Situated on 100 acres between Chablis and Vézelay this property was constructed over a 400 year period beginning the 13th century and ending in the 17th century. In 1967 the current owners bought the chateau and spent the ensuing 19 years restoring this empty and uninhabitable chateau into the showplace it is today.
It was a family weekend home until 1986 when it officially reopened as a hotel. As you enter the gates of this restored 15 room chateau and approach the entrance you will spot the 42 meter tall plantain tree that dates to 1630, standing in the center of the large, green lawn like a giant sculpture.
Situated between Vézelay with its magnificent Romanesque cathedral of Sainte Magdalene and Chablis and its world famous wines it is the perfect place to rest between wine tours or just to far niente! It is also an important starting point for pilgrims on the Way of St. James to Santiago de Compostela
The rooms are sumptuous, even regal, as befitting their names, ROY, REINE, PRINCE and 5 come with a fireplace that will have been lit to provide a warm and inviting welcome.
Le Roy is the best room located in the main building at the end of a long corridor and opens onto both sides of the Chateau with magnificent views of the surrounding countryside.
This was the room which historically was set aside for the Kings of France when they traveled through the Region.
The flooring and wooden panelling are original. There is a large open fireplace in sculpted marble still in working order opposite the four-poster bed,
Monumental Gothic chairs mean that you can enjoy a truly Royal breakfast .
The room boasts an immense bathroom with extensive views over the park. It is appointed with a double bath tub for two persons and two wide wash hand basins with fish-shaped taps. It has separated shower & toilets. The pastel-blue antique tiling and large frescos of peacocks add the finishing touches.
This is an exceptional room for its sheer size and unique décor and is recommended for a special event, or a romantic evening in a truly magical and timeless setting!
VEZELAY
King size bed
Fireplace
Ideally located on the first floor with three large windows overlooking the castle park.
It is a huge, light-drenched room with fine polished-wood flooring. The room is decorated in shades of blue and gold and boasts fine antiques and a working open fireplace.
The spacious and luxurious bathroom in beige and rose marble boasts magnificent views over the park, and a bathtub, double wash hand basins, shower and separate WC.
A romantic room for those who appreciate true comfort.
After a brief rest under that magnificent tree where we were serenaded by ducks, pigeons and peacocks we joined Marc from the Cave Henry de Vézelay for a tasting of local wines. The cave is located in the nearby village of Saint-Pere but Marc can be persuaded, upon request, to come the chateau’s tasting room where we were treated to ten extremely affordable wines, including – Crémant de Bourgogne, the local “champagne” and book-ended by a Melon de Bourgogne, a delightful apéritif from the melon grape that is now only cultivated in Vézelay and Ratafia de Bourgogne an unctuous blend of chardonnay and marc de bourgogne that does double duty as an apéritif or dessert wine-ideal with foie gras. Stock up on both-you won’t find them in the states.
And now it was time to savor the creations of Chef Franco Boowanee and his partner, and patissière Karina Laval. He trained on the Ile Maurice where he cooked at a luxury hotel, then 3 years in Washington, DC at the Intercontinental in the shadow of the White House on Pennsylvania Avenue. Since 2008 he has made this restaurant a destination for locals and travelers looking for as good meal between vineyard visits. The 29 euro, 3-course luncheon menu is a local favorite.
We were seated in front of the fireplace and after amuse bouche and a glass of Melon de Bourgogne we were served two variations on sea scallops: a tartare with lime and ginger foam and two large scallops sautéed in hazelnut butter flavored watercress purée and sautéed green asparagus from the chateau’s potager, served with satay spices and coconut milk sauce–a seamless blend of East and West.
The East-West marriage continued with daurade cooked in its skin, shitake mushroom chicken mousse coated in green cabbage with Japanese yuzu chicken jus.
A granité of apricot prepared our palates for Chef Franco’s inspired roast pigeon. An oven-roasted thigh confit with a puff pastry filled with foie gras and Sechuan pepper kohlabi purée served with pan juices was exceptional. A Bourgogne Rouge 2012 Cuvée Terroir from the Henry de Vezelay was an ideal partner.
An assortment of cheeses from Maison Soufflard followed by a Halwa flavored Macaron refreshed by a carrot sorbet sent me to bed with a very contented smile.
After breakfast next to the warming fire we were met in the potager by Chef Franco and Jean, the gardener responsible for managing the 40 hectares that provide a wide variety of herbs and vegetables, especially “baby” vegetables that afford Chef Franco a dizzying selection from which he creates accompaniments as well as one of the finest vegetarian menus in France.
Afterward we gathered in the kitchen where Chef Franco offers cooking demonstrations for small groups of no more than 4 persons–Foie Gras, Truffles, Spices and more. We learned the secret of cooking perfect risotto starting with Carolina rice and not the classic arborio which we devoured before tasting a vegetable dish that featured baby beets cooked with port.
Our palates were properly stoked for lunch, served in the light and airy windowed dining room. A variation on the risotto that we now know how to prepare, this one was saffron scented with baby shrimp accompanied by a Petit Chablis 2012. The main course was a moist magret de canard washed down with a 2010 Santenay that flowed into the cheese course.
Take a dip in the chateau’s heated pool, play a few sets of tennis, climb aboard one of the bicycles. fish the chateau’s moat or just meander around the property.
Explore Burgundy from Le Chateau de Vault-de-Lugny, in the heart of Morvan National Park, near Vézelay and Fontenay Abbey, Unesco World Heritage sites. And of course visit local wineries. The Chateau is ideally situated for you to explore and enjoy the region. Just ask Elisabeth or Pascal.
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