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| Antigny-le-Château
Languages: English, Spanish Credit cards: Cash when booking directly with owner; credit cards when booking through agent: AtHomAbrod@AOL.com Département:
Côte d'Or (21)
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| Burgundy
is a green and beautiful region of France, offering delightful towns and
villages, exemplary cuisine and fine French wines. The département
of Côte d'Or (golden slopes) draws visitors with its culture and
charm, and they return home with especially fond memories of their stay.
Antigny-le-Château is part of that charm -- a place to escape from
the ordinary into the atmosphere of refinement in a family home connected
to Napoléon and rich with stories of historical significance. From
its beginnings as a fortress/castle dating from the 12th to 18th centuries,
Antigny-le-Château still retains its 14th/15th century round tower
and ruins of the 13th century Keep offering views over the valleys below.
Originally a military installation, the château was prominent in
the Wars of Religion in this largely Huguenot area. Just 7 kilometers
away at Arnay-le-Duc, King Henri IV (Henri of Navarre) gained his first
victory in battle.
Atop a strategic hill dominating the valley and on its own 12 acres of fields, orchards and gardens, Antigny-le-Château has been in the current owner's family since 1923 when it was purchased by American scholar, banker and diplomat Royall Tyler and his wife Elisina. They gradually restored the château, as it had been used by a local farmer from the beginning of the century to store grain. Elisina brings the Napoléon connection to this story -- she was the great-great granddaughter of Napoléon's brother, Louis, King of Holland, and the grandmother of the current owner, Matilda Eve Thompson. Elisina had an indomitable spirit and was a close friend of American writer Edith Wharton. Following Mrs. Wharton's death, her chauffeur came to work at Antigny-le-Château in 1937 and remained there until 1978. Throughout World War II both the chauffeur and Mrs. Tyler remained involved in the château. Mrs. Tyler returned to France in 1940 as a neutral US citizen to live in the château, convincing the occupation forces not to destroy this historic monument and helping the area farmers and merchants survive. Nearly arrested by the occupation authorities in 1941, she fled. The chauffeur remained and the château was used to smuggle at least one Allied airman to safety in Switzerland. Ancient history is equally as interesting: the château is one of the oldest baronies in Burgundy and its ruined enceintes (walls) above the courtyard are from the 12th century or earlier. The site itself is ancient, proven by the Roman and medieval coins dug up in the courtyard in 1922 and 1923. Today, of course, Antigny-le-Château is a warm, modernized and welcoming Burgundy retreat. The common rooms are interesting and comfortable. In the small salon you will find a telephone from 1923 and an early Pleyel piano -- and, on the modern side, Internet access. In the large salon smoking is permitted. The six guest rooms have unique characteristics, each different from the other. For example, the Chambre Bleue has twin beds, a bathroom with shower and handicapped access. On the other hand, the Chambre Toile de Jouy has an antique clawfoot tub and a hand shower. The château, although not offered as a bed and breakfast but only as a total rental property, still provides breakfast each morning thanks to a lovely caretaker, Madame Bastien. A three-bedroom cottage on the property is also available (the building bottom right in photo above), but no meals are provided. It is fully equipped with a dishwasher and all appliances including a washer and a dryer, a dining area, a well-appointed living room with satellite TV, code-free DVD and stereo unit with a selection of DVDs, CDs and English-language books, three bedrooms (two with queen-size beds, one with two twins which can put together and converted into a queen-size upon request) and two baths with shower. Your hosts will provide a supply of bread, milk, cheese, fruit, juice coffee and wine to those who rent the Gardener's Cottage upon their arrival. The grandeur and magnetism of Antigny-le-Château will ensure those who occupy the château or the cottage a memorable and pleasant stay. |
| Rooms:
2 kings, 2 queens, one double and one twin - four of which have en
suite baths or showers and one has a half bath.
Rental rates are $8,000 - $9,000 per week depending upon the time of year, plus a security deposit of $2,000, returned after checkout. Shorter rentals are possible, with a minimum stay of four days at $1,400 per night. Cost includes utilities (electric, heat, water and local calls), light housekeeping and daily continental breakfast. Special arrangements can be made upon request for an additional fee. Deposit upon booking is 25% of the full rent, with the remaining amount and the security deposit to be paid 8 weeks before the scheduled arrival date. Cancellations: Deposits and payments for cancellations received prior to 8 weeks before scheduled arrival date will be returned in full. After that time, deposits will be returned only if owners can rent the Château for that period. The Gardener's Cottage: Rental rates are $1,500 to $1,800 per week depending upon the season, plus a security deposit of $300, that will be returned after checkout. Cancellation policy the same as for the château. No dogs,
please.
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Directions:
From Paris, by auto take the A6 to the Pouilly-en-Auxois exit. At the traffic circle follow the sign to Arnay-le-Duc. Upon entering Arnay, turn left onto the N6 and follow the road left around the town until it climbs a steep hill out of town. On the left is a microwave tower and the D17 marked Bligny-sur-Ouche. Turn left and follow this road 5.5. kilometers until you see a sign for Antigny-le-Château at the top of the crest. Turn right into the small lane just as the road begins its descent down the hill. Bear right until you come to the château wall and follow it through the gate past the sign that says "Propriété Privé". From Paris by TGV: Gare de Lyon to Dijon (1 hr 37 min) Airport - Dijon, Le Creusot or Beaune Car Rental in Autun (click here) |
CLICK ON PHOTOS BELOW TO ENLARGE & READ MORE!
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Chambre Jouy |
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Dining |
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Plane Tree Allée |
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Salon Cheminée |
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Chambre Bleue |
