The Château de Fayolle looms large among the lush greenery that covers the rolling hillsides of the Dordogne region in France. The chateau is steeped in history, and it's now for sale. New owners will be delighted to discover some of the secrets the castle has to offer. But it also has a curious quirk that sets it apart from other castles in the region. See if you can guess what it is.

Though the château as it stands today dates back to the 1740s, the Fayolle family have owned and used the land for over 900 years. Indeed the first building here – the Demeurie la Fayolle – was constructed in 1143 and it was upon these foundations the château was built.

Visitors make their way down a long tree-lined driveway up to the main building, an imposing edifice of golden sandstone and dark slated roofs. The château has remained relatively untouched since its construction over 250 years ago, and the Fayolle family have worked hard to maintain it in all its glory.

Stepping inside in the summer will afford visitors some relief from the scorching Dordogne sun. The marbled entrance hall is tastefully appointed with its double height ceilings and the magnificent staircase leading into the bowels of the castle.

The wall decor in the main hall are relics of the château's history as a hunting lodge. Trophies and bugles collected over centuries of shooting parties – but also a reminder that the Fayolle has always had entertainment at its heart, as we will discover.

Entertaining illustrious guests has always been a huge part of Fayolle's history. After la chasse, or the hunt, guests would be treated to magnificent meals in the banqueting room. Remarkably this is the original table from the 18th century, and it's complete with original instructions on how to extend or shorten it, depending on the number of diners, and care for the wood.

The Fayolle family has owned the château and land for over 900 years, and have taken great pride in the castle. At its heart of the ground floor is the salon, adorned with beautifully panelled walls and double doors that lead to the other rooms in this floor. French windows open out on to the balcony, the perfect spot to admire the landscape.

Murals of cherubs dancing and playing musical instruments adorn the walls of this room, once again reminding visitors of the joyful essence of Fayolle. There are more hints at this entertaining past peppered around the house.

The furniture and appointments are often museum-grande antiques. A number of bespoke 19th-century tapestries, especially commissioned to depict life at Fayolle, line the walls and the upholstery on the Bergère chairs.

The property boasts 25 full bedrooms and six bathrooms. Madame la Fayolle, the owner, is an only child and the last direct descendant of the family and is proud to pass on the nine-century family history held within the walls of the château to its new owners.

Many of the rooms are covered in more bespoke tapestries – originally these would have been hung to help insulate the rooms and keep the château warm in the winters. Today they are prized antiques and can fetch many thousands of dollars at auction, depending on quality and condition.

Of the 25 bedrooms, this one is said to be Madame la Fayolle's favourite. It overlooks the courtyard, but it's the exquisite Chinoiserie wallpaper specifically created for this chamber in 1800 that makes it special. This style of wallpaper is designed to copy Asian artistry, and was extremely popular in the early 1800s. This specific one is so unique it was detached and sent to New York for exhibition at the Metropolitan Museum of Art before being returned and rehung.

With a large kitchen, extensive cellars and subterranean passages at basement level, other rooms on the ground floor lead from one enchanting doorway to another. The whole château is riddled with surprises, like this fresco concealed in a passageway.

The la Fayolle family lived in the property until recently, and the château and grounds are professionally managed by a team of keepers. Because of so many historic panels, wallpapers and antique furniture it takes special care to maintain the castle's quirks and charms.

The library is one of the crowning jewels of the property. Home to many thousands of books, many of them valuable antiques in themselves, it is topped by a unique marquetry-style wooden ceiling. This type of woodwork involves inlaying patterns in different types of wood. This particular one was actually brought here from another of the la Fayolle's family properties.

Madame la Fayolle is selling all the surrounding lands as well as the château. That will mean that new owners will be able to preserve the immaculate views of rolling country hills. The property itself is studded with large windows, bring the outside greenery and light into each room.

The back of the château is enveloped by a large sandstone veranda from which the owners can survey their land. This is where the hunting parties would have arrived to survey their spoils before moving inside for a feast and a party.

The lands surrounding Fayolle sprawl over 5,300,000 square metres, so it's no surprise that there are many out buildings dotted around. This is an old barn, and its charming sandstone exterior and large size make it a great opportunity for conversion.

The beautiful stone walls and the high beamed ceilings mean that this space would not require that much work to be transformed into a rustic guest house.

As a former hunting lodge, and because of its sprawling grounds, Fayolle is a wonderful place to keep horses. The family has recently built a brand new state-of-the-art stables, which sits comfortably hidden behind the historic buildings.

The new stable block is complete with 17 loose boxes, a groom's apartment and large barn.

It's the château's magnificent interiors that will win the hearts of the new buyers. Madame la Fayolle has maintained a charming museum room dedicated to the château's rich history and heritage.

The heart of the Château la Fayolle is without question this unexpected jewel: a complete 18th-century theatre. It was originally designed as yet another bit of entertainment for guests and visitors, most recently the theatre has taken centre stage in the family's wedding celebrations!

Though the theatre is an unexpected jewel in itself, it is also beautifully crafted in the opulent style of the 1740s when it was built. Complete with hand-painted panels and adornments, it is a small but magnificent stage. The border and decorative sun are coated in gold leaf, as was the fashion of the time.

The backdrop of the stage is a superbly painted series of panels. Its stage setting includes a trompe l'oeil centrepiece of some of the formal gardens which once surrounded Fayolle. This type of painting is typical of the 18th century, and is meant to create a 3D illusion, and would have helped provide perspective to the backdrop of the theatre.

Though the Château la Fayolle is on the market for a hefty €13.5 million ($16 million/£12 million), it is one of only a handful of properties that includes a complete theatre hidden inside. Its 12 acres of land, as well as the beautiful countryside and immaculate upkeep of the château itself means it will make a new buyers very happy indeed, despite the price tag! Interested? Find more about the Château la Fayolle and how it could be yours by visiting Legget Immobilier.