Crossword Genius

In this big house in France the cat has water (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

chateau

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'in this big house in france' is the definition.
The definition suggests a singular noun which matches the answer.

'cat has water' is the wordplay.
'cat has' becomes 'chat' (I am not sure about this - if you are sure you should give a lot more credence to this answer).
'water' becomes 'eau' (I have seen 'French water ' mean 'eau' so perhaps 'water' could also mean 'eau').
'chat'+'eau'='CHATEAU'

'the' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for chateau that I've seen before include "French country home" , "Large French country house" , "French castle or manor" , "country house in Bordeaux?" , "Loire Valley attraction" .)

I've seen this clue in the Sydney Morning Herald.
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