C18th Burgundy Chateau France

The chateau is a Grade I listed, 18th century family home located in the heart of Burgundy, close to the Morvan hills and 50km north of Beaune, the wine capital of the region.
An outstanding venue for memorable family celebrations and idyllic getaways with friends, the chateau comes highly recommended by best-selling wine expert Hugh Johnson as an ideal base for wine-tasting tours of the Burgundy vineyards.
Situated on its own private island surrounded by broad moats, the château is approached through an avenue of lime trees, with a large kitchen garden alongside it, an orchard and private woods.
Inside the chateau, you will find 9 spacious bedrooms and 5 bathrooms, several of which are en-suite and all but one have a shower. On the ground floor, you will find a magnificent entrance hall; two dining rooms; and a fine panelled salon leading through French doors onto the back terrace, facing westwards towards the tranquil and unspoilt valley. The salon, dining room and servant’s hall all have fabulous open fireplaces. A ping-pong room can be found in one of the towers and board games, playing cards, a croquet set and a chest of children’s games are also available in the château.
To top it all, you will be welcomed with a glass of sparkling wine and tea and will enjoy delicious complimentary breakfasts throughout your stay! Cleaning service and general maintenance are also provided free of charge.
The chateau can sleep from 14 – 18 guests. Prices are based on 14 guest sharing. For additional guest please enquire for rental rates.Situated in the Côte d’Or, mid-way between Paris (260km) and Lyon, the chateau is easily accessible by the A6 or by the TGV train to Montbard. It is also conveniently placed in relation to Paris Orly Airport, which is 210km to the north, by the A6.
Places to Visit It is in the centre of the three principal wine regions – Chablis, the Loire and Beaune and the Côtes de Nuits, and adjacent to the Morvan Natural Park.
Beautiful, unspoilt villages and towns abound in the Auxois and the Morvan, the two regions which envelop the village. The local market town is Saulieu, 13 km to the west, where there are a range shops and services, a Saturday morning market, numerous restaurants (including the Michelin 3* Relais Bernard Loiseau) and the fabulous Basilica St Andoche. It also has a beautifully refurbished cinema, which is good value, and sometimes shows films in the original language.
Avallon, Semur-en-Auxois, Flavigny–sur-Ozeron (as seen in Chocolat), Chateauneuf-en-Bourgogne and Nolay are other small towns or villages worth exploring. At the heart of the Burgundian vineyards, Beaune, the ancient seat to the Dukes of Burgundy, boasts colourful roofs, the famous Hospital and ramparts, and acts as a perfect base for wine tastings. The Beaune Festival of Baroque Music takes place there during the month of July, with concerts every week end.
Burgundy has always been known for its elegant châteaux, family homes which have evolved over the centuries. Those most worth visiting locally are Bussy Rabutin, Commarin, Sully-en-Bourgogne, Époisses, Bazoches and Chateauneuf.
Certain abbeys and religious sites also make fantastic visits, in particular Fontenay (where the film Cyrano de Belgerac, with Gerard Depardieu, was shot), Vézeley, Citeaux, and Cluny, which is further to the south.
Activities Burgundy offers a host of activities, including horse riding, tree climbing, golf and balloon riding – one of the best ways of seeing the countryside is from the air! A canal trip, followed by a picnic and then a cycle ride back to Pouilly-en-Auxois is one of our guests’ favourites, as is a visit to the Grottes d’Arcy or to the MuséoParc Alésia, which brings the Roman conquest of Gaul to life. A bit further afield is the fascinating experiment that is the construction of Guédelon Castle from scratch, using only techniques and materials used in the middle ages. Well worth a visit.
Events A series of events enliven the spring and summer months, such as regular brocantes (car boot sales/antique fairs) in surrounding towns and villages; Saulieu’s yearly Salon Gourmand (a gastronomic fair) in May, the ‘Fête de la Musique’ (21st June); the Festival of Baroque Music in Beaune (July); the Cajun Nights in Saulieu (start of August); and the Musical Encounters at Vézelay (end of August).
Further Information A Welcome Booklet with further information on the château and the local area will be sent to you on booking, and we will be happy to advise or help organise any of the above in the run up to your holiday. Staff will lay breakfast out each morning in the east facing Breakfast Room, and can lay lunch and dinner in the formal dining room or the rear or north terraces if required. They will undertake a couple of hours of light cleaning & room refreshment each day and some basic laundry, which will be collected twice weekly. Our staff are also on hand to advise, help arrange excursions within the region and to carry out any other requests, such as booking restaurant tables or activities. These services are included within the rental price and a Welcome Booklet with information on the château and the local area will be sent to you on booking, so that you can plot the holiday of a lifetime.
While breakfast is included in the rental price, staff are also happy to provide a special three course meal in the evening from €35/person (excl. wines). Alternatively, you can hire the services of a local chef for the length of your holiday with us, or request a combination of the two. We can also arrange and/or take wine deliveries ahead of your arrival. Please enquire early on for these services.
We use locally sourced products where possible, including the famous Charolais beef; honey or foie gras from the neighbouring hamlets; and some very local fruit and vegetables from the château’s organic kitchen garden, delivered by our cheerful and talented gardener.
Other services can be organised on request: babysitting; taxis; or private cars to transport you to and from the airport or around Burgundy, whether for a day out or an evening’s entertainment. Local music bands can be booked for special occasions.