Staying at Château Chaumeton allows you to experience the authenticity of a castle dating back over 600 years whilst truly relaxing in high-end surroundings, set within a working vineyard only 15km from France’s famous wine town, Saint-Émilion.
Located on the edge of a small village near the Dordogne River, this wonderful French château dates back to the early 1400s when it was built as a fortified house by a Normandy family – the two towers still remain to this day. Having undergone a huge restoration in recent years, guests can soak up the castle’s rich heritage whilst appreciating comfortable furnishings and contemporary style across its centuries old lounge and spacious country kitchen.
The air-conditioned bedrooms are beautiful, some with wood-beamed ceilings and exposed stone walls, many with the addition of an en suite bath or shower room. Sleeping up to 14 guests across the castle, the family bedroom and two-bedroom suite are especially attractive to families whilst we adore the rolltop bathtub and double walk-in shower in the master bedroom’s bathroom. Meanwhile, the tower bedroom is like stepping back in time with its incredible ceiling!
Outside, the decked poolside terrace juxtaposes perfectly with the historic surroundings – it almost feels like you are staying at a boutique-style beach club rather than relaxing in rural south-western France! As well as the heated swimming pool, stylish sun loungers and day beds, backed by agapanthuses and lavender, the poolside converted barn houses a chic bar and lounge alongside an air-conditioned gym.
There is plenty to keep children and adults occupied at Chateau Chaumeton; it has a games room with pool, air-hockey and babyfoot tables, plus a table tennis table near the terrace. There is also a yoga pavilion amongst the trees, an outdoor kitchen and barbecue as well as al-fresco dining which can be prettily lit up at night. As the sun sets over the vines, sit back with a glass of local wine on the kitchen terrace making the most of the evening sunlight.
This region is a paradise for wine-enthusiasts. Not only are you surrounded by a 4.5-hectare vineyard, it is just a 15-minute drive to the exquisite hilltop town of Saint-Émilion and its UNESCO World Heritage vineyards, but the Gironde wine regions of Pomerol, Sauternes and the great city of Bordeaux can be reached for a fine day out – wine tours and tastings can be arranged.
Enjoy local walks and cycle rides, canoe or kayak along the Dordogne and learn all about the Hundred Years’ War in the nearby market town of Castillon-la-Bataille. Food lovers can visit so many atmospheric markets across the Gironde and Dordogne and dine out in an array of inviting restaurants from traditional auberges to Michelin starred establishments.
Further afield, spend the day by the Dordogne in Bergerac, visit the prestigious wine châteaux of the Médoc peninsula, embrace the beauty of L’Étang de Lacanau or simply venture to Arcachon Bay for white wine and oysters overlooking the Atlantic coast in this magnificent region of south-western France.
Set within a working vineyard, surrounded by 4.5 hectares of vines and only 15km from Saint-Émilion, this 14th century castle is not just a paradise for wine-lovers but any Francophile looking to experience the beautiful Gironde region of south-western France, just to the south of the Dordogne River and around an hour from Bordeaux.
If flying to France you can arrive via Bordeaux or Bergerac Airports whilst the TGV train service heads into Bordeaux Saint Jean (the fastest direct services from Paris Montparnasse to Bordeaux take around 2 hours 10 minutes).
The small local village is just 400m from the château, home to a 12th century church, whilst the next village along, around 2.5km by car, has a boulangerie and small local restaurant. The attractive bastide town of Castillon-la-Bataille (6km), by the banks of the Dordogne, has several shops, restaurants and café-bars as well as a bustling market on a Monday morning. If staying in late July or August, look out for the incredible re-enactments of the battle of Castillon which take place on Friday and Saturday evenings – book ahead for this very impressive event.
Castillon-la-Bataille is also home to the nearest train station with departures to Bordeaux (39 minutes), Sainte-Foy-la-Grande (18 minutes) and Bergerac (36 minutes). You could also take the train to Saint-Émilion (6 minutes) if you don’t mind the 20-minute walk up to the hilltop town from the train station.
Whether arriving by train or car, Saint-Émilion (15km) is one of the highlights of this region, an exquisite hilltop town steeped in rich heritage and famous for its UNESCO World Heritage vineyards, some of which date back to Roman times. With its old quarter, Romanesque churches and fascinating catacombs, its beauty will enchant you as you stroll around its labyrinth of narrow lanes. Step into high-end wine shops, pretty boutiques and excellent restaurants including the two Michelin starred La Table de Pavie.
Food-lovers also note that there is a Michelin starred restaurant even closer in Saint-Jean-de-Blaignac (5km) as well as many other wonderful bistros, restaurants and markets where you can experience the very best cuisine of the Dordogne and Gironde regions. Look out for atmospheric markets in places such as Sainte-Foy-la-Grande (28km), Duras (30km), La Réole (30km) and Monségur (27km) as well as the much-loved markets of Bordeaux, Libourne and Saint-Émilion.
Beyond Saint-Émilion , wine connoisseurs can visit the wine areas of Pomerol and Sauternes (47km) or venture slightly further afield to the Médoc peninsula with Pauillac (100km) and Margaux (72km) reached within a 90-minute drive. Perhaps combine with a trip to the peaceful shores of Étang de Lacanau (107km) or the surfing beaches north of Cap Ferret. Sipping white wine accompanied by oysters on Arcachon Bay (110km) is another iconic experience of the Atlantic coastline of France.
Château Interiors
Ground Floor
- Lounge with large stone fireplace
- Kitchen, well-equipped including large stone fireplace and dining area
- Study with sofa-bed (on request)
- WC
First Floor
- Master bedroom with king-size double bed and en suite bathroom with WC
- 2-bedroom family suite with twin bedroom and double bedroom with en suite bathroom with WC
Second Floor
- Bedroom with double bed and en suite shower room with WC
- Bedroom with king-size double bed and partly open-plan en suite shower room
- Family room with double bed and two single beds
- Family bathroom with shower and WC
Converted Poolside Barn
- Bar and lounge
- Gym with air-conditioning
- Bathroom with shower
- Separate WC Converted Games Barn - Separate social area away from the main house or poolside barn
- Pool, air-hockey and babyfoot tables
- Retro style arcade machine Outside Grounds
- Heated swimming pool (13x6m, depth: 0.85-1.85cm and ‘plage’ area of 0.2m) with electric safety cover. Open approximately May to end-October
- Poolside terrace with sun loungers, sun beds, water feature and poolside shower
- Poolside barn with bar, lounge, gym and shower room with WC
- Outdoor kitchen with gas plancha and separate barbecue
- Al-fresco dining terrace and lounge area
- Yoga pavilion with TV
- Boules pitch
- Table tennis (under cover)
- Large garden (2 hectares with lawn, orchards and small wooded copse)
- Working vineyard (4.5 hectares)
- Outbuildings (not accessible to guests - working agricultural barn and old wine cellar)
Facilities
- Wi-Fi
- Air-conditioning (all bedrooms and gym)
- Yoga pavilion with TV
- Gym
- Bar
- Table tennis
- Games room with pool, air-hockey and table football
- Boules
- Washing machine and dryer
