France

The property is a beautifully restored 15th-century château sleeping 15 guests across seven bedrooms. Set within four hectares of historic grounds and a further six hectares of private woodland, this exceptional property combines medieval character, elegant 19th-century architecture and modern comfort, with an outdoor pool, wood-fired hot tub and a wealth of space for memorable group stays. Highlights • Historic château sleeping 15 guests • Seven bedrooms • Outdoor swimming pool, heated from 1 April to 1 October and open all year • Wood-fired hot tub • Pizza oven • Games including table tennis and pool table • Four hectares of private grounds • Six hectares of woodland along the private driveway • Natural springs, rivers, canal, lavoir and old bridge • Grand 19th-century façade with original medieval towers The Château Dating back more than 600 years, Château La Chutelière was originally built in the 15th century as a link fortress during the Hundred Years’ War. Rather than serving as a major fortification, it provided a strategic resting place where horses could be changed before continuing their journey. The château still retains many remarkable reminders of its medieval past, including metre-thick fortress walls, solid stone ground floors and two of its original towers at the rear. From the front, the elegant 19th-century façade creates a striking contrast, introduced by the Turquand d’Auzay family when they replaced the original front towers with a more refined architectural elevation. Over the centuries, the château has been home to several notable families, including the Marquis de Chouppes and the Turquand d’Auzay family. Carefully modernised by its present owners over four decades, it now offers a warm and welcoming retreat with modern comforts while preserving the distinctive character of each floor. The ancient walls keep the château pleasantly cool in summer and retain warmth in the winter months. As well as central heating from a large wood-chip boiler, several fireplaces and wood-burning stoves keep the house warm and cosy through autumn and winter. Dining & Social Spaces Designed for unhurried group stays, the château provides a wonderful setting for shared meals, long conversations and special occasions. The château has three kitchens. The main kitchen has a range cooker set in the original stone fireplace, multiple ovens, and a large island breakfast bar. A coffee machine makes espresso, latte, cappuccino and flat white. The dining room has a long oak table and a drinks cabinet equipped with everything to make cocktails, and there's even a pizza oven! On the top floor, a 330 m² beamed gallery gives the group a second living space, with sofas, an extra-large flatscreen TV, a hi-fi sound system, pool table, two wood-burning stoves and its own kitchenette. Gather around the table indoors or make the most of the outdoor spaces, for relaxed al fresco dinners throughout the warmer months. Bedrooms & Accommodation The château has seven bedrooms. Five have en-suite bathrooms, and two are on the ground floor either side of a shared bathroom with a walk-in shower and a large hexagonal bath, separated from the kitchen by an adjoining corridor. Heated blankets are provided for cooler nights. Leisure & Entertainment There is plenty to enjoy without leaving the grounds. The outdoor swimming pool is heated from 1 April to 1 October and open, unheated, for the rest of the year, while the wood-fired hot tub offers a peaceful place to unwind. A pool table, table tennis, board games, a music room and a library provide entertainment for all ages, making the château especially well suited to family holidays and celebration stays. Gardens & Outdoor Living The grounds are shaped by six centuries of history. Built into a natural slope, the château sits where freshwater springs feed two small rivers winding through the poplar grove at the rear. These are joined at both ends by a 100-metre stone-lined canal, complete with an old bridge and traditional lavoir. At the front of the château, an unusual footbridge crosses the dry moat to the entrance. The formal park-style garden features magnificent specimen trees, including Cedar of Lebanon, elm and sequoia, some estimated to be over 250 years old. The pool sits within a walled stone courtyard with parasols, drinks tables and sun loungers. Up from the pool there is a large terrace for outdoor dining, including a covered area for when it is too hot or wet, with a multi-purpose barbecue space. A historic dovecote, coach house, woodland and extensive gardens complete this truly distinctive setting. Services on Request Catering can be arranged with a local chef, from breakfast to all three meals, cooked to guests' dietary requirements. Daily housekeeping, return transfers from Poitiers airport or train station, excursions, sports and therapeutic massage, functional medicine consultations, osteopathy and personal training can also be booked. Guests who would like functional medicine testing should get in touch at least six weeks before arrival, so the tests can be ordered in advance and the results gone through during their stay. Location Château La Chutelière is in the Deux-Sèvres département, 1.2km from the N149 main road, 15km from the main local town of Parthenay and 35km from the city of Poitiers. Poitiers airport, around 35 minutes away, has direct Ryanair flights from London Stansted. Poitiers TGV station is around 40 minutes away, with trains from Paris taking around an hour and a quarter on the fastest services, and Bordeaux airport is around two hours from Poitiers by shuttle and train. A car is recommended for exploring the area. Ideal For • Multi-generational family holidays • Milestone celebrations and special occasions • Relaxed countryside escapes with friends • History lovers seeking an atmospheric château stay • Groups looking for space, privacy and outdoor leisure facilities

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