Category Archives: News

Our Modification Policy: COVID-19

UPDATED: 01.02.2021

For so many of us, it is our passion to celebrate, gather with friends and family, travel and live new experiences. We find joy in those unforgettable moments and share happiness with our most loved ones.

We’re all facing unprecedented disruptions to our day-to-day lives and now, it is our responsibility to protect each-other and keep adjusting to the latest circumstances.

Until it’s time to travel and celebrate life’s memorable moments together again, we’ll update this post as we make thoughtful decisions about bookings, receive the latest guidance from local authorities, and take appropriate steps to keep the Château comfortable and safe for our guests, clients, associates and staff.

In response to changing conditions, we are committed to ensuring flexibility during these challenging times and adapt to our clients’ needs on a daily basis. 


I HAVE AN EXISTING BOOKING

My arrival date was between MARCH 1ST, 2020 – DECEMBER 31ST, 2020 and the booking was already rescheduled to another date:

· Myself, my partner and my immediate family reside in France;

– If the reason to reschedule is related to Covid-19 pandemic and justified, in line with the local regulations and restrictions on celebratory events and gatherings for the related booking date (ban for weddings and events or limitation on the corresponding number of guests), we will allow the reservation to be changed only within 60 days prior to arrival. 

· Myself or my partner and/or my immediate family reside outside of France;

– If the reason to reschedule is related to Covid-19 pandemic and justified, in line with the local regulations on celebratory events and gatherings for the related booking date (ban for weddings and events or limitation on the corresponding number of guests), or in accordance with the travel restrictions of the authorities for the related arrival date (borders closed or obligatory quarantine, visa issues), we will allow the reservation to be changed only within 90 days prior to arrival.

Conditions to apply for the criteria above: 

1. Free of charge modification, if rescheduled to another date within 6 months of the latest reservation date. Annual/Seasonal/Daily rate difference will not apply.

2. If rescheduled to another date within more than 6 months of the latest reservation date; annual or seasonal rate difference may apply (refer to our up-to-date official brochure to view current prices). 

3. Any changes to existing bookings will be subject to availability.

4. All payments made towards the rental and the services are non-refundable.

· If the reason to reschedule is for personal reasons or for pre-caution, is not justified and is not in line with the local regulations on celebratory events and gatherings for the related booking date (ban for weddings and events or limitation on the corresponding number of guests), or is not in accordance with the travel restrictions of the authorities for the related booking date (borders closed or obligatory quarantine, visa issues), due to high number of rescheduling and limited availability, date modifications are no longer accepted, and booking will be lost. 

Conditions to apply:

1. All payments made towards the rental and the services are non-refundable.  


I HAVE AN EXISTING BOOKING

My arrival date is between JANUARY 1ST, 2021 – DECEMBER 31ST, 2021 and the booking hasn’t already been rescheduled to another date:

· Myself, my partner and my immediate family reside in France;

– If the reason to reschedule is related to Covid-19 pandemic and justified, in line with the local regulations and restrictions on celebratory events and gatherings for the related booking date (ban for weddings and events or limitation on the corresponding number of guests), we will allow the reservation to be changed only within 60 days prior to arrival. 

· Myself or my partner and/or my immediate family reside outside of France;

– If the reason to reschedule is related to Covid-19 pandemic and justified, in line with the local regulations on celebratory events and gatherings for the related booking date (ban for weddings and events or limitation on the corresponding number of guests), or in accordance with the travel restrictions of the authorities for the related arrival date (borders closed or obligatory quarantine, visa issues), we will allow the reservation to be changed only within 90 days prior to arrival.

Conditions to apply for the criteria above:

1. Needs to be scheduled to another date within 12 months of the original booking date.
– If rescheduled to another date within less than 6 months of the original booking date, no charge or fee will apply.
– If rescheduled to another date within more than 6 months of the original booking date; 20% of the total rental value is required to be paid as deposit to reschedule. The amount will be deducted from the remaining deposit payment.

