Château de Savilly

La Grande VerriÈre

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The motto on the Château de Savilly chest says ‘sans reproche’. It’s a lot to live up to but Mark and Esmeralde, the owners of this country house chambres d’hôte aim to achieve this ideal in a relaxed and unpretentious way. With quirky contemporary décor fused in with the more traditional, this is not a stuffy old château, but a house with a new lease of life.

With the backdrop of the Fôret de Glenne in the Morvan National Park, the view from the terrace opens out towards Autun and the valley of the River Arroux.
‘Our guests often remark on what a contrast it is from their city environment and it is this that attracts them,’ says Mark, ‘here you can get away from it all and bask in the countryside, a complete change from the daily hustle and bustle of modern living’. You are encouraged to relax in a ‘bear’ chair with a glass of wine and do nothing, and, even when all five rooms are occupied, there is an area in one of the drawing rooms or garden providing private space for all.

Mark and Esmeralde bought the château in 2004 after the sale of their business in the Netherlands. Ten months later the renovation work was complete and they opened as a boutique bed and breakfast the following Easter. There are five rooms with en suite bathrooms, a generous breakfast is served and there is a butler’s bell (high tech of course) for guests to order drinks throughout the day. Mark and Esmeralde are fully ‘hands on’, there are no flunkies here to disturb you. There is a choice of restaurants within easy driving distance, and once a week, dinner is available at the Château.

‘We have tried to create something special’ says Mark, ‘the decoration has been done with a blink’, which means he says, ‘not too seriously’. The repro Louis XIV chairs from Italy are covered in a melange of electric colours, the salon is pure theatre, and each bedroom has individualistic décor. Internet connections are available in every room and the little TV lies forgotten behind one of the enormous salon doors.

As a stepping off point for the vineyards around Beaune, the historic town of Autun and walking in the Morvan, this is an ideal spot. Golf at Beaune Levernois, Bibracte and the Buddhist Temple are further attractions.

Booking

From 155 euros per night for a double room including breakfast (with reduction for longer stays)

Tel Mark and Esmeralde van Braam-De Graaff: 00 33 (0)385 82 50 75
www.chateaudesavilly.com