Chateau De Vigner | 11-Bedroom Chateau in CONCOURSON-SUR-LAYON Les Ulm

Twenty-four guests arrive at Chateau De Vigner in Concourson-sur-Layon expecting a large property. What they discover is something far more: a working 19th-century estate where the wine-growing landscape surrounds you on three sides, where the kitchen feels designed for actual cooking rather than heating frozen meals, and where a single swimming pool draws everyone together each evening. This is not a villa subdivided into awkward annexes—it is a real French château, coach house, and cottage arranged around shared grounds that reward exploration.

Inside Chateau De Vigner

Chateau De Vigner sleeps 24 guests across 11 bedrooms and 10 bathrooms. The three separate buildings allow you to book flexibly: the château alone (12 guests), the château plus cottage (16 guests), the château plus coach house (20 guests), or all three properties together (24 guests with exclusive pool use).

The Main Château accommodates up to 12 guests across five bedrooms, each with private en suite facilities. Ground floor holds the entrance hall, a dual-purpose living-dining room with television and DVD capabilities, a substantial library lined with books and board games, and a kitchen that spans multiple generations of technology—hand-finished gas hob, electric oven, dishwasher, microwave, full-size coffee maker, and Nespresso machine alongside a utility room with additional fridge-freezer and washing machine. This is the heart of the estate: where you plan vineyard visits over morning coffee, where children spread puzzle pieces across the table, where a chef can be arranged to cook if you prefer not to.

First floor: three bedrooms. The first offers a double bed with en suite shower. The second contains twin beds and shower room. A family suite provides a double bed, sofa-bed suitable for children, and full bathroom—the kind of room that lets grandparents maintain privacy while staying adjacent to younger generations.

Second floor: two more bedrooms. One commands a king-size bed with an en suite bathroom featuring a spa-style bath and separate shower—the master bedroom that justifies the larger rental rate. The final bedroom sleeps five across a double bed and three single beds, with its own shower room. Up to two additional children may use a sofa-bed in the main living areas by prior arrangement.

The Coach House operates as a self-contained four-bedroom property positioned alongside the cottage. Ground floor offers an open-plan living room with television, DVD, and direct access to a private terrace (within the shared courtyard) set with table, chairs, sun-loungers, and barbecue. The open-plan kitchen-breakfast room includes induction hob, fan oven, dishwasher, fridge-freezer, microwave, coffee maker, Nespresso machine, and washing machine. One bedroom on this level contains twin beds with walk-in shower en suite. First floor (accessed via rustic steep steps with low, sloping ceiling areas) contains three bedrooms: two with double beds and en suite showers, one with three single beds and shower room.

The Cottage is the most intimate of the three buildings, sleeping two to four guests across two bedrooms. Ground floor contains an open-plan living-dining area with television and DVD, doors opening to a private terrace with table, chairs, sun-loungers, and barbecue. The open-plan kitchen includes fridge-freezer, oven, microwave, coffee maker, and Nespresso machine. First floor holds a double bedroom, a twin bedroom, and a family shower room. A stairgate is available upon request for guests traveling with very young children.

Throughout all three properties: Wi-Fi, satellite television with UK Freeview channels, DVD players, books, board games, children’s books and toys, ironing facilities, and washing machines. Ground floor bedrooms and bathrooms are available in each property for guests with mobility considerations.

Outdoor Spaces and Living

The 12-metre swimming pool dominates the secured walled garden—1.2 to 2.1 metres deep, flood-lit for evening swimming, and large enough that guests from all three buildings can swim simultaneously without crowding. A terrace lined with sun-loungers wraps one side; the orchard occupies another, with grass areas suitable for ball games, badminton, or simply lying in the afternoon heat.

A dedicated games room contains a pool table and table tennis setup—the kind of space that keeps teenagers occupied on cooler evenings without requiring screens. Boules and badminton sets occupy storage areas, with bikes in multiple sizes available for exploring the surrounding lanes. Each property has its own al-fresco dining area with table, chairs, sun-loungers, and a functional barbecue, allowing families to dine separately if they prefer, or to gather as one large group.

The grounds themselves merit exploration. Turn left from the estate and sunflower fields appear in summer. The local village lies under 2 kilometres away—a small wine-producing hamlet with an auberge where fresh bread can be purchased each morning. Walking trails depart directly from the property; cycling routes crisscross the valley; fishing spots dot nearby streams.

