Chateau Des Bijoux

About this property

Set in vast grounds of forests and meadows, Château Des Bijoux is a jewel of a home in northern Burgundy, dating back to the 18th century, ideal for an extended family reunion, relaxing holiday with friends or a special celebration.

The grand central hall, which can be beautifully set up for banquets and weddings, leads to 14 bedrooms over five comfortable apartments, each part of the château and with their own pretty bedrooms, bathrooms, lounge area and kitchens. There’s also a château kitchen on the ground floor, making cooking for the whole group a breeze, or the owner can arrange private catering to serve a feast in the central hall or on the characterful al-fresco terrace looking over the lovely gardens.

Outside you can relax on the grass by the swimming pool, let the kids explore the maze or play on the trampoline, challenge a family member to a game of boules or simply enjoy a glass of sparkling Crémant de Bourgogne by the 19th-century fountain. Animal lovers will adore the pony too! The owner takes great pride in her gardens with glorious colours in the spring and summer from magnolia and narcissus to hydrangea and hibiscus as well as the wild-flowering meadow. The grounds cover seven hectares, three of which is parkland and the rest woodland, ideal for seeking shade from the hot summer sun.

The charming owner, who lives in part of the château with her two daughters, is a gemmologist by profession and specialises in jewellery from the Art-Deco and retro period. She has an exclusive boutique for guests staying at the château, by appointment, and can hire her jewellery out for parties and celebrations, from beautiful brooches to stunning hair ornaments. She has a wealth of experience in organising events and would love to help her guests ensure their holiday or celebration is as special as it can possibly be.

Château Des Bijoux is perfectly positioned near a sleepy village, just by the Burgundy canal and Armançon river. You’ll find charming restaurants and shops in historic Saint-Florentin, around 10km away or head to Tonnere (20km) for some amazing Burgundian cuisine. This is a great area for hiring bikes so you can follow the picturesque towpath along the Burgundy canal, passing both towns.

Wine-enthusiasts will love the pretty village and surrounding wineries of Chablis within half an hour whilst other idyllic places to visit include Auxerre and Noyers, one of France’s ‘Plus Beaux Villages’. A little further afield you can be admiring the 12th-century basilica in Vézelay, visiting the great Gothic cathedral in Sens or sipping champagne in the incredibly pretty city of Troyes, only an hour away.

Château Des Bijoux offers not only a brilliant space for a large group in amazing grounds but also a fantastic location for exploring this part of northern Burgundy and beyond.

In northern Burgundy, in the Yonne department, Château Des Bijoux enjoys an enviable location in seven hectares of land including parkland and forests. The surrounding area is fields, including the neighbour with her seven cows, and the Burgundy canal and Armançon river are just across the road.

There’s a sleepy village with a church just behind the château but your nearest restaurants, shops and supermarkets are in Saint-Florentin (10km), a town founded by the Romans and full of historic charm. Tonnere (20km) also has a fascinating Roman history and here you will find some excellent restaurants specialising in Burgundian cuisine. The Burgundy canal passes through both towns and has some delightful towpaths for walking and cycling.

There are many great activities across this region including two golf courses within half an hour, tennis only ten-minutes away in Vergigny and the opportunity to try parachute jumping and gliding in Chéu, a 10km drive. Lézinnes, about half an hour away, is a great place to hire kayaks or on request you may be able to arrange them to come to you as the river Armançon is just across the road from the château’s grounds.

There’s no doubt you’ll want to discover the famous vineyards around Chablis but it’s also worth stopping off in the pretty village itself, only 25km away, with its medieval architecture, historical churches and traditional wine press. Wine has been produced here since the 9th century and there are many places where you can buy the famous white wine across the village and surrounding wineries across nearby hamlets. Visit on a Sunday morning and experience the wonderful weekly market.

The capital of the Yonne department is Auxerre (33km), on the Yonne River. It’s a protected Historic Town in France with an impressive town centre with its towering cathedral and churches, attractive squares and cafes, medieval narrow streets full of ancient houses and its 15th Century clock tower. The delightful market takes place on a Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday morning.

Noyers (40km) is known to be one of France’s ‘Plus Beaux Villages’. It’s a charming medieval town that’s full of history with pretty squares and fascinating buildings dating back to the 13th to 19th Centuries. You can wander down by the river, watch artists paint and have a delicious lunch in the picturesque setting. There are some excellent restaurants, shops and a market every Saturday and Wednesday morning. If you’re staying in the autumn, don’t miss the famous truffle market here.

Other incredible day trips within an hour or so include the hilltop town of Vézelay (72km) with its Romanesque architecture and beautiful 12th century Basilica and Sens (54km) with its great Gothic cathedral. The incredibly pretty city of Troyes (52km), at the southern end of the Champagne region, is a stunning historical town surrounded by wonderful countryside by the Seine. 

Accommodation

Château Interiors

-    Central hall with banqueting tables
-    Château kitchen, well-equipped, with ample table-wear for all guests

Apartment One (ground floor)

-    Grand lounge and kitchen island
-    Bedroom with double bed (160x220cm) with a kids corner with cot and child’s bed. Ensuite bathroom with bath and shower

Apartment Two (first/second floor)

-    Large lounge with open-plan kitchen
-    7 bedrooms
-    4 bathrooms (two of which are ensuite)

Apartment Three (first/second floor)

-    Lounge with open-plan kitchen
-    Double bedroom with ensuite bathroom
-    Twin bedroom
-    Separate bathroom

Apartment Four (North Tower, first floor)

-    Lounge with open-plan kitchen
-    2 bedrooms
-    1 bathroom

Apartment Five (North Tower, second floor)

-    Lounge with open-plan kitchen
-    2 bedrooms
-    2 bathrooms

The North tower has it’s own entrance but can also be reached via Apartment One

Outside Grounds
-    Swimming pool (9x4m) with safety shutter and fence
-    BBQ
-    19th century fountain
-    Boules
-    Swing
-    Trampoline
-    Maze
-    Pony
-    Chickens
-    7 hectares of land (parkland and forests)

Facilities

-    Wi-Fi
-    Heating
-    Children’s games, books and DVDs
-    Board games
-    Bikes