THE GUIDE CHÂTEAUX 2020


Alexandra Palace in Deux-Sèvres is considered to be a national treasure and sits in a particularly verdant corner of France


and chocolate tones – while restaurant Le Logis epitomises elegant French dining. www.logis-saint-martin.com/en


Château de Beauvois (Indre-et-Loire) If it’s pure Loire Valley refinement you’re looking for in your next château stay, Château de Beauvois has it in spades. With its impressive royal links – its 15th-century Renaissance tower was once King Louis XIII’s preferred destination for hunting trips – plus top-table gourmet and wine offerings, it is a must-visit for bon viveurs with a taste for the finer things in life. Just one example comes in the form of its magnificently stocked wine cellar, which houses over 50,000 of the rarest bottles. Ideal for accompanying your meal at the Louis XIII restaurant, where chef Régis Guilpain’s haute cuisine makes the very best uses of seasonal, local produce. Decor in the rooms and suites is suitably


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sophisticated, with a nod to royal traditions, with authentic beams and furniture dating back to the 17th century. www.beauvois.com/en


Alexandra Palace (Deux-Sèvres) Alexandra Palace, formerly known as Château du Petit Chêne, 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. It took three years of renovation work to get the castle-cum-hotel back into full working order and guests can now enjoy its new and improved interior. 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 département is an especially green patch of France, home to such treasures as the Marais Poitevin and ‘Green Venice’. www.younancollection.com/en


Château Le Prieuré started out a a place of prayer and meditation


Château Le Prieuré (Maine-et-Loire) With rows of beautiful chestnut trees leading up to its grand entrance, dreamy Château Le Prieuré lies in Chênehutte- Trèves-Cunault, sandwiched between Saumur and Angers. This 4-star castle hotel is positively brimming with refinement, and enjoys panoramic, fairy-tale views of the Loire River. The history of Château Le Prieuré dates back to the 10th century and the Benedictine monks who found the beauty and serenity of the area an ideal backdrop for their life of prayer. In the 19th century, along came the Count of Aubépin, followed at the turn of the 20th century by the Count of Castellane, both of


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IMAGES © ALEXANDRA PALACE; CHATEAU LE PRIEURÉ


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