REGION : Vernou-en-Sologne – Centre – Val de Loire
ATMOSPHERE : Countryside
STYLE : Contemporary Castle
CATEGORY: 4*
ROOMS : 35 rooms and suites
Members benefits
A VIP welcome and upgrade if available
IN SOLOGNE, IN THE VAL DE LOIRE in the heart of France’s “Valley of the Kings,” there are many castles, not all of which merit the visit. Among the worthy few is the 4* La Borde hotel in Sologne, just a hop and a skip from the famous of Blois, Cheverny, and Chambord castles. Lovers of old stone homes and their ancient stories will delight as they discover its heart and soul through succulent dinner, a king-sized snooze, or a stroll through its gardens. Owned by Annabelle Ubald-Bocquet and Jean-Marie de Mourgues, the pair bought the 40 hectares of land and the 17th century historical monument from their uncle. A true modern-day lady and lord of the manor.
LOCATED TWO HOURS FROM PARIS, between forests and ponds, a landscaped park, vegetable garden, swimming pools, a Tata Harper spa, gourmet restaurant, a kid’s club, English and French gardens, and a masterful 500-meter-long stretch of water with a pier, the duo receive their guests like family friends – elegantly and with little fuss. The decor is the perfect conduit of this spirit, and the idea is to enjoy it to the fullest. Upcycled family furniture, antiques, objects given new lives, big name designer pieces (superb Semeur d’étoiles luminaries, creations by Pierre Frey…), a herringbone parquet floor, Voltaire-style armchairs and majestically dressed living rooms intertwine throughout the 35 rooms and suites.
AS FOR CHOICE, everyone is catered to. Equestrian folk are treasured in the region and will fall in love with the Écurie suite, installed in the castle’s old horse stables and teeming with riding details; others will prefer to climb the atypical zebra staircase, to curl up under the rooftops, unless they swoon for the romanticism of the woodwork of a deluxe room with bricked fireplace and painted panels. Either way, calm and charm abound.
RESTAURANT – Named Mémoire, in reference to the estate’s long history, but also to the memory left behind by certain dishes, the restaurant favors short circuits and uses as much of the castle’s vegetable garden produce as possible. On the menu? Roasted duckling with beet ketchup, squash risotto with citrus zest, Sologne sturgeon smoked with fir and caviar… Brunch on Sundays, pick up a picnic basket on request.
WELLNESS & FITNESS – Located in the orangery, the Tata Harper spa houses a sauna, hammam and massage rooms. A fitness room has also been set up in the old greenhouse.
KID’S CLUB – Based on their world tour with their families, the owners have imagined a REAL kid’s club with an animated daycare service, indoor/outdoor playgrounds, activity planning, board games, adapted menus, and a dedicated pool!
SWIMMING POOLS – The first one is reserved for adults wishing to swim or lounge in peace, the second one is for families and children.
TENNIS – Games, sets, and matches for the whole family on the tennis court designed by tennis champion Guy Forget, former captain of the French Davis Cup and Fed Cup teams.
FARM – Chickens, pheasants, sheep, goats, and ponies are the residents of the farm and are delighted to welcome children… and adults!
GARDEN – Fruits, vegetables and aromatic herbs are cultivated here before being sublimated in the kitchen.
GARDENS & FOREST – For a meditative stroll, a sporty run, forest bathing, or a bike ride, take advantage of the property’s 40 hectares planted with hundred-year-old plane trees, hornbeams, birches, and oaks. The luckiest ones will even come across roaming deer.
