THE GUIDE CHÂTEAUX 2022


Château de Tocqueville (La Manche)


The elegant 15th-century Domaine des Bidaudières is in the heart of the Vouvray vineyards in the Loire Valley


rooms on offer, each one named after a local vineyard. On one side are views over the estate grounds and lake; on the other is the swimming pool terrace. www.bidaudieres.com


Au Château (All regions)


This online agency features 65 or so different châteaux dotted across France. “Share in the charm and ambiance of stately manor houses, medieval castles, Renaissance châteaux and aristocratic family homes,” they say. “We offer a wide selection of properties, from unique small castles and country manors offering understated elegance to opulent and stylishly- decorated luxury châteaux.” Rather conveniently, you can search for a château to stay in using preferences ranging from art classes, French lessons, dance courses and wine tasting to swimming pools, tennis courts, horse riding and spas. You can even opt for helicopter landing facilities, should that happen to be a requirement. www.au-château.com


Château de Vigiers (Dordogne)


This lovely 16th-century château, just half an hour’s


144 ❘ FRANCE TODAY Jun/Jul 2022


drive from Bergerac airport, has been converted into a four-star hotel, complete with a 27-hole golf course, a spa, two heated outdoor swimming pools, an indoor swimming pool and two restaurants, one of which – Les Fresques – boasts a Michelin star. “This gourmet restaurant is classic, intimate and elegant,” says the Michelin Guide. “It prides itself on fine, meticulous cuisine, excellent ingredients (truffles in season) and local wines. These start with those from the estate’s own vineyard.” vigiers.com


Château de Monfréville (Calvados) “Whether it’s sitting around a campfire toasting marshmallows, gazing at the star-drenched skies, eating oysters, having a dip in the glorious swimming pool, or tasting cider and calvados, Château de


Monfréville is the perfect retreat to relax.” So say Perrine and Thibault, the owners of this small but perfectly formed Norman château. Unfortunately you can’t stay in the château itself, but there are two adjoining cottages and a lovely campsite, which more than make up for it. www.chateaumonfreville.com


Château des Arpentis (Indre-et-Loire)


Standing majestically amid 30 hectares of parkland, the Château des Arpentis – a neo-Gothic structure with 14th-century origins – offers 13 rooms and apartments, all decorated with murals and tapestries. Breakfast is served on the ground floor, or out on the terrace during the warmer months. In front of the château is a lawn and elegant swimming pool, accessed via a tunnel. Beyond that is the lake and lush woodland. www.chateaudesarpentis.com/en


Château de Césarges (Isère)


Château de Césarges, just half an hour from Lyon, was fully renovated in 2018 with chic modern decor and soft furnishings. Its rural setting is charming too. Wander the seven hectares of parkland at dusk or dawn and you might spot deer and pheasants milling around. The château offers a large reception room of 170m2


that


can be separated into three rooms, making it popular for weddings and business seminars. There are also multiple bedrooms available. www.chateau-cesarges.com


Once home of the noted diplomat and political philosopher Alexis de Tocqueville, this Norman château combines a mix of 16th, 18th and 19th century architectural styles. Nowadays it is owned by the Count and Countess de Tocqueville d’Hérouville. If you yourself fancy playing the aristocrat, you can rent the very impressive tower wing, on the south side of the château (from €600 a night). Recently renovated with all modern comforts, it is spread across four floors, sleeps up to ten guests, and offers sea views. Outside are 14 acres of handsome parkland designed in 1836 by Tocqueville’s English wife, Mary Motley. www.chateaudetocqueville.com


Château D’Ortaffa (Pyrénées-Orientales) In France’s most south-westerly corner, near Perpignan and picturesque Collioure, you’ll find the lovely Château d’Ortaffa. This former episcopal palace, with origins dating back to the 12th century, is run by hosts Michelle and Alain. There are four guest rooms, all benefiting from the glorious light in this region of France. Enjoy a leisurely breakfast on the large terrace overlooking the village of Ortaffa. www.chateau-ortaffa.com/en


Château Carbonneau (Gironde) Here’s your chance to enjoy luxury bed and breakfast in the heart of the vineyards of Gironde. Château Carbonneau was built around 1860 and now offers five guest rooms. The style is a blend of French family antiques and fresh country charm, with each room overlooking the two hectares of parkland and vineyard. Naturally, no stay here among the vines is complete without a tasting of the family wine. There’s also a swimming pool. www.chateau-carbonneau.com FT


IMAGE © WWW.BIDAUDIERES.COM


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