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Builders demolish historic French mansion 'by mistake'

Bungling builders have accidentally demolished an historic 18th Century chateau in Bordeaux by mistake.

Russian businessman and owner Dmitry Stroskin said he was shocked after only asking the Polish builders to demolish an outhouse, reports the BBC.

Chateau de Bellevue, in its former glory, boasted 13,000 square metres of reception rooms, grand hall, sweeping marble staircases and ornate balconies and fireplaces.

It was due to be renovated and and Mr Stroskin had hired the builders to restore the mansion to its former glory – and destroy a small outhouse.

However, the workers apparently misunderstood the instruction and mixed up the houses - instead pulling down the mansion, rather than the outhouse.

Residents of the small village of Yvrac are understood to be furious and former owner Juliette Marmie told Associated Press: ‘The Chateau de Bellevue was Yvrac's pride and joy, the whole village is in shock.

“How can this construction firm make such a mistake?"

Mr Stroskin has told local media: “I didn't know the chateau had been destroyed, I'm in shock. Even if it was in a very bad state, I had wanted to renovate it.”