REQUEST RESERVATION / ADDITIONAL INFO
Loire Valley Chateau 8265 OCRef#: 8265
Destination: Europe
Country/Island: France
Region: Loire Valley
Rating:
Bedrooms: 13
Bathrooms: 10
Sleeps: 26
Week Low: $16,000 - For Up To 14 Guests
Week High: $28,000 - For Up To 26 Guests
Holiday: $28,000
Pool: Pool
Tennis: Private Tennis Court
Staff: Maid & Pool/Grounds Maint.
PRINT
Email To A Friend
For privacy and security, Google Map is approximate only.
This gorgeous, stately and elegant property was constructed in the 17th and 18th centuries by the Marvailliere family, nobles of the region.
Later additions brought the chateau to its present size of 763m2 (8,200 sq. ft.) of living space distributed over three levels.
While retaining its period ambiance, the chateau has been recently restored with modern facilities throughout.
The chateau is situated on a terrain of 15 hectares (37 acres) that includes fields, gardens, and a five-hectare park which is arranged in a classic 18th-century French-style.
Hidden among the greenery some 70 meters from the chateau (a meter is about a yard) is a 6m X 12m (20' X 39.5') rectangular swimming pool that can be heated.
A stone wall more than two meters high insures privacy to those occupying the chateau or enjoying the grounds.
This beautiful property is well-situated for exploring the many chateaux, vineyards, medieval and Renaissance villages, and other historic sites of the strikingly beautiful Loire region of central France.
Within minutes to the south is La Brenne, an area of small lakes devoted to fishing and nature preserves. A fine golf course open to the public, complete with grill, restaurant, and clubs for rent, is located less than ten minutes away in the village of Villedieux.
A large equestrian center for the experienced rider lies within a five-minute drive. The quiet roads near the chateau are ideal for long walks or driving. A collection of bicycles of all sizes is available to visitors.
The chateau is easily accessible from Paris or other parts of France. The city of Tours, situated in the heart of the Loire Valley, can be reached by high-speed train (TGV) from Paris in 50 minutes. Tours has major rental car companies at the train station, and is a 92-kilometer drive from the chateau. Tours also links with EuroStar TGV service to Lille and London, and has an airport with limited service from Paris and London.
Alternatively, there is conventional train service from Paris and elsewhere in France to Chateauroux, a drive of 24 kilometers. Chateauroux is a bustling town of 55,000 inhabitants with a full range of shopping, dining and other amenities.
Once at the chateau, the charming village of Buzancais, less than four kilometers away, has bakeries, supermarkets, charcuteries and cafes, restaurants and a post office. Visitors will not want to miss the Friday morning open-air market, when farmers and other artisans set up their stalls in the town center.
The gates to the chateau open onto a formal garden courtyard (cour d'honneur) edged with roses and surrounded by a gravel driveway.
From the courtyard, the principal doorway opens to a spacious entry hall. The hall features a gracefully curved 18th-century stone staircase with a directory-style wrought-iron railing which leads up to the middle level where most of the public rooms are.
Adjacent at the ground level is a large coatroom and guest lavatory with two WCs. The other side of the entry hall leads to the informal dining room and kitchen complex described below.
The large formal living room has a commanding view of the park, with direct access through French-style doors and a cascading stone double-staircase to the lawn. Like the rest of the chateau, it is furnished with an eclectic mixture of antiques that captures another age while remaining an inviting place to relax. This room and the adjacent library have original (18th century) wood paneling, and many spots for reading, reflection, and conversation.
There are 2 dining rooms (1 formal with a beautiful painting on the ceiling). There are 3 salons (2 formal + 1 family room) + 1 library, each has a fire place.
Beyond the living room on one side are two bedrooms, a smaller drawing room with 16th-century English wood paneling and a fireplace, and an adjoining circular office.
Off the drawing room is a wet bar and a stairway leading to the flower gardens and pool area.
The Great Room - this is a large, two-storey games room with antique spiral stairs to mezzanine seating area. It is accessed via an independent staircase from the ground floor.
There is also a separate apartment on ground floor (both internal & external access) with living room, dining room, fully equipped kitchen, two double bedrooms, bathroom, WC.
From the central staircase in the opposite direction is a separate formal dining room with a striking Venetian glass chandelier, black and white original stone floor, fireplace and tall clerestory windows.
Another corridor leads to two other bedrooms, for a total of four bedrooms on this level, each with an ensuite bath. Each pair of bedrooms may be closed off from the rest of the chateau, and one pair, along with the den and office, comprises a substantial suite.
On the upper level are two large bedrooms, each with an ensuite bath. One is the master bedroom suite, which includes a dressing area.
Also on the upper level are two further bedrooms and a large playroom for children.
One of the bedrooms is situated in a circular tower and is especially charming.
The playroom, which is carpeted, has a single bed and three infant beds. These rooms share a large bathroom with double basins and a WC.
The kitchen complex on the ground floor is designed to complement the opulent but relaxed lifestyle that awaits guests at the Chateau. The informal dining room (seats eight) and pantries with a country kitchen equipped with top-of-the-line appliances to please the most demanding cook. This spacious, sunny room has exposed ceiling beams, stone tiled floors, Delft tile backsplashes, and other features from the past.
Beyond the kitchen is a charming family room with fireplace, furnished in the English style with double sofas and television.
Both the family room and kitchen open directly to the entrance courtyard. The kitchen and informal dining room each open in the other direction to a shaded terrace for warm weather dining at a weathered teakwood table that seats 12.
Kitchen appliances include a Gaggenau halogen stove with five burners and large oven, an additional oven and a separate built-in microwave oven. There are two dishwashers (one in the sunlit pantry), and an American-style two-door refrigerator. Other conveniences are a deep fryer and grill, double stainless-steel sink, countertop appliances, and a farm table that can seat up to eight for breakfast. For dining and entertaining there are several sets of dishes, with place settings for up to 24.
The laundry area on the ground floor has a washing machine, separate tumble dryer and ironing facilities.
Other features include many telephone jacks, permitting laptop users to reach the Internet from nearly anywhere in the Chateau, as well as a burglar alarm system, ample concealed parking, a powerful new central heating system, and VCRs that will play both European and American videos. A small but growing selection of books, games, and videos are available (the videos are primarily in French, and the books and games are primarily in English). Other videos can be rented in nearby Buzancais.
There is a new tennis court w/ rackets; a badmington set and a croquet set.
Reservation includes staff of maids, caretaker and pool grounds maintenance. A chef is available, along with any additional staffing at additional cost.
For more information or reservations, click here