Château de l’Hérissaudière

At the heart of the Loire Valley, ideally located between castles and vineyards and just 17km from Tours (55 minutes from Paris by TGV), resides a manor built in 1642: the Hérissaudière. It has a centuries-old park of 7 ha, saved from modern pollution, where the silence is exceptional.

In this rich Valley of the Kings, you can visit historic castles, art sites, stroll through the gardens, explore Loire vineyards, practice various sports of your choice or relax in the shaded park. In this heaven, you can cut yourself off from the world.

Offering exceptional comfort, the Hérissaudière is a residence where refinement, quietness and serenity puts you in the centre of a touristic and exceptional gastronomic area. The breakfast and buffet is as copious as it is greedy! Nearby, you will enjoy discovering renowned tables and small rustic restaurants.

In the former chapel, converted into a ‘pool house’, you have access to a summer dining room and a kitchen where you can, for example, prepare a picnic or heat a baby’sbottle. This place may also be used as a games room during bad weather.

Bed & Breakfast
At the castle, you will find five B&B rooms including three charming suites. We strive to create, in each unit, harmony through the choice of colours and styles, to make your stay as pleasant as possible.

All rooms overlook the park, are air-conditioned and feature a bathroom with a bathtub/shower, toilet, hairdryer and towels; also included is a TV, safe, roof rack, valet and large closets. The bedding is new and particularly cosy. The floor is carpeted and gives a ‘cosy’ atmosphere but, as a result, we do not accept pets.

Rooms and suites
Our visitors are politely requested to respect some rules governing our 2 bedrooms and 3 suites (5 units), upon request, in each suite with 2 rooms, the smaller of the two can be turned into an office or a sitting room.

All units overlook the park, are air-conditioned and feature a bathroom with bathtub/shower, toilet, hairdryer, and towels. Also included is a TV, safe, luggage-rack, valet and large closets.

The bedding is new and particularly cosy. The floor is carpeted and gives a ‘cosy’ atmosphere but, as a result, we do not accept pets. All furniture, whether of rustic or designer style, are antiques. We strive to create, in each unit, harmony through the choice of colours and styles, to make your stay as pleasant as possible.

In the former chapel, converted into a ‘pool house’, you have access to a summer dining room and a kitchen where you can, for example, prepare a picnic or heat a waterbottle.

This place may also be used as a games room during bad weather. Touraine is a wine-producing region; this is why every unit has the name of a wine, which are married to some characters.

Castle history : womens’ history…
Once upon a time at the centre of the French kingdom, large forests grew along a majestic river, the Loire… Light and air are really pure on its edges, that’s why the king and his courtiers, passionate for hunting, built their castles precisely at this place.

Over the years, according to changing lifestyles and attitudes, the appearance of these houses began to change (Langeais castle is a perfect example). Exactly half-way between Tours, the royal city, and Langeais, legend says that there, in the mid-wood, was born a sacred source, prompting the rest of the legends.

By 1550, the beautiful mistress of King Henry II – Diane de Poitiers – would have chosen this place to do his hunting lodge. A century later, in 1642, the great Alderman’s wife (Mayor of Tours and King’s adviser), who acquired the land, built there the Hérissaudière.

This comfortable manor became the summer residence of the family. Finance General Comptroller or Tours’ magistrates were regularly renewed over the generations.

In the early nineteenth century, tastes have changed: we abandon Louis XVII’s style and add a typical façade facing south to receive the sun and connect with nature… and see the newly planted redwoods.

Between the wars, the redwoods are still there, and also the source but the house has become ‘too small’. Then, in 1932, we added two wings; asymmetric and Art Deco… of course!

During the last war, the redwoods see the house – briefly – becoming the Canadian Embassy. Today, after many adventures, this is a seven hectares domain… where redwoods are still there!

In summer they shade wild cyclamens… and our guests! They invariably fall in love with this house… as if its stones pass the love of generations who wanted, passionately, to make it live.

ACTIVITITES
For everyone, for all tastes
The Loire Valley is considered one of the most touristic regions in France. The castles of Langeais, Villandry, Ussé and Azay-le-Rideau are just a few minutes away. Amboise, Chenonceau, Chambord and Cheverny are located to the east; Montsoreau, Chinon, Angers, Saumur and the Abbey of Fontevrault are very close to the west.

Besides these, you can stroll through some of the most amazing gardens in France: Villandry, St. Cosme, Chatonnière, Chenonceau, Valmer, etc… you can discover botany in the city of Tours, visit the Loire Barge, fly in a balloon, or – more classically – visit museums, petrifying caves, vineyards, troglodyte villages, markets (they reach the number of 30 only in Tours!), animal reserves, zoos, etc.

And maybe you would like to go and spend the day at Futuroscope (about 1h 30mins by car)? To help you to make your choice, many tourist brochures are available on the Hérissaudière and the hostess will be happy to assist you.

LOCAL GASTRONOMY
For everyone, for all tastes
There are several supermarkets and grocery stores nearby where you will find many products. You can also ask your hostess the way to the many nearby restaurants. They are gourmet or simple but always with regional cuisine.

Let’s discover the specialties:

• The famous « cracklings »
• The « Tours nougat »
• The « dried pears »
• The « beucherelle »

And, of course, Loire wines : Montlouis and Vouvray white wine to the East side, Bourgueil and Chinon red wine to the West side

SPORTIVE STAY
For everyone, for all tastes
On site:

• Heated pool open from May to mid-October only for Bed & Breakfast guests
• Table tennis ( ping-pong )
• Baby-foot
• Badminton
• Various games

Nearby:

• Hiking or biking on trails built along the Loire
• Riding, pony club
• VTT (‘Vélo tout terrain’ a.k.a. mountain biking)
• Two 18-hole golf courses and one 9-hole golf course
• Balloon and/or helicopter rides to survey Loire castles with possible take-offs on the large lawn

Website: www.herissaudiere.com

Rooms: 5

Price: from 267 EUR per night