Location: Concourson-sur-Layon and the Surrounding Area

Concourson-sur-Layon sits in the heart of the Anjou wine region, approximately 26 kilometres southwest of Saumur—a market town famous for the Cadre Noir equestrian school and its dramatic château perched above the Loire river. The immediate surroundings are agricultural and quiet: vineyards, market gardens, small villages where the rhythm of life follows harvest seasons rather than tourist schedules.

Doué-la-Fontaine lies 6 kilometres away, the practical hub for supermarket shopping, restaurant dining, and wine expertise. The specialist wine shop in Doué’s town centre stocks regional selections and can advise on vineyard visits and tastings—essential preparation for a week in Anjou. Montreuil-Bellay, Cholet, Saumur, and Angers all host farmer’s markets and brocante (antique) fairs where mornings can vanish amid antique linens, local produce, and regional cheeses.

The Fontevraud-l’Abbaye, a UNESCO World Heritage site, sits 35 kilometres away—one of Europe’s most significant medieval monastic complexes, its buildings and cloister spanning centuries. Closer, at 12 kilometres by car, the troglodyte caves at Rochemenier offer a glimpse into medieval dwelling carved directly into chalk hillsides. Chinon (within an hour’s drive) preserves fortress ruins above wine villages; Angers (90 minutes away) contains the Château d’Angers with its famous Apocalypse Tapestry. Travel 100 kilometres east to Tours and you enter the realm of the great Loire châteaux—Villandry with its ornamental gardens, Amboise with its Renaissance grandeur, and dozens more within 45-minute drives.

River activities include kayaking and canoeing along the Loire and Layon rivers. The sparkling white wines of Saumur—particularly the Cabernet Frank-based reds and the Chenin Blanc whites—reward tasting room visits throughout the valley. Explore our villas in Pays De La Loire for additional regional options, or browse our full collection of French luxury properties. For comprehensive destination planning, read our France travel guide.

Paris lies 3 hours away by car, or 90 minutes by TGV train from Paris Montparnasse or Charles de Gaulle airport train station. Angers airport (Angers Loire Airport) is approximately 45 minutes away; car hire is available from the train station. The closest major international airports are Nantes (Atlantique), 90 kilometres west, and Orly/Charles de Gaulle in Paris.

The best time to visit is May through October. May brings warm days, spring flowers, and the opening of vineyard terraces for outdoor tastings. June and July are warmest but attract crowds to the famous châteaux. September is ideal: summer heat lingers, harvest season begins in the vineyards, and tourist numbers decline. Spring and autumn provide perfect temperatures for cycling and walking. Winter (November to March) turns quiet and grey, though Christmas markets and New Year celebrations draw some visitors.

Who This Villa Suits Best

Chateau De Vigner accommodates multi-generational family gatherings—grandparents in the master bedroom with spa bath, adult children in the coach house, younger families in the cottage, everyone reconvening at the pool each afternoon and the dinner table each evening. The three separate buildings allow private time and independent schedules without the awkwardness of shared living spaces.

Groups of friends or extended families benefit from the flexible capacity and kitchen facilities designed for collaborative cooking. The library, games room, and outdoor activities keep different age groups and energy levels occupied simultaneously. Couples seeking a luxurious base for wine touring and countryside cycling find the main château’s elegant rooms and location ideal. Corporate retreats value the capacity, the separate buildings that allow team sessions and private dinners, and the games and pool facilities for evening bonding.

The property is less suitable for guests requiring resort-style services (no spa, no restaurant, no activity coordinators), though chefs and caterers can be arranged. Guests with significant mobility limitations should note the coach house’s rustic steep stairs and low ceilings on the first floor, though the cottage and main château offer ground-floor bedrooms and bathrooms.

Practical Information

Capacity: 24 guests maximum across 11 bedrooms and 10 bathrooms (or fewer in the château alone or château-plus-one-annexe configurations).

Nearest airport: Nantes Atlantique Airport is 90 kilometres away (90 minutes by car). Paris Charles de Gaulle or Orly airports are 250 kilometres away (3 hours by car, or 90 minutes by TGV train to Angers, then 45 minutes by car).

Nearest supermarket: Doué-la-Fontaine, 6 kilometres away.

