SAB

Took a 3-hour tour of the utterly magnificent Chateau de Chalais with the new owner… He, his wife, and adult children are running it themselves at the moment… He asked, respectfully, that no interior photos be posted on social media, but trust me when I tell you that it’s everything you could dream of from an ancient castle - and so, so, SO much more… A bird room with a boudoir, hidden bathrooms, chambers of children belonging to the staff of the past, peculiar windows, rooms reserved for visiting royalty, giant decorated roof beams hundreds and hundreds of years old, enormous and astonishing books and tapestries, and a chapel with a portrait of a woman with a gruesome history… It is the eyes-wide stuff of fairytales. And I only found out about it because I happened to very briefly meet the owner’s daughter in a cafe yesterday - we exchanged happy greetings because my dog ran over to meet her and made her smile, and she said how lovely he is. The the cafe owner told me the woman’s father recently bought the local chateau previously owned by a French celebrity, and that it’s very much worth visiting - and she was absolutely right! After the tour, I remarked to the very kind and knowledgable owner that he knows a lot about the history of the castle after owning it for only three months, and he told me that he and his family are very passionate about it. It warms me to know they care so much about taking care of it and sharing its history. What a memory to keep a tight hold of. You should definitely take the opportunity to visit.

Château Chalais in the Charente is a captivating stronghold of the famous Agnès de Chalais, the only descendant, marries Hélie de Talleyrand and theTalleyrand take at the thirteenth century the title of princes of Chalais, and extending further into Dordogne The Gringols Chateaux which at the time also contrôles @chateaudebelet. its charm today is elevated by the extraordinary caretaker, Jean-Louis. His storytelling prowess breathes life into the castle’s rich history, transforming each visit into a journey through time. Jean-Louis’ passion for the château’s tales is infectious, creating an immersive experience for guests. The well-preserved architecture and picturesque surroundings complement his narratives, making Château Chalais a must-visit. Jean-Louis adds a personal touch, turning a mere visit into an enchanting exploration, leaving visitors with cherished memories of both the castle and its charismatic storyteller.

Brilliant place to visit, so much history and our tour guide was absolutely brilliant definitely worth a visit if you are in the area.

AmIng guided tour with Jean-Louis. His knowledge of the castle and its history is outstanding. Well worth the visit.

Amazing visit to this chateau yesterday, brought to life by a brilliant guide. Jean Louis led us round, entertaining us with a full house of history, drama and emotion. His passion for the history of the Chateau and his impressive knowledge is truly exceptional. His kindness and joie de vivre was much appreciated. We have never had a guided tour quite like it! The Chateau is well worth seeing and the restauration so far completed is a testament to both it's owner and to the dedicated volunteers. Good luck for the future!

Just visited Chalais Castle. It has new owners since the last time we were here. The new owners are wonderful and spent time with us testing their English as we were testing our French. They were explaining that the castle will close down in several weeks and re open once the restoration is complete. I can't wait to return and see what they have done with this already reputable monumental building. Good luck & Best wishes. The Leeds Family.

An amazing tour with very knowledgeable guide . Not your classical Chateau in terms of fairytale looks , but has a rich heritage..highly recommended. The signposts are dire so do persist driving until you fund the church and its just opposite!!

Beautiful castle To look around. We had an English speaking guide. Thomas, very informative and had great knowledge of the castle and surrounding area.