Rent Chateau Granit Rose France

If you are seeking an authentic French château experience surrounded by the historic landscapes of the Auvergne, Château Granit Rose welcomes 15-25 guests across its traditional château and two charming gites, set in a 12-hectare estate with a summer swimming pool and only half an hour from the spa-town of Vichy.

The serene atmosphere will enchant young and old – indeed, the estate is ideal for an extended family holiday or a relaxing get-together with close friends. It’s easy to get lost inside the 15-person château with eight pretty bedrooms scattered across various wings, five with private bathrooms. You will probably find the kids in the top-floor games room with air-hockey, table-tennis, table football and toys – a fantastic space at any time of year. Meanwhile, grown-ups will appreciate the formal salon, billiard room, tower poker room for a leisurely game of cards and brilliantly equipped kitchen and dining area. Gather for cosy evenings with a bottle of Côtes d’Auvergne in the TV lounge and library housed in a vaulted chapel that dates back to the Hundred Years’ War.  

The fortified château’s history is fascinating with its 10th century origins. As well as the vaulted lounge, other characteristic details include medieval fireplaces, unique staircases and a traditional stove oven. The owners have taken great care to preserve historic features whilst adding modern comforts. The paintings across the château are impressive with great reproductions of French and Dutch masterpieces (Rembrandt, Van Gogh etc). Outside, admire the castle’s grand corner towers alongside pink granite stone from a local quarry. Meanwhile, the views of surrounding hills are simply glorious and the peaceful ambience is timeless.

For an additional 8 guests, the estate’s large rustic gite can also be included in the rental rate with its spacious living area, fully-equipped kitchen and four double bedrooms (one on a mezzanine). On top of this, the final two guests can stay in a smaller gite, just as charming with its little lounge and loft double. Both gites have patios for your morning breakfast or perhaps an apéritif on a warm evenings.

There is a long table set in the grounds for al-fresco dining by the barbecue. Why not take advantage of the lovely owners who live within the estate and can create delicious feasts for you with advance notice (including children’s menus). Breakfasts can also be prepared using locally sourced ingredients and even picnic lunches can be provided on request.

Set within a huge estate surrounded by hills, woodland and meadows, the swimming pool is fantastic for summer days or just laze in the hammocks set out across the grounds. Kids will love the trampoline and football field whilst the elevated terrace is an idyllic spot for a morning coffee or sundowner on the outdoor lounge.

Enjoy long walks and cycle rides straight from the estate or drive 4km to the local village to stroll around pretty houses, the riverside flower park and grand castle before dining out in restaurants and making the most of the useful shops, supermarkets and the weekly market. The area surrounding the village is popular with walkers, cyclists and fishing enthusiasts with its woodland, small lakes and river.

The historic spa-town of Vichy is just half an hour away, famed for its thermal waters and 19th century architecture. Wander through the beautiful parks, meander by the Allier River and look out for riverside beaches, seasonal boat trips, pedalo hire and watersports.

Meanwhile, discover hiking, horse-riding and mountain biking across the Montagne Bourbonnaise or venture further afield to the landscapes of the Puy de Dôme, the highest dormant volcano in the incredible Parc Naturel Régional des Volcans d’Auvergne. Whether an outdoor enthusiast, keen historian or nature lover, this part of the Auvergne has so much to offer its fortunate visitors. 

1) Château only (15-person price) – 8 bedrooms / 6 bathrooms
2) Château + large gite (23-person price) – 12 bedrooms / 7 bathrooms
3) Château + both gites (25-person price) – 13 bedrooms / 8 bathrooms
Château Interiors (800m2)

–    Entrance hallway

Ground Floor Left-Wing

–    Salon with table (tearoom)
–    Formal salon
–    Round poker/cards room

Ground Floor Right-Wing

–    Billiard room with professional billiard table
–    Vaulted chapel library and lounge with satellite TV
–    Kitchen, fully-equipped including dishwasher, oven, microwave and American fridge
–    Dining room (partly open to kitchen)

First Floor Wing I –    Small tower bedroom with double bed 
–    Bedroom with double bed
–    Bedroom with double bed
–    Shared bathroom with shower, two sinks and WC (accessed via hallway and both above double bedrooms)