2. Annual/Seasonal/Daily rate difference will not apply. 

3. Any changes to existing reservations will be subject to availability.

4. All payments made towards the rental and the services are non-refundable.

· If the reason to reschedule is for personal reasons or as a precaution, is not justified and is not in line with the local regulations on celebratory events and gatherings for the related booking date (ban for weddings and events or limitation on the corresponding number of guests), or is not in accordance with the travel restrictions of the authorities for the related booking date (borders closed or obligatory quarantine, visa issues), due to high number of rescheduling and limited availability, date modifications are no longer accepted, and booking will be lost. 

Conditions to apply:

1. All payments made towards the rental and the services are non-refundable.  


I HAVE AN EXISTING BOOKING

My arrival date is between JANUARY 1ST, 2022 – DECEMBER 31ST, 2023 :

· Due to high number of rescheduling and limited availability, date modifications are currently suspended until further notice. Further announcements will be made in the following months on this post. Please contact us back at a later date.


I WANT TO MAKE A NEW BOOKING FOR 2021 

Conditions to apply: 

1. Only a deposit of 20% instead of 50% is required to confirm a booking.

2. Payment schedule can be put in place with up to 5 installments.

3. Balance payment will be due only 14 days prior to the event.

4. Reservations can be rescheduled to another date within 12 months of the original booking date.

5. Annual/Seasonal/Daily rate difference will not apply.

6. Any changes to existing reservations will be subject to availability.

7. All payments made towards the rental and the services are non-refundable.  


I WANT TO MAKE A NEW BOOKING FOR 2022 or 2023

Conditions to apply: 

1. A non-refundable 50% deposit is required to confirm a booking.

2. Balance payment will be due 60 days prior to the event.

3. Due to high number of rescheduling and limited availability, date modifications are currently suspended until further notice. Further announcements will be made in the following months on this post. Please contact us back at a later date. 

4. Any changes to existing reservations will be subject to availability.

5. All payments made towards the rental and the services are non-refundable.  

The Château Bouffémont Vlog: Château Bouffémont Wedding Photo Contest

 

The Château Bouffémont Vlog N° 009: A New decade 2020

 

Our monthly Vlog series offers an invaluable peek behind the curtain at the Château Bouffémont to let you see how the magic really happens. This month in our Château near Paris, exclusively for the Château Bouffémont Vlog, we’re looking back on a wonderful decade. We’ve had parties, events, weddings and so many beautiful couples – and of course, we started vlogging! We’re officially in a new decade, and this is our first vlog of 2020. We hope you enjoy watching it as much as we’ve enjoyed making those memories.

 

 

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The Factors That Should Guide Your Choice of Family Reunion Venue

 

 

 

Few group get-togethers can surely be as depended-on to produce consistent moments of magic as a family reunion. After all, it’s not the kind of event that is exactly held every day, so it probably goes without saying that you will wish to make the next time your family meets up in such a fashion an occasion to remember, for all of the finest reasons.

We admittedly may be just slightly biased here at Château Bouffémont, but the below are the elements that we feel you should especially look out for when comparing family reunion venues.

Just how much of a family reunion is it?

If your intended family reunion will entail little more than catching up with siblings who you see reasonably often regardless, it might be understandable to simply arrange the celebrations for home or a venue in your local area.  

Alternatively, you may be holding your fifth or 10th family reunion in as many years – or another similarly important milestone – or you may be set to welcome relatives who you haven’t come face to face with for many years.

In the latter case, the circumstances may be just right to be ambitious, by investigating chateau rentals in France such as the acclaimed service that the prestigious, refined and elegant Château Bouffémont provides.

How easy will it be for everyone to reach the venue location?

One factor that may initially deter you from any thought of renting out such a seemingly extravagant venue as a French chateau is the apparent difficulty of getting there and back home for all of your attendees. However, very few French chateaus can claim to be as conveniently situated for travel as the splendid Château Bouffémont.

While this historic stone-built property’s surroundings may seem to be the epitome of a rural idyll – or the Montmorency Forest, to be exact – it is also only 20 minutes away from Charles de Gaulle Airport, and a 40-minute drive from central Paris.

