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Experience the enchanting allure of France at its finest with a stay at the historic Domaine du Chateau de Monrecour, where dreams of living in a castle come vividly to life.
Nestled in the heart of France, my visit to Chateau de Monrecour not only fulfilled my long-standing dream of castle living but also cemented my appreciation for semi-budget travel.
As someone who has intricately navigated the map of cost-effective yet enriching travel experiences over the years, I’ve cultivated a knack for uncovering hidden gems that promise both comfort and a taste of luxury.
I’m all for staying in a budget hotel when I travel, but sometimes it’s nice to splurge on a more luxurious experience.
Most people think that they can’t afford to stay in a castle while traveling, but that’s not always the case.
Chateau de Monrecour offers travelers the chance to stay in an authentic French castle at a semi-budget price. Chateau de Monrecour is a beautiful castle located in the south of France that offers spacious accommodations and all the amenities you need for a relaxing vacation.
SBT Highlights
- Castle Living on a Budget: Discover how you can fulfill your fantasy of staying in a historic French chateau without breaking the bank.
- Spectacular Surroundings: Explore the stunning landscapes and rich history that envelop Chateau de Monrecour, providing an immersive cultural experience.
- Expert Travel Tips: Benefit from years of semi-budget travel expertise with curated recommendations for making the most out of your visit to this enchanting location.
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Chateau de Monrecour
If you’re looking for a truly unique and luxurious travel experience, look no further than Chateau de Monrecour. This family-owned castle has been in operation for centuries and offers guests a variety of accommodations to choose from, all while providing a beautiful view of the French countryside.
The Chateau de Monrecour & Its History
Domaine du Chateau de Monrecour (also known as Chateau de Monrecour, or Domaine de Monrecour) is a beautiful castle located in the south-west of France, in the heart of the Dordogne Valley, specifically the Périgord Noir region.
Built in the 1500s as an agricultural estate, the castle has only been owned by a few different families over the last couple centuries. In 1808, the Mirandol family took over. Then, in 1847, ownership changed to the Escande family and stayed in that family until 1998.
In 1998, the Khodja family began the process of turning Chateau de Monrecour into a hotel. Under the ownership of the Gauthier family, in 2016, a full renovation took place. And finally, in 2020, a new gourmet restaurant was opened on the property.
The Rooms
The accommodations at Domaine de Monrecour range from hotel rooms to apartments, all designed to provide guests with the utmost comfort.
Choose from 31 guest rooms in either the castle or annex buildings, or find lodging in the 8 cottages.
In the castle, or chateau, 10 hotel rooms are divided into the following categories:
- Luxe (ground floor) (2 people)
- Charme (1st, 2nd, 3rd floors) (2 people)
- Family Charme (2nd floor) (4 people)
In the annex buildings, 21 rooms include the following options:
- Tradition (2 people)
- Standard (ground floor) (2 people)
- Family Tradition (4 people)
- Loft (upper floor) (5 people)
In the 8 cottages, the options are:
- Cottage (inc. dining room) (2 people)
- Cottage (2 bedrooms + dining room) (4/5 people)
- Cottage (inc. dining room + mezzanine) (2 adults + 2 children under 8 years old)
The entire property really is lovely, but we couldn’t pass up staying in the castle!
Review of Family Castle Room
As soon as I found this castle, I knew I wanted our family to stay there! The castle has been in operation for centuries, and I wanted to experience the history that it holds.
When we arrived, we were immediately taken with the beautiful grounds. The rolling hills of the French countryside are visible from everywhere on the property. We couldn’t wait to get into our room!
Our family stayed in a Family Charme rooms (a family room in the actual chateau, or castle), which was perfect for us. It felt like a large suite compared to the traditional hotel room we normally stay in when we’re traveling.
The room opens into the first bedroom, which has a queen bed, private bathroom with dual sinks, walk-in shower, and bathtub, and separate WC. Another doorway leads to the second bedroom, which has two twin beds, as well as another WC (but no sink to wash hands). Our family of four fit quite comfortably in this room configuration. The bathroom had ample space and looked newly renovated.
