Crossword Genius

French castle talk — by water there (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

chateau

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'french castle' is the definition.
('castle' in French)

'talk by water there' is the wordplay.
'talk' becomes 'chat' (I've seen this in other clues).
'by' is a charade indicator (letters next to each other).
'water there' becomes 'eau' (I have seen 'French water ' mean 'eau' so perhaps 'water' could also mean 'eau'. I am not sure about the 'there' bit.).
'chat'+'eau'='CHATEAU'

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(Other definitions for chateau that I've seen before include "Loire Valley attraction" , "Large country house in France" , "French county house" , "French wine producer" , "Country residence" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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