Nor does such close proximity to the City of Lights simply give you access to well-developed transport connections. That’s because there is also a wealth of exciting things to do with children in the French capital, as explained by the Tripsavvy website, which renders our chateau excellently placed for family day trips.

What activities are on offer in and around the venue?

Once the novelty of coming face to face once more with someone you may not have been in much contact with for years wears off, your family reunion may be at risk of feeling like a slightly austere meeting, rather than the fun opportunity to make new memories that you might have hoped it would be.

This won’t be a concern if you rent out the fairytale venue for your get-together, however. This magnificent property’s three dining halls, dancing hall and lounge area – not to mention the jaw-dropping manicured grounds outside – beg for exploration.

But even more than that, you and your family can also partake in all manner of other activities – from golf, tennis and horse riding to mountain biking, food and wine pairing and even chocolate workshops – that are a guaranteed source of thrills and giggles.

There’s also live entertainment, arts and crafts workshops and gardening activities on offer to delight the little ones, enhancing still further the remarkable credentials of Château Bouffémont as a family reunion venue.

If you would like to hold your upcoming reunion with us here at Château Bouffémont, we would be pleased to be able to help you to make it a reality; feel free to get in touch with us to find out more.

5 Tips For Corporate Event Photography

Corporate Event Photography

A corporate event such as a product launch or fashion show affords your brand many opportunities
to showcase its relevance to the market and highlight how engaged it is with its audience.

However, it is the way your event is photographed that will largely dictate its success, which is why
you mustn’t ever be complacent about the standard of your organisation’s corporate photography.
Here are some tips for ensuring the best results.

 

Consider how the images will be used

It is very easy, in your first discussions with a prospective event photographer, to suggest to them
that you will use the images ‘everywhere’. But it is also true that knowledge of the exact context in
which your images will be used may greatly influence your photographer’s choices.
Instagram images, for example, are often square so a photographer who knows you will be using
the photos here – rather than on Facebook or physical posters – may shoot in a way that allows the
images to be cropped without being ruined.

 

Select an intriguing and varied venue

There are, of course, many factors that will dictate the venue that you choose for your next
corporate event, such as its proximity to important transport connections and the price of the rental.
However, another aspect that must be considered is how the given venue will work from an event
photography perspective. Does the site that you are contemplating give your photographer a variety
of interesting backdrops and angles to work with?

 

The sheer variety and resplendence of the prestigious stone-built property – Château
Bouffémont – is a firm reason why it is are such a popular choice for corporate venue hire in France.
Whether you are seeking a refined interior with crystal chandeliers, or large grounds of spectacular
manicured French gardens, we can give you all of the advantages of such striking settings.

 

Brief your photographer on who will be attending

If you are engaging a professional to take your event photography rather than attempting to do so
yourself, it is easy to forget that they won’t know all of your attendees. They could, therefore, miss
out on taking a good image of someone who you wish to be photographed.

 

This is why it makes sense to provide your photographer with information about your event guests
in advance, complete with headshots, so that they can recognise those people on the day and be
sure to take some really interesting images.

 

Emphasise natural, rather than artificial lighting

As Eventbrite’s VP of Design, Brian Beaver has previously advised: “Where possible, capture natural
lighting, and avoid artificial lighting and flashes. Unnatural light makes your image inherently feel like
a photograph, and takes viewers out of the moment.”

 

Remember that you will want to make anyone viewing your event photos to be able to easily
imagine themselves there, and artificial lighting can be rather detrimental to this aim.

 

Don’t take photos of people eating

One only needs to think back to some of the famous cringe-worthy examples of politicians being
photographed in awkward poses while eating – as documented in this article by The Culture Trip – to
be convinced of the wisdom of taking a break from photography once guests start dining.
The fact of the matter is that you are unlikely to produce many – if any – usable shots of people
while eating, and many of your attendees will probably be uncomfortable with you attempting this.
Contact the Château Bouffémont team today to request the corporate brochure and find out more
about why our private venue provides such a suitable and memorable setting for all manner of
events – potentially including yours.

