Chateau Du Taureau + Farmhouse

This is one of the most exquisite private estates in Provence. At the heart of the Rhone valley, within easy reach of Avignon, St Remy, Aix-en-Provence and the famous Carmargue region, this is a truly glorious property. From Paris to Avignon, it is only 2.5 hours by the non-stop TGV super express train, and 50 minutes by air. Located between Carpentras and Orange near Avignon this is a wonderful place to stay.

The Chateau du Taureau Estate comprises the château with 9 double/twin bedrooms and the adjacent farm with 7 double/twin bedrooms, all with en-suite bathrooms. The wonderful, fully enclosed landscape embraces 17 acres of mature parkland, elegant formal gardens, orchards, streams and an exciting range of sporting facilities. At the heart of all this and at the end of a long avenue of ancient plane trees lies the Château du Taureau itself.

The Château du Taureau is refined and sophisticated and the sense of history is enhanced by a unique collection of antiques. However, with air-conditioning throughout, an internet connection in each room and mobile phone with voicemail this property is not without 21st century touches. The adjacent 18th century farm building, conference room/salon provençal, business centre, extensive sports facilities and an astonishing pool makes this a property for all seasons.

The present owners spent six years in restoring the Château du Taureau to its original XVIII century state by using either XVIII century building materials, flooring and wood panelling or, where XVIII century materials were unavailable, perfect reproductions. The latest technology in telecommunications, plumbing, wiring and central heating/cooling were installed at the same time. The Estate's parks, communicating streams, moat and gardens were all restored