We would like to begin by telling you a little about staying in family-operated châteaux or manoir chambres d'hôtes. The service you receive will be more personal than even the smallest hotels, and you will find each property unique in its architecture, décor and other amenities. And, there are similarities at each as well…the gracious warmth of your hosts, the special attention they bestow upon you and the ambiance of being surrounded by family heirlooms, art and antiques at properties steeped in history. 

It is important to keep in mind that you are in someone's private home, so your courteous and considerate manner is appreciated. And, if traveling with a pet, always be sure to inquire before making a reservation to learn if your companion is welcome. Many times the pets in residence are not happy to have other little visitors at their house. Because the properties are family homes, please let your hosts know your estimated time of arrival the first day. If you will be arriving past 6 PM it is essential they are given that information. Also,  tell them your return time in the evening when you go out for the day. They do need to lock up at night. 

Note: On the first page of each property we indicate the languages spoken by your hosts in addition to French -- to simplify, we deemed it unnecessary to mention French.

You will see as you browse through our list of properties that the majority offer just a few guest rooms, creating the atmosphere of visiting the home of a dear friend. At these you will receive the direct attention of your hosts for most of your needs. The other properties, in the minority, have more guest rooms, perhaps a restaurant on the premises, and may employ a staff to serve their guests. We have selected those larger properties quite carefully to avoid any which might seem like a hotel. Although they are able to accept more guests, the owners and staff still provide attentive and personal service. We are confident that you will not be disappointed in any property you select through au Château. 

Guest rooms are often furnished with family heirlooms, antiques and collectibles; your views over the expansive grounds will bring a sense of peace and relaxation; your comfort will be assured as it is always the main focus of your hosts.   Recreational offerings at the member properties vary -- some have swimming pools or tennis courts, others offer canoeing or rowing on the property,  and several have billiard or games rooms for guests' enjoyment.  A select few offer self-catering gîtes by the week that include kitchens and laundry rooms and which share the château grounds.  Some even make their entire château available for rent.

Many of the châteaux and manoirs offer the opportunity to dine with the family - and we highly recommend that you do so. Stimulating conversation and regional dishes will delight you.  Others  will prepare private dinners for guests with an advance reservation, and some properties offer restaurants on the premises where you can dine at beautifully appointed tables among your fellow guests. Talented château chefs can stand with those at any great restaurant, as they offer you marvelous menu selections and excellent wines.  There are properties where dinner is not offered, but your hosts are available to advise you of good restaurants nearby and will assist by making reservations on your behalf. 

Note: The rates given on our pages are per room, not per person, unless otherwise indicated.   All room rates indicated on these pages are subject to change at the discretion of the proprietors. Click here for today's currency conversion rate.

The term 'demi-pension' or 'half-board' may appear on some château pages.  This indicates that the room rate includes both breakfast and dinner OR lunch (not both) and is per person based on two people in a double room.  This may only be offered for a minimum stay of two or three nights, a point which should be clarified with your prospective hosts when making your reservation.

** Deposits to hold your reservations are often, but not always, required, and a deposit is usually the equivalent of the first night's room rate.  It is not required in France to refund deposits if a potential guest does not use the reserved room, but most proprietors will do so if their cancellation policy is followed.  Payment of deposits can be made by check in euros, some owners may accept other currency checks (determine this in advance of sending), and others will accept credit card deposits.  Do not send credit card information by email.  Either telephone the owners with the details or send them a fax with the information.

WEEKLY RENTAL PROPERTIES:  Some of these are booked directly with the owners, but most are booked through au Château.  Contact information is on the property's au Château web page, or you can use our handy Booking Form.  Keep in mind that all weekly rental properties require a refundable security / breakage deposit before guests can occupy the château or manoir.  This is standard in the industry from the smallest cottages to the grandest châteaux.  Anyone renting a property has the obligation to ask about cancellation policies.  We strongly suggest that everyone purchase trip cancellation insurance before traveling.

