CHATEAU DE SAINT-PATERNE

Inviting Loire castle with shades of Normandy and the Med

THIS JEWEL OF A RENAISSANCE CHATEAU on the borders of Normandy and the Loire boasts impeccable credentials as a romantic hideaway. Château de Saint-Paterne was where King Henry IV conducted his very own liaisons dangereuses, indulging in royal romps with his lovers far from the prying eyes of his court.

Wrapped in lavish 25-acre gardens and vibrantly restored by Charles-Henry and Ségolène de Valbray, Château de Saint-Paterne offers an authentic taste of ‘la vraie vie de château’ in a style that’s both luxurious and lived-in. It’s a place to get lost among the rafters and eaves of the attic rooms, to lounge on the terrace and splash in the pool on balmy summer days, or to snuggle up beside a crackling fire in autumn.

Antiques (some dating back to Napoleon’s days), and the owners’ finds from travels in Asia and North Africa add a touch of the exotic and there’s a magnificent drawing room with a huge open fireplace. At night, the chateau simply glows by glimmering candlelight.

Shades of chateau opulence

Rooms at Saint Paterne sport sunny shades of Normandy-meets-the-Med. Some are authentically period, with family heirlooms, others prettily provencal and yet more stylishly themed in shades of taupe, biscuit and plum. Theatrically canopied beds and Pierre Frey fabrics lend château opulence, while  the carafe of Pommeau de Normandy – local cider blended with Calvados – add thoughtful touches.

Match your room to your mood, whether it’s the very private Chambre du Parc, with its platform-mounted jacuzzi bathtub, soft lighting and courtyard views, the tucked-away Orangerie, with its stage-set walls and stunning mezzanine bathroom or the Chambre des Canards, with its imaginative new-old vibe and thunderbox loo. The richly warm Chambre de la Madame room has great views over the pool.

Get ready for some liaisons délicieuses over dinner at Château de Saint Paterne: mingle with your fellow guests over an aperitif, then follow with an intimate dinner at a table set for two warmed by candlelight. Flavoursome traditional French fare using veggies from the château’s kitchen garden is on the menu – probably a delicious dish plucked from Charles-Henry’s latest cookbook.

You’re half way between Brittany and Paris here. Explore the Perche, a prettily rural region of mellow manor houses, lush forests and bijou villages, or venture into Loire castle territory.  

It’s the warm, arms-open welcome from your hosts that makes a stay at Château de Saint-Paterne extra special. There’s none of the starchiness you might expect, bags of genuine charm and all the feel of staying with old friends. Yet another reason to linger in this one-time royal lovers’ hideaway.


Château de Saint-Paterne was reviewed by Room for Romance

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PRESTIGE WEEKEND AT CHATEAU DE SAINT PATERNE                             

Spend a weekend at Chateau de Saint Paterne and receive a heap of extras.

Settled up in your park view suite you will receive fresh flowers and a bottle of champagne. Breakfast (in bed if you prefer) is included as are two candle lit dinners for two with wine, aperitifs and coffee. An excursion to a local country inn will feature a free lunch with all the drinks included. All for EUR 840.

*Quote "Prestige Week-end" in the message box of our Booking Inquiry form

Click on any picture to enlarge it and move through the gallery.

Dining in
Owner Chares-Henry is the author of several recipe books, so expect food to drool over. Cooking at Château de Saint-Paterne is mostly creative interpretations of classic Mediterranean and Norman dishes such as torte de carottes and pintade à la normande (Norman guinea-fowl). Vegetables are sourced from the gardens and don’t get fresher. Dining is à deux on candlelit tables in the grand yet inviting family dining room.

Dining out
Head into nearby Alençon and check out Au Petit Vatel and Le Hangar in the attractive old town centre.

See & Do
You’re on the cusp of Normandy and the Loire here, so well located for reaching the vineyards and chateaux of the Loire, or the D-Day landing beaches in Normandy – a real taste of wartime France. Mont Saint Michel is a bit of trip, but spectacularly worth it. If you simply want to chill, there’s a swimming pool, tennis courts, a nine hole golf course within walking  distance, or horse riding nearby.

Shop
Auguste in nearby Alençon is a must if you’re hunting for country-style antiques or interesting finds for the garden. If liquid souvenirs are more your thing, pick up a flagon or two of the local (and rather alcoholic) pommeau.

After dark
Dine in and enjoy a chaser by the fire, or head into Alençon for a good choice of bijou bars.

Dates
February
Join in the revelry at Granville Mardi Gras, with all-night partying and daytime fun. Mardi Gras itself is known as the ‘day of intrigue’, so don a mask and who knows who you might meet…

June
Moving and memorable D-Day Anniversary services are held around Caen and Bayeux.

GETTING THERE

Location
Saint-Paterne, 72610 Alençon

Parking
There is free guest parking

Trains
Alençon station – 3km

Taxis
About 10 EUR from the station

Airport
Paris Charles de Gaulle - 200km

ESSENTIAL INFO

Rates guide
135 – 230 EUR

Open/closed
Closed January – April

Check-in
2:30pm

Check-out
Midday

Minimum night stay?
No

Breakfast
Buffet breakfast (charged at 12 EUR) is served until 11am. 

Room service
Late risers can take breakfast in their room.

Children
Welcome

Pets
Welcome at 10 EUR per night.

Air conditioning
No

Languages
French. English, Spanish and Arabic

Wedding license?
No

Your contacts
Charles-Henry and Segolène de Valbray – owners

Coming soon
A whole new room is on the way.