Chateau Des Marquis
The grandness of Le Château des Marquis as you approach it is all encompassing - the sheer size of it is impressive and the excitement builds as you drive down the avenue and see the imposing façade.
The grandness of Le Château des Marquis as you approach it is all encompassing - the sheer size of it is impressive and the excitement builds as you drive down the avenue and see the imposing façade. Welcome to Château des Marquis. Our home is your castle.
History has played an enormous part in the life of this château. Generations have come and gone, and now the aim is to give guests the ‘The Chateau Experience’ and experience historical glamour and royal charm in this palatial country residence. After many years of neglect, the new owners have taken it upon themselves to bring back the former glory of this magnificent building and recreate the luxury offered by such a beautiful estate.
The newly renovated interiors within the well-preserved façade have been redesigned to provide elegant living in a beautiful old building with modern kitchens and bathrooms, yet feeling very much part of an old world. The rooms are large with high ceilings so you enjoy the freedom of space. The furniture style is Country French, and the bathrooms are traditional, so you immediately feel you are in a lovely old Country Home.
This castle boasts 17 elegant apartments spread over four floors, where guests can live like royalty, in their own self-contained accommodation of either a studio, one, two or three-bedroom suite. The ground floor offers communal salons, a large banquet hall, a chapel and a large dining area, as well as a large front terrace to enjoy the sunlight while sipping a good glass of local French wine or bubbly from the many vineyards around Saumur.
Outside in the formal gardens you can enjoy the large swimming pool, play boules in the pétanque court, find a seat to read a good book, enjoy the fruits from the orchard, smell the roses and sample herbs from the garden. In the broader grounds, you can take a walk in the forest, visit the grotto, enjoy a BBQ picnic out in the side garden or explore some caves in the moat.
Chateau des Marquis enjoys a fabulous location in the heart of the Loire Valley in the outskirts of a little village and just 19 km from Saumur. The Loire River is part of the UNESCO World Heritage and the whole region offers countless of places to visit, from its famous Chateaux to wine tasting tours and plenty of outdoor activities.
Château des Marquis is just outside a pretty village with three bars, restaurant, hairdressers and pharmacy. The nearest town is lovely Saumur, which is only 19km away. Less than an hour away you can visit the cities of Angers, Le Mans and Tours.
Centred on the mighty UNESCO World Heritage classified Loire river, guests can zig-zag through a veritable cornucopia of wonderful things to see and do from the thrill of the Le Mans racing circuit to the astonishing horsemanship of the Cadre Noire Riding School. For a family day out there is Joyful Valley Lake or the leap back in history at Saumur Castle.
The area is perfect for visiting the Loire Châteaux, for wine tasting (particularly sparkling wines) and for rambling and cycling in the National Park.
Chateau Interior
- 4 x studios
- 5 x 1-bedroom suite
- 5 x 2-bedroom suite
- 2 x 3-bedroom suite
- 1 x clock tower apt, 2-bedroom + mezzanine with 3 x single beds (children)
Ground Floor
- Grand staircase and entrance
- 2 Salons, library and computer
- Grand Banquet Hall with 150 seats (ideal for dinners, meetings, private functions and conferences)*
- Chateau Dining Room with 20 seats
- Chateau Kitchen for Caterers
- Chapel
- Crypt (for wine-tasting)
- Front terrace with patio
- Suite 1: 1-bedroom with disability access (West Wing) - 45m2
- Suite 2: 2-bedroom with disability access (West Wing) - 98m2
First Floor
- Suite 3: 2-bedroom (access through West Wing staircase) - 96m2
- Suite 4: 2-bedroom (access through West Wing staircase) - 112m2
- Suite 5: studio (access through West Wing staircase) - 55m2
- Suite 6: 1-bedroom (access through Grand staircase and lift) - interconnecting door to Suite 7 - 61m2
- Suite 7: studio (access through Grand staircase and lift) - interconnecting door to Suite 6 - 42m2
- Suite 8: 1-bedroom (access through Grand staircase and lift) - disability access - 61m2
- Suite 9: 1-bedroom (access through Grand staircase and lift) - 45m2
- Suite 10: 2-bedroom (access through Grand staircase and lift) - 98m2
Second Floor
- Suite 11: 1-bedroom (access through West Wing staircase)
- Suite 12: 2-bedroom (94m2) with two bathrooms (lift)
- Suite 13: 3-bedroom (95m2) with three bathrooms (access through West Wing staircase)
- Suite 14: studio (access through West Wing staircase)
- Suite 15: studio (access through West Wing staircase)
Third Floor
- Suite 16: 3-bedroom (94m2) with three bathrooms
Suites
All suites are self-contained studio, one or two bedroom for self-catering. Temporary beds can be put in some Suites for extra bed space if requested, for an additional charge.
Studio Suites – all have a mini kitchenette, with a microwave/convection small oven, two induction hot plates, an extractor, a mini fridge, a small dishwasher, a single sink and washing machine/dryer (or shared) integrated into the kitchen cupboards. The king bed can be split into two single beds as standard, and the living space has seating and dining for four people. Every bathroom has a bath, shower, toilet and hand basin. Utensils provided for catering up to four people.
One Bedroom Suites – have a slightly larger kitchen than that of the studio suites, with a larger fridge. All other items are as above. One suite is much larger, so has a full kitchen.
