Château de Bouthonvilliers (VER.28)

Château de Bouthonvilliers is a 10-bedroomed cottage, sleeping 14, in a secluded rural setting, 5km SW of Dangeau (Eure-et-Loir), 35km SW of Chartres (Michelin map: 518). VFB is delighted to have featured this property since 2002. Saturday arrival.

This exceptional property comprises the major part of an imposing 18th-century château (two wings of which are occupied, respectively, by the friendly English-speaking owners and their caretaker), a listed building set in 25 hectares of magnificent grounds amid the rich arable farmland of La Beauce. Inside all the authentic character of a classically designed château has been retained exemplified by spacious, light rooms elegantly furnished in keeping with the nature of the property including numerous antiques and paintings. Decorative features include chandeliers, candelabras, Louis XVI oak panelled walls and parquet floors, antique tapestries and original brick and stone fireplaces. Despite its grandeur the château conveys a pleasant, homely ambience thanks to the use of pretty floral fabrics and wall coverings, particularly in bedrooms, and the good modern standard of kitchen and bathroom facilities. The accommodation also comprises a separate studio with a ‘corner’ kitchen and a shower room. Outside, guests can relax or wander freely around the extensive grassy grounds with well tended lawns, fish ponds and numerous varieties of mature trees including oaks, cedars and chestnuts. One will also benefit from the unobtrusive, recent addition of a swimming pool (12m x 4m, depth 1m50 - 1m80) for exclusive use by VFB clients, with its own pool house. The setting is very secluded and tranquil and at least 500m from the access road. The friendly and helpful owners live here all year round (with their dogs, donkey, ducks, chickens and geese!), although Monsieur works in Paris during the week, and will welcome visitors here; Madame speaks English. A rare opportunity to enjoy la vie de chateau in a spacious, stylish property and privileged, peaceful setting; recommended for its comfort, fascinating character and magnificent grounds. A remarkable area with Châteaudun with its ancient castle, churches and pretty old town, just 18km to the south and the renowned cathedral and city of Chartres, the Loire valley between Blois and Orléans, the pretty upper valley of the River Eure and the forest of Rambouillet, all within an hour’s drive. The Seine Valley and Paris are accessible for day trips.

Accommodation: Ground floor: large traditional kitchen, second fitted kitchen, dining room, large living room divided into 3 sections, with communicating doorways (1 with open fireplace), separate wc, separate studio with 1 double bed, en suite shower room and corner kitchen.  First floor: 2 double (one a king size) and 1 twin-bedded room, each with en suite bathroom and wc, 1 single-bedded room with child's bed. Second floor: 2 double-bedded rooms (one a king size with en suite bathroom and wc), 1 twin-bedded room, 2 single-bedded rooms, shower, separate wc.

Activities: Private swimming-pool (available May – September) and table tennis on the spot. Bicycle hire, horse riding, leisure centre and clay shooting in Brou (7km). Tennis in Dangeau. Golf (18 holes) in Suance au Perche (20km).

Services: All essential shops and services in Dangeau. Market at Brou on Wednesdays and Sundays, Bonneval (10km) on Mondays and Chateaudun (15km) on Thursdays. Parking on the courtyard and in garage.

Location
In a secluded rural setting, 5km SW of Dangeau (Eure-et-Loir) - 500 inhabitants - 35km SW of Chartres. Michelin map: 518.
 
Activities
Private swimming-pool (available May – September) and table tennis on the spot. Bicycle hire, horse riding, leisure centre and clay shooting in Brou (7km). Tennis in Dangeau. Golf (18 holes) in Suance au Perche (20km).
 
Services
All essential shops and services in Dangeau. Market at Brou on Wednesdays and Sundays, Bonneval (10km) on Mondays and Chateaudun (15km) on Thursdays. Parking on the courtyard and in garage.
 
Description
This exceptional property comprises the major part of an imposing 18th-century château (two wings of which are occupied, respectively, by the friendly English-speaking owners and their caretaker), a listed building set in 25 hectares of magnificent grounds amid the rich arable farmland of La Beauce. Inside all the authentic character of a classically designed château has been retained exemplified by spacious, light rooms elegantly furnished in keeping with the nature of the property including numerous antiques and paintings. Decorative features include chandeliers, candelabras, Louis XVI oak panelled walls and parquet floors, antique tapestries and original brick and stone fireplaces. Despite its grandeur the château conveys a pleasant, homely ambience thanks to the use of pretty floral fabrics and wall coverings, particularly in bedrooms, and the good modern standard of kitchen and bathroom facilities. The accommodation also comprises a separate studio with a ‘corner’ kitchen and a shower room. Outside, guests can relax or wander freely around the extensive grassy grounds with well tended lawns, fish ponds and numerous varieties of mature trees including oaks, cedars and chestnuts. One will also benefit from the unobtrusive, recent addition of a swimming pool (12m x 4m, depth 1m50 - 1m80) for exclusive use by VFB clients, with its own pool house. The setting is very secluded and tranquil and at least 500m from the access road. The friendly and helpful owners live here all year round (with their dogs, donkey, ducks, chickens and geese!), although Monsieur works in Paris during the week, and will welcome visitors here; Madame speaks English. A rare opportunity to enjoy la vie de chateau in a spacious, stylish property and privileged, peaceful setting; recommended for its comfort, fascinating character and magnificent grounds. A remarkable area with Châteaudun with its ancient castle, churches and pretty old town, just 18km to the south and the renowned cathedral and city of Chartres, the Loire valley between Blois and Orléans, the pretty upper valley of the River Eure and the forest of Rambouillet, all within an hour’s drive. The Seine Valley and Paris are accessible for day trips. Featured by VFB since 2002.
 
