Castles & Manoirs
Les Hauts de Sancerre
Sancerre - Loire - France
High above Sancerre, an elegant château filled with light, silence and endless views.
A place that feels just a little closer to the sky.
Standing high above the charming town of Sancerre, Les Hauts de Sancerre makes quite an entrance. Elegant and almost fairytale-like from the outside, it overlooks an extraordinary landscape of rolling countryside stretching far into the distance.
But it was inside that the château truly surprised me. Light seems to find its way into every corner, softening the historic architecture and creating a wonderful sense of calm.
We were lucky enough to stay in the château’s only tower suite — and it turned out to be one of those rooms you simply don’t forget. High ceilings, beautiful proportions, ancient stone and an almost magical quality of light made everything feel completely right.
And then there was the bathroom. Tucked into the tower, with a freestanding bath placed in front of that soaring window, it may be one of the most beautiful places I have ever taken a bath. A quiet moment surrounded by centuries-old walls, looking out over the landscape beyond.
Morning brought perhaps the most magical moment of all. As the sun slowly rose, a soft layer of mist floated above the valley below while the first light poured into the château. One of those fleeting scenes that makes you stop, look — and simply remember.
And when château life becomes a little too serious? There is always the pool, hidden among the greenery, for a wonderfully refreshing dip.
A château above Sancerre where history, light and landscape create a little magic of their own.
Visit https://hautsdesancerre.com
Château du Grand-Lucé
Le Grand-Lucé - Loire - France
A château that reveals its beauty little by little — only to leave you completely enchanted.
Grand, graceful and full of unexpected magic.
Hidden away in a tiny French village, Château du Grand-Lucé is the kind of place you could never quite anticipate.
The gates open and an elegant château appears at the end of the drive — beautiful, refined, yet almost modest compared to what is still waiting to be discovered. Step inside and light seems to follow you from room to room, illuminating grand salons, chandeliers, historic details and interiors that feel wonderfully, unapologetically French.
And then you reach the other side.
The château opens onto magnificent formal gardens stretching into the distance, and suddenly you begin to understand the scale of this extraordinary place. But Grand-Lucé keeps revealing itself. Beyond the symmetry and perfectly clipped greenery lies a romantic rose garden on one side and, almost hidden away on the other, a wonderfully secluded circular swimming pool.
Walk a little further and another surprise awaits: the potager, overflowing with flowers, vegetables, herbs and colour. And even there, the estate is not finished with you. Beyond it lie the lake and seemingly endless parkland.
Inside, the sense of occasion continues. Every room feels elegant and regal without losing its warmth. Small gestures make the experience even more special — a beautifully French welcome basket with bread, wine and preserves, fresh flowers and a handwritten note waiting in your room; a drink and something delicious appearing beside the pool just when you thought life could hardly get better. And dinner at Le Lucé turns an evening here into an occasion of its own.
Perhaps I am slightly biased. Château du Grand-Lucé is where we became engaged — and exactly one year later, where we were married. We have returned since, and somehow the magic has never faded. Some places become part of your travels. A very few become part of your story.
This one will forever be part of ours.
Come for the château. Stay for everything that lies beyond the next garden gate.
Visit https://chateaugrandluce.com
Château Neercanne
Maastricht - The Netherlands
A little piece of 'French' countryside charm, hidden in the hills just outside Maastricht.
Romantic, intimate and wonderfully unexpected.
Just outside Maastricht, almost touching the Belgian border, Château Neercanne feels as though it somehow wandered out of the French countryside and settled among the rolling hills of Limburg.
There is something instantly enchanting about it. Old stone walls, manicured gardens and sweeping views over the surrounding landscape set the scene, but it was the intimate courtyard that stole my heart. White tablecloths, little iron chairs, olive trees, herbs and flowers — on a sunny afternoon, it feels almost like stepping onto the set of a beautifully nostalgic French film.
The château itself is equally full of character. Historic architecture meets warm, contemporary interiors, while our room opened onto its own private garden — a wonderfully quiet little world surrounded by greenery.
Food is very much part of the experience here. Long lunches and beautiful dinners seem completely at home in this setting, especially when enjoyed outside in that irresistible courtyard. As daylight disappears, strings of lights begin to glow against the old stone walls and the atmosphere changes once again.
And then there is another world beneath your feet. Behind the château, centuries-old marl caves disappear into the hillside — an atmospheric setting for events and the perfect place for one last drink at the end of the evening.
Château Neercanne may be Dutch by address, but there is something delightfully French about its soul.
A wonderfully romantic escape where Dutch heritage meets a little French joie de vivre.
Visit https://www.oostwegelcollection.nl/chateau-neercanne