The château life is yours
Share the everyday life of the owners of a château in the Loire Valley, have brunch looking out over the grounds, make the most of stunning surroundings to enjoy a leisure pursuit or hire a monument and have it all to yourself for a weekend. Leave your everyday life behind and step into someone else’s shoes. From now on, you’re the lord and lady!
That’s how it is in Veigné, where the Domaine de la Tortinière, a castle hotel overlooking the River Indre in the Loire Valley, stands in the centre of a 15-hectare park. Passing celebrities have always been captivated by the family atmosphere in this large house. On the other side of the Indre, the Château d’Artigny, 5-star castle hotel in Montbazon, offers a brunch with family or friends once a month. A perfect opportunity to treat yourself to château life for just €64!
Domaine de La Tortinière
Near Amboise, the Château de Pray is also associated with exceptional cuisine as it has a Michelin star. Led by Chef Arnaud Philippon, the team lovingly prepares modern, sophisticated cuisine, combining seasonal produce with regional features. In Lémeré, guests of the Château du Rivau can choose between two restaurants: La Table des Fées and Le Jardin Secret. Not forgetting the superb gardens to visit!
On the banks of the Loire, but this time on the Rochecorbon side, sophistication and exceptional hospitality are the watchwords of the Domaine des Bidaudières. This guest house is perfect for those with a love of décor and history as all of the furniture and ornaments are period. Close by, on the other side of the royal river, the Château de la Bourdaisière, standing in a 55-hectare park in Montlouis-sur-Loire, is adjoined by a Conservatory where 700 varieties of tomatoes are grown in all different colours and, at times, unexpected shapes.
Château de la Bourdaisière
Domaine des Bidaudières
It’s another fruit that’s the star at the Château de Fontenay, in Bléré, across the River Cher – the grape. Fontenay is a wine-producing estate which offers wine holidays with tastings of the estate’s exquisite wines, including reds, whites, rosés and sparkling wines, as well as culinary workshops. The north of Touraine has not been forgotten: the 3 guest rooms and 2 guest houses of Château Hodebert are havens of peace in the countryside. The same applies to the south, with the Château de Charnizay, which in addition to its guest rooms, has installed ecolodges in its large park.
In the village of Candes-Saint-Martin on the border between Anjou and Touraine, the Château de Candes was once the summer residence of the bishops of Tours. Perhaps it will shortly be yours? The estate has luxury suites built near the château or in houses close by…
The suites of the Château de Candes
Moving away from the shores of the river and venturing into the forest towards Gizeux, you come across a huge family estate where three generations are waiting to welcome you. Don’t bother looking for a bellboy, reception area, lift or a restaurant. Here guests receive a very informal welcome from the lords! Last but not least, golf specialists will enjoy the 18-hole, par 72, 6,093 metre golf course stretching out across the park surrounding the Château des Sept Tours, in Courcelles, a magnificent estate in the area around the Loire châteaux.
The Chateau-hotel of the Sept Tours Golf