I had the immense pleasure of visiting Château de Bouthonvilliers when I was on the Artist Holiday. To say I fell in love with Château de Bouthonvilliers would be an understatement. Every evening the château is cloaked in the golden light from the setting sun, so warm and inviting. It is beautiful! If Eduard and family had asked me to stay and work for them, I would have done it, I would have stayed in a heartbeat. What, you need an event coordinator? I'm there! What's that you say? You need some help with social media and marketing and an event coordinator? I'm so your person!! It would have been straight out of Under the Tuscan Sun. I would have stayed and everyone on the trip probably would have thought I was a crazy person.
The Château is about an hour's drive from Paris located in the very charming region of Dunois region, or more precisely in the Perche Göet.
Charming, quaint, delightful, pleasing, enchanting, fascinating...there aren't enough words to dutifully describe this region and the tiny cities in it! Brou, Dangeau, Chartres, etc...they are tiny towns that match each of those descriptions but with so much more...they are filled with culture and history and the nicest people!!!
The château is located in Dangeau. With its charming 18th century symmetrical architecture and lush English-style gardens, the Château has been named a Historical Monument. You can walk through the grounds and see the history....LITERALLY.
The house itself is over 7 metres long and composed of both 16th and 18th century architecture. And in front of the house is a magnificent Blue Cedar that is over 250 years old!
Also located on the grounds is a small round chapel. And looking through my photos it is clear I was slightly obsessed with this little chapel. Originally built in the 16th century as a "dovecot" or a large birdhouse, it was later turned into the family chapel (the 19th century). Birds were a symbol of a person's status and therefore when it was time to turn the dovecot into the chapel, the family rid the building of all its significance. You can see where the holes were filled in and on the top of the building where instead of a cross, there is a dove.
Today, the chapel is consecrated and can hold about 50 people for religious ceremonies. Many choirs come to sing as the acoustics in the chapel are wonderful (or so I hear from Eduard).
Beneath the chapel is a wine cellar!
Ask Eduard or Alexia to take you down!
It really is neat!
Ask Eduard or Alexia to take you down!
It really is neat!
Inside the home there are 9 bedrooms, 5 bathrooms, several living areas, a full kitchen which are all overflowing with pieces of the past that are covered in a light layer of dust which tells the story of how old it truly is.
From start to finish history surrounds you. You can walk the grounds and see the old buildings or you can walk through the castle and see the antique and timeless pieces of history that fill this grand home!
Across the way and down the drive is where the family lives and where there is even an apartment the family rents. This area (below) is almost like a courtyard and is made up of the old stables (yes, the family has made them into living areas). The little oval shaped objects mounted in the brick are all awards from when the family participated in horse competitions.
Toward the entrance of the grounds is an old building which appears to be nothing at all, but in reality, it leads to the garden which has the vegetables and fruits the family plans to use in farm-to-table events! Alban (I believe the middle child) found currants for us and I ate one! They were growing in the garden. Fresh food! Love it!
The Château is available for renting! With all modern day amenities like a pool, fishing pond, TV, and internet, the Château is oh so welcoming and set up for you to relax all week! The Château can house up to 15 people and you are truly the master of the castle while you stay.
In addition, Eduard and family have opened up the chateau for events of many levels. I will definitely make my way back to the Château and the charming de Verdun family!
For more information on Château de Bouthonvilliers go to http://www.bouthonvilliers.com/en/
