and, well, more Scottish, <a href="http://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-30378471.html">Craigcrook Castle</a> could be the $8.6-million ticket. Dating to the 16th century, the castle sits on four acres of land outside Edinburgh.
Clearly, France is the place to go castle shopping and here's another grand affair. This <a href="http://www.prestigeproperty.co.uk/property/175437/French-Chateau-Gironde-33-France/">10-bedroom chateau</a> in the south-west of the country is on the market for about $6.4 million and enjoys far-reaching views over neighbouring vines and the Gironde estuary. The chateau, plus a cottage, separate workshop, heated swimming pool and large park-like grounds sit safe and sound behind grand gates.
Okay, so it's not Europe and it's not centuries old but Australia's cure for castle-envy can be found at <a href="http://www.domain.com.au/property/for-sale/apartment-unit-flat/vic/portsea/?adid=2011307489">10 Armytage Drive</a>, Portsea in Victoria. Offers over $1 million to be considered.
