Chateau Des Siecles And Annexe | 21-Bedroom Chateau in Mailly-le-Chate

Forty-eight guests converge on Mailly-le-Château, a medieval fortified village in northern Burgundy, to discover a sprawling estate that spans five distinct structures around a cobblestone courtyard. Chateau Des Siecles And Annexe sleeps 48 guests across 21 bedrooms and 21 bathrooms, positioned two hours southeast of Paris amid vineyards, forest paths, and the meandering Canal Nivernais.

Inside Chateau Des Siecles And Annexe

The Main House dominates the complex—a 19th-century structure with terraces on every side overlooking valley and cliff faces. Ground level holds a sweeping salon opening to the rear terrace, a private study with its own outdoor space, a billiards room for evening entertainment, and a substantial country kitchen with breakfast balcony facing distant limestone outcrops.

The first floor distributes six bedrooms and six bathrooms. Bedrooms 8, 9, 10, and 11 (each 20–30 square metres) overlook the courtyard—Bedroom 8 features a 140cm double bed with standalone shower; Bedroom 9 offers a 160cm queen with compact bathroom; Bedroom 10 provides queen sizing and a full bath with handheld shower; Bedroom 11 pairs a 140cm bed with hallway-access bathroom. Bedroom 12/13 functions as a two-bedroom suite with valley views: a 160cm queen occupies the primary sleeping area while an adjoining dressing room holds a 140cm double, served by a single bathroom with bath and handheld shower. Bedroom 14 (approximately 20 square metres) delivers a 160cm queen and valley outlook via standalone shower.

The Commons building—a 17th-century structure with centralised air conditioning—houses four sleeping spaces. Bedroom 4 (30 square metres) showcases a walk-in closet, spacious bathroom with Jacuzzi tub, and courtyard-facing views extending to the pool. Bedroom 5 stretches to 90 square metres with two 160cm queens, one 140cm double, and a medium bathroom featuring tub and handheld shower; rear doors access the elevated garden while front windows frame valley vistas. Bedroom 6 pairs a 160cm double with ensuite shower. Bedroom 7—accessible from Bedroom 6 or directly from the stairwell—provides a single bed and valley views. Two separate staircases serve these chambers, with one stairwell accessing Bedrooms 4 and 5, another serving Bedrooms 6 and 7.

Medieval cave systems (accessible via stone steps) contain two extraordinary suites. The first Cave (50–60 square metres) features air conditioning, a tower bedroom with 140cm double, a cavernous living area accommodating a 180cm king-sized bed, open-plan kitchenette, bathroom with shower and Jacuzzi tub, and direct pool-area access. Valley views dominate. The second Cave (approximately 70 square metres) offers a full kitchen, generous living space, bedroom with 180cm king (air-conditioned), and bathroom with sit-down steam shower. Rear doors open directly to the pool. Both caves command expansive valley outlooks.

Two pavilion structures function as light-filled studios with original stone flooring (occasionally uneven). Pavilion One (30 square metres) contains a sleeping zone with 160cm queen, kitchenette, air conditioning, rear sitting area, and compact bathroom with sit-down shower. Pavilion Two (50 square metres) provides a sleeping area with 160cm queen, kitchenette, air conditioning, and medium bathroom with tub and handheld shower. Both open onto the central courtyard with Main House access.

The Annexe—a three-minute walk separated by a small hamlet—houses eight bedrooms with ensuite bathrooms. Rooms 2, 3, 6, and 7 feature 160cm queens; Rooms 1, 4, and 5 contain 140cm doubles; Room 8 offers a single bed. This satellite building includes a heated hot tub, landscaped gardens, and private terraces, providing privacy-seeking groups with autonomous accommodation while remaining connected to the larger estate.

Outdoor Spaces and Living

The heated swimming pool measures 18 metres by 6 metres—substantial enough for lap swimming or group recreation—surrounded by a paved terrace lined with sunbeds. Two gas grills flank separate terrace zones, enabling multiple cooking stations during large gatherings. Stone terraces cascade around the property, offering countless vantage points for morning coffee, afternoon aperitifs, or sunset observation over the Burgundian landscape. Bicycles occupy the studio storage area and parking zone, inviting guests to explore the region’s network of quiet country roads and the Canal Nivernais towpath, which traces the waterway for kilometres in both directions.

