Built by a 19th-century aristocrat as a wedding present for his daughter – well overdue, she’d had two sons by the time it was finished – Boisrenault may be turreted, noble and imposing on the outside but it’s a family home within. Furniture, objects, pictures, all have a story to tell – and there’s no shortage of hunting trophies and stags’ heads on the wall. Reception rooms are lofty, with huge fireplaces. One sitting room has a baby grand; another, smaller and cosier, is lined with books. As for the bedrooms, each is an adventure in itself. Named after the family’s children and grandchildren, they feature a hotchpotch of pieces from different periods, including some excellent antiques; two apartments upstairs have their own fitted kitchens. A delicious pool is discreetly tucked away behind trees in the lovely grounds; table tennis and table football are a godsend on rainy days. Meals, cooked by Elfie, are served at a vast table in the dining room; be sure to book if you’d like dinner.
Very nice room, excellent meal, fascinating chateau, many historical items on display. Lovely-looking swimming pool but too chilly for us to try sadly. Thoroughly recommended for a pit-stop.