Manoir Des Chasseurs | 7-Bedroom Chateau in Saint-Prix

Fourteen guests arrive at dusk. Seven bedrooms. Three bathrooms. And then someone walks onto the terrace and stops mid-sentence. The Parc Naturel Régional du Morvan stretches endlessly—woodlands rolling into violet-shadowed hills, farmland below dotted with grazing Charolais cattle, the kind of rural Burgundy landscape that makes you understand why painters abandoned the city. This is Manoir Des Chasseurs in Saint-Prix, a luxury château rental that functions equally well as a private family escape, a multi-generational gathering space, or a group celebration base camp for exploring one of France’s most remarkable wine and countryside regions.

Built in the 18th century as a hunting lodge and reimagined a century later as a summer residence for a Dijon family, Manoir Des Chasseurs has been restored with the kind of precision that honours original craftsmanship without erasing modern comfort. Fireplaces still function. Period furnishings sit alongside contemporary art. The bones of the building speak clearly; the infrastructure speaks quietly. You notice the woodburners before you notice the heating system. The difference matters when you’re paying for authenticity.

Inside Manoir Des Chasseurs

Manoir Des Chasseurs sleeps 12 guests across 7 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms distributed across two floors that total approximately 200 square metres of ground-floor living space alone.

Ground Floor: The public rooms unfold like chapters in an architectural biography. The Grand Salon commands attention with a substantial fireplace, the kind of room where evening light arrives in long geometric patterns across wood floors. The Dining Room connects directly to a fully-equipped kitchen featuring a professional gas cooker, American-style refrigerator, and breakfast table—the kind of kitchen that makes even reluctant cooks volunteer for dinner duty, or at minimum stops anyone pretending they can’t cook. The Library anchors itself around its own fireplace, lined with books and the particular silence that only rooms with fireplaces seem to possess. A second living room provides overflow entertaining space, and upstairs a small salon with sofa facing the manor’s southern views serves as a quieter refuge from larger gatherings.

First Floor Bedrooms: A master bedroom with double bed and ensuite bathroom (separate bath, shower, and WC). A second master bedroom, equally appointed, with its own ensuite. One bedroom contains a double bed (140x200cm French dimensions). Another holds two single beds. Two additional single bedrooms occupy the remaining first-floor space. Additional bathrooms include one with shower and WC, plus a separate WC for convenience. The arrangement means families rarely queue for showers and groups maintain dignity—significant considerations in a 12-guest rental.

Throughout the manor, fireplaces function daily. Heating systems run efficiently. Wi-Fi reaches all rooms. High chairs and travel cots are available for families bringing very young children. The restoration respected the manor’s handcrafted details—original joinery, period proportions, authentic materials—while accepting that 21st-century guests expect functional bathrooms and reliable internet.

Outdoor Spaces and Living

Beyond the manor’s stone walls sits a swimming pool measuring 10 metres by 4 metres with 1.5-metre depth, operational from one week before Easter through early November depending on weather patterns. A pool safety fence can be arranged with advance notice—a practical detail that matters for properties welcoming families. The pool terrace holds an al-fresco dining area positioned to catch afternoon light and the view across the grounds toward distant hills.

A full-sized BBQ anchors the outdoor cooking zone. Beyond the main structures, a restored barn houses table-tennis and various outdoor games—not luxury resort activities, but the kind of practical entertainment that keeps multi-generational groups entertained during lazy afternoons when nobody wants to drive anywhere.

The grounds themselves matter more than any amenity. Standing on the pool terrace at golden hour, the surrounding farmland creates a natural buffer. The closest building visible is someone’s farmhouse kilometres away. No sounds of traffic. No visual intrusions. Just the kind of quiet that city people forget exists.

Location: Saint-Prix and the Surrounding Area

Saint-Prix sits at the geographic centre of the Parc Naturel Régional du Morvan, a protected landscape spanning 285,000 hectares of mixed woodland, granite hills, and traditional villages where the infrastructure of modern life feels appropriately distant. This deliberate remoteness is the selling point and, for some guests, the initial shock.

A tiny village sits 3 kilometres from Manoir Des Chasseurs, hosting a restaurant open for lunch and dinner (booking advisable; typically closed Sunday evenings and Mondays). The manor provides a comprehensive list of auberges and restaurants throughout the region with current opening hours—practical intelligence accumulated through seasons of hosting guests.