The courtyard serves as the estate’s social hub—a flagstone-paved square enclosed by fortified medieval walls and the five buildings that define this remarkable space. A cinema room positioned above the studios provides indoor entertainment, while a games area supports ping-pong tournaments. Gas fireplaces appear throughout the complex, radiating warmth during cooler months. A laundry facility in the storage utility cave serves the entire party, with extra linens stored in a large armoire nearby. Additional towels occupy an entrance hall armoire within the 19th-century main building.

Location: Mailly-le-Château and the Surrounding Area

Mailly-le-Château sits within the Yonne department of northern Burgundy, approximately 120 kilometres southeast of Paris via the A6 motorway—a two-hour drive positioning the estate perfectly for Parisians seeking weekend escape without serious distance. The village itself maintains the rural authenticity of centuries past: a small bar and a neighbourhood grocery shop supply fresh croissants and baguettes each morning, grounding guests in authentic French village life rather than tourist infrastructure.

The Chablis vineyards—France’s northernmost Burgundy wine region—sit 20 kilometres south, producing crisp white wines from Chardonnay grapes cultivated in limestone-rich Kimmeridgian soil. Irancy (15 kilometres away) specialises in light reds and Pinot Noir. Saint-Bris (18 kilometres distant) crafts distinctive Sauvignon Blanc under regional Appellation status. Wine tours can be arranged directly through the estate. The grander appellations of Meursault and Montrachet lie just over an hour’s drive southward, accessible for more ambitious tasting expeditions.

Vézelay crowns its hilltop 20 kilometres away, home to the twelfth-century Basilica of Mary Magdalene—a Romanesque masterpiece featuring some of Europe’s finest sculptural works from the early medieval period. The site served historically as a major pilgrimage destination and departure point for crusades. Grottes d’Arcy (25 kilometres distant) showcase underground chambers and lake systems carved by subterranean rivers over millennia. Château d’Ancy-le-Franc (30 kilometres away) represents Renaissance architecture of exceptional refinement. Château de Tanlay (22 kilometres south) displays moated grandeur and period gardens.

The Canal Nivernais flows immediately adjacent to Mailly-le-Château, a 174-kilometre waterway built in the eighteenth century to transport timber and wine. Today it functions as a recreational corridor: bicyclists traverse towpaths, kayakers paddle calm water, and narrowboat enthusiasts navigate its thirty-seven locks. Rock climbing sites pepper the regional limestone escarpments. Hot air ballooning operators based in Auxerre (35 kilometres) launch from nearby fields, offering aerial perspectives across patchwork vineyards and forest canopy. Tennis courts and horse-riding stables serve Yonne’s small towns.

Explore our luxury villas in France or browse properties across Bourgogne Franche Comte for alternative estates in the region. Check our full collection of French properties for other options, and consult our France travel guide for broader destination planning.

Who This Villa Suits Best

Chateau Des Siecles And Annexe accommodates large extended families celebrating milestones—destination weddings, multi-generational reunions, significant birthday parties—where 48 guests would normally require booking multiple properties. The estate’s five buildings allow natural subdivision: one family cluster in the Main House, another in the Commons, couples or smaller units in the Pavilions, and guests prioritising privacy in the Annexe. The dual kitchen facilities (Main House and Cave kitchens) plus pavilion kitchenettes enable simultaneous meal preparation or cooking autonomy for different groups.

Corporate retreats and team-building events benefit from the large group capacity, cinema, games facilities, and outdoor recreation options including cycling, pool access, and landscaped grounds suitable for structured activities. Friend groups embarking on multi-week cycling tours through Burgundy use the estate as a base for exploring the Canal Nivernais and surrounding villages. Wine enthusiasts booking during harvest season (September–October) gain proximity to multiple appellations within short driving distances. Families with children appreciate the heated pool, gardens, bicycle provision, cinema, and the relatively flat terrain surrounding Mailly-le-Château suitable for young riders.

Practical Information

Chateau Des Siecles And Annexe accommodates 48 guests across 21 bedrooms and 21 bathrooms. The property includes Wi-Fi internet access throughout, air conditioning in primary structures, a heated swimming pool operational year-round, hot tub facilities in the Annexe, bicycles for guest use, and a personal chef available upon request for meal preparation. Heating via gas fireplaces and the pool heating system are included in rental rates. Linens and towels come provided; laundry facilities enable guest use.

