These fairy-tale French hideaways will soon cast their history-steeped spell on you
Elegant turrets, fabulous four-poster beds, and ridiculously romantic gardens, castles will forever hold a fairy-tale feel. Originally reserved for royalty and nobility, once-crumbling châteaux have been restored and reimagined as timeless stays in storybook settings around France. Mesdames et messieurs, your happily-ever-after holiday awaits…
1. Le Nessay, Saint-Briac-sur-Mer
Sitting in splendid isolation atop the rugged Nessay Peninsula, Le Nessay is the stuff of fairy-tales – quite literally. A striking redbrick château with turrets that point to the sky, this boutique hotel stylishly evokes memories of a golden age, when the only soundtrack was the breaking of waves on the shore. Add to the mix the best croissants in town, and it makes the perfect refuge from the modern world.
But that doesn’t mean the creature comforts aren’t contemporary here. The nine rooms and two suites balance clean pastel colours with handpicked furniture – and all boast sea views, befitting a beach-loving king or queen.
2. Château Eza, Èze
Step through the 400-year-old castle doors of Château Eza and straight into the pages of a romantic novel. Perched high among the ancient clifftops of Èze, the views from this historic hideaway are truly second to none. Affectionately known until the Seventies as ‘The Prince of Sweden’s Castle’, the antique-filled interiors with four-poster beds and period fireplaces nod to the property’s aristocratic heritage, while the glass-edged restaurant opening onto a panoramic terrace gives guests a taste of the modern day Mediterranean.
3. Château La Chenevière, Normandy
An 18-century honey-hued château surrounded by blossoming gardens, Château La Chenevière combines the feel of an English country house with classical French style. Every pastel-tinted room has a garden view, making it the perfect place to enjoy the countryside charm of Normandy (with your pampered pooch in tow, should you wish to bring any canine companions). Explore the 12 acres of parkland, with secluded walled gardens and a heated outdoor swimming pool (which is open from May-September). Or venture outside the hotel on one of the hotel’s bicycles for a day trip to Omaha Beach or historic Bayeux.
4. Grand Barrail Château Hotel & Spa, Saint-Emilion
An imposing turn-of-the-century château that stands out against the skyline with its fairy-tale turrets and spires, Grand Barrail Château Hotel & Spa is set in secluded and tranquil grounds in the midst of the vineyards of Saint-Emilion. Some of the château’s most majestic rooms are reserved for the restaurant that has three separate dining areas. Choose between the Baroque magnificence of Salon Mauresque with its stained-glass windows, red marble pillars, gilding and oriental-style paintings; the more intimate Salle Ronde with its elegant chandeliers or the terrace overlooking the gardens.
5. Les Sources de Cheverny, Cheverny
Tucked away in its own private estate, Les Sources de Cheverny is the quintessential French château standing amidst an ancient forest, a small hamlet of elegant cabins, a lake fringed by gorse, and traditional stone houses. Exuding 18th century elegance, this striking hotel balances bygone grandeur with a homely charm. Beyond the twists and turrets of the building, beautiful lawns and gardens are an idyllic setting for picnics and pétanque (and other genteel pursuits). And further still, the hotel’s vineyards stretch to the horizon, where boughs laden with fruit soak in the afternoon sun awaiting their magical transformation into Loire Valley wine.
6. Relais de Chambord, Chambord
Few hotels can claim such a majestic setting as Relais de Chambord. Just fifty metres away, across the peaceful Le Cosson River, stands the awe-inspiring Château de Chambord. With captivating views around almost every turn, you’ll get to know each turret and spire of the château’s famous rooftop skyline from your boutique hotel. For an utterly magical stay, we’d recommend reserving the Toue du Relais – a traditional Loire riverboat which has been cleverly converted into a stylish, floating suite.
Images by @relaisdechambord and @carterfishphotography
7. Château Le Cagnard, Cagnes-sur-Mer
Walk in the footsteps of knights and painters at Château Le Cagnard, a hilltop fortress originally built to defend nearby Château Grimaldi, which later became part of Provence’s flourishing art scene in the 19th century. Today, you’ll find reminders of this rich history throughout Château Le Cagnard – alongside all the makings of a luxury country retreat. Fill your imagination with swashbuckling stories from the château’s library by day, then dine beneath the restaurant’s sliding ceiling – where hand-painted panels glide back to reveal spellbinding starry nights.
8. Château de Fère Hôtel & Spa, Fère-en-Tardenois
Château de Fère Hôtel & Spa sits adjacent to the evocative ruins of a 13th century fortified castle that fell into ruins in the 17th century. Formerly a wing of the old castle, the chateau was restored in 1863 and nestles amidst woodland and manicured lawns with an ancient bridge that spans the moat. With many of the rooms of Château de Fère overlooking the gardens or ruins of the medieval castle, the atmosphere here is incredibly romantic. Rooms are tastefully decorated with works of art and antique furniture in the spacious suites, celebrating many of the original features including parquet floors, exposed beams and old stones.
