Château de la Meynardie

The Frenchest of châteaux for culture vultures and foodies, history buffs and hedonists. La Meynardie has always been a grand country residence in a breath-taking setting. The three Parisian sisters who inherited it love its authentic, well-loved atmosphere and come whenever they can. The superb reception rooms are fit for a duchess’s soirée: yards of original beams and Versailles parquet speak of 17th-century elegance, fine period sideboards behind comfy sofas – where new fabrics have seamlessly replaced the old. Or curl up in the snug petit salon. The fully-equipped kitchen, smallish by comparison, gives onto the dining room. Up the impressive staircase, above the grand dining and drawing rooms, bedrooms are comfortably un-posh with favourite ornaments and cuddlies – nothing too fragile; big modern bathrooms are family-friendly and untouched by designer flourishes. Outside, a genuine French-style formal park with a huge ornamental basin takes you to the Orangerie for extra bedrooms and the big swimming pool and tennis court, artfully hidden by a hedge. Beyond are truffles, painted caves, castles, Romanesque churches…