A Paris Chateau Offers the Best of the City and Countryside

chateau break

 

No city around the world has such an unimpeachable reputation for all things romantic as Paris, and there can surely be no more unspeakably romantic place to stay in the city than a chateau property. But wouldn’t it be even better to play, rest your head and dine in a chateau that really does offer the finest of both urban and rural surroundings? One Paris chateau that most certainly fulfils that brief is Château Bouffémont. We are the very definition of a fairytale venue for events and overnight stays – albeit, one that makes the same ample sense to the head as it does to the heart.

What is the noble property’s relationship with Paris?

Château Bouffémont, of course, has not been a private rentable venue for all of its life, having instead once served as the residence of the Marquise of Preignes and Baron Empain. These distinguished individuals were among many of the European nobility and gentry to build or reside in chateau-like properties that were often strategically situated to offer the best of rural and city life.

The 19th-century ‘great and the good’, after all, often had strong business connections to cities like Paris. It, therefore, made sense to live in a prestigious and resplendent manor house in a sufficiently beautiful and tranquil location for hosting guests, while also being close enough for the residents to be able to head into the city whenever circumstances required.

Now, the advantages enjoyed by such lords of the manor can be yours, when you rent the esteemed Paris chateau for your birthday party, bridal shower, family reunion, corporate event or team-building event.

Alternatively, you may be interested in Château Bouffémont simply on account of the opportunity that it affords to book a romantic getaway to one of the most romantic properties imaginable, a mere 30 kilometres away from one of the world’s most legendarily romantic cities.

Whatever your mood, needs or desires, the Château leaves you well-placed

It is one thing, of course, to rent such an enchanting venue this close to Paris, a city with a reputation as one of the true culture, fashion and recreational capitals and renowned for the most impeccable cuisine, world-beating art and legendary history, as explained by The Telegraph.

However, it is quite another thing to head for the myriad of stimulations and inspirations served up by the French capital, in the knowledge that after your day of urban exploration and discovery is over, you will be returning ‘home’ for the night to a genuinely extraordinary heritage venue.

Château Bouffémont is precisely that property, combining the finest in aristocratic charms with modern comforts, while also being easier to reach than you might think, given that we are just a 20-minute journey from Charles de Gaulle Airport.

With the sprawling 2,200-hectare Montmorency Forest also practically on the doorstep of our Paris chateau just beyond our spectacular manicured French gardens, you really can experience the best of both the countryside and the city during your time as the guest.

There’s no need for it to remain a fantasy

It couldn’t be more straightforward to begin turning your Paris chateau dream into reality; simply contact our team today, and we will get back in touch with you to discuss how we can cater to your bespoke requirements in the finest detail when hiring this unique, luxurious and well-located venue.

Ever Considered Hosting a Family Reunion? Start Planning Now.

Chateau Family Reunion

As a magnificent venue of rich heritage, Château Bouffémont continues to attract the interest of families around the world interested in organising a reunion or other family event in a friendly, intimate location.

But if you are considering organising your own family reunion – whether with the aim of reuniting half a dozen of your closest relatives or a great number more of your brood – there are many details to which you will need to pay particular attention.

Here are just some of them.

Who are you planning to invite?

The matter of who you would like to attend the family reunion will naturally greatly influence other elements of your planning, such as the date and location.

The basic parameters of the invite list – such as whether you only intend to invite immediate brothers, sisters and cousins, or instead more distant members of the family who you may not have been in contact with for many years – will need to be decided first.

This is the very least you will need to know before you start to send out invitations for your family reunion – which, as the Gathered Again website explains, is an aspect of your event that deserves plenty of thought in its own right.

Determine a date and location

Once you are sure of which family members are both likely and willing to attend, you will be able to survey them on the location, venue and date that they would prefer for the reunion. On establishing a decent idea of the wishes of your would-be guests, you could then forward each of them three nominated venues to rank in order of preference.

It is a good idea to plan such an ambitious event as a family reunion at least 12 months in advance, not least because you may need to allow such an amount of time to ensure the desired venue is available.

