THE GUIDE CHÂTEAUX 2019


A vision of 19th-century grace, Château de Verrières is one of numerous castles and estates peppering Saumur and its surrounding areas


photos and watercolour illustrations, it calls to mind the old adage “a picture is worth a thousand words” (although we rather like words, too, if you hadn’t noticed). Comfort, calm and authenticity are at the core of life here, in this haven overlooking the Baie de Somme. Each bedroom is uniquely decorated so your surroundings feel highly personalised, and there’s plenty of space for bookworms to curl up with their nose in a novel. The owners recommend travelling around the bay en vélo and


familiarising yourself with the ports of Le Crotoy, Saint-Valery and Hourdel, or just settle down for dinner at the on-site restaurant for scrummy home-cooked dinners. www.chateaudenoyelles.com


148 ❘ FRANCE TODAY Apr/May 2019


Château de l’Histoire (Ariège) Standing in 100 acres of park, farm and woodland, Château de l’Histoire is a 19th-century jewel waiting to be unearthed by the nature lovers among you. Based in the rural Midi-Pyrénées, in the mountainous, valley- pocketed Ariège département, it’s just five minutes from the UNESCO-classified village of Saint-Lizier, one of France’s Plus Beaux Villages. The château itself has recently been renovated and offers light, spacious rooms with plenty of original details: high ceilings with intricate wooden details; ornate cornices; tall mosaic windows; impressive fireplaces. Don’t miss out on the favourite local pastimes, such as hiking, canoeing and horse riding. www.oliverstravels.com


Château des Arpentis (Indre-et-Loire)


Château des Arpentis is quite the looker. Ringed by a crystalline moat (which casts some eye-popping reflections in autumn) and boasting fanciful, fairy-tale towers, a stay here is guaranteed to tickle the imagination. The château resides in the humble village of Saint-Règle, an old fief of the Château d’Amboise (which is only a few kilometres away), in the middle of a 30-hectare park – so you won’t be left wanting for dreamy scenery. The accommodation is roomy, comfy and modern, and the communal lodge presents a space in which to unwind by the fireplace. As for the mornings – well, the folks at Arpentis know the importance of le petit dejeuner


and serve it in a large room on the ground floor, with French doors that open onto the terrace and, if the weather is nice, you can eat breakfast outdoors. Prices vary between €120 and €355, and breakfast is just €12 per person. www.chateaudesarpentis.com/en


Château des Vigiers (Dordogne) Dating back to the 16th century and set amidst the famous vineyards of this unspoiled region, Château des Vigiers is an internationally renowned luxury hotel, golf and spa resort situated in the heart of the Dordogne, in south-west France. For €125 a night, you can rest your head in one of the classic bedrooms set in the patio wing, situated on the first and ground floors. At the other


❯❯


IMAGE © CHÂTEAU DE VERRIÈRES


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20