Chateau de Chissay

Welcome to the Château de Chissay, previously built in the 16th century as a royal residence under Charles VII, and transformed in 1986 as a Hôtel with 27 personnalized guest-rooms and 5 Special Suites. We welcome you here, as a special guest for a very “Loire Valley Châteaux experience” out of time.

History (with a capital H) has embraced Chissay over the centuries. Situated between Montrichard and Chenonceaux, this former fortified castle was built under Charles the 7th for Pierre Bérard, chancellor of France and husband to Anne de Rondard. Charles the 7th and Louis the 11th both stayed here, as evidenced by many royal acts.

On the 19th of April 1543 Bérard sold the estate to Philibert Babou, Lord of Bourdaisière, the king’s treasurer and superintendent of finance, for £16 690. The castle remained in the family, then passed into the hands of Duke of Choiseul until the eve of the revolution. Choiseul ceded Chissay to his friend Jean-Baptiste du Buc, a man of merit and good fortune who grew to know well the revolution’s prisons.

On his death in 1795 Chissay became the property of Marie-Jacques Gaigneron, Count of Marolles, allied through his mother to Empress Josephine. Gaigneron remained the owner of Chissay and was also the town mayor for more than half a century. The castle has known varying fortunes, and the original architecture has been added to by its various owners.

Acquired in the twentieth century by Baron and Baroness of Gartempe, then passed to their descendants the Costa de Beauregard, it was this family that welcomed Mr Paul Raynaud in June 1940. The Prime Minister established his headquarters here, and political and military conferences were held in the main salon.

Chissay castle received General Weygand, the ambassador of Great Britain, ministers and dignitaries who liaised with the republic’s president residing 30km away in Cangé castle.

On the 12th of June, General de Gaulle arrived at Chissay to present Paul Reynaud with his ‘reduit breton’ plan (a joint British/French strategy to defend the Brittany peninsula against the Germans.) Chissay witnessed the agony of the 3rd republic, the future of France was determined behind the thick walls of the castle.

THE PHILOSOPHY
In an era obsessed with immediacy we forget where we have come from. Cultivating a taste for history and all things authentic, Hôtels Particuliers offers us hospitality rooted in our origins, in beautiful, noble residences.

Rather than opulence or flashy design, let’s cultivate the timeless harmony of French aesthetics and elegance, says Philippe Savry with feeling. That conviction came to him 40 years ago when he discovered an abandoned mansion, now the Hôtel du Général d’Elbée, on the island of Noirmoutier.

Philippe Savry savours the memory:That was my first adventure in bringing back to life the personality of an exceptional house.» From that day he devoted all his energy to reviving the souls of places listed as historic monuments or located in protected sites.

His aim is to offer an atmosphere far removed from the day-to-day: a special alchemy of escapism, reflection, simplicity, peace and quiet that opens the way to another kind of happiness. Each of our hotels invites guests to share in the spirit of the place.

To contemplate the beauty of a landscape, enjoy the silence of a park or garden and read the traces of the past on the walls. These are forms of introspection that help us better understand the ephemeral value of the things around us.

Our heritage is the foundation of our memory. Hôtels Particuliers hotels are places steeped in memory, but also sanctuaries of French art de vivre. The refinement of each small detail takes you further in your spiritual and sensual journey.

There are subtle menus dreamed up from produce that encapsulates local tradition, while the high-quality cultural offerings include recitals, concerts, exhibitions and museum visits.

Staying with us is like coming into a friend’s home and enjoying the warm atmosphere while cultivating the spirit of its ancient stones. A rare and precious pleasure in what is first and foremost a place for living in.  (Philippe Savry Founder and chairman)

DUNGEON SUITE 
Located in the XIIIth Century Dungeon, with lift access and then by a stoned spiral staircase, this amazing 67m2 room has 2 levels separated with a glass floor : On the first level, king size bed which may be separated into 2 single beds.

The bathroom is on the second level beneath a remarkable vaulted “Tuffeau” local stone and an outstanding 360 ° view on the Park and on the Cher Valley. These room cannot receive extra beds, only a baby cot.

DUC DE CHOISEUL & CHARLES VII 
Located in the Château, with lift access, these 2 suites (72 m² et 67 m²) are composed with a master bedroom with exposed wood and beamed ceiling, ornemental fireplace and a view overlooking the pool, the park and the valley. Fully equipped bathroom and separate toilets. The extra private lounge room in the XVth Century can be converted into a children’s bedroom.

TROGLODYTE SUITE
Located on the East terrace, on the edge of the park, this unique 92 m2 space is carved into the local white cliffside, the “tuffeau” stone. The Loire valley Châteaux are made out of this local stone. The Suite has a fully equipped bathroom, separate toilets and it can easily offer the option of two extra beds. Garden furniture is made available.

SUPERIOR ROOM
Located in the Château, very spacious rooms (44 m² minimum), generally with high ceilings, with a beautiful view over the terrace or the inside courtyard or the parc and the Valley or the Château entrance.

They have fully equipped bathrooms – mostly decorated with an original mosaic – and separate toilets. They can offer the option of one large bed or two single beds. Some of them offer an extra private lounge room.

SWIMMING POOL ROOM
Located at the foot of the Château, in the park, in the ancient stables or in a separate lodge (37 m² minimum), these spacious rooms have a direct access to the swimming-pool. More modern, these rooms can offer the option of one large bed or two single beds. They can receive extra beds and baby cots and are fully equipped with bath facilities and separate toilets.Garden furniture is made available

EXPLORE THE VALLEY OF THE LOIRE

• The Château of Chissay lies in the heart of a unique terroir, the Valley of the Loire, listed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO since 30 November 2000.
• Discover the famous châteaux of the Loire: Chenonceau, Amboise, Chaumont sur Loire with its celebrated Garden Festival, Cheverny, Chambord, Montpoupon, Montrésor, Loches, not to mention the Clos Lucé in Amboise where Leonardo da Vinci lived the last years of his life.
• River cruises on the Cher starting from Chisseaux and from Montrichard.
• Discover the vineyards (Touraine, Vouvray, Montlouis, Cheverny, Chinon, Bourgueil, etc.) and the regional specialties such as cow’s cheese (Le Petit Trôo, Le Neuville), goat’s cheese (Selles sur Cher, Sainte-Maure), rillons, rillettes and nougat of Tours.
• Visit the mushroom cave and the underground sculpted village in Bourré, just 15 minutes from the Château.
• Visit the 17th-century Magnanerie also in Bourré, with galeries dug into the rock and learn about the historic production of silk in Touraine and see silk-worm breeding on site.
• Visit the artisan liqueur distillery in Chissay en Touraine and taste their product: La Fraise d’Or.
• See the archeological site of Thésée la Romaine.
• Horseback riding
• Hunting/fishing
• Tennis

Rooms: 32

Price: from 143 EUR per night

Source: www.chateaudechissay.com