Département: Corrèze (19) 
 

The château's history includes a Colonel Gustave Gerhard who discovered the region as he traveled through with his troops at the end of the 19th century.  He fell in love with the land near the hill, Le Bois Noir, and in 1891 he bought a local farm and began construction of the château.  The very detailed building plans are today in possession of the current owners, Monsieur and Madame van Ampting.  The Gerhard family owned the property until 1933 when it was purchased by the Parisian family Chantalat to use as a summer retreat. It remained their home for for over forty years.  The two subsequent owners made many renovations and restorations to the château, including the addition of fine carpets, artwork and furnishings.  Since 2006 the château and some outbuildings on over three hectares of fine parkland have become the home of the van Amptings.  They have lovingly transformed the Château du Bois Noir into a warm and welcoming chambres d'hôtes.

The proprietors of Château du Bois Noir are eager to welcome guests into their luminous residence while guaranteeing them privacy, conviviality and all the amenities of a five-star hotel  ~ but with true personal attention and service only found in a family-owned French château.  An added plus to your stay at Château du Bois Noir is the opportunity to take dinner in the magnificent dining room, as your hostess has a passion for cooking.  She only uses local products to ensure that the best dishes are served to her guests.  Beginning at 7:30 in the evening (19:30h), guests will receive a starter, followed by a main course, cheese and then dessert.  Table d'hôtes are offered three nights per week or with prior reservation, but one can enjoy the light 'four seasons menu' on the other days.  Guests should specify what they would like when making a reservation.

Each of the four guest rooms is named for an historic person in French history.  Chambre Louise-Elisabeth on the first floor offers views of the hills in the distance and faces south.  It has high ceilings, a fireplace, classic furniture and velvet draperies.  Chambre Louis XIV, also on the first floor, is one of the largest rooms and overlooks the park to the north of the château.  Also with high ceilings and a fireplace, this room is dedicated to the heir to the throne who became King of France at the age of 5!  Suite Marie-Antoinette is the largest of the guest rooms and is also on the first floor.  It includes, in addition to a fireplace, an adjoining sitting room in the tower.  Few people know that Marie-Antoinette was one of sixteen children.  She married crown prince Louis of France at the age of 15, and he later became Louis XVI of France.  The last guest room is Chambre Napoleon III, and is the most private as it is the only guest room on the second floor.  Spacious, with an incredible en suite bathroom, Napoleon III is ideal for a family as it has an adjoining children's bedroom.

The owners offer several packages for guests including a three-night Golf package, a two-night In Transit package to discover the surrounding countryside, and a 2010 Christmas package, also three nights, which includes 2 four-course dinners, a Christmas brunch and much more!  For nature lovers, there is also a four-night Culinary Hiking package that includes packed lunches to take along on your hike and fine four-course dinners upon your return. 

We know that anyone staying at Château du Bois Noir will not only find a warm welcome and a truly luxurious château for their stay, but they will also discover the amazing countryside surrounding the château.  The Corrèze département of the Limousin is rich in history, scenery and natural wonders.  Your stay in France will be enhanced by time spent at this unique and charming château.

Open April through October and at Christmas time.
On the grounds:  Billiards room, grand salon, on-site parking, garden walks
Vicinity:  Tennis and swimming pool in Brive-la-Gaillarde as well as Objat and Terrasson Lavilledieu. Golf course.  Villages of Sarlat, Collonges la Rouge, Périgueux, Rocamadour, Arna-Pompadour.  Lac du Causse with beaches, rowing, canoeing, water skiing and sailing, as well as picnic area. Walking trails, Lascaux caves, Gouffre de la Fage (stalagmite cave), limestone quarries of Travassac with museum.  Château Hautefort (17th c.) with French gardens and displaying fine tapestries and carpets.

From Calais and Paris, by auto take autoroute A26 and A1 to Paris. From Paris take the A3 – A86 and A10 direction Bordeaux. At Orléans take the A71 and at Vierzon take exit to the A20.  Stay on the A20 via Châteauroux, Limoges, and Toulouse to Brive-la-Gaillarde.  Before Brive, take exit 50 marked 'Ouest de Brive' route D901 direction Objat.  After about 7 or 8 kilometers in the direction of Varetz and in the village of Burg, turn left direction Ayen/Yssandon to the D5.  After about 9 kilometers, turn left direction Yssandon (not at the first exit but at the second).  Follow the D3 direction Brignac la Plaine where you'll see a sign 'Bois Noir', after which you will see the château after about 100 meters.

From Paris by train:  Gare Austerlitz to Brive-la-Gaillarde (4 hours 15 minutes)

Airport - Limoges (one hour drive to Château)

Car Rental at Brive Rail Station (click here)
Car Rental in Limoges Airport (click here)

Michelin Map to Château