Saint-Léger-sous-Beuvray, 7 kilometres away, contains a small grocery store selling fresh bread (closed Mondays). For more substantial shopping, Étang-sur-Arroux lies 18 kilometres distant with two bakeries and a full supermarket. Autun, the region’s cultural anchor 24 kilometres south, was founded by the Romans and contains the cathedral, several museums documenting Gaullic and Roman history, plus Wednesday and Friday morning markets supplying regional produce, local cheeses, and wine. The town functions as the practical hub for supplies while maintaining genuine historical character—not a gift shop version of heritage but the actual thing.

Within the Parc Naturel itself, Mont Beuvray rises 14 kilometres away. The summit houses Bibracte, an archaeological site and museum documenting pre-Roman Gaullic civilisation, set within stunning natural landscape with marked hiking trails, horse-riding routes, and mountain-bike circuits. The combination of nature and archaeology appeals to guests seeking substance rather than shallow scenic beauty.

The Burgundy wine region begins its serious topography roughly 40-60 kilometres north. Beaune sits 73 kilometres away—just over an hour’s drive—and contains the Hospices de Beaune, a 15th-century masterpiece of Flemish architecture, plus world-class restaurants (approximately 30 Michelin-starred establishments operate in Beaune and surrounding wine villages). Wednesday and Saturday morning markets supply local produce alongside wine merchants. The Route des Grands Crus connects wine villages: Pommard, Volnay, Meursault (notable for its 12th-century château), and Puligny-Montrachet. Private wine tastings across the Côte de Nuits and Côte de Beaune regions can be arranged in advance. Dijon, 104 kilometres north (approximately 90 minutes), anchors the wine route’s northern terminus with its preserved Renaissance old town, mustard heritage, and significant restaurants. For southern exploration, Cluny lies 95 kilometres away—a medieval village dominated by the ruins of Cluny Abbey, once the largest monastic complex in Western Christianity and now a national monument.

Additional destinations within reasonable drives include Vichy (130 kilometres) famous for thermal baths and Belle Époque architecture, Paray-le-Monial (74 kilometres) noted for its Romanesque basilica, and Tournus (100 kilometres) centred around a stunning cathedral. Explore our luxury villas in Bourgogne Franche Comte or browse our full collection of properties in Saint-Prix. For broader destination planning, consult our France travel guide for comprehensive regional context.

The Parc Naturel itself provides the landscape for hiking, cycling, canoeing, rafting, kayaking, and horseback riding through undeveloped woodland and rolling terrain. Hot-air balloon flights depart from Autun, offering panoramic perspectives of the landscape otherwise experienced at ground level. The park’s rivers and lakes support water-based activities seasonally.

Who This Villa Suits Best

Multi-generational family gatherings: Manoir Des Chasseurs functions superbly for families spanning ages three to eighty. The combination of spacious indoor entertaining (two living rooms, dining room, library, salon), outdoor pool, and table-tennis barn keeps different age cohorts productively engaged. Pool safety features and available cots/high chairs acknowledge younger children explicitly.

Groups of friends: Seven bedrooms across twelve guests averages slightly more than one bed per person, eliminating forced room-sharing while encouraging communal living. The dual living rooms allow groups to split into smaller conversations without atomising entirely.

Wine-focused travellers: The location sits within reasonable driving distance of the world’s most famous wine region, yet maintains absolute separation from tourism infrastructure. A group interested in vineyard visits, cellar tastings, and wine-focused restaurants can organise days around this interest while returning to countryside quiet each evening.

Couples requiring privacy and space: While positioned for groups, the manor contains sufficient room that a couple can occupy one master suite, enjoy shared entertaining spaces, yet maintain complete separation from the rest of the house—paradoxically creating privacy by overwhelming abundance of space.

Travelers prioritising authenticity over resort amenities: This property attracts guests who value genuine 18th-century architecture, working fireplaces, and landscape over swimming pools with slide features or hot tubs. The Parc Naturel’s protected status means no holiday parks, no commercial development, no manufactured leisure experiences—just landscape and buildings that have stood for centuries.

