Renting a castle, FRANCE
Airing Date: Sep 5th, 2005
Le Chteau de Saint-Loup is located in the most southern part of the Loire Valley in the region of Poitou-Charentes, France, between the cities of Parthenay and Thouars. .The castle is a 4-hour drive from Paris. By high-speed TGV train it is just 1 1/2 hours to Poitiers and a half hour drive to the castleThe property is an original castle with towers, moats, and a dungeon and over its checkered history, has been home to the King of France, princes and counts.
The castle also has a dark side. Way back in 1356 the Black Prince of England used the dungeon as a prison for the French King Jean le Bon after the Battle of PoitiersThe Chteau de Saint-Loup is a jewel of France's architectural heritage and an important site in the history of the region of Poitou. .
Its present owner is Count Charles-Henri de Bartillat.
Nowadays, the castle is open to the public, not just to visit, but to rent, so you can actually sit on the chairs, lie on the beds and touch the things you never could if it was a museum. Rooms at the Chateau start at $AUD190 per night. Or you can rent the whole castle for $AUD11,500. And its pretty big! There are 22 bedrooms as well as fully equipped kitchen, grand dining room and luxurious living rooms, with beautiful antique furniture which you are encouraged to use as your own.
The chateau has also been semi-renovated, with new plumbing and various restorations throughout the building.
Chateau de Saint-Loup also has a large expanse of manicured gardens. The orangerie, flower garden, canal, pavilions, courtyards, forest park and menagerie building are all located throughout the forty hectare expanse of gardens. The grounds are currently undergoing a restoration to recreate the park and gardens as they were in the middle of the eighteenth century, based on detailed plans dating from the period.
Further information:
Chateau Saint-Loup: Rooms $190 a night or the entire chateau From $11,500 a night. website: www.chateaudesaint-loup.com
Thai International UK Europe Dollar Deals to Paris
From;
$2325 ex west coast
$2416 ex east coast
Includes taxes and conditions apply. Includes $200 spending money and a domestic side trip in Thailand. Website:
www.thaiairways.com.au
Car hire From $60 a day. Based on small car.
DriveAway Holidays - Ph: 1300 363 500
Prices correct at 5/9/05
