• Home
• About Us
• Property Search
• Travelling with Tots
• Travelling with Twins
• Testimonials
• Contact Us
• Join the Tots Club
• Letting your property
• How to book
• News
• Terms & Conditions
• Links
• FAQ
• Site Map

more images

Click here to view a fact-sheet for this property

Property Details

Imagine a beautiful Chateau where you can leave behind the chores and the cooking creating all the time you want to enjoy a truly relaxing family holiday - this is it.

Sleeps up to 14 in 6 bedrooms with plenty of room for cots.  The bedrooms are very large and numbers of beds/cots can be adapted to requirements - please enquire.

2011 2nd July - 16th July - 2 week duration only.

October 2010 to April 2011 Prices for 3 night stay over a weekend

What we think...
This famous, historic and beautiful fairytale Château is situated in three acres of land and is perfect five star quality accommodation and service at a two star price ideal for a large family or maybe for several families travelling together.  This is a perfect venue for two or three families as mums and dads can be accommodated in rooms opposite their children.  

"We cannot thank you enough!  After having spent out first week in France in non-Tots accomodation, we found that we ended up spending more at the first house than the final costs of our stay at the beautiful Chateau des Etoiles.  The food was the highlight of the trip and not having to shop and wash up was a godsend!  We shall be recommending the Chateau to all of our friends!" - The Peters Family 2009

The Chateau des Etoiles has a dreamy quality that resonates throughout the whole house and out through the large oak doors into the spellbinding grounds.  The grandeur of the house is undeniable, yet this is accompanied by a warm, welcome feel that makes this chateau the ideal place for families to holiday. 

There is an abundance of extra services at the Chateau, designed to ensure you can really enjoy time with your family without having to lift a finger if you don't want to.  There is a chef and a maid whose job it is to help you get the most out of your holiday.  Chef prepares breakfast and luncheon for the whole family, this is a free of charge service and based upon the guest's shoping instructions to Chef, this is repayable against shop receipts and will ensure that you are managing a sensible budget during your stay.  

Chateau des Etoiles far exceeded our expectations for quality and space.  The food was fabulous and the service was outstanding.  The best part of our stay was the lack of chaos in organising daily chores; the staff were brilliant in organising everything and for that we truly thank them.  We will definately be back!  - The Mannering family 2009.

The maid service is full-time and free of charge, and the chef is also happy to assist with food shopping, just let us have your list!  You will also find breakfast delivered fresh from the boulangerie, the bedrooms made-up daily, washing-up done for you, a daily laundry service - in fact, everything you might expect from a glamorous hotel - but all for you.  There is so much included here that you will find yourself saving a fortune on restaurant bills because you can have it all done for you without going anywhere!  When you don't require the staff, they will leave you to enjoy the house peacefully.

We stayed at the Chateau and as it always the case, we all had a splendid time.  The quality of the food was, as usual, just incredible and the children enjoyed their little saunters to the farm to visit the ducks and rabbits and most importantly my wife didn't wash a dish or clean up after the grandchildren the entire time.  We came away having felt we just had a holiday.  We took advantage of the free laundry service and returned home without having to catch up on things.  This was a holiday in its full sense and our thanks must go to the owners who were relentless in their efforts to make certain there was no work for us to do during our stay. - The Grundy family 2009

If the adults prefer to dine out then the chef will prepare a meal for the children and then the maid will babysit once the children are all in bed.  Adults can then dine out with the peace of mind that the children feel safe with staff they have already got to know.  You can also have lovely long days out with your children in the knowledge that when you return to the Chateau there will be a meal waiting not just for the children but for you too. 

Should you decide to take the children on a road trip or perhaps to the lakes for the day, Chef will shop for and prepare a picnic hamper further placing you in firm control of your budgets, there is no extra charge for this service, either.

“My family and my friends' families spent 2 weeks at the ‘Chateau des Etoiles’ last year and we used the flexibility of the chef and the catering services on many an occasion after the wonderful welcome meal. […] The children thoroughly enjoyed the pool and the baby sitting service was a godsend as it freed us up to spend time at night markets and jazz and other music festivals held in the town, we felt welcome and at home and will certainly be back.  Carol Unsworth. (Working mum)”

Inside
The house is arranged around the central entrance hall from which there is access to all other rooms as well as the upstairs landing.  Original matured oak doors, paneling and flooring feature throughout the house, plus stone and tiled flooring on the downstairs level; all of which have been restored in a manner sympathetic to the period. 

Please note: the floor plans are not to scale

To the left of the main entrance, a heavy wood door leads into the ‘grown-ups only’ drawing room with its magnificent original fireplace.  This room had been carefully decorated with antique furniture, glass cabinets and ornaments and is the perfect place for quiet grown-up time.  At the far end of the room is the tower room which features a magnificent grand piano as well as a library of books.