Two or Three Bedroom Suites – have full kitchens with a large fridge and all larger electrical fittings and double sinks. Utensils provided for catering up to six people. Most bathrooms have a bath, although some only have a shower in the second bedroom.
Maison de Fretigny (Clock Tower) - 136m2
Independent 3-storey stand-alone suite located in the front lawns of the chateau.
- Master bedroom with en-suite bath
- 1 double bedroom with en-suite shower
- Mezzanine area with 3 single beds
- Fully equipped kitchenette
- Entertainment area
Outside Grounds
- Semi-heated swimming pool (size: 20x8 m / depth: 1.1-1.7 m) with child-safe fence (open from May to October from 9 am to 7 pm)
- French Gardens: the front lawn offers an area in which to view the moat and the front of the chateau. The main gardens are found through the main building to the back, where the area is divided into four sections – the topiary walk, the swimming pool, the orchard, and the garden walk.
- Forest: 22 acres of forest, in which our guests can take walks along the pathways and accesses that are within our guided map. Low hanging branches and fallen trees make it a ‘nature walk’, so care needs to be taken – do so at your own risk. Wild flowers and chestnuts can be found on the ground. A Pilgrimage Grotto is also in the forest, to view and read about.
- Change room, sunbeds and parasols
- Picnic area with 2 gas-lit BBQs
- Pétanque court
- Caves: exploring the caves is a fun past time, but you will need the Caves Map to find your way around, and you need to let one of our team members know you are going down to the moat to explore. You will need to be guided in the right direction, particularly on your first visit.
- Cycling: the chateau bikes can be used on a first come, first served basis. Cycling down to the village to collect your morning croissants or baguette for lunch is a popular thing to do. Having a coffee enroute is a very French thing to enjoy.
- The Plants: a herb garden is near the foot bridge across from the back of the chateau and guests can help themselves to what is in season, for their personal cooking pleasure. The orchard is to the back of the formal gardens, and when in season, pickings can be made by our guests of the fruit on the trees, or some of the vegetables in the veggie patch.
- Off road parking space
Facilities
- LCD Flat Screen Satellite TV
- DVD player
- PC with internet access
- Safe
All suites are set up for self catering. Upon arrival you will find a ‘Welcome Basket’ filled with local produce, items to make up a simple quick meal, and things you may need for snacks after a long drive. It means you don’t have to rush off to the supermarket to survive the night!
Breakfasts can be offered
If you let us know by 6pm the previous evening, we can arrange continental breakfast downstairs in the dining room for €15 per person between 8am-10am. Cereals, juices, yoghurts, bakery delights, toast, hot drinks. Or we can deliver a breakfast basket to your room.
Pre-booked grocery list
We can arrange to have items ready for your arrival in your suite. Tick the items you would like in the room on our shopping list, and they will be waiting for you when you check in. €25 fee for the convenience.
Meals – prebooked with local chef
We can arrange, with 24 hours notice, catered meals to be delivered to your suite. Tick the choice of meals from our catering list with prices included.
Salons – library
The chateau computer is in the library for our guests’ use. Free Wi-Fi within the chateau, in the common rooms as well as in the suites. Board games are found in the library cupboards.
At Oliver’s Travels we pride ourselves on going that little bit further for our guests. From private chefs to babysitters we can help you arrange those little extras that make it a truly memorable holiday. Simply fill in the concierge request form or contact the Oliver’s Concierge Team who will be happy to help.
Security deposit
€1000 charged to client’s credit card by the owner upon arrival and refunded two weeks after departure, subject to full inspection.
Arrival time
4.00 p.m.
Departure time
10.00 a.m (extensions available subject to availability).
Energy costs included?
Yes.
Linen & towels included?
Yes, including pool towels.
Pets welcome?
On request only and with prior agreement with the owner. If accepted, the owner will inform you of any restrictions within the chateau as they will only be allowed in specific suites.
Other Ts and Cs
Weddings and any special events are on request only and subject to prior arrangement with the owner and additional charges. Stag/hen parties are not allowed.
Changeover day
Flexible.
End of stay cleaning
Standard changeover clean included in the price. Guests are required to leave the accommodation clean, tidy and in the same condition as on their arrival. Any extra cleaning, laundry, maintenance and/or rubbish disposal required will be charged against the security deposit.
Other 2
Please note that if guests wish to use the dining facilities (Banquet Hall or Dining Room) or eat or drink in the public areas as a group using the Chateau furniture, there will be an additional charge.
Other 3
When booking for 43 guests or fewer, please note that certain bedrooms and suites will be closed and unavailable to guests. 43 Guests will have access to suites with 22 bedrooms (three suites will be locked off). When booking for 57, guests will have access to 17 suites with 27 bedrooms and a mezzanine floor with 3 single beds.
Minimum stay
2 nights when booking the 57-guest price, 7 nights when booking the 43-guest price.
Heating costs included?
Yes.
Pool heating charge?
No. Please note that like all heated pools, pool heating and water temperature are reliant on weather and outside temperatures.
Tax
French Visitors Tax payable locally (typically costs €1-€3 per adult per night- please enquire if exact amount is required).
Pool opening dates?
The pool is open approximately May to October (from 9.00 a.m. to 7.00 p.m) . Please note that pool opening dates are subject to local weather conditions and pool maintenance requirements and that cooler months may not be suitable for swimming.