Play the Game, a special forces simulation held on the opulent environs of a French Château, with training of a SAS veterans.
All posts by Château Bouffémont
ARE YOU WILLING TO PLAY THE GAME ?
“The GAME”, an amazing experience inspired by the movie with Michael Douglas from the 90s.
What is it?
A Special Forces simulation experience created by former Royal Marine Commando James Gilbertson, which will take place at Château Bouffémont.
A complete mission with a storyline and objectives.
You will be on the run from ‘the enemy,’ receiving mission briefings and creatively using limited resources to secure a victory.
You will attend courses with ex SAS/SBS soldiers, learning the skills of bush craft, unarmed combat and survival.
During all the experience, you will have unlimited access to the Château, its five grand reception halls, 10 suites and 15 hectares of garden. Our private Chef will serve dishes according to the French rules of fine dining.
Why participate?
To have the opportunity to test your physical abilities and mental acuity
To live a military experience normally inaccessible to civilians
To discover something different
Who can participate?
If you want to challenge yourself,
if you want to live an amazing experience in a high-end place,
if you want to share special moments with your friends,
The Game is best suited for you.
When will it take place?
15th, 16th, 17th, 18th of January 2015 (3nights and 4 days)
How to participate?
Read the full details on our website and book now your tickets !
MASSAGE IN THE ROOM
You were looking forward to this stay so much you could barely contain your excitement.
You had told the Château’s staff of your compelling need to unwind in these early days of autumn. Now you are the guest… Comfortably seated in the Grand Salon, you are absorbed in a fascinating historical novel. Our butler gently interrupts and offers you the services of our masseuse known for her magical touch.
How could you refuse such an offer? Your schedule is completely free: you order a light breakfast and leave to the staff the organisation of this massage you have heard so much about. After a refined meal using seasonal vegetables, you go back to your suite.
The masseuse has joined you. She has been warned that you needed to relax, so she suggests to start with a gentle, personalized massage with essential oils in order to release all your tension. The following days will be spent on invigorating treatments to boost your energy.
You breathe deeply: you experience a deep sense of well-being. You feel at home. Surrounded by a halo of scented oils, you already feel the effects of the massage. You reopen your eyes. Before she leaves, the masseuse wraps a silky robe around you. You will see her again during your stay.
It has only been half a day since you have arrived and you are already full of spirit. Looks like this weekend will be full of benefits…
VANITY FAIR – YOO SAY ” CHATEAU “
A private party in fine style? There’s nothing quite like a French Château…
Marking milestone birthdays or anniversaries can be tricky. Or course you want to celebrate with friends. But having your own house and garden trampled under muddy feet may not appeal and a big-city “venue” may seem a bit impersonal. So why not go for a Château? France as plenty of them. The wonderfully named Château Bouffémont – strawberries-and-cream, part Disney, part Kubrick has lately emerged from a complete refurb and is designed for private parties. It sleeps up to 27 and the hotel-source crack team encourage you to treat it entirely as your home. All manner of activities are on hand-aquatic, equestrian, you name it – either in the grounds or right next door, to keep your guests happily occupied. Everything can be included , so no one has to see a price list. Convenient? Très. The Château is 30 minutes from Charles de Gaulle airport and under an hour from the Gare du Nord. The best thing? At the end of a long week-end, you can just wave ” Au revoir ” and someone else will do the clearing-up. James Ogilvy.
ALAIN MILLIAT
During your stay, savor the authentic and natural flavours of Alain Milliat fruit juices.
In your Suite for a delicious breakfast in bed…
In the Salon de la Marquise for a french tea-time…
On the terrace for an original cocktail dinner.
HARRODS TRAVEL – PARIS, INSIDE AND OUT
If you want to throw a special event or house party somewhere fabulous, then Château Bouffémont, 30 km from Paris, is magnificent. The Beaux-Arts landmark dates back to the 19th century and has been extensively renovated. The 10 Suites can sleep up to 27 guests, and there are 5 grand halls, as well as tennis courts, an indoor swimming pool and a Jack Nicklaus designed golf course.