Whether you are interested in a venue in France, the UK, the United States or anywhere else in the world, you will naturally wish to ensure that every member of your intended party can reach it easily and will be appreciative of the surroundings you ultimately choose.

What makes our own venue an excellent choice?

Various factors are likely to guide your prospective attendees’ preferences in relation to the venue itself. Given the disparate nature of the wishes expressed within families for such an event, it is no surprise that Château Bouffémont is such a sought-after family reunion venue.

After all, we offer it offers the finest of all obvious worlds – a tranquil location in Montmorency Forest, but also with the big-city stimulations of Paris and the international connections provided by Charles de Gaulle Airport within easy reach.

All the while, hiring Château Bouffémont for your family reunion also means all of the benefits inherent in an exquisite and luxurious stone-built residence with large, sprawling grounds. Both indoor and outdoor activities can be arranged for your reunion event, bearing in mind what may be the widely varying ages of your family members.

Consider appointing people to organise your reunion

It is unlikely that such a significant event as a family reunion can be planned to the most intricate detail by just one person.

It may, therefore, make sense to appoint members of your family to positions related to various aspects of the event, encompassing such responsibilities as keeping an eye on finances and booking accommodation, right through to sending out invitations and organising activities and excursions.

Finally, it will be time for you to spread the word about your impending family reunion among the people that matter! Contact our professionals here at Château Bouffémont to discuss how we can best accommodate your intended event.

For Your Next Birthday, Why Not Stay in an Exquisite French Chateau?

It’s one thing to mark many happy returns with a well-chosen glass (OK, perhaps make that bottle) of the finest of fine wine, surrounded by your loved ones… and it’s quite another thing to truly go the extra mile with your celebration.

Have you, for instance, considered celebrating your next birthday in the resplendent surroundings of your very own chateau in France?

What makes the French chateau experience different?

While Cambridge Dictionary simply defines a chateau as “a large house or castle in France“, there’s no doubt that many of us have much richer and more in-depth associations with the term than this definition implies. The faintest mention of chateau rentals in France tends to conjure up images of spectacular verdant grounds on the outside and the most refined and tasteful decor on the inside.

In other words, we tend to picture a stone-built property like Château Bouffémont, which certainly has impeccable credentials as a French chateau in which to toast your birthday in considerable style.

From its five grand reception halls and nine magical suites, right through to its whole equipped guest kitchen and the full-service team consisting of a chef, butler, housemaid, security guard and concierge, every element of Château Bouffémont exudes sophistication for a suitably sophisticated clientele.

Such elements all befit the building’s extraordinary heritage as an erstwhile residence of the Marquise of Preignes and Baron Empain.

Delight in a setting that is all about fun, refinement and elegance

From its earliest days, Château Bouffémont has lent itself beautifully to all manner of prestigious events, such as the ceremonies hosted by its noble former residents. Today, it continues to cement its reputation as a unique and luxurious private venue for almost every kind of special occasion – not only birthdays.

Whether it is your 20th birthday, your 30th, 50th or literally any other key milestone, you could not hope to choose a backdrop that is more guaranteed to impress your friends and family than Château Bouffémont.

Our chateau rentals in Paris entail you and your guests gaining access to the entire 2,000 square metres of the splendid historic property; for a brief time only, you will be lord of the manor and the chateau will be yours.

But it is not only the height of utter opulence that practically defines the Château Bouffémont experience; it is also a definite sense of fun. This is shown by the variety of recreational, leisure and sporting activities that guests of all ages can partake in, encompassing golf, tennis, horse riding, arts and crafts workshops, cooking classes and many more irresistible possibilities.

A party never to forget, just a drive away from the City of Lights

Nor have we even touched on the small matter of our property being situated just 30 kilometres from central Paris. That is the perfect proximity, we’re sure you’ll agree when you wish to incorporate the many attractions of the endlessly delightful French capital into the kind of action-packed birthday you are sure to remember for decades to come.

Indeed, the Everyday Parisian website has more than a few excellent ideas for ways to while away the hours in Paris when making a birthday visit.

