Those who dream of experiencing the magnificent lifestyle of a luxurious 17th century chateau, need look no further than Chateau de Villette. Situated 35 minutes to the north-west of Paris, the chateau is located within the beautiful Parc Naturel Régional du Vexin, offering numerous activities, including biking, hiking, horseback riding and hunting. Within a 15 minute drive there are five golf courses, and places to visit of great renown, such as Versailles, Monet’s home and garden at Giverny, Maison de Van Gogh at Auvers-sur-Oise and Chateau de Chantilly are within 25 minutes. A little further, between 30 and 50 minutes, will bring you to Paris, Fontainebleau and Vaux le Vicomte.
Designed by the architect, François Mansart in 1668 for Louis XIV’s ambassador to Venice, the chateau was finally finished by his grand-nephew, Jules Hardouin-Mansart, around 1696. The interiors were completely renovated between 1999 and 2001 with all new bathrooms, three new kitchens and all new equipment, including wireless internet.
The gardens, designed by Le Nôtre, spread out behind the chateau from the central axis of a spectacular fountain and cascade, resembling the one at Louis XIV’s Chateau Marly. There are two rectangular shaped lakes on each side of the main garden, filled with swans, ducks and fish. Jules Hardouin-Mansart and Le Notre designed Versailles at the same time as they designed Chateau de Villette, and the magnificence and elegance on a smaller scale are evident. The private and serene grounds provide numerous outdoor activities for guests, including walking, cycling, swimming in the large pool (18 x 18m) with water cascade feature, or playing tennis on the newly built tennis court. There is also a gym and billiard room. The property is ideal for family holidays, with plenty of room for children to play in the large gardens.
The property has been used for fashion and commercial shoots, business seminars, cooking classes and TV/movie filming. Most recently it was used as the centrepiece location for the film of The Da Vinci Code. In the book it is mentioned from chapter 52 on and off until chapter 90, as the home of the character, Sir Leigh Teabing, and the story about the keystone, Holy Grail and Da Vinci Code were told at the chateau. Da Vinci Code Tours are available on request. The spacious chapel and reception rooms make it an ideal wedding venue.
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The interiors include a great octagonal Grand Salon, an elegant dining room with carved stone buffet, wine cooling fountains, a music salon, beautifully panelled library with fireplace and a grand staircase. There are 10 bedrooms and bathrooms in the main wing, and another 7 bedrooms and 6 bathrooms in a wing. The entire chateau is furnished with period antiques and a state-of-the-art telephone system is accessible from every room. |