The nearest major airport is Paris Charles de Gaulle International Airport (CDG), situated 140 kilometres northwest, approximately 1 hour 45 minutes’ drive via the A6 motorway. Paris Orly Airport (ORY) lies 135 kilometres away via similar routing, requiring approximately 1 hour 50 minutes. Regional Auxerre-Branches Airport (AUF) functions as a closer alternative 35 kilometres away for private aircraft or limited commercial service, reducing transfer time to 45 minutes. Supermarket shopping occurs in the village of Mailly-le-Château itself, or expanded selections appear in Auxerre (35 kilometres) and Avallon (30 kilometres). Pets are accommodated by prior arrangement with the estate management.

Frequently Asked Questions about Chateau Des Siecles And Annexe

How many guests does Chateau Des Siecles And Annexe sleep?

Chateau Des Siecles And Annexe sleeps 48 guests across 21 bedrooms and 21 bathrooms distributed across five structures: the Main House contains 12 bedrooms, the Commons houses 4 bedrooms, the Caves provide 2 large suites, the Pavilions contain 2 studio rooms, and the Annexe includes 8 bedrooms. Bed configurations range from single beds through to 180-centimetre king-sized beds, accommodating various group compositions.

What is the nearest airport to Chateau Des Siecles And Annexe in Mailly-le-Château?

Paris Charles de Gaulle International Airport (CDG) sits 140 kilometres northwest, requiring approximately 1 hour 45 minutes by car via the A6 motorway. Paris Orly (ORY) lies 135 kilometres away with similar travel time. For smaller groups or private aviation, Auxerre-Branches Airport (AUF) operates 35 kilometres south with transfer time around 45 minutes. Rental car services and private transfer companies operate from all three airports.

What is the best time of year to rent Chateau Des Siecles And Annexe?

Late spring (May–June) offers warm temperatures (18–23°C), wildflower blooms across meadowland, and minimal tourist crowding before summer holidays begin. Summer (July–August) brings reliably warm weather (22–28°C), fully operational outdoor recreation including canal boating, and peak vineyard activity. Early autumn (September–October) coincides with grape harvest season when wine regions buzz with activity, temperatures moderate to 15–20°C, and forest colours intensify. Winter (December–February) transforms the estate into a quieter retreat with gas fireplaces operational, temperatures ranging 2–8°C, and potentially fewer guests booking large properties.

Is Chateau Des Siecles And Annexe suitable for families with children?

Yes—the property provides a heated 18-by-6-metre swimming pool with surrounding terrace (though formal lifeguard supervision should be arranged separately), multiple gardens throughout the 5-building complex offering exploration opportunities, bicycles suitable for various ages enabling family cycling excursions along flat country roads, and a cinema room for indoor entertainment during inclement weather. The layout’s five distinct structures allows parents with younger children to occupy quieter zones while teenagers or extended family occupy other buildings. However, families should note that medieval stone staircases accessing the Caves may present challenges for very young children, and uneven stone flooring in the Pavilions requires careful footwear selection.

What is included in the rental price at Chateau Des Siecles And Annexe?

The rental includes all utilities (electricity, water, heating via gas fireplaces), Wi-Fi internet access, air conditioning where installed, the heated swimming pool and its maintenance, the hot tub in the Annexe, linens and towels, bicycles for guest use, and access to all common areas including the cinema room, games facilities, and both indoor and outdoor terraces. A personal chef can be arranged at additional cost. Cleaning occurs before arrival and after departure; mid-stay laundry facilities are available for guest use. Pool heating, heating fuel, and internet connectivity operate at no additional charge beyond the base rental rate.

What restaurants and shops are near Chateau Des Siecles And Annexe?

Within Mailly-le-Château village itself, a neighbourhood grocery shop stocks fresh baguettes, croissants, and basic provisions daily. The local bar serves casual meals and refreshments. Auxerre (35 kilometres south) offers supermarkets including Carrefour and Leclerc, restaurants ranging from casual bistros to fine dining, and a Saturday farmers market. Avallon (30 kilometres southeast) provides similar shopping infrastructure plus speciality food shops focused on regional cheeses, wines, and charcuterie. Vézelay (20 kilometres south) contains several restaurants positioned to serve pilgrims and visitors, with local menus emphasising Burgundian cuisine—beef bourguignon, coq au vin, escargots—paired with local wines. Chablis wine region (20 kilometres south) hosts winery restaurants offering cellar lunches and vineyard-view dining during vintage season.