What is included: Accommodation across all bedrooms, Wi-Fi, satellite television with UK Freeview channels, DVDs and DVD players, books, board games, children’s books and toys, use of the swimming pool (exclusive if booking all three properties), use of the games room, boules, badminton, bikes, terraces and barbecues, washing machines, and ironing facilities.

Services available on request: Chef services, catering, vineyard visits and wine-tasting arrangements, children’s stairgate for the cottage.

Check-in and check-out: Flexible arrangements available depending on guest needs and property turnover schedules.

Frequently Asked Questions about Chateau De Vigner

How many guests does Chateau De Vigner sleep?

Chateau De Vigner accommodates up to 24 guests across 11 bedrooms and 10 bathrooms when all three buildings (main château, coach house, and cottage) are rented together. The château alone sleeps 12 across five bedrooms. The coach house sleeps 8 across four bedrooms. The cottage sleeps 2–4 across two bedrooms. Up to two additional children may use sofa-beds in the main château by prior arrangement. The three buildings can be booked individually or in combinations: château plus cottage (16 guests), château plus coach house (20 guests), or all three together (24 guests with exclusive pool use).

What is the nearest airport to Chateau De Vigner in Concourson-sur-Layon?

Nantes Atlantique Airport (Aéroport de Nantes Atlantique) is the closest significant airport, approximately 90 kilometres away with a driving time of around 90 minutes. Paris Charles de Gaulle and Paris Orly airports are 250 kilometres away; from Paris, either drive 3 hours or take a TGV train (90 minutes from Paris Montparnasse or Charles de Gaulle airport station) to Angers, then arrange car hire or a 45-minute taxi transfer to Chateau De Vigner. Angers train station offers car rental facilities.

What is the best time of year to rent Chateau De Vigner?

May through October offers the most favorable conditions. May brings warm, stable weather with spring flowers and terraced vineyard tastings in full operation. June and July are warmest (often 25–28°C) but attract peak crowds to major châteaux such as Villandry and Amboise. September is arguably ideal: temperatures remain warm, grape harvest begins in the vineyards creating authentic activity, tourist numbers drop significantly, and restaurant tables become easier to secure. April and October provide pleasant temperatures (15–20°C) with fewer crowds, though some wineries may have limited hours. November through March is quieter and often grey, best suited to guests seeking solitude or attending winter markets in Angers or Saumur rather than outdoor activities.

Is Chateau De Vigner suitable for families with children?

Yes. The swimming pool is secured within a walled garden and monitored by renting families. The separate buildings allow parents to maintain sight lines while guests enjoy privacy. Children’s books, toys, board games, and DVDs stock each property. The grounds offer lawn space for ball games, badminton, boules (safe for supervised children), and bikes in multiple sizes. The nearby village is quiet and safe for accompanied children. The games room with pool table and table tennis entertains older children on cooler evenings. A stairgate is available for the cottage upon request. However, families should note that the property is self-catering (though chefs and caterers can be arranged) and does not provide supervised childcare or family entertainment programs—this is a self-directed villa experience, not a resort.

What is included in the rental price at Chateau De Vigner?

The rental price includes accommodation in all bedrooms, Wi-Fi, satellite television with UK Freeview channels, DVD players and DVDs, books, board games, children’s books and toys, use of the swimming pool and terrace, use of the games room (with pool table and table tennis), badminton and boules sets, bikes in multiple sizes, all terraces and barbecues, use of washing machines, ironing facilities, and standard utilities (electricity, water, heating). If you rent all three buildings (the 24-person rate), the swimming pool is for your exclusive use; otherwise, guests in separate buildings share the pool. Chef services, catering, vineyard visits, and wine-tasting arrangements are available at additional cost.

What restaurants and shops are near Chateau De Vigner?

The local village of Concourson-sur-Layon (under 2 kilometres away) has a small auberge where fresh bread and basic provisions can be purchased. Doué-la-Fontaine (6 kilometres away) contains a large supermarket, specialist wine shop, multiple restaurants, and hosts a significant farmer’s market. Saumur (26 kilometres away), the region’s major market town, offers excellent restaurants, wine bars serving the local sparkling white, and shops including the Château de Saumur gift shop. Montreuil-Bellay, Cholet, and Angers all host markets and brocante fairs. For village exploration and dining, consult local guides or ask the property manager for recommendations tailored to your interests—wine-focused, family-friendly, traditional French, etc.