THE GUIDE CHÂTEAUX 2020


Château de Terre Neuve has an illustrious history, beautiful grounds and endless charm


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! chateauduchampdebataille.com


Château de Terre Neuve (Vendée) We love a château whose illustrious history also reveals some artistic flair or creative residents along the way – and Château de Terre Neuve in Fontenay-le-Comte does just that. Built around 1590, for Nicolas Rapin, High Provost of the Constables of France and companion to Henry IV, this jewel of the French Renaissance was owned in the 19th century by the Marquis Octave de Rochebrune, who was


134 ❘ FRANCE TODAY Apr/May 2020


celebrated for his etchings – he produced 492 of them at Terre-Neuve. And between 1940 and 1943 the famous writer Georges Simenon lived in Terre Neuve, and wrote many novels. The château also reveals superb examples of sculptured stone


panelled ceilings and monumental fireplaces. chateau-terreneuve.com/en


WHERE TO STAY Château d’Olmet (Hérault) Head south to Occitanie for a sun-kissed retreat to revel in.


Escape from the modern world with a stay at Château des Arpentis


Olmet-et-Villecun is the location for Château d’Olmet, a luxury bed & breakfast (for adults only) which has recently been diligently, lovingly refurbished to reflect the history and charm of the building and location. The château has five individual guestrooms/suites decorated to a high standard (and all with air-conditioning – so vital come the height of summer), each with en-suite bathroom facilities, all-important towels for the pool area and spectacular views of the Parc Naturel Régional du Haut- Languedoc, plus Nespresso machine and kettle on request and free wifi and tablet. We love the Villecun guest room on the second floor that offers unrivalled views over the valley to the village of Villecun. If they can drag themselves out of ❯❯


IMAGES © CHATEAU DE TERRE NEUVE; CHATEAU DES ARPENTIS


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