First Floor Wing II

–    Bedroom with double bed and separate bathroom with shower, sink and WC
–    Bedroom with double bed (an extra single bed can be added on request) and separate bathroom with bath, separate shower, sink and WC

First Floor Wing III

–    Bedroom with double bed and private bathroom with bath, separate shower, sink and WC
–    ‘Secret’ bedroom with single bed

Second Floor Wing I

–    Bedroom with double bed and separate bathroom with shower, sink and WC

Second Floor Wing II

–    Bedroom with double bed, two single beds and private bathroom with bath/shower, sink and separate WC 
–    Large games room with sofas, table football, ping-pong, air-hockey, darts and toys

Large Gite Interiors

–    Open-plan living room, dining area and kitchen, fully-equipped including dishwasher, oven and microwave 
–    3 x bedrooms with king-size double bed
–    Small mezzanine bedroom (above living area) with queen-size double bed (sloping ceilings)
–    Bathroom with shower, two sinks and WC
–    Outside dining area with table and chairs 

Small Gite Interiors

–    Small living area and kitchenette with doors leading to patio with table and chairs
–    Small shower room (off kitchen) and WC
–    Small loft bedroom with king-size double bed

Outside Grounds (12-hectare estate)

–    Swimming pool (11×5.5m, depth: max 1.8m) with pool safety alarm. Open approximately June to end-September
–    First-floor balcony with outdoor lounge and view of hills
–    Outdoor dining table
–    Barbecue
–    Firepit
–    Football field
–    Table tennis
–    Trampoline
–    Hammocks    
–    Vast grounds (including open water)

In the Auvergne region of central France, Château Granit Rose is around half an hour north-east of the historic town of Vichy. The nearest airport is Clermont-Ferrand (98km) whilst direct trains from Paris Bercy arrive at Gare de Vichy (taking just under three hours). If arriving by ferry, it is around a six-hour drive from Caen or Le Havre and usually less than seven hours from Calais.

Despite the rural setting, the local village is only 4km away with restaurants, shops, supermarkets, tennis and an attractive riverside park with beautiful summer colours and a gorgeous view of the village’s impressive castle. Classified as a ‘plus beau détour de France’, admire its historic centre as you stroll around the village and don’t miss the Thursday morning market to pick up fresh regional produce. Around the village with woodland, small lakes and the river, this area is loved by walkers, cyclists and fishing enthusiasts. If staying in October, look out for the wonderful retro festival ‘Grand Embouteillage’ that takes place every two years to celebrate the road (and traffic jams!) when Parisians headed to the south of France every year (before the age of the autoroute).

The second largest town in the Auvergne, Vichy (31km) is a UNESCO listed spa town with impressive 19th and early 20th century architecture (the town was declared the first medically-prescribed spa in Europe in the 1860s). As well as making the most of the town’s spa heritage, you can learn all about Vichy’s political history in WWII or simply embrace its charming ambience as you appreciate its historic buildings and riverside setting. Look out for events taking place throughout the year whilst gourmands can stock up at the indoor Grand Marché de Vichy several mornings a week alongside the larger outdoor market on a Wednesday morning.

It is a joy to wander through Vichy’s town parks on a sunny day and in the height of the summer come across riverside beaches, especially popular with families. On the other side of the Allier, there is a 18-hole golf course and lovely riverside walks. Meanwhile, Lac d’Allier offers a range of seasonal watersports in a picturesque town setting. A summer boat trip is another great way to soak up the surrounding scenery.

Closer to home, there are glorious walks and hikes straight from the estate or venture a little further afield to experience the Montagne Bourbonnaise across 400km of marked trails – you may even be able to see as far as the Puy de Dôme. The mountain forests also offer opportunities for horse-riding, mountain biking, rock-climbing, fishing and more. Keen walkers note there is an especially beautiful hike around Cascade de la Pisserote, around half an hour by car – bring good shoes and a picnic!

Outdoor adventurists can discover canoeing near Jaligny-sur-Besbre (22km), water-skiing and wake-boarding at a lake just north of Paray-sous-Briailles (33km) and lots more water and land-based activities including a tree-top adventure centre at a reservoir near Saint-Clément (32km).    
 
Other great trips out include visits to nearby castles with guided tours including the château in the local village and medieval Château de Billy (25km) set in a pretty village. The owners can also help you find atmospheric flea markets and brocantes across the region and advise on other wonderful experiences.