Category Archives: Exclusive Stay

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.

Frequently Asked Questions About Planning an Engagement Party

Given all of the fuss and headache that typically accompanies the planning of an actual wedding, it’s understandable that for many couples, their engagement party can almost feel like an afterthought in comparison. But with your engagement being one of the most special moments of your life in its own right, here at Château Bouffémont, it deserves a similarly special celebration.

So with no further ado, here are answers to some of the questions that are most routinely asked about organising an engagement party – and which you should be thinking carefully about.

Is it worth having an engagement party?

A formal celebration of your engagement is by no means mandatory, of course. However, given that it is one of the most important things that will ever happen to you in life, it is well worth at least considering putting on a bash to herald you and your beloved’s step into the next phase of your lives together.

Plus, an engagement party can serve as an excellent opportunity to announce your engagement and toast it in the finest style in a stunning venue, such as Château Bouffémont. Such an event also enables you to catch up with, thank and acknowledge many of the people in your lives who have helped you both to make it this far.  

Who is responsible for throwing the engagement party?

While it was once the bride’s parents who customarily threw and hosted the engagement party for the loved-up couple, these days, it can be thrown by pretty much anyone, such as other family members, friends or even the couple themselves.

It’s understandable why the traditional practice has faded – after all, if the bride’s parents are already helping out a lot with the wedding, it may seem rude to ask them to reach back into their pockets to make the engagement party possible, too. For this reason, it is today increasingly common for members of the entire wedding party to assist with the engagement party planning.

What’s the difference between an engagement party and a bridal shower?

An engagement party is typically thrown for the whole couple to celebrate the announcement of their engagement, whereas a bridal party is centred specifically on the bride, with guests bringing presents for her. It is not traditional for the groom to turn up to the bridal shower.

On the subject of the bridal shower, the wedding planning website The Knot has a handy checklist for ensuring you don’t overlook a single detail when organising yours.

Are guests expected to bring gifts to an engagement party?  

The bridal registry or wedding list – a service provided by a website or retail store to help engaged couples with the communication of their gift preferences to wedding guests – is not such a strong custom for engagement parties. Indeed, it is considered rude to include such a registry or list on an engagement party invite, and you should certainly not expect your guests to bring gifts.

However, given that people do often give gifts to couples as soon as they are engaged, many of your guests may arrive with a small present regardless, such as a decadent dessert or a bottle of wine.

What is a suitable venue for an engagement party?

Your choice of venue for an engagement party naturally depends in part on how many people you intend to invite, but also such factors as budget, the ‘vibe’ that you would like your celebration to have, the activities that can be enjoyed at or near the venue, and how easily your invitees can reach the venue.

You might not have thought that a chateau engagement would tick many of the above boxes, but the great news for lovers of traditional French-styled romance is that it is perfectly possible when you make Château Bouffémont near Paris your choice of engagement party venue.

This is why so many people ultimately get in touch with us to enquire about us providing the backdrop for their engagement bash – and we would add that we can be an equally fairytale venue for an intimate destination wedding in France.

5 Jaw-Dropping Features of the Resplendent Château Bouffémont

Chateau Wedding

If you are even contemplating staying overnight or holding an event at a French chateau, you will naturally wish to choose a property that draws the eye and woos every person who sees it.

This is why, when you select the historic stone-built Château Bouffémont as your private venue for such purposes, it’s reassuring to know that you can experience all of the below…  

 

The stunning estate

It is customary for many a French chateau to be set in spectacular manicured grounds. However, even by those standards, the five acres of verdant greenery surrounding Château Bouffémont have to be seen to be believed.

After all, there aren’t too many French chateaus that can offer such jaw-dropping gardens as ours over not just one, or even two, but three levels, exuding the French classicism that informed the entire design of our estate.

 

The extensive terrace

Where is the finest spot from which to survey the entirety of the estate during your short time as lord of the manor at Château Bouffémont?

That may come down to individual taste, but the noble stone-built property’s 120-square-metre terrace certainly affords quite the place to relax with your favourite tipple as you gaze across our extensive gardens and contemplate how to idle the day away.  

 

The halls and living rooms

If the sight of the outside of our fairytale venue would already seem to leave you spellbound enough, you simply have to see how the magic continues inside.

Such tasteful, historically sensitive touches as crystal chandeliers, authentic wood panelling and fine fabrics across prestigious spaces like the Dandy Lounge, Grand Salon and Salon des Anges serve as a testament to the remarkable skills and judgement of the Italian architects, Augusto Busnelli and Marco Allievi.  

 

The suites and guest rooms

Château Bouffémont comprises nine prestigious suites and rooms that are capable of accommodating as many as 27 guests.

These beautifully furnished spaces also demonstrate how adept our venue is at blending aristocratic charm with modern comforts such as flat-screen televisions, radios, telephones, the Internet and Wi-Fi.

 

Its location in the heart of the Montmorency Forest

One could scarcely choose a more desirable setting for a French chateau than the Montmorency Forest. As the website of the suburban railway service SNCF Transilien explains, this natural area is an invaluable green lung of the Val d’Oise region, 90% of its surface being covered in sweet chestnut trees. It is also an excellent playground for the more active type, with such activities as walking, mountain biking and horse riding all taking place here.

It is also from here that the visitor can easily reach the cosmopolitan delights of Paris, which is situated a mere 30 kilometres from the French chateau.

Many of the world’s most renowned art galleries, museums, historical sites, theatres, restaurants and cafes await your discovery in the French capital. So if you have day trips in mind, why not read the Paris tourist office’s own advice about the many great things to see and do in the city?

Such ingredients as the above all show that Château Bouffémont can be depended on to take the breath away of everyone who encounters this sought-after former residence of the Marquise of Preignes and Baron Empain. Contact us today, and you will soon be able to experience it for yourself.

