Romantic XIVth Century Château with Pool and Panoramic Views

Château d'Alogny details

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The north front of Château d’Alogny

The swimming pool with panoramic views

Alogny - West Terrace

Home description

Guarding a wooded bluff overlooking the valley of the River Creuse, the Château d'Alogny enjoys panoramic views across the surrounding countryside. The great Stone Age megalith or menhir on the lawn in front of the château stands silent testimony that this has been a sacred site for over five thousand years.

Small and intimate, the château dates mainly from the XIVth Century, when it was the home of Gallehaut d'Alogny, Chamberlain to Louis XI. However, it also incorporates parts of a much earlier castle dating back to William the Conqueror in the XIth Century. The new wing, with its large Renaissance window and fine fireplace, was added in the XVIth Century. The château is set in its own grounds, surrounded by attractive gardens, which include a large, completely private fenced–in solar-heated swimming pool.

Accommodation detail

The large stone spiral staircase

Salon Bedroom

Master bedroom

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Nine hundred years of romantic history lie sealed within the château walls. Its past now a distant memory, Alogny has been lovingly restored to meet contemporary standards of comfort and convenience, without sacrificing its historical integrity. Alogny enjoys modern facilities that include a well equipped kitchen and under floor central heating, yet it retains to the full its mediaeval character, with massive stone walls, beamed ceilings and huge fireplaces in the interconnecting rooms. The four levels are united by a large stone spiral staircase within the semi-octagonal tower. Tastefully furnished, Alogny contains a variety of books on many subjects, including history, architecture and travel.

Kitchen - discreetly placed and well-designed (with stovetop, convection oven, microwave and dishwasher etc.), it conveniently adjoins the dining room without distracting from the mediaeval ambiance

Dining Room/Living Room - spacious, high beamed room with massive XIVth Century fireplace and refectory table.

Alogny has five double bedrooms, and so readily accommodates ten guests. In addition, the large family room, which is particularly suitable for young people, contains another two beds if needed. Most bedrooms include a spacious sitting area. There are four bathrooms and four toilets.

• Tower Room - a lofty room with double bed at the top of the tower, enjoying superlative views over the Val de Creuse.
• Master Bedroom - a large room with double bed, with sweeping views across the valley. En suite bathroom (Jacuzzi and shower, separate toilet). Private access to the east terrace.
• Salon Bedroom - a magnificent room with twin beds. En suite bathroom (shower) and separate toilet. Private access to the circular north Terrace.
• Large West Terrace Bedroom - a spacious room at the foot of the tower, with double bed. Private access to the west terrace. A short flight of steps leads down through a curtained Norman archway to the cellar alcove, a cool, tranquil retreat in hot weather. Shared en suite bathroom (shower) and toilet.
• Small West Terrace Bedroom - an attractive room of great character, with French windows onto the terrace. Double bed. Shared en suite bathroom.
• Family Room - a large sitting room/games room containing a TV, DVD and VCR. Two beds provide overflow accommodation when needed.

About the location

Alogny, only an hour's drive from the magnificent châteaux of the Loire Valley, lies in tranquil, unspoilt surroundings, but enjoys numerous attractions. The healing waters of La Roche Posay, an easy bike ride from Alogny, have drawn visitors since Roman times. In addition to specific therapies, guests can enjoy a variety of massage and other treatments. The town also possesses a famous casino, an equestrian centre and a racetrack, in addition to all regular shops and facilities.

Writers in this peaceful, undiscovered heart of France are touched by its timeless magic, while artists discover at first hand the inspiration of the French impressionist painters through the subtle interplay of ever-changing light and shadow as the seasons progress.

Historic sites abound in the region, some dating back to palaeolithic times. The château at Le Grand Pressigny houses a fine museum of prehistory. The abbey of St. Savin, and nearby village church at Antigny, possess some of the finest mediaeval frescos in Europe. Angles-sur-l'Anglin, with its striking ruined cliff-top château, is widely acknowledged as one of the most beautiful villages in France, and attracts many artists. Monks at the ancient abbey of Fontgombault are renowned for their Gregorian chant. Less than an hour away, near the historic city of Poitiers, is Futuroscope, the extremely popular theme park devoted to the moving image, in which the latest film and computer-graphics technologies may be experienced. Only a little further away is the attractive seaport of La Rochelle, famed for its seafood.

For the gourmet, Château d'Alogny provides an idyllic base. A focus of gastronomic excellence, there are several restaurants of exceptional quality (and modest price) within easy distance. Weekly markets in nearby towns offer an endless profusion of tantalising delicacies, including local wines, cheeses and pâtés, together with a wealth of fresh fruits, vegetables and seafood.

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

Activities near by

Bird Watching, Boules, Canoeing, Caving, Cycling, Drawing and painting, Fishing, French tuition, Golf, Gourmet dining, Hiking, Horse riding, Kayaking, Mountain biking, Photography, Rambling, Riverside activities, Rock climbing, Shopping, Sightseeing, Spa, Swimming, Table tennis, Tennis, Theme parks, Walking, Wine tasting, Yoga

See Activities and attractions for more information on nearby activities and places of interest.

How to get here

The Château d'Alogny lies between the historic cities of Tours and Poitiers. It is located on the D5 midway (six kilometers) between the ancient spa town of La Roche Posay, and the village of Lésigny-sur-Creuse.

The nearest large town, Chatellerault, is a 20-minute drive away, and can be reached by TGV (high-speed train) from Paris (Montparnasse) in an hour and twenty minutes. There is also TGV service to Poitiers direct from the airport (CDG).

Ryanair has regular flights from London (Stansted) to Poitiers.

Rental cars are available in Chatellerault, Poitiers and at the airport (Poitiers/Biard).

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