Note:  Young children will need to be closely supervised as there are two unfenced ponds in the grounds.
 
Accommodation
Ground floor access from courtyard into hall with stairs to first floor and doors to:
 
·     Living room (separated into 3 sections – 9m15 x 5m60, 6m x 5m60 and 5m60 x 2m75) with fireplace, television. Parquet floor. Doors to dining room and bureau
·     Dining room with decorative open fireplace. Tiled floor. Door to garden and traditional kitchen
·     Traditional kitchen/dining room (7m35 x 7m25) with original cooking stove. Access to fitted kitchen with gas cooker (5 rings and 2 ovens), microwave oven, fridge with large freezer compartment, dishwasher. Tiled floor. Access to studio
·     Laundry room (up spiral wooden staircase) with washing machine, tumble drier
·     Separate wc (2 steps down from hall)
·     Studio (35m² – outside access up 4 steps) with 1 double bed (1m40), television and DVD player. ‘Corner’ kitchen with small fridge and gas hob (2 rings). En-suite shower room with shower cubicle and wc. Door to kitchen and garden (4 steps down)

First floor landing with stairs to second floor and doors to:
 
·     Bedroom 1 (4m45 x 4m15) with 1 king size bed (1m80). Parquet floor. Door to en-suite bathroom 1 with roll top bath, shower attachment and wc. Tiled floor
·     Bedroom 2 (4m55 x 4m15) with 1 double bed (1m40). Parquet floor. Door to en-suite bathroom 2 and bedroom 3
·     En-suite bathroom 2 with roll top bath, shower attachment and wc. Tiled floor
·     Bedroom 3 (4m20 x 3m40) with 1 single bed (0m90). Large cot in recess. Board floor
·     Bedroom 4 (4m30 x 4m05) with 2 single beds (0m90). Board floor. Door to en-suite bathroom 3 with short bath and wc. Lino floor
 
Second floor (three steps down along corridor) doors to:
 
·     Bedroom 5 (3m95 x 3m90) with 1 king size bed (1m80). Board floor
·     Bathroom 4 with tub, shower attachment and wc. Sloping ceiling. Lino floor
·     Bedroom 6 (5m65 x 2m80) with 1 double bed (1m20). Board floor
·     Bedroom 7 (4m70 x 1m90) with 1 single bed (0m90). Carpeted floor
·     Bedroom 8 (5m90 x 2m60) with 2 single beds (0m90). Board floor
·     Bedroom 9 (4m10 x 2m95) with 1 single bed (0m90). Carpeted floor
·     Shower room with shower cubicle. Tiled floor
·     Separate wc
 
Gas for cooking included – Electricity included – Oil for water heating included – Oil for central heating not included (radiator in each room) – Bed and household linen included.
 
Breakage Deposit: 500€   Sleeps: 14 MAXIMUM. Cot(s) not available.  
Note: Clients are requested to kindly leave the property in the same condition in which they find it on arrival. The owners reserve the right to deduct from the deposit for any breakages or unexpected cleaning costs.
 
Comments
“We very much enjoyed our stay and appreciated the welcome and generosity shown to us by these hosts. Not only were we impressed by the château and grounds, but the accommodation and facilities were excellent. We shall remember for a long time this holiday and the friends that we have made.” “Everyone has been delighted with this beautiful château and its grounds. M & Mme de Verdun have welcomed us most warmly and have ensured that we had all we required during our stay. Our holiday has exceeded our expectations.” “We have thoroughly enjoyed our Easter family gathering at this wonderful chateau.” “A very enjoyable week spent relaxing in beautiful surroundings. The welcome the owners have given us was most warm and generous.” “It was a prilvilege for us to stay in such a lovely house surrounded by and entrusted with so many family treasures and to be made so welcome by Thérèse and Richard.” “ Our visit to Bouthanvilliers has been most enjoyable. We have been made so welcome and the chateau was a lovelly feel to it. A lovely relaxed atmosphere. Thank you very much.” “We had our entire family – children and grandchildren – for our 50th wedding anniversary at this beautiful chateau. The two weeks we spent here will be forever remembered by all.” “A very unique experience which no one will forget.” “What a superb venue, a fabulous chateau with everything we needed.” “We couldn’t have chosen a nicer place to get married. The chateau and grounds were truly beautiful.” “We so enjoyed staying at your beautiful chateau with its lovely park, swimming pool and forests.” “Above all, it was you both, your dogs, the chickens, ducks and geese, the donkey and the wildlife that made us feel so much at home.”
 
Description updated May 2009