| If you have never stayed in a French chateau | | | | |
| before, here are some reasons why you should | | | | The premium bedrooms or suites are normally |
| book one today. | | | | on the first floor and are usually palatial |
| | | | built for the original creators of these |
| Location | | | | architectural treasures. Do not be surprised |
| | | | if the ensuite is bigger than a whole floor |
| French chateaux were usually constructed in | | | | of your own residence. The upper floors |
| enviable locations, with stunning vistas over | | | | which usually have a lower ceiling height |
| rural France. You can take in the | | | | were reserved for the incredible number of |
| countryside from your room in a castle on top | | | | full-time staff required to keep a chateau |
| of a hill. Historically castles were | | | | running like clockwork even at the beginning |
| usually built atop hills for obvious | | | | of the last century. |
| strategic defence. They provide a retreat | | | | |
| where you can wind down, rest your weary feet | | | | Chateaux normally lord over a domaine which |
| and take advantage of the host's outstanding | | | | historically necessitated wood-cutters, and |
| local knowledge. The chateau styles vary | | | | ground staff on top of house staff. Remember |
| depending upon the location in France, and | | | | these gems were built before the invention of |
| the era in which they were built. | | | | lawn mowers and chain-saws. Ten gardeners |
| | | | used to do the work of a gardener today with |
| Design | | | | all of his modern equipment. This ratio is |
| | | | pretty typical of the historical staff |
| French chateaux have design running through | | | | numbers required in the kitchen and the |
| their core and it is a pleasure to stay | | | | laundry too. |
| somewhere that's been designed and decorated | | | | |
| with an eye for detail and finish. From the | | | | Big is not necessarily better. Huge chateau |
| fine architectural details, like stunning | | | | hotels often house their guests in converted |
| plaster work, sweeping stone staircases, | | | | outbuildings, with the coach-house being a |
| parquet floors, gorgeous tiling, wrought iron | | | | favourite. Some chateaux owners reduce the |
| balustrades, beautiful marble and stone | | | | number of rooms available so that they can |
| fireplaces, trumeau mirrors, trompe l'oeil | | | | increase the size of the rooms and the public |
| paintings, magnificent french chandeliers and | | | | spaces and provide a better service. How many |
| sconces. Everything in a French chateau is | | | | rooms the chateau offers affects the ambience |
| typically design-led. | | | | and the service. Do your homework or you |
| | | | could be sharing your lovely intimate chateau |
| French chateaux were built with a fastidious | | | | experience with 60 other couples all of them |
| eye for fine detail. Remember that the | | | | eager to experience the grandeur of life |
| French under Louis XIV set the standards of | | | | living like royalty in a French chateau. |
| sophistication, style, and glamour that still | | | | |
| rule our lives today. Remember that before | | | | Service |
| his reign began, his nation had no particular | | | | |
| association with elegance, yet by its end the | | | | Service is all-important in French chateaux. |
| French had become accepted all over the world | | | | Hosts ensure that guests want for nothing, |
| as the arbiters in matters of taste and style | | | | and yet the service is discreet, so guests |
| and that France had established a dominance | | | | don't feel hassled or intimidated. The lower |
| in the luxury trade that still continues | | | | number of guests at a French chateau means |
| today. | | | | that the service can be impeccable, and it |
| | | | usually is. |
| Size | | | | |
| | | | Price |
| By their nature, chateaux are large pieces of | | | | |
| architect. However the reception rooms on | | | | The term "chateau" may give the impression |
| the ground floor are typically huge and | | | | that they are incredibly expensive, but |
| wonderful rooms to relax in and soak up the | | | | that's not the case. In fact, you may be |
| ambience. French chateaux lend themselves | | | | surprised by how affordable many of them are. |
| perfectly for wedding venues. Sometimes a | | | | For the same price or maybe just a little |
| reception room may house a Michelin-starred | | | | more than you might pay for a very ordinary |
| restaurant. If it does not then usually | | | | chain hotel, you could be staying somewhere |
| there is one not too far away. | | | | with real atmosphere and real service. |