Chateau De Malley France

Perched high above the Burgundian countryside, with its prehistoric rock formations, undulating fields and surrounding forests, at the confluence of the Yonne river and the Canal Nivernais, sits the Chateau. Originally a fortified stronghold and still encircled by its medieval walls, it offers unobstructed views stretching miles around.
Within the fortified walls are five buildings encircling a centre courtyard. The oldest structures, dating from the Middle Ages, are the vaulted caves, now converted into spacious suites with monumental fireplaces and filled with period furnishings. Built on top of the medieval caves is an early 19th century residence with terraces on all sides, overlooking the countryside and the village below.
On the other side of the central court are two adjoining 17th century buildings, known as the commons. The ground floors originally housed the stables, with the servants’ quarters above. Flanking the back edge of the courtyard on either side are two pavilions that were recently converted into light filled living spaces with full kitchens and bathrooms.
The grounds are landscaped with beautiful gardens on several levels and offer a wide variety of magnificent terraces and outdoor spaces, most with expansive views of the lower surroundings. The 18 meter heated swimming pool is strategically located on a jutting promontory to benefit from one of the most panoramic views in the region.
The estate is accessible through two large gates (electronically operated), ensuring complete tranquillity and privacy. A parking area holding up to twenty cars is also within the enclosed walls.
The Chateau is located in northern Burgundy, about a two hour drive south east of Paris, in a beautifully bucolic region of farmland and meandering waterways.
Activities include biking (along the bike path that runs most of the length of the Canal Nivernais or along back country roads through farmland and forest), boating, rock climbing, hot air ballooning and tennis.
The medieval hill-town of Vezelay is within a twenty minute drive from the Chateau. The twelfth century basilica of Mary Magdalene crowning its hilltop contains some of the finest examples of early Romanesque sculpture.
The Chablis, Irancy and St. Bris vineyards are within a twenty minute drive from the Chateau. The Meursault and Montrachet vineyards are just over an hours’ drive south. Wine tours to the many vineyards in the area can be arranged by Excellence Luxury Villas VIP Concierge Team.
Bakery: out gate , second left and then left, (open 8-12 :30, 4 :30-7, closed Sunday afternoon Tuesday afternoon and Wednesday) pain Copaline is our favourite!Café: same street as bakery, same opening times more or lessBodega: for bare essentials, out gate second left, follow street straight to town square, go down street to left of Church,Le castel, for simple meals, on square next to Church, (goat cheese salad, when it’s on the menu, is good).
Out of Town- In Mailly la Ville: a  small épicerie  open 7 days, (9_1pm, 3 :30-7pm) and a  small butcher open most of the time. When you arrive in mailly la Ville follow signs to Avallon and you will pass the butcher and then the épicerie.- Nearest large grocery store: Maxi Marche in Coulanges sur Yonne (about 10km), open 7 days a week, further on same road, a bigger supermarket, LECLERC,( closed sundays), in Clamecy, out driveway, immediate left down rue de Vanoise, another left at end of  road, then a right at end of road, straight about 10K till road ends then left in direction of Clamecy. You’ll pass maxi Marche on your left. To continue on to LEClERC, continue in direction of Clamecy, first trafic circle you hit  take a right towards zone industrielle and you should see LECLERC ,(at next trafic circle follow sign for zone industrielle)Markets, – Mailly la Ville, VERY Small market for some vegetables, cheeses, good sausages wednesday morning in front of bakery.- Auxerre, Tuesday and Friday morning on the Place de l’Arquebuse, underground, you’ll find everythng you could possibly need at this market.- Avallon, Saturday morning, also large market, much prettier than Auxerre, same distance- Duck: M.Rosières : 0386811837, 0619491899, Trucy sur Yonne, next town after Mailly la Ville in the direction of Auxerre, go up steep hill, first driveway to right. He has delicious foie gras and duck breast (you have to call to arrange to meet him there)- Fish: the trout farm on D100 on way to Auxerre, be sure to get french trout, not rainbow trout, be sure to ask them to clean the fish- Milk fresh from farm, Nadia: go to Merry sur Yonne, next town over if you’re following canals south, go into Merry sur Yonne and follow main road to Magny. On entering Magny there will be a large (significant) house on right, shortly after there is small road on the left, her door is first driveway on right as you go down.(it’s a mess, junk, ducks, chickens, dogs, wandering around, knock on her kitchen window)
Activities- Horse back riding, Ecuries la Croix des Bois in Montillot, about a 15 min drive : 03 86 32 47 08- Tennis: Take the key, (with sneaker key chain) hanging on hook in receptIon room. There are two raquets and balls in pantry of 19th century house. Go to Merry Sur Yonne, follow main road through the town until there is a fork in the road, bear left and you’ll see either a locked gate or a lawn, playground, beach area. If the gate is locked, park outside and climb through gate. The tennis courts are on your right. Locate the guardian, if you can, either in the building near the tennis courts or out doing maintenance work on the grounds and offer to pay him 8 euros an hour for the court. If you don’t see him just let yourself in to the tennis court with the key.- Hot Air Ballooning: www.francemontgolfieres.com, they can take off from our courtyard,(they’ve done it before, weather permitting), if you order a private basket- Kayaking: Kayaks are in the parking lot. Please consult us as to the best route to take.
