CHATEAU DES BRIOTTIÈRES
Secluded family-owned Val de Loire château
THIS BLISSFUL ANJOU château – home of the de Valbray family since 1820 –
stands in 50 hectares of English-style parkland, its tranquillity ruffled only by swans gliding across the lake. Well away from the big tourist beat, Château des Briottières has all the lazy charm of an olden-days aristocratic country house party, hosted by the sociable and hospitable François and Hedwige de Valbray.
While away a summer’s afternoon on the tennis courts, borrow a bicycle to explore bucolic Loire villages, or
discover the secluded swimming pool in the grounds. After dinner, pop along to the library for a game of billiards, or simply sip an Armagnac beneath the twinkling chandeliers of the antique-laden salons.
Family portraits and antiques are everywhere at Château des Briottières. Bedrooms in the main house are bright and airy, with views across the gardens, lake or chapel and extravagantly big bathrooms. A feminine hand has been at work in La Chambre Rose, with its swathes of beautifully coordinated fabrics framing beds and windows, while others are more restrained. There's also a six-bedroom Orangery (
le fruitier) in the grounds perfect for a house party with friends.
Hit the Spot
'Twixt the Loire and Normandy, north of Anjou.
Bedtime
Unless your budget is tight, go for a Prestige or Royal room.
Be Savvy
All the charm (and occasional faded grandeur) of a bygone age.
Be Smitten
Château with shades of a Merchant Ivory movie.
Silver candelabra
Guests at Château des Briottières have the option to eat in, starting with a glass of local fizz in the gardens with your hosts. Linen-draped
tables are decked with silver candelabra and a battery of glasses ready for quaffing crisp Anjou wines. Menus include some traditional family recipes and use fresh, seasonal ingredients.
From here, feast your senses on the lavish Loire Valley châteaux or visit the great abbeys of Solesmes and Fontevraud. You can pound the streets of medieval Angers or simply
paddle along the river in a canoe. The Breton coast and Mont Saint Michel are easy day trips.
Château des Briottières was reviewed by
Room for Romance
Click on any picture to enlarge it and move through the gallery.
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Dining in
Resident chef patron Hedwige de Craecker serves up traditional, regional French food. Great specialities include
pavé aus asperges et gigot de sept heures served in the formidable golden-clad extravagance of the dining room.
Dining out
Eating at Château de Noirieux, near Angers, is the typical French experience and should be savoured and enjoyed. Elegance has been woven into the dining experience here and the food is top-notch.
Where?
Château des Briottieres
What’s cooking?
Traditional, regional specialities
Dress the part
You'll want to dress for dinner here
Top table?
Wherever you sit, you will probably be dazzled by gold.
See & Do
See the Château du Plessis Bourré near Angers to experience all the history of a stunning Loire castle. Visit the fire-torn Abbaye de Solesmes, whose high vaulted ceilings and fine architectural features make it one of the region’s most amazing buildings. Play French billiards, golf, swim, use the Jacuzzi, trampoline, go horse riding in the grounds or play every kind of tennis invented. And then relax.
Shop
With rural France stretching in every direction here, forget about shopping and take in your surroundings.
After dark
Watch the sun go down over the trees, look back at the orange-illuminated stonework, and breathe in country-fresh air.
Dates
August-September
Churches, castles and stately homes all become venues for music ranging from chamber to opera during the Festival Les Heures musicales du haut-Anjou.
December
Angers gets into the Christmas spirit with the Soleil d'Hiver festival – great for gift shopping and entertaining kids.
GETTING THERE
Location
49330 Champigné, Loire
Parking
There is free guest parking
Trains
Angers Saint Laud station – 25km
Taxis
EUR 40 from the station
Airport
Angers – 30km and Tours
Rooms and suites
Ten rooms, three suites
Special features
Spacious, classical rooms come with wi-fi and DVD players
Also…
Take a look out of the window for brilliant parkland views and swathes of green.
ESSENTIAL INFO
Rates guide
EUR 160 - 350
Open/closed
Open all year round
Check-in
3pm
Check-out
12 noon
Minimum night stay?
No
Breakfast
Breakfast is served until 10am
Room service
No
Children
Children can stay, but may not enjoy the peace of their surroundings as much as you do
Pets
Dogs are welcome at 15 euros per night
Air conditioning
No
Languages
English and French
Wedding license?
Yes – with receptions for up to 350 people
Your contacts
Francois and Hedwige de Valbray – owners