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| Château
de la Motte d'Usseau
Languages:
English, German
Département:
Vienne (86) Special
Feature: |
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| Easy to find due to its prominent place on a high point in the rolling Vienne countryside, Château de la Motte is absolutely entrancing. It was built in the 15th century of the local tuffeau stone, and its owners have maintained its medieval authenticity throughout the house with special emphasis on the guest rooms while offering their guests all modern comforts. As one approaches the château by car up the drive, the full impact of this lovely château is not felt. It is not until you have seen the interior or viewed the towers and ramparts from the back do you realize what a monumental and elegant structure it is and appreciate its splendor. The history of Château de la Motte began in 1065 with the first Lord of Usseau, Gosbertus, one year before the conquest of England by William. Over the centuries it was occupied by persons of high esteem including Jean II Boucicaut (1366-1421), Marshal of France. One learns of the death of Geoffroy Boucicaut, Jean's brother, in 1432 (a medieval guest room in the château is named for him) and that his widow, Isabeau de Poitiers, lived here (another room bears her name) two generations before anyone knew of the famous Diane de Poitiers; of the assassination of Baudart, the lover of Isabelle de Poissy, whose body was thrown down a well at the château; that the original castle was most likely destroyed in a fire in the mid 1400s and a new and more imposing castle was built by Guillaume du Bec of Viking descent in the second half of the 15th century; and, little more than one century later, after the local religious wars, Aimé Carré, member of an important Protestant family from Châtellerault became the owner of Château de la Motte because of his military distinction in the Low Countries. He was nobled by the Sun King. The prominent family after the Revolution at the château was the Viart family. All four sons had been executed in 1795, and Irene Viart, the only survivor, participated in creating an order of nuns and priests and became proprietor in 1863 ~ undoubtedly saving the castle from certain death. Today, the château is a happy place and Marie-Andrée and Jean-Marie Bardin are the charming owners who have restored Château de la Motte with much love and devotion to its origins. They warmly welcome guests to share in their interesting and pleasant home. Marie-Andrée is a very talented sculptress who works in tuffeau in her ground floor studio. Five rooms are offered to guests, each with beautiful en suite bathrooms and all with antique and period furniture to capture the medieval atmosphere perfectly. The château, filled with romance and charm, has thick walls, beautiful floors, exquisite fabrics, baldaquin beds and inviting common rooms. The 21st century has not been overlooked, of course, and guests will be delighted with the well-equipped bathrooms and ample and efficient heating in all guest quarters. Some of the most pleasant features, in addition to the château itself, are the magnificent views from the many long windows of the château. Do avail yourself of dinner au château in the lovely dining room, perhaps in front of a crackling fire, where your hostess serves superb cuisine and wines. Marie-Andrée is an accomplished cook, having been the chef in a well-known restaurant she and her husband owned in Québec, Canada. A gîte on the château grounds ~ rented by the week and with a kitchen to prepare meals ~ is also offered for those who wish stay longer in the Vienne. The gîte's beautifully designed rooms include a salon with a fireplace, spacious bathrooms and comfortable bedrooms. A function room is also available on the château grounds to accommodate over 100 people ~ ideal for weddings, family gatherings and seminars. We can personally attest to the joy of staying at the enchanting Château de la Motte, and we encourage you to make it one of your destinations when you next visit France. |
| Rooms:
3 Doubles ~ 2 with private bath & shower, 1 with shower only:
€ 75 (Geoffrey du Bec) with shower; € 90 (Aimery de Brisay);
€ 120 (Chevalier / Knight's Room) with mezzanine and Jacuzzi bath;
1 twin with bath € 80 (Isabelle de Poissy); one suite € 105 (Isabeau
de Poitiers) with bath.
Breakfast: included in room rate Extra bed: Dinner: Gourmet meal with advance reservation is Gîte: Accommodates 6 - 8 persons, 2 - 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, modern kitchen and laundry room. Weekly rates: € 500 to 600. Weekly rates reduced by 1/3 for rent from Sunday evening to Saturday morning. Salle de reception ideal for family reunions, gatherings or large events: prices available from owners on demand. Tuffeau sculpture classes/Calligraphy/Illumination: Up to 8 people taught by a professional during the 2nd and 3rd weeks of November. Pleasant room in the castle. Convivial atmosphere. All levels. From October to April (low season) classes on demand for groups only. Request information. Art framing by Marie-Andrée. (Illumination is the medieval art of creating pictures using gold leaf, lapiz lazuli and permanent pigments, such as in the Book of Hours.) No
animals, please. No smoking in the château or gîte.
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Directions:
From Paris, take the A10 autoroute to Tours and continue to Châtellerault. At Exit 26 take the D749 direction Richelieu about 5 kilometers to the D75 and turn right direction Usseau. Proceed through the village and you will see the château ahead. As you leave the village, bear left on the D9 for a very short distance and the château entrance will be on your right. Airport: Poitiers Railway Station: Châtellerault Car
Rental at Châtellerault Railway Station (click here)
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 The Knights Room |
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 Ramparts |
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 Garden |
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 Guest House |
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 Aimery de Brisay |
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- 2008 au Château - Cold Spring Press. All Rights Reserved.
