Château du Fraisse,  located in the splendid Haute-Vienne département of the Limousin region of southwestern France and near the porcelain center of Limoges and the textile city of Aubusson, is a sprawling 1500-acre estate providing guests with a tranquil and comfortable home base from which to enjoy all the area has to offer.
 
 

Few people can say they live in the same house their family has owned for almost 800 years, but in the case of the Comte and Comtesse des Monstiers Mérinville, this is absolutely true.  The estate was received by Urbain des Monstiers in 1220 upon his marriage to Demoiselle Quitterie du Fraisse, and it remains a proud family possession to this very day.  Read the fascinating history of the destruction and reconstruction of much of the château on the  au Château web page,  Château du Fraisse.

Fishing is a popular pastime of château visitors, whether in the delightful pond or in the nearby river.  A tennis court is also available for guests' enjoyment, as well as spending quiet time by the fireplace or trying one's hand at a challenging and unique game of French billiards.   Nearby there are endless outdoor activities for visitors to keep them on the go such as hiking, horseback riding and mountain biking. 

The well-appointed, comfortable guest rooms are newly decorated and furnished with beautiful antiques or family heirlooms.  Two of the double rooms have adjoining single rooms, ideal for parents and children.  Large bathrooms are part of each guest accommodation and offer modern conveniences while still designed with flair.  Guests will appreciate the inclusion of lotions, bath salts, fresh flowers and bottled water...the little touches that mean so much. 
 

            A sunny and spacious guest room

The dependencies on the property are vast including one particularly large building that is being remodeled for grand events such as weddings, music recitals and concerts, family reunions,  and seminars.  There will be a raised area for music and dancing and full catering of events will be offered.  The family is currently supervising construction to ready the building for a gathering scheduled for the Spring.

Many of the châteaux and manoirs proudly display their family's collection of works of art, and we always feel very fortunate to be able to enjoy them and, perhaps, learn a little of their history.  The numerous portraits and lovely tapestries at Château du Fraisse are magnificent.  We were told about some of the subjects in the paintings -- ancestors with illustrious lives and memorable accomplishments.  The tapestries hung on the high stone walls along stairways were amazing in their intricacy -- still serving as they would have centuries ago to add warmth and interest to very large stone spaces.

As mentioned earlier, the family des Monstiers Mérinville has owned Château du Fraisse for nearly eight centuries, and it certainly has an interesting history, which you can read about on their au Château pages.   Something very typical of family estates in France is the presence of a small chapel.  The one at Château du Fraisse is exquisite, and we were honored to be permitted a peek inside on a recent visit.   As with so many of the walls in the château, the chapel houses some incredible paintings, this time behind the altar as you can see in this photo.  The chapel is consecrated, so Masses are often held there for the family and their friends,  and marriage ceremonies are also possible.

The Haute-Vienne has much variety to offer travelers.  The popular adventure park, Futuroscope,  is an hour's drive from Nouic, while the castle at La Rochefoucauld is about 50 miles from the château.  Only a few minutes away you will find one of the Most Beautiful Villages in France, Mortemart, and you will be               The chapel - Château du Fraisse 
amazed by the perfect condition of the first 
century Roman spa & sanctuary at Chassenon in the nearby Charentes. A short drive to the city of Bellac on the tiny River Vincou and its church, Notre Dame de Bellac, is recommended.  You may want to visit the World War II martyr village of Oradour-sur-Glane just a short drive south of the château.    Oradour-sur-Glane serves as a sad and powerful reminder of the suffering of people at war.

A word about the Comte and Comtesse -- having been guests at Château du Fraisse, we can assure you that your host and hostess are very gracious as they welcome you to their home.  They not only greet you warmly, but they continue to provide friendly and helpful assistance during your stay.  The time we spent with them enjoying an apéritif and learning more about the château created treasured memories for years to come.

Whether you choose to ramble around the countryside or stay close to home, your hosts at Château du Fraisse will be more than happy to give advice or assist you to plan your day.  You can even spend that day on the golf course at St Junien about 22 kilometers south of the château.  And, with dining in France the joyful experience that it is, they will also be pleased to provide the names of and directions to excellent area restaurants for your dining pleasure.