The room with the queen bed had a flat-screen TV, coffee maker, and mini fridge. The main bathroom had complimentary toiletries and hair dryers. Both bedrooms had an air conditioning unit, as well as free Wi-Fi access.
The views from the windows of our room were incredible! We could see across the grounds to the adult pool and out to the rolling hills in the distance.
The room we stayed in is up 2 long flights of stairs, which are not temperature controlled. There was no elevator available to us, except for luggage assistance.
Overall Score: WE. STAYED. IN. A. CASTLE. !!!!!
VIDEO: Chateau de Monrecour Family Room Tour
The Grounds & Surrounds
The grounds are lovely and exactly what you might imagine for a French chateau in the countryside. The main driveway (by the way, there is free private parking) is surrounded by the chateau, annex buildings, and cottages. There is well-manicured greenery everywhere, including grass cut by these cute little automatic lawnmowers. It’s like a Roomba for lawns!
There are two swimming pools, including one with a backdrop of the chateau itself. I was really looking forward to utilizing this beautiful pool, which is featured in the chateau’s promotional photos. Upon arrival, however, we found out that it is an adults-only pool.
The adults-only pool is also farther away from the laundry room, which is where I needed to be when we had time to swim. Speaking of the laundry room, it is located in one of the adjacent buildings to the family pool. In said laundry room, you can utilize a washing machine, tumble dryer, clothes drying rack, iron and ironing board, and a large sink.
Both the adult pool and family pool have beautiful views of the surrounding countryside, and where there is nice weather, you can see hot air balloons floating up into the sky.
When you’re at Chateau de Monrecour, it feels like you’re far away from all the hustle and bustle.
At the same time, you’re quite close to a variety of attractions, including the nearby Medieval town of Sarlat and major sites like Chateau de Beynac and La Roque Gageac (our new favorite French village!). There is also a view of the 15th-century Chateau des Milandes from the property.
Our favorite activity nearby was canoeing on the Dordogne River. This slow, meandering river is perfect for exploration and taking in the sights of the area.
The Restaurant & Breakfast Room
La Table de Monrecour is the onsite gourmet restaurant. Offering lunch and dinner options, this restaurant is a beautiful spot to relax after a day of exploring. The outdoor seating terraces create quite a lovely ambiance with their patio lights in the evening.
The menus change regularly, staying fresh with local, seasonal products (the best in French cuisine!). Three dining rooms, two terraces, and a wine cellar complete this recent addition to the property.
Buffet breakfasts are offered (for a fee) in the breakfast room on the first floor of the chateau.
Full Disclosure: We did not eat at the restaurant or in the breakfast room. We bought food at grocery stores in town and saved a bundle!
The Verdict
My fascination with the country of France began in 6th grade. Ever since then, I’ve dreamt of the time when I could actually stay in a castle. That dream finally came true for me (& my family!) with our stay at Domaine du Chateau de Monrecour!
I absolutely loved our stay here. The castle and grounds were as beautiful as I imagined, and the staff was incredibly friendly and accommodating. Our kids loved having their own room (& so did my husband and I!). Everything about this place exceeded my expectations! I highly recommend it!
SBT Summary: Chateau de Monrecour
Lodging at Chateau de Monrecour is truly a unique and magical experience that will stay with you long after your trip is over. This family-owned castle has all of the amenities you need for a relaxing vacation, plus the added bonus of being able to explore and appreciate centuries-old French history.
With a variety of accommodation options, beautiful views, and plenty to do nearby, it is the perfect destination for an unforgettable getaway. Whether you’re looking for a romantic escape or a family vacation, Chateau de Monrecour is sure to provide an experience that you’ll remember for years to come!
Stay here if you want to really treat yourself to an amazing semi-budget travel experience. Bon voyage!
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