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