Home description

A unique hunting-lodge, in the heart of the Argonne forest, on a centuries old estate with its hilltop Chateau, Pigeonnier and Park in the Champagne.

The hunting-lodge is part of an estate of 6 ha with a park and a XVIth-XVIIIth century castle on a hill top with beautiful views on unspoilt countryside and forests. The chateau belonged until 1904 to the family of Adelbert von Chamisso, the famous French born, but German poet (1781-1838), biologist, explorer and creator of Peter Schlemihl, the story of the man who lost his shadow.

The hunting lodge, containing 2 adjacent gites,  can be rented as a whole, with 5 bedrooms and two living areas, or can be rented separately: the West Wing (App. I) has three bedrooms and exclusive access to castle park & pool,; the East Wing (App.II) has two bedrooms.

Apart from the castle park, where also the swimmingpool is situated, accessible for the guests of App.I, the hunting lodge itself is surrounded by 3ha of garden and an orchard to discover and appreciate, and to enjoy the free collection of fresh sherries, plums, walnuts, apples and peers, depending on the season. This is at the exclusive disposal of both the guests of App.I and II.

Available  for guests are a barbecue, garden chairs + table, long chairs.

There are 4 bicycles (children age from 3 to 17), and one  for adults. Several games, badminton, cricket, jeu de boules.

There is also a children play ground with two swings and a climbing tower (tour mirador), as well as a picnic table, at a convenient distance of the lodge, but within sight when required. As from April 2011 a table tennis facility of top outdoor quality with maximum safety for children and  playback possibility for solo practice is available nearby in one of the dependencies of the Chateau. 

Moreover,  in 2011 the old swimming pool at the park grounds of the Castle has  been substituted by one at grass level, 5X10 M in size and 1.20M, respectively 1.80M deep. The pool is covered by a transparent telescopic structure of 15X7X1.90 M, that is easily removable during summer time, but allows swimming not only in July - August, but also in June and September, maybe even in May and October.

The swimming pool is in principle only accessible for the guests of hunting lodge Appt 1, if necessary in consultation with the owner in case he is present at the estate. The guests of hunting lodge Appt 2 have no access to this private pool, unless they rented the whole lodge (West Wing & East Wing)

The forest is at your doorstep. A horse riding club with manege & pony club in the village itself, and simple water games are possible at the lakes nearby. The municipal swimming pool is at 10 km.

For many more pictures and background information on the estate in general and the lodge in particular, as well as for reactions of previous guests, please see our own website.

Accommodation detail

Hunting-lodge, West Wing (App I) is 40 m2 larger than the East Wing part (App. II) and comprises:

• 3 bedrooms located on the first floor. Master bedroom with balcony (19m2), a child's bedroom (12.6m2) with bunk beds and a twin bedroom (16m2).
• Upstairs toilet
• An upstairs bathroom (4.4 m2) with bath and encased double washbasins.
• The living room of 37.5 m2 with open plan kitchen of 4m2 and bar is, like all other living spaces in the lodge, tastefully decorated, with antique or high quality furniture. 
• A laundry room (5.4 m2)
• A downstairs toilet
• A downstairs bathroom with shower and encased double washbasins (4.2 m2).
• As from April 2010 connection with WiFi system in the lodge providing TOOWAY access to high speed internet by satellite (3.6 Mbps / 384 kbps). 

Outside

Exclusive access to the castle park and its swimming pool on the estate.

About the location

The estate is situated on a hill overlooking the Valley of the river Aisne.  At the entrance of a village or about 250 inhabitants. There is a  very good and extremely cheap village restaurant nearby. The baker passes by the huntinglodge every day, including sunday with fresh bread. In nearby Sainte Menehould  (9 km) there are several supermarkets, restaurants etc

The hunting lodge can be rented as a whole, with 5 bedrooms and two living areas, or  can be rented separately. The  West Wing part with 3 bedrooms is 40 m2 larger than the  East Wing part with two bedrooms, and has a separate high standard kitchen. Moreover it gives exclusive access tot the castle park and its swimmingpool on the estate.

See Local guide and map for information on nearby towns and facilities.

How to get here

The estate is at a distance of 471 km from London. Easyest to be reached by car and channel tunnel Dover -  Calais. Then continuing the highway to Reims and Chalons-en-Champagne, direction Strasbourg.

See Local guide and map for information on nearby towns and airports.

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Facilities

Facility	Details
Type	Apartment (Self-catering)
Bedrooms	1 double, 2 twin
Childrens beds	2
Baby cots	1
Bathrooms	2 bathroom(s)
Separate toilets	2
Capacity	6
Living Area	120 m²
Suitability	Suitable for children, Unsuitable for wheelchair access
Linen	Euro 9/person
Changeover day	Saturday

Facility	Details
Internal facilities	Central heating (electric), Daily maid service, DVD player, English satellite TV, Exclusive rental, Broadband Internet Access (Wi-fi), Owner not on site, TV, Weekly maid service, Wood burning fire or stove
Kitchen facilities	Cooker, Dishwasher, Electric oven, Freezer, Fridge, Ironing facilities, Microwave, Tumble dryer, Washing machine
Other	The hunting lodge was totally renovated in 2003, to the highest standards and respectful of original features including massive oak wood doors and floors, thick walls and double windows. Apart from the kitchen features mentioned above, there are electrical appliances like microwave, toaster, waterheather, coffee machine, pressurecooker and a french fries cooker (friteuse). For children there are various family games like monopoly, cards, but also chess, videos, DVD's, books. Four children (age 3 - 16) bikes are available.
External features on site	Barbecue, Garden, Scenic views, Swimming pool (exclusive use)
Other

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Additional price information

Additional charges: wood for the open fireplace (Euro 20), cleaning (Euro 55), babycot (Euro 10). Dogs are allowed, if well educated, at a surcharge of Euro 10.

Connection with  the WiFi system at the lodge (TOOWAY highspeed internet by satellite) 15 Euro p.w.

Between 1 October - 30 April a surcharge of Euro 15 per night is applicable for the (electric) central heating.

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