Located in Anjou in the Loire Valley wine region, the Château des Briottières is a luxury four-star, family-run hotel with 18th to the family de Valbray for an impressive six generations. At only 22 years old François de Valbray inherited this magnificent château and decided to refurbish it and open it to the public as a place for them to enjoy an unforgettable stay.
The stunning facade of the Château
The whole château and its grounds have been renovated very well. The interior décor keeps in mind the château’s 18th sense of modern luxury and family spirit. The rooms are very spacious with period furniture, a TV and a bathroom, which is proportional to the room with a spacious bath and shower. The Château des Briottières also has parking for anyone wishing to drive and you will of course also have the option to try out various local wines.
An elegant décor create a comfortable ambience
We visited in November, which meant we were lucky enough to see the beautiful autumnal colours of the trees in the park. The park stretches as far as the eye can see on both sides of the château – perfect if you would like an afternoon walk through this beautiful scenery. The pond, which has been extended in the last few years, is located in front of the main entrance.
The autumnal grounds and park created a romantic atmosphere
The Château des Briottières is primarily a family home; we had the opportunity to visit a large part of the hotel with the owner happily explaining to us how each part of the building was used before it was opened to the public. It turns out we were sleeping in the former room of the owner’s grandfather – the Yellow Room!
The Yellow Room where we stayed
When we entered the château we were greeted by peaceful classical music, which was perfect for the feel of this four-star hotel. Inside, the ground floor also includes a kitchen, dining room, and a green and a red living room.
An aperitif is served from 7pm in both lounges. Mr de Valbray offers all of his guests a sparkling wine produced by his cousin living in the south of Angers – further reinforcing the family ties present in the hotel. All of the products we sampled were again available on the wine menu during dinner.
Dinner is served at 8pm in the dining room where you will notice the most beautiful period wooden floors. The menu is unique and varies each night. It is not a restaurant but a Table d’Hôte set up, where family recipes are served every night. For starters we had the pleasure of indulging in pea soup with shrimp and bacon, for our main dish we were treated to a delicious beef bourguignon with potatoes and then finally we ended the meal with a gorgeous chocolate fondant dessert with vanilla ice cream. You can then relax in the lounge with tea, herbal tea or coffee.
The dining room
For more than 35 years, Mr de Valbray has warmly welcomed his guests – we were treated like family during our stay. Any Winerists looking to discover the Loire Valley will find a fantastic family atmosphere in this magnificent four-star property. You will be made to feel right at home in this grand château.
To experience a stay at Château des Briottières with Winerist book here.