Kids need not worry however as there is plenty of child-friendly space within the chateau including the sunny play room (or blue room).  This room has been decked out with children firmly in mind and houses toys (including a fabulous dressing up box), a TV and DVD (with children’s DVDs) and a Playstation.  The comfy sofas and easy feel of this room make it an ideal den for children.

The formal dining room has a stunning original fireplace and large wooden dining table that seats 12.  This is the perfect place to take advantage of the grown up dinners offered by the chef.  The kitchen/breakfast room meanwhile is ideal for informal dining and children’s mealtimes and seats 8.  For al fresco dining there are a multitude of places to sit, including a terrace outside the kitchen/breakfast room which has a large table and a parasol.

A Bose entertainment system is installed, to which guests can attach their own Ipod for their own choice in music. Wifi is also available throughout.

The kitchen has solid wooden cupboards and draws and a marble work surface.  There is a modern hob with locking mechanism and the oven is set up out of reach of a curious toddler.  In addition there is a dishwasher, microwave and a large American fridge with water filter and ice machine.  This kitchen is particularly well equipped and contains all the equipment to prepare even the most gastronomic cuisine!

Upstairs there are six bedrooms which lead off the main corridor that run through the length of the chateau.  The three double rooms are all en-suite whilst the three twin bedrooms share a large family bathroom and loo.  Each room has a unique colour theme and all are furnished with big pieces of antique French furniture.

The bathrooms have been carefully renovated to retain as many of the original features as possible, including the roll top baths and generous sized basins. 

Throughout the chateau, careful thought has been given to quality and this is evident both in the choice of fabrics and furnishings as well as in the equipment provided.  The house is centrally heated (mid Sept- end of May) and all radiators are hidden preventing children from burning themselves.  Automatic lighting has been installed in the upstairs corridor to enable your children to find you or the loo in the night.  To add further peace of mind, all of the hot water taps in the Chateau have been tightened in such a way as to make it impossible for a child to turn them on and perhaps scold themselves.  This is a property where your every whim and fancy has been catered for!

Parent Point – As this Chateau is decorated in keeping with its period, parents should be made aware of lamps, ornaments, fire grates, and other pieces of furniture that could be tripped over, knocked or pulled off, and are encouraged to ask the staff if they can be removed if required allowing you even more peace of mind to enjoy your holiday.

Chateau des Etoiles Package
Guests at Chateau des Etoiles are encouraged to make their holidays as grand or as low key as they wish; having staff on hand will ensure that the grown ups get a real break! 

• Complimentary champagne reception and first night's 'chef's choice' dinner*
• First night supper for the children
• Full and exclusive use of the property and the facilities
• 10 free complimentary tennis court sessions at the local court in Riberac (please book early to avoid disappointment)
• Swimming towels
• Babysitting
• End of stay cleaning included

*If you are late arriving this meal will be postponed until the next day.  All food is homemade, prepared using fresh, local and seasonal ingredients.

There is a daily morning delivery of croissants, chocolatines and fresh bread.  Home cooked lunch is prepared daily by the chef who will shop for and cook your lunch as part of the included service, you just pay the cost of the ingredients. 

Services and Additional services

• Laundry Service
• Pool heating 30€ per day
• For the evening, the chef will prepare gourmet food for the adults and for this there is a charge of between £18.50 and £22.50 per adult for a 3 or 4 course meal.  For children under the age of 12 chef prepares all food, including evening meals, against receipts as a free of charge service.*
• Picnic Hamper can be made up for you to take with you on your trips out.
• A starter pack shopping service (Pre-arranged and payable in €)
  
  Additional services are payable locally and can be arranged at the time of booking or when you arrive.

* The chef's services are supplied on a non-profit basis therefore the costs adjust in accordance with the content of the menu, in all cases the cost of these services will be at least 3 times cheaper than eating out and the standard of cuisine is to the highest of standards

Outside
The pretty walled and gated gardens consist of multiple areas; open lawns, bamboo forest and secret bushy hide-aways.  The grounds are the perfect place for hide and seek and for imaginative play.  As well as big open areas of lawn on which to play ball games or ride bikes, there are ‘secret’ heavily planted areas for children to explore and tyres swings hanging from numerous trees to monkey about on.  This house has a truly famous five feel to it!

There are numerous places to sit and enjoy the garden or to watch the children playing happily, including a oriental bamboo pergola set within a tropical garden complete with music and lighting for evening dining or shady lunches. 

The swimming pool (10m/3m and open May–Sept) is likely to be the highlight of the holidays for your kids, particularly as it comes complete with a raft of pool toys.  The saline pool is kinder on the eyes and skin and is especially suitable for children with skin conditions such as eczema.  The pool has Roman steps which are perfect for smaller children and allow learner-swimmers to build up their confidence in the water.  It is enclosed for safety and heated and has a special video surveillance system which is linked to the kitchen, ensuring that you can keep an eye on the pool from a distance. 

Parent Point - Children prone to climbing must be supervised when in the front garden as the patio area is sunken with a small wall around it and flowerbeds. 