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?

Why Choose a Chateau in France for Your Next Getaway?

 

 

 

If you are seeking the ideal setting for a luxurious getaway, France can be an obvious draw. The Gallic country is resplendent in breathtaking historical attractions, beautiful rural scenery and opportunities for succulent wining and dining.

Furthermore, you can enjoy it all the more when you choose a chateau as your base. Here are several good reasons to consider a chateau rental in France.

 

Paris and its cosmopolitan attractions can be within easy reach

 

It can often seem impossible to overestimate the breadth of attractions in Paris. The French capital can easily satisfy, whether it is cuisine, history or culture of which you are eager to sample the best.

The city’s ready accessibility also counts in its favour. Paris is served by Charles de Gaulle Airport, which is itself just a 20-minute trip away from the luxury venue, Château Bouffémont. You would have exclusive access to this heritage building for as long as you rent it.

 

Château Bouffémont can satisfy your architectural tastes

 

If you have a keen interest in history, you could find yourself in your element here at Château Bouffémont, which was built in the 19th century. The building exhibits refined interior decor; you could be especially enchanted by such elegant touches as the crystal chandeliers. However, don’t forget to also spend sufficient time outside the building to let yourself see the stone-built residence’s exterior in all of its magnificence.

 

You can accommodate peaceful moments for your getaway

 

There’s a good reason why your trip is called a “getaway” – after all, it entails literally getting away from the hustle and bustle of your usual day-to-day life. You could, therefore, delight in the opportunities to unwind in the quiet of the Chateau’s wonderfully manicured French gardens.

With this domaine situated in a secluded spot in Montmorency Forest, you would have no shortage of private settings from which to choose during your soothing stay in France.

 

You would have valuable opportunities to try new things

 

Even without leaving Château Bouffémont, you would be able to sample horse riding and such relaxing sports as tennis and golf. We can even give you access to fitness and dance lessons, allowing you to benefit from one-on-one intuition.

 

The experience can be tailored to your personal preferences

 

Key to the beauty of staying here at Château Bouffémont is that it does not offer a single, standardised experience for everyone. Instead, you can carefully tailor the offerings. For example, on-site, we have dedicated staff who can make refined cuisine to your specific liking.

Choosing the Château for your luxury escape in France offers further possibilities for a personalised getaway. Architectural Digest highlights how different Parisian neighbourhoods can cater to particular personalities – and the city can soon be near if you make a reservation with us.

Château Bouffémont Unforgettables by LVbespoke

Either a family reunion, a celebration gathering with friends, or simply a vacation with the closed ones, every guest has an activity to enjoy during their stay at Château Bouffémont.

On this post, Château Bouffémont team is pleased to announce their latest collaboration with the luxury lifestyle curator, Lorena Vergani and her private concierge company LVbespoke.

Château Bouffémont Unforgettables by LVbespoke is a series of activities that are exclusively elaborated with the purpose of enriching the stay of our guests through once in a lifetime experiences.

Be it at the heart of Paris, situated only 30 km away from your private Château, or in the outskirts of this City of Light, Lorena Vergani will guide you into a world only known by the very few through these special activities  all inspired by Travelling, Fashion, Art and Lifestyle.

Lorena Vergani, LVbespoke

Meet Lorena Vergani

Born and Raised in Spain with Argentinian and German blood, A Parisienne by Heart and fluent in six languages (Spanish, English, French, German, Italian and Arabic) Lorena Vergani personifies the multicultural spirit of LV b e s p o k e. Deeply passionate for the world of hospitality, fine arts and fashion along with an international career in the high-end luxury industry have driven her to create LV  b e s p o k e. The company is specialised in custom designed refined experiences and trips in the main European Cities particularly in Paris and Spain. Lorena’s attention to detail and expertise makes your adventure special and remarkable no matter what your needs are.

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Let’s have a look one of these activities custom designed only for our guests :

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Château Bouffémont Unforgettables by LVbespoke vol.1 

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A half-day trip to Domaine de Chantilly

Domaine de Chantilly

Within a 30-minute drive from Château Bouffemont, the Domaine de Chantilly was a residence for the great Prince families of France for centuries. For its realisation, The Duc de Condé in the 17th Century called upon architects and gardeners of the time, Mansart and Le Nôtre. Highly impressed by its splendour and grandeur, same artists were commissioned by Louis XIV for the construction of Versailles. This grand estate consists of: 115 acres of parks, quaint gardens and the splendid Grand Stables offering the most spectacular background for Chantilly’s racetrack. Chantilly hosts the famous Prix de Diane Longines.

1.30 PM/ Lorena will meet you at the Château, and you will reach the Domaine de Chantilly within 30 minutes.

2.30 PM/ You will first enjoy the equestrian show “Horse, Dream & Poetry”. The show is a best of The Great Stables of Chantilly and represents a journey through the ages where you will discover the techniques and the training secrets of it’s great riders (Show only available on Saturday and Sundays).

3.30 PM/ Then your dedicated guide will meet you and show around the Domaine de Chantilly, with a special visit to the Private Suites of the Duke and Duchess of Aumale.

5 PM/ At this moment, you either can return back to the Château for the afternoon tea-time to enjoy the fresh pastries waiting for you, or stay one more hour for a guided visit of the Great Stables and the Grounds. With an overall surface area of 115 hectares, the grounds feature 3 different gardens: a French-style garden designed by Le Nôtre, an Anglo-Chinese garden and an English garden.

5.30 or 6.30 PM/ Arrival at home – in both cases the pastries prepared by your Private Chef will be still waiting for you.

Stay tuned! More to be announced in the next days.

In the mean time, you can enquire for a stay by clicking here.

Yours Sincerely,

Château Bouffémont Team