As you approach this sprawling Houston mansion, you could be forgiven for thinking you'd taken a wrong turn and ended up at the Palace of Versailles. Currently the most expensive home for sale in Texas, the palatial Château Carnarvon caused quite the stir when it first went on the market in 2014 for a record-breaking $43 million (£31m). Click and scroll on to see inside the pink château of Texas...

The neo-classical-style mansion has since returned to the market for the lower sum of $30 million (£21.6m) with Sotheby's International Realty, making it the most expensive completed residential listing in the state of Texas, only coming in second to this new build, which is still under construction.

Sitting in more than two acres of land in Memorial, one of Houston's wealthiest areas, Château Carnarvon was built back in 2012. Just a stone's throw away from the bustling city centre, the property offers dazzling views of Houston's distant skyline. 

The fairytale castle was bought by billionaire Ed Bosarge Jr. and his now-estranged wife Marie Taylor Bosarge in 2010 when it was still partially built. The couple, who previously owned 12 further properties around the world together, customised the new-build and embellished every space with the finest luxuries money could buy. 

Decked out in Versailles-inspired décor, the pink château is just as glamorous inside. The awe-inspiring entryway is reminiscent of a grand palace, with a 33-foot-high domed ceiling, floors inlaid with precious stones and a glittering chandelier, not to mention intricate sculptures. 

The château is full to the brim with period features, including reproduced heritage mouldings, antique wood panelling, white marble tiles and seven elaborately carved fireplaces. Offering 10 towering pillars and a domed ceiling that's been intricately painted, the East Gallery Hall gives a taste of the grandeur that's to come.

Far from a regular living room, the Versailles Room, which was modelled on the famous palace itself, boasts the finest of interior detailing. Sitting pride of place at the heart of the 27,000-square-foot mansion, the exquisite space features intricate mouldings and a grand marble fireplace. 

With a total of five kitchens, the grand home is perfect for foodies with plenty of space for live-in chefs to cater to your every whim. This kitchen boasts antique salon wall panels imported from a European château and a carved archway that leads through to the breakfast nook, which is framed by curtain-draped windows.

No mansion would be complete without a formal dining room, and this one is a thing of beauty. Once again the wall panels have been imported from a European château and the log fireplace boasts antique carving. With access to the garden through a set of French doors, it's the perfect place to host an extravagant dinner party in the warmer months.

This opulent staircase leads upstairs to the property's eight sumptuous bedrooms – it's the perfect backdrop for a Hollywood-worthy entrance, with its ornate wrought-iron banister, marble stairs and sweeping lines.

If you look up, the first-floor ceiling features a stunning stained glass dome, while the walls boast mirrored panels and decorative arched recesses, which are perfect for showing off the home's extensive art collection. 

Tucked away from the more formal hosting rooms, the home also boasts some of the most jaw-dropping amenities money can buy. This tiered movie theatre oozes luxury, with upholstered damask wall panels and an oval ornamental ceiling with spotlights. Elsewhere in the mansion, there's a gym, sunroom, four-car garage, and eight luxurious bathrooms for residents to enjoy. 

The surrounding gardens and façade of Château Carnarvon are nothing short of dreamy. The front of the house boasts a dramatic two-storey marble porch with carved detailing and fluted columns for the ultimate grand entrance. 

The estate's incredible billionaire backyard features soaring Italian Cypress trees and dramatic lighting, while the exquisite landscaping makes the two-and-a-half-acre gardens feel like they were plucked straight from the French countryside. 

Surrounded by low marble walls, a number of different gardens sit within the grounds, each impeccably designed with sweeping lawns, classically-inspired fountains and manicured trees. Just imagine walking around this stunning acreage as the sun sets in the evening...

Elsewhere, the private oasis also has a rear covered dining terrace with an African mahogany coffered ceiling, curving marble steps and glass French doors that lead back into the magnificent interiors. How's that for alfresco dining in style?

What lavish château would be complete without a spectacular swimming pool? A stone's throw from the main house sits this resort-style saltwater pool and spa, complete with a raised pool pavilion for kicking back and relaxing, which is flanked by idyllic gardens and regal topiary. Talk about living in the lap of luxury!

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