THE SUNDAY TIMES – TOUGH IT OUT AT THE HARRY BOOT CAMP
He trained the prince and now he’s running courses at a French Château. James Gilbertson puts Will Hide through his paces.
WEEK-END FAMILY FERVOR
If you are looking for a luxury family weekend getaway, then there aren’t many more striking places than Château Bouffémont.
Château Bouffémont is like stepping back in time – to the former fine lives of the French nobility. Set in acres of beautifully manicured grounds and gardens, the setting appears dramatic and the theme is continued on the inside as well. Looking out on to the stunning backdrop to the Château, you will soon start to feel reinvigorated and extremely relaxed.
The bedrooms are lavishly decorated, there are enormous crystal chandeliers, glimmering marble pillars and roaring fireplaces all around. The Château has an impeccable mixture of fine décor and rich furnishings throughout.
The Château’s concierge service is on hand to help at all times and can organize anything for your family. as family cooking classes and family culinary workshops with our Chef.
Our Chef constantly invents and creates new ideas for fine dining. With a dash of eccentricity and perhaps a pinch of insolence, he endows his recipes with the personal touch characteristic of a great chef.
All activities can be tailor made to meet your family’s needs and wishes.
IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF HISTORY
The Château Bouffémont was built during the reign of Napoleon III (in 1860) by the Vallée family. After a short period when it belonged to the marquise de Preignes, it was permanently acquired by the Empain family, through the major general baron Empain.
Edouard Louis Joseph Empain comes from a family of five siblings (three girls and two boys) and spends his childhood in Belgium. General and aide-de-camp of King Leopold, he is knighted by the king in 1907. He founds a company that will become an industrial empire: the Compagnie du Chemin de Fer métropolitain de Paris built and exploited Paris railroads, among others, until 1945.
Following Edouard Empain’s death just after World War II, in 1946, his wife takes over the Château’s management. Nearly three generations of Empain will live there for over half a century.
Similarly to the residences of the nobility of the era, the Château includes large annexes stretching over a 250-hectare domain, at the heart of the Montmorency forest. The inhabitants of Bouffémont are involved in the Château’s activity and provide the manual labour and farm work for the Empain family.
Involved in the welfare and prosperity of the village community, the Château was the setting of the traditional award ceremony for schoolchildren.
Located in the Oise department, 30 km (18.5 miles) from Paris, at the edge of the Montmorency forest, the Château is now a private residence, fully dedicated to rental. Boasting an architecture and Louis XIII style furniture, the Belle Epoque has left its mark on the Château.
A RECIPE FROM OUR CHEF – Pumpkin cream soup, ginger mousse
To celebrate Thanksgiving, our Chef had fun turning pumpkin into cream soup.
In your shopping basket
For the pumpkin cream soup
500 g (1 lb) of pumpkin
One white onion
1.5 litre (1.2 quarts) of water or chicken stock
300 ml (10 fl. oz) of whipping cream
Salt
For the ginger mousse
200 ml (7 fl. oz) of milk
20 ml (4 teaspoons) of grape seed oil
10 g (0.3 oz) of ginger
Salt.
PUMPKIN CREAM SOUP
Mince the onion.
Sweat it with a little salt, but do not let it brown.
Dice the pumpkin and add it to the onion.
Add water or stock until the liquid reaches twice the height of the vegetables. Reduce the liquid by half, add the cream and bring to a simmer.
Remove from the heat and blend with a stick blender. Season to taste.
GINGER MOUSSE
Grind the ginger. Bring the milk, ground ginger and a little salt to a boil and brew for 30 minutes.
Strain, then slowly add the oil to the milk, whisking constantly until emulsified .
Pour the pumpkin cream into a bowl and place the ginger mousse on top.
1. You can easily substitute nutmeg for the ginger.
2. This delicious appetizer can be served hot or cold.
3. Serve the soup in a transparent bowl or shot glass in order to showcase its colour.