TRAIN SCHEDULE : Paris, gare de Bercy- Mailly la Ville : Paris, 12 :20 arrives 14 :40, direct16 :13 arrives 18 :44, change train in Auxerre18 :13 arrives 20 :30, directOn all direct trains be sure you’re seated in the right part of the train because it splits in two at Cravant/Bazarnes,(after Auxerre). You need to be headed in the direction of Clamecy, not Avallon
RestaurantsBest restaurant around : Château de Vault de Lugny, in Vault de Lugny, about 20-25 min drive 0386340786. Vegetarian menu is excellent, but it’s a long meal. For shorter meal order a la carte, be sure to get whatever ravioli is on the menu, and foie gras, avoid bœuf bourguignon.
L’Auberge de Voutenay in Voutenay Sur Cure: about a 15 minute drive from the Château. Excellent food in a very cosy setting, 0386335192, be sure to reserve
Les Tilleuls: in Vincellotes, on way to Auxerre, turn right at first trafic circle, restaurant is on river, go when the weather’s good, 12 Quai de l’Yonne, 0386422213. It’s a little closer than Château de Vault de Lugny but you end up paying about the same and food and environment are not as good.
Le Castel: on square in Mailly le Château, very nice place to sit and have dinner, food borders on being ‘snack’ food, but goat cheese salad is OK and if he has scallops, order them.
Marc Menau’s Espérance in Vezelay. When it’s good it’s excellent but it’s not always good and the setting is nothing to write home about.
Other attractionsthe Chablis, St.Bris -le -Vineux, and Irancy vineyards are within a half  hour’s drive from Mailly le Chateau. Be sure to stop by Denis Race, 5 Rue de Chichée, Chablis, 0386424587, if you’re looking for some excellent and very reasonably priced Chablis. He is open every day, morning and afternoon, www.chablis-race.com
To try some of our local crémant from it’s producer,( in an extremely dramatic setting), stop by the Caves de Bailly, (just a 15 minute drive): Les Caves de Bailly Lapierre, Hameau de Bailly, Quai de l’Yonne, tel: 0386537777, open every morning and afternoon, www.bailly-lapierre.fr
For a guided tour through the Burgundy vineyards, or to arrange wine tastings, consult  Brendan Moore of Wine Liaisons, 06 74 75 42 24. www.wine-liaisons.com
Vezelay , a launching site for the crusades in the Middle Ages, crowned by the Ste. Madeleine basillica containing some of the finest examples of Romanesque sculpture, is within a 20 minute drive from Mailly le Chateau. For a nice meal in the environs of Vezelay go to ‘Aux Deux Ponts’: 1 Route de Vezelay, 89450, in Pierre Perthuis, a ten minute drive from Vezelay, tel: 0386323131, www.lesdeuxponts.com  or for something more upscale, (where you’d need a reservation), try Marc Menau’s Espérance, in Saint Père, 22 Grande Rue, 89450, Saint Père, tel: 0386333910, www.marc-menau-esperance.com                       Montréal is a lovely medieval village about 10 minutes outside of Avallon, www.montreal89.com              For a tour of a prehistoric cave visit the Grottes D’Arcy just outside of Arcy sur Cure, (a ten minute drive from the Chateau), RN6, 89270, Arcy sur Cure, tel: 0386819063, www.grottes-arcy.net
The Chateau of Ancy –Le-Franc is a beautiful renaissance chateau built in 1546 by the Italian architect Sebastien Serlio, about a 45 minute drive north east, www.chateau-ancy.com
The Chateau de Tanlay is another impressive example of renaissance architecture not far from Ancy-Le-Franc, www.chateaudetanlay.fr
For a delicious meal in a beautiful setting try the restaurant in the Chateau de Vault de Lugny, about a 20 minute drive from the Chateau, 11 Rue du Chateau, 89200, Vault de Lugny, tel: 0386340786, reservations required, www.lugny.fr
At Excellence Luxury Villas we pride ourselves on going that little bit further for our guests.  If there is anything you would like to arrange for your stay, please contact the Excellence Luxury Villas VIP Concierge Team who will be happy to help. We can usually help you arrange any of the following:
– Cook/catering- Maid service/extra cleaning- Local day-trips or tours- Airport pick-up/drop-off- Babysitting service- Welcome hamper/pre-stocked fridge
This is by no means an exhaustive list, so please just contact Excellence Luxury Villas VIP Concierge Team to help you arrange any of those little extras that can really make the difference.