You have two options:

• YOU CAN MAKE YOUR RESERVATION DIRECTLY WITH YOUR HOSTS: 
• Each property's main page on our site provides several ways to contact your hosts. Their address, phone number, fax number and email address are given at the top of their page. 
• When you are ready to make a reservation, click here  for our printable Fax Form.  Just print, fill in the blanks and send! 
• If a château has email, we have made that email address a link - just click on it to contact them directly from au Château. 
• If a property has its own web site, it will appear on their first page and you can click on the link to access it.  [Some have their own on line reservation forms for your use.] 
• Numbers provided on our pages for both phone and fax are those you would dial from outside France.  For example, from the United States you will dial 011 and then the number we have provided.  Within France omit the 011 and 33 country code and add a zero at the beginning of the number.
• We suggest you send a fax or email clearly outlining your specific requirements for rooms, baths and the nights you wish to reserve.  Mention if you plan to bring a small dog,  and ask if it will be welcome by the owners.
• During this initial contact,  you should ask for current room rates and inquire if there are any applicable taxes.
• Inquire about check in time for the day of your arrival.  It is usually later in the day in France than in the United States.  Ask, too, about checkout time on the day of your departure.
• Specify if you will be traveling with children or if elderly persons are in your party. 
• You can also request dinner reservations (if offered) at that time. 
• Property owners will respond in kind by either fax or email.
• Please mention this web site, au Château.  It is important that the owners know where you found their property!
• YOU CAN COMPLETE OUR EASY BOOKING FORM:

• >>>> BOOKING FORM  <<<<Please fill in all required information.

• Notify owners if you will be arriving after 1800 hours (6 PM). 
• Determine if there are any cancellation fees imposed by the château owners.  Each proprietor's policies are different, but potential guests should become aware of those policies.  Cancellation information can be found on a property's own web site or can be ascertained by contacting the owners.

Be sure to click on Michelin Map to Château on each property's home page. We are proud to offer an instant link to a Michelin map to enable you to see detailed driving routes. Look for the red circle indicating the location of that particular property.  Combine this map with the written directions provided,  and you will find yourself at the door of your chosen château, manor house or medieval castle!   We highly recommend you visit the Michelin web site (click on their banner link on any of our pages) to view and purchase pertinent Michelin travel maps and publications.    Don't drive in France without Michelin!

We are very interested in your experiences at the various properties on au Château.  Although people's opinions differ, what you tell us can be of enormous help to your fellow travelers - and to us!   Please feel free to email us!   Reviews can be found for many of our properties on the Special Offers page of this site, indicating each contributor by initials only. Let's hear from you, too!

Having trouble navigating our site, looking for particular information or need to know more about a property listed with au Château? Please go to  Contact Us,  and send us an email. We'll try our best to be of assistance. 

Disclaimer:  Although we are confident that the properties on this web site will meet clients' highest expectations, nothing here provides any written or implied guarantees.  No one at Cold Spring Press or au Château has any liability or responsibility, financial or otherwise, regarding cancellations, failure of either party to fulfill a commitment or any other disagreements or problems between parties, and we are not liable for losses of any kind, acts of God, nature or man, or any condition that affects the arrangements between the owner and the guest.  Cold Spring Press and au Château recommend the purchase of trip cancellation and other travel insurance.  The information on this web site will be kept as current as possible, but it is each traveler's responsibility to obtain  prevailing room and meal rates. au Château and Cold Spring Press accept no liability for any portion of any transaction between any parties, and are not responsible for any errors or omissions on this web site.  All drawings, text, graphics and photographs on this web site are the property of Cold Spring Press, P O Box 26098, San Diego, CA 92196-0098 (with the exception of photos that belong to property owners) and are protected by United States copyright laws and may not be copied or transmitted by any means for any reason without explicit written permission of Cold Spring Press.     Cold Spring Press and au Château accept no responsibility or liability for the contents of or services provided by any external web sites linked to this site or linked to au Château News.  Michelin Maps are used with  permission granted to Cold Spring Press by Michelin Travel Publications, and all Michelin copyrights and use restrictions apply.