Arriving at this pretty Chateau, nestled amongst rolling Loire Valley scenery, it’s easy to see why its friendly Anglo-French owners, Charlotte and Jerome, were so enthralled by it that they ditched high flying careers and international travel to roll up their sleeves and transform it into the luxurious yet family friendly small hotel visitors find today.
The spacious cottages are perfectly set up for families to enjoy the best parts of self catering combined with thoughtful boutique hotel style extras to ensure a relaxing break! Cottages have been designed and finished with style, comfort and families in mind. Contemporary bathrooms feature indulgent touches such as deep free-standing baths and luxury toiletries along side rubber ducks and toddler toilet training seats (on request). The beds are all memory foam and modern additions have been included such as iPod docks, TVs, DVD players, hairdryers, dishwashers and washing machines. Although accommodation now all comes with fully fitted kitchens guests can take a break from the cooking with daily breakfast included and optional to book a thrice weekly evening meal service which usually consists of an arrival night family meal on the Saturday, Tuesday night children's tea following by four course gourmet treat for the adults and a Friday night pizza party extending into a light supper for the adults. The perfect solution for families looking for the flexibility of self catering with the pampering and added relaxation which comes with not having to do all the cooking! It is your holiday after all!
The Chateau's grounds are as equally fabulous with a shared, heated outdoor pool, toddler-friendly play area and lots of tranquil seating spots nestled amongst them. The attractions don’t end there as, for wine enthusiasts (and enthusiastic amateurs), the Fields offer free tastings, as well as the opportunity to visit their wine making rooms, as well the opportunity to visit their six hundred year old vaulted cellars.
All of the above combined with the friendly bonhomie of hosts Charlotte and Jerome with their mini-guest instant playmate sons, means it is hardly surprising that just a year after opening, the guest book is crammed with promises to return. Book in now, while you can!
Accommodation Overview - La Boulangerie
This beautiful, cosy cottage faces the Chateau's courtyard and takes its name from the original bread oven which is still visible behind the fireplace. On the ground floor there is a comfortable sitting room with feature fireplace and welcome mod cons including TV (UK and French channels), DVD player and iPod dock. There is a fully fitted, eat in kitchen with dishwasher, washing machine and glass doors which lead out into the courtyard. There is a children's bedroom on this floor with three 80cm single beds and an en-suite bathroom.
Upstairs there is a cosy yet comfortable parent suite with beamed ceilings and double bed. This room also has an en-suite with WC, vanity unit, bath and rain shower.
Château Chinon is located in the heart of the Loire Valley, amongst rolling farmland just 6km south of Chinon between the hamlets of La Roche Clermault and Marcay. Seuilly, the famous home of Rabelais, is just 5km to the west. The wine producing towns of Saumur, Saumur Champigny and Bourgeuil are within 20 kms, while the major historic Châteaux of the region are all within easy access for daytrips (Chinon 6kms, Ussé 12 kms, Azay Le Rideau 25 kms, Villandry 40 kms.).
Owners, Charlotte and Jerome are a mine of useful information on things to do, places to visit and eat out in the region, plus, thanks to their two very young children, they have up to the minute advice on the most suitable places to visit with tots in tow. Top tips include: the local zoo and velo rail, the Chinon 'Petit Train' tour, the Aquarium and Mini Châteaux park.
Getting There: By Car: It is approx 45mins from the A10 travelling south and 30 mins from the A10 when travelling North. By Train: The nearest TGV station is Tours / Saint Pierre des Corps with regular connections from Paris (55 minutes) and Brussels (3 hours). Car hire is available at this station. There is also a TER regional train link from Tours to Chinon town centre. By Plane: It is approx 1 hour from Angers, Tours and Poitiers airports, and 2hrs from Nantes.
Location Map
Nearest Medical Services: Pharmacy in La Roche Clermault (2kms) Paediatrician in Chinon (7kms) A&E department at the Francois Rabelais hospital (9kms)
Click to enlarge
Check-in time: 16:00
Check-out time: 10:00
Reservation Deposit: 50%
Balance: 28 days prior to arrival
Check-in time: 16:00
Check-out time: 10:00
Reservation Deposit: 50%
Balance: 28 days prior to arrival
We are Charlotte & Jerome, an English/French couple, with our four children Louis, Samuel, Madeleine and Oscar. In 2007, tiring of corporate life, we came wandering round the Loire Valley on holiday, fell in love with this small but perfectly formed chateau, and set about turning it into a family-friendly haven for parents to bring their little knights and princesses on relaxing breaks. We know all about the constraints of travelling with small people, and go the extra mile to make sure the children feel at home, and parents leave us actually feeling they have had a holiday too!
Parents love Chargé for its spacious cottages : each has wonderfully comfortable beds, sitting areas, and fully equipped kitchens. The combination of great local restaurants (and babysitters), and our separate child and adult table d'hote meals means that Mums and Dads get plenty of quality time with the children safe in the knowledge they can relax over a 'grown up' dinner and a great selection of Loire Valley wines to taste! Chargé's proximity to a horde of family friendly things to do (chateaux, outdoor pursuits, zoos and wineries...) mean there really is something for everyone. During July and August we also offer 2 afternoon supervised play sessions for children aged 2+, so that quiet afternoon without the children really can be a reality!
For our younger guests, Chargé is a dream come true. There are toys galore in our purpose-made playroom, farm animals to feed, a fluffy cat and a very friendly dog, not to mention the new 'human' playmates they will find to charge around the courtyard with! The garden has a fully enclosed heated outdoor pool, and the very important 3 s's (swings, sandpit, slide!) Each cottage has English TV (including CBeebies) and there is a great selection of DVDs to borrow. Many a budding princess and handsome knight have had their best night's sleep in a real tower!
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Sleeps 2 adults and 3 children in 2 en-suite bedrooms. One double and one triple room. |
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![]() | It is approx 1 hour from Angers, Tours and Poitiers airports, and 2hrs from Nantes. |
![]() | Heated outdoor pool (safely enclosed) 10x5 metres |
![]() | There is a dedicated pamper room where guests can indulge in beauty treatments and massages. |
![]() | There is a new dedicated play room which also offers 2 supervised afternoon sessions per week. |
![]() | see playroom |
![]() | Babysitting service available by arrangement |
![]() | The owners can provide any of the following in your room on arrival (pre-request): Cots (provided with baby duvet, blanket & pillow), single beds for older children, baby bath, potty, toddler toilet seat, toilet/sink stool, bottle warmer, changing mat, bouncer chair, socket covers, baby listening device & a foldable pushchair. Highchairs, plastic cutlery and crockery are available at mealtimes. Additional requests will be accommodated where possible. |
![]() | A basket of age appropriate toys will be placed in relevant rooms prior to arrival. |
![]() | A Pre-arrival shopping for nappies, babyfood etc can be arranged and picnics can be preordered in addition to the optional additional meals available on request. |
![]() | Sandpit, toddler-friendly swing, slide & playhouse. |
![]() | See playroom |
![]() | Breakfast is provided daily and included in the price. Additional meals are available on request at additional cost. These include an arrival night meal hamper, wine tasting with cold meat & cheese on Mondays, four course table dhote dinner on Wednesdays & family BBQ on Fridays. |
![]() | Wifi available. |
![]() | Log burning fire in the lounge. |
Please click the text to scroll through reviews.
The stay was fantastic we were looked after very well by Charlotte and Jerome, and our children who are 2yrs and 4yrs loved it as well, fantastic room, lovely pool, lovely hosts and wow what a relaxing place
Really lovely couple, who bent over backwards to help