Chateau Notre Famille France

Gather with family or friends and spend relaxing days in this delightful French château on the banks of the river, creating memories in this glorious setting in the Loue Valley, in Franche-Comté.
With its own river access from its vast and private gardens, this is a truly idyllic location. Spend summer days cooling off in the river, splashing and swimming or fishing and kayaking with just the peaceful sounds of birds singing and leaves rustling. Set up a deckchair by the riverside or lay out a picnic of fresh bread and locally made comté cheese as children run around on the huge lawns leading down to the water’s edge. 
This charming 16th-century château has been in the same family for over a century – every year they gather together for carefree time that they will remember for years to come. It’s an enchanting place to stay with traditional interiors allowing you to immerse yourself in an authentic yet relaxed French experience. A well-equipped kitchen, long dining table by an open-fire and eight bedrooms with many bed variations make it a perfect choice for groups of friends or extended families. The living room and TV lounge are full of character and a superb central heating system also makes this a wonderful home for cosy winter holidays with loved ones.
The beauty of the Loue valley inspired the 19th-century artist, Gustave Courbet; you too can visit some of the bucolic landscapes that he painted in this alluring region. There are picturesque woodland and river walks both close to the château and further afield as well as pretty villages with historic charm in wonderful settings. Dine in authentic restaurants serving hearty regional produce from the Franche-Comté, discover historic châteaux, fascinating caves and incredible gorges.
A trip to Besançon, the capital of the Doubs, is a must with its captivating historic centre and amazing citadel, now a UNESCO World Heritage site. The Musée des Beaux Arts, one of France’s oldest galleries, has recently been renovated and is also a fantastic place to visit. A leisurely boat trip along the Doubs river is another great way to view this wonderful town.
The Doubs is such a lovely part of France and the countryside of the Loue Valley is stunning. With Château Notre Famille’s old-world charm and beautiful riverside setting, this is what unwinding holidays should be all about. In the Bourgogne-Franche-Comté region of eastern France, just half-an-hour south of Besançon, Château Notre Famille is located in the beautiful Loue Valley, an area which inspired the 19th century painter Gustave Courbet.
Set on the river’s edge in a tiny village, the natural beauty around you is wonderful. You can splash and swim in the flowing river or use the château’s kayak for further exploring. There are some picturesque walks and fishing spots nearby as well; discover idyllic parts of the river which have been painted by Courbet. Within a short drive you will find historic châteaux as well as incredible areas of conservation.
The nearest village with restaurants and shops is 6km away – here you will find a boulangerie, butchers and supermarkets as well as a good selection of places to eat including a couple of restaurants recommended by the owners. It’s a very pretty place with delightful houses along the river banks and two lovely stone bridges dating back to the 17th century. There are some pleasant walks from this town and also a museum featuring the works of Gustave Courbet.
Visit some of the beautiful villages along the river such Lods (20km), one of France’s ‘Plus Beaux Villages’, Mouthier-Haute-Pierre (20km) and Ouhans (31km). Look out for little waterfalls, gorges, tiny villages and stunning scenery in this enchanting valley.
A trip to Besançon (26km) is a must when staying in this area. Far from the tourist crowds, this is a charming French town with a historic centre of winding lanes and exquisite architecture alongside excellent restaurants and lovely shops. Visit the brilliant Musee des Beaux Arts, one of France’s oldest galleries which has recently been superbly renovated. Head to the historic citadel, designed by Vauban and now a UNESCO World Heritage site with its fantastic views over the town and surrounding countryside, followed by a boat trip on the Doubs river.
Another worthy visit is the Royal Saltworks at Arc-et-Senans (40km), near the border of the Doubs and Jura departments, which is open to visitors and has been classified as a UNESCO World Heritage site. Heading south-east towards the Swiss border, Château de Joux (47km) is another impressive day out, as are the caves further north at Gouffre de Poudrey (20km).
Food-lovers should look out for local factories or caves where they can sample Comté cheese made in this region whilst Morteau (59km) is well-known for its sausages. Other seasonal specialities across the area include mushrooms, chicken cooked in vin jaune, regional hams and even absinthe made from local herbs.At Excellence Luxury Villas we pride ourselves on going that little bit further for our guests. From private chefs to babysitters we can help you arrange those little extras that make it a truly memorable holiday. Simply fill in the concierge request form or contact Excellence Luxury Villas Concierge Team who will be happy to help. We can typically help you arrange any of the following:
– Maid service/extra cleaning – Private chef/cook/catering- Welcome hamper/pre-stocked fridge- Local day-trips or tours- Airport pick-up/drop-off- Babysitting / childcare services
Please note that all extras are subject to availability and must be requested in advance of the holiday (prices on request). Due to some rural/remote locations, not all services will be available at all properties. However, we will always do our best to fulfil your requests!