Parent Point - The raised swimming pool has a wall surrounding it, however all pool furniture should be kept away from the wall so as to minimise the risk of a child using it to climb onto the wall.  The steps leading up to the pool from the garden are only gated at the top on entry to the pool area.

Baby and Toddler Friendly!
• Enclosed garden
• Enclosed, salt water swimming pool
• Security camera covering pool area and monitor in the kitchen
• Cots
• 3 highchairs
• 3 booster seats
• Bed guards
• 5 Potties
• Plastic steps
• Steriliser
• Plastic cutlery, cups and bowls
• Changing mat
• Changing table
• Bumbo
• Bath Toys
• Baby support/sling
• 3 non slip bath mats
• Socket guards
• Hand blender
• Electric fans
• Garden toys
• Garden equipment
• Bikes (2 adult and 2 childrens)
• A backpack for carrying toddlers should you want to go on off-road picnics
• Baby monitor with walk about handset and Video baby monitor with sound
• Children’s DVDs
• Playstation
• Children’s toys
• Dressing up box
• A pram
• A small first aid kit
• Baby Pack on request (nappies, wipes, nappy sacks, barrier cream)

For the Children…
Le Chateau des Etoiles is a child’s paradise.  From the dressing up box to the magical garden and swimming pool, there is plenty to keep the children happy.  And when your little princes and princesses need a bit of quiet time, they have their own play room with toys, TV and DVDs to help them feel that they are getting a proper holiday too.

As for the really little ones, why not take this opportunity to teach them to swim?  There is no fear of them getting too cold in the heated pool, set it to what ever temperature you think is best.  They may just enjoy sitting with you on the roman steps under the shade of the parasol with a few floating toys to experiment with. 

For rainy days inside, the family room has a TV (main UK channels), video, DVD and Playstation.

In the grounds of the chateau, the owner's cottage garden is home to a host of cuddly animals the children will love, from hamsters, guinea pigs and rabbits to chickens and ducks. Children are welcome to visit daily to feed and learn how to care for the animals.

The staff also run baking classes with children, producing delicious fairy cakes and biscuits to take back to mum & dad. Mmm, delicious!

And Beyond…
It is only a 5 minute drive into the market town of Riberac, which is the capital of the pâté foie gras industry and boasts one of France’s best markets.  It has a beautiful square where there are plenty of cafes and bars to choose from as well as numerous night markets to attend.  During the summer months there is a schedule of brocantes, music festivals, music evenings (held in local churches: rock, salsa, jazz and baroque), fetes and firework displays.

In and around the area there are a huge variety of activities for families including cycling, supervised and harnessed tree climbing, fishing, numerous museums, an aquarium, canoeing, golf course (20 minutes away) and horse riding.  The area is also well known for having some of the finest pre-historic cave paintings and grottos in France. 

There are also great grown up activities should you want to use the free babysitting service provided at the Chateau.  As the house is conveniently located for easy access to Bordeaux and St. Emilion (world famous for their fine wines) you could experience the wonderful wine tasting and gourmet outings found in the heart of their vineyards.  The staff would be more than pleased to assist with bookings to any of the sites or other venues.

Closer to home there are numerous bridal paths in the area for walks, it is even possible to walk to Riberac cross-country (not suitable for prams but a backpack is provided) in just 15 minutes.  Why not ask the chef to prepare a picnic for your day out?

Before booking, please read about Realistic Expectations.  You should also read our Terms and Conditions.

Gallery

Chateau des Etoiles.

Chateau des Etoiles.

The stuff of fairy tales.

A must see for those who adore romantic gardens.

A magical holiday for you and your little ones.

The adult living room, where you will enjoy a champagne reception.

The breakfast room, situated next to the kitchen.

The family room with TV, DVD and Playstation.

The formal dining room.

The lovely kitchen with solid wooden units.

Because this sumptuous 4 poster bedroom is in the circular tower the photograph cannot do it justice.

One of the double bedrooms.

How about this for luxury.

One of the fabulous ensuite bathrooms.

Lunch on the front patio.

Romantic gardens.

The fantastic swimming pool.

Fun for all in the pool.

Let their imaginations run wild!.

A wonderful opportunity to learn how to care for pets, with new babies every Spring.

Visit the animals every day for petting & feeding.

Alfresco dining with style.

The beautiful pergola set in tropical gardens is romantically lit at night for thos perfect gourmet evenings.

View of St Martin de Riberac.

Enjoy a country stroll around the Chateau.

Amusement and fun for the children on market day.

Fantastic fresh local food at the market in Riberac.

Canoeing for all the family just 5 minutes away.

Lake Jemaye - only 15 minutes away with its glorious sandy beaches and numerous activities.

Sandcastles on the beach.

Volleyball at the beach.

Historic Aubterre with its sandy beaches, activities, restaurants and the Monolithic cathedral cut into the mountain side.

Some great local facilities for children.

back to top