CHÂTEAUX 2019 THE GUIDE


You’ll get your fill of Gothic design at Château d’Hattonchâtel, an ancient castle with roots in the 9th century


end of the spectrum, the prestige suite costs €380 per night, and you get plenty of bang for your buck: the suites are decked out with a magnificent four-poster bed, stone walls and ancient beams, a bathroom with a standalone bath tub and shower, and a terrace with fantastic views over the parkland, 27-hole golf course and vignobles beyond. Conveniently located just 25 minutes from Bergerac Airport, and about an hour east of Bordeaux, there’s plenty to see and do; not least of all Dordogne’s prehistoric sites, wine estates and other regional châteaux. After all that excitement, Vigiers offers a spa with hydrotherapy pool, sauna, heated outdoor pool and Jacuzzi to help you slip into bliss. www.vigiers.com


Château de Verrières (Maine-et-Loire) In the Loire Valley, take your time to discover and relax at the Château de Verrières, a five-star hotel with a private mansion atmosphere, and containing authentic decoration and period furniture. The friendly and knowledgeable owners are sure to make your stay a memorable one. Discover this family-sized château’s ten lovely bedrooms, surrounded by a four-acre park in the midst of Saumur, famous for its wines and châteaux. Built in 1896 by Madame Baillou de la Brosse in the district of La Marmaillette, Verrières was designed under Napoleon III and still exudes the elegance of the 19th-century lifestyle. In the upstairs rooms, you can gaze from the huge windows at the park and cavalry school. Relax


as you take a walk in the vast park before tasting a Crémant de Loire under the linden trees…bliss! www.chateau-verrieres.com


Château d’Hattonchâtel (Meuse)


Perched up high, overlooking the Woüvre Valley, Château d’Hattonchâtel stands proud with its gables, tall chimneys and pointed towers. It boasts a magnificent dining hall, La Salle de Burgraves, so fabulous it’s won listed status. Thousands of visitors flock to the castle every year to see the castle’s pure Gothic style: room after room of original stone pillars, with church-style windows casting natural light. The rich tapestries and original Louise Cottin paintings help to soften the stone walls. At the far end of the


magnificent dining room is a large open fireplace which beckons you to the relaxing sofas for a fireside nightcap. Incredibly, the castle was first built as early as the 9th century and has a wealth of history hidden within the walls. Come and discover it for yourself! www.hattonchatelchateau.com


Château du Romerel (Somme) The Château du Romerel is exquisitely proportioned with framed gardens, a large wooded park and orchard on the edge of the bay of the Somme, just a short mosey away from the hustle and bustle of Saint-Valery. Nestled in a four-hectare park, the Château du Romerel welcomes guests all year round with its five bedrooms personifying refinement and boasting peerless views. The


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IMAGE © CHÂTEAU D’HATTONCHÂTEL


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