* A feudal estate: This is the closest equivalent to the English meaning of "fief," referring to land granted by a lord to a vassal in exchange for service.
* A hereditary estate: While it implies a feudal relationship, it can also refer to any inherited property, especially one with historical significance or grandeur.
It's important to note that the term "fief" is not as commonly used in modern French as it is in English. The more common terms to describe a feudal estate would be "domaine seigneurial" or "territoire féodal."
Therefore, while "fief" is technically the French word for "fief," it's less prevalent and often carries a broader meaning than its English counterpart.