THE GUIDE CHÂTEAUX 2019


Lose yourself in the magnificent gardens at the Château de Villandry, no matter what time of year


once the shelter for legendary sculptors Camille Claudel and Auguste Rodin to conceal their tempestuous love affair in around 1890. Come and discover this juicy slice of history for yourself, meander through its furnished floors, hire a boat or keep the little ones entertained with a game of dress-up. For a more leisurely visit, why not borrow some binoculars to birdwatch, or picnic beside the river? Just as Claudel and Rodin may have once done in secret… www.chateaudelislette.fr/en


Château de Villandry (Indre-et-Loire)


Above all else, the Château de Villandry is famed for its gardens, a meticulous network of tidy box hedges, fragrant herbs and vibrant flowers.


144 ❘ FRANCE TODAY Apr/May 2019


Smartly planted, les jardins offer a sumptuous feast of colour all year round thanks to their seasonal plants and veg – in autumn, hues of orange, red and purple prevail; in the height of summer, dazzling green and hot pinks. Most visitors come to admire the grounds, but the interior is also a sight for sore eyes, with gorgeous Renaissance décor and rooms laid out to stir the imagination about life in the 16th century. For a truly spectacular memory, don’t miss out on the Nuits des Mille Feux held on July 5-6 and August 2-3, when the château and gardens are illuminated by candlelight. www.chateauvillandry.fr/en


Château du Champ de Bataille (Eure)


This time we head to the bucolic Eure département in Normandy


for a castle with a difference. An enormous estate with a whiff of Versailles about it (there are rumours that one of Versailles’s own architects, Le Vau, dabbled in the structure here), Château du Champ de Bataille is a Baroque masterpiece boasting a staggering 90 acres of gardens and a restored interior of palatial proportions. The furniture – many of which is original Ancien Régime – and fittings are sumptuous, and it’s easy to while away the better part of a day meandering through the rooms and hallways drinking it all in, let alone setting foot outside! Savvy travellers can time their visit wisely: the gardens have just reopened and the castle’s apartments are due to reopen from April 20.


chateauduchampdebataille.com


WHERE TO STAY Alexandra Palace (Deux-Sèvres) 2019 is a huge year for Alexandra Palace, formerly known as Château du Petit Chêne. This vast estate is nothing short of a national treasure, bearing Monument Historique status. In 2016 it suffered devastating fire damage and was forced to close its doors. Now, after three years of renovation work, the reformed castle-cum-hotel is ready to welcome guests to its new and improved interior, so there’s no better time to book your stay! As well as the fresh, luxurious feel that comes with a major refurbishment, guests can look forward to making good use of its renowned 18-hole golf course, 160 acres of unspoiled woodland, spa and wine cellar. Plus, the Deux-Sèvres


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