When it comes to birthday chateau rentals in Paris, there can simply be no equal to the infinitely rewarding Château Bouffémont – so why not enquire today about how we can help you to make the noble property your base for your upcoming big bash?

The Ultimate Romantic Plan for a Long Weekend

Table in Chateau

France has long provided the perfect stage for the quintessential romantic break. But when you are planning such a holiday with your beloved, whether the two of you have been an item for several weeks or several decades, what are the elements that will help to make your trip especially memorable?

It’s all about the perfect venue

When you make the best choice of venue for your long weekend away in France, so much else will naturally fall into place. After all, one cannot help but get a little loved up in such extraordinary surroundings as those presented by the Domaine du Château Bouffémont.

This fairytale venue ticks so many of the obvious boxes for a magical romantic break, and many others less obvious.

The Château Bouffémont is situated in the heart of the Montmorency Forest, for instance, which may mean much time during your break is whiled away walking hand-in-hand with your sweetheart, admiring the chestnut, beech and oak trees that grace these 2,200 hectares of hilly forest.

Plenty more delights lie in wait within 

While the rural location certainly lends itself to an outdoorsy romantic break, the aristocratic charm and modern comforts of the Château itself also demand appreciation.

This is the ultimate enchanting setting for a long weekend in France, whether you wish to enjoy an in-suite breakfast, tuck into a candlelit dinner, relax with a massage for two or gaze at the captivating sunset view from the terrace.

Château Bouffémont was, after all, built in the 19th century for such demanding residents as the Marquise of Preignes and Baron Empain. With its five grand reception halls, nine delectable suites and sumptuously manicured French gardens, it is a noble residence that was conceived from the ground up to exude romance.

Don’t forget, too, the separate additional guest kitchen that we provide for your use on a 24-hours-a-day basis and the dedicated full-service team – including a private butler and housekeepers – that will help to take every last ounce of stress out of your romantic stay.

Alternatively, if you fancy exploring further afield…

If simply observing the refined furnishings and extensive gardens of Château Bouffémont didn’t give enough of a sense of being in a different world, that impression is only maximised when one makes the most of our proximity to the City of Lights.

After all, no French romantic break is arguably complete without a trip to Paris, a mere 40-minute drive away from our chateau. The capital presents you with a host of romantic sights, ranging from the Eiffel Tower and the Louvre to such occasionally overlooked delights as the covered shopping arcades of the Right Bank and the Musée de Montmartre, the latter set in the 17th-century manor formerly home to the studio of Impressionist painter Renoir.

Throw in such other idyllic and intriguing attractions nearby as the 13th-century Royaumont Abbey, the Musée National de la Renaissance and the village of Auvers-sur-Oise that inspired such artists as Vincent van Gogh and Paul Cézanne, and a weekend stay at Château Bouffémont really does offer all of the ingredients that epitomise holiday romance.

Why not speak to us now about what a wonderful break at this prestigious venue could involve for you and your one-and-only in 2018?

MASTERCLASS LA MAISON DU CHOCOLAT

La Maison du Chocolat

 

Château Bouffémont invites you to share a friendly and a delicious moment with La Maison du Chocolat. Partner of the Château, one of the most prestigious French Chocolate Makers with an international fame will be sharing its knowledge with our guests.

 

Alongside a Master Chocolate Artisan, discover all the secrets of making a high quality chocolate and also the great classics of French pastry. “Creator of legendary chocolates” La Maison Du Chocolat selects the finest cocoa to give birth to its highly pleasing Praliné and delicate Ganache. Excellent in making traditional desserts, they also offer surprising creations.

During this Master Class at Château Bouffémont, you will be guided step by step to elaborate a recipe of your choice. Fun and an interactive time that will delight both the young and the elder.

 

 

Few of the demonstrations proposed by the Maison du Chocolat:

Chocolate Pie

Truffles

Mendiants

Plate dressing like a Grand Chef

Demonstration of hot chocolate

Financiers and marshmallow.

 

Each guest will leave with their own creation at the end of the session and the recipe notes card.

La Maison du Chocolat ©Caroline Faccioli