Practical Information

Capacity: 12 guests, 7 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms.

Nearest Airports: Lyon-Saint Exupéry (approximately 150 kilometres north, approximately two hours by car). Paris Charles de Gaulle (approximately 380 kilometres north, approximately four hours by car).

Nearest Supermarket: Étang-sur-Arroux, 18 kilometres away. Autun (24 kilometres) offers larger supermarkets and weekly markets.

Included in Rental: Wi-Fi throughout, heating systems, pool access (seasonal), full kitchen equipment, firewood for functional fireplaces, linen and towels, maid service availability (arranged separately), high chairs and travel cots available upon request.

Access: Check-in and check-out times follow standard practices; flexibility can be discussed directly for specific arrival/departure requirements.

Frequently Asked Questions about Manoir Des Chasseurs

How many guests does Manoir Des Chasseurs sleep?

Manoir Des Chasseurs accommodates 12 guests across 7 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms. The bedroom composition includes two master bedrooms with ensuite bathrooms, one bedroom with a double bed, one bedroom with a French double bed (140x200cm), one bedroom with two single beds, and two single bedrooms. This arrangement eliminates forced sharing while maintaining spacious common areas for larger groups.

What is the nearest airport to Manoir Des Chasseurs in Saint-Prix?

Lyon-Saint Exupéry Airport lies approximately 150 kilometres northwest, roughly two hours’ driving time via direct routes. Paris Charles de Gaulle, approximately 380 kilometres north, requires approximately four hours’ driving but offers substantially more flight options internationally. Both airports provide car rental services; many guests arrange private car services in advance for convenience.

What is the best time of year to rent Manoir Des Chasseurs?

May through September delivers warm, predictable weather ideal for pool use and outdoor dining. June and September offer advantages of fewer crowds while maintaining comfortable temperatures. Spring (April-May) brings wildflowers and fresh growth but delivers variable weather. Autumn (September-October) produces stunning light and the beginning of harvest season in surrounding wine regions. The pool operates from one week before Easter through early November depending on weather. Winter visits suit groups prioritising indoor entertaining and fireplace usage; however, limited daylight and occasional snow may restrict regional activities.

Is Manoir Des Chasseurs suitable for families with children?

Yes, specifically for families seeking countryside immersion rather than resort-style entertainment. Available high chairs, travel cots, and pool safety fencing (arranged in advance) address very young children’s needs. The pool’s 1.5-metre depth accommodates swimmers across ages, though adult supervision remains essential. The barn with table-tennis and games provides weather-independent entertainment. Surrounding landscape encourages outdoor exploration appropriate to children’s ages. Families should note that the property’s remote location requires planning for activities—it’s not positioned adjacent to commercial children’s attractions, but rather in landscape encouraging adventure, exploration, and family-centred entertainment.

What is included in the rental price at Manoir Des Chasseurs?

The rental includes Wi-Fi throughout the property, functional heating systems, seasonal pool access, fully-equipped kitchen with gas cooker and major appliances, firewood for working fireplaces, linen and towels for all beds and bathrooms, and access to outdoor amenities including BBQ and pool terrace. Maid service is available separately by arrangement. High chairs and travel cots are provided upon request. Utilities (electricity, water, heating) are included. Wine-tasting arrangements, restaurant reservations, and activity bookings (hot-air balloons, guided hikes, vineyard tours) can be organised through local contacts provided by the property.

What restaurants and shops are near Manoir Des Chasseurs?

A village restaurant sits 3 kilometres away (booking essential; typically closed Sunday evenings and Mondays). Saint-Léger-sous-Beuvray, 7 kilometres distant, contains a basic grocery store. Étang-sur-Arroux, 18 kilometres away, offers two bakeries and a supermarket. Autun, 24 kilometres south, provides the region’s most extensive restaurant selection, multiple supermarkets, and famous Wednesday and Friday morning markets. The manor supplies a detailed list of local restaurants and auberges with current opening hours and specialities. Fine dining and extensive wine-focused restaurants cluster around Beaune (73 kilometres) in the heart of the wine region, with approximately 30 Michelin-starred establishments operating there and in nearby villages. Regional specialities include Charolais beef, Époisses cheese, Burgundy wines, and fresh produce from weekly markets.