CHÂTEAUX 2019 THE GUIDE


A long drive leads up to Domaine de Pouzelande… but that just builds the excitement, don’t you think?


lovingly restored to its former glory and, although it retains its 18th-century essence, the château benefits from plenty of modern amenities. The wonderful, fully enclosed landscape embraces 17 hectares of mature parkland, elegant formal gardens, orchards, streams and an exciting range of sporting facilities including squash, tennis and basketball, a large swimming pool and a fully-equipped gym. www.oliverstravels.com


Domaine de Pouzelande (Dordogne)


A small but perfectly formed château in the heart of Périgord, it serves as a bed and breakfast with a choice of four attractive suites. We recommend the Aliénor, which comes with a large roof terrace ideal for catching the sun and enjoying


your breakfast of classic flaky French pastries and juice. The grounds are truly breathtaking, and in any season you’ll be spoilt with a landscape painted by seasonal flowers and trees – nature lovers will be in heaven. Nearby are several golf courses, including Lolivarie Golf Club, Golf de la Marterie and Golf de


Périgueux. Plus, there’s canoeing, Le Conquil activity park, Bovetti Chocolate Museum, Le Musée du Chai de Lardimalie, Le Bournat and a wealth of other outdoor attractions for the whole family to enjoy. www.gites-chambres-hote- dordogne.com/en


Domaine des Bidaudières (Indre-et-Loire)


Going deeper underground at Domaine des Bidaudières


Situated in a 37-acre terraced park, Le Domaine des Bidaudières is an elegant 15th-century property, entirely renovated in 1996, in the epicentre of the Vouvray vineyards. The guest rooms, reached via a magnificent stone staircase, are all individually decorated and comfortably furnished with air conditioning and offer panoramic views of the surrounding countryside. Alternatively, rooms may be reached by the lift which also provides access to the swimming pool. With its many troglodyte caves and wine cellars, this is an excellent region for wine-tasting. The rooms, each named after one of the Vouvray vineyards, have a view over the pond and the grounds of the estate on one


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IMAGES © DOMAINE DE POUZELANDE, DOMAINE DES BIDAUDIERES


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