This Chateau was everything we had hoped for and more. Its a really happy building, the rooms are spectacular and very comfortable - spacious and there is a bathroom in every room which is very unusual for a building of this type. The reception rooms are stunning but it was so warm and lovely that we hardly needed to be inside. Everyone who came to stay was blown away by the charm and space. The kitchen is split into two but is fantastically well equipped. There's even a fridge freezer with ice and chilled water dispenser! If you have a pianist in your group, get them to bring their music, as the acoustics in the sitting room with the grand piano are fabulous.
The outside areas are fabulous - beautiful, rambling walled garden - with lots of quiet spaces if you need to get away from it all. Huge amounts of outbuildings and the swimming pool was a perfect temperature. Our dogs loved it! The owner stays on site in the gate house, with his beautiful Weimaraner, Eros, which means that any problems (we didn't have any) could be very easily sorted. The lovely Claudine, the housekeeper, visits every weekday morning, so it almost felt like being in a very relaxed self catering hotel.
A couple of little restaurants in the village - and its beautiful to explore. Only downside with the village is no boulangerie (but there is a baguette dispensing machine!), but all our guests loved popping into the local town (5 min drive) to try the different boulangeries and explore the market (Weds, and Saturday, I think, but ask).
Lots of wineries in the area. This is the Loir valley (without an 'e'), and in my opinion its prettier, easier to access and the wine and the chateaux are on a par with its bigger brother (with an 'e'). We took our bikes and had great fun exploring the region - it was amazing. The TGV station from Paris is about 30min from the chateau, so its super easy for friends to arrive by different modes of transport (easy 3 hr drive from Caen ferry).
Would be a magical place to get married! And perfect for arranging a big get together of lots of friends - we took it in turns cooking. There is LOADS of freezer space, so when we visit again, we will probably each bring a pre-cooked meal and bung it in the freezer.
We totally loved our stay and we can't wait to return to this very special place in a beautiful region. Thanks to Gil, Eros and Claudine for making us so welcome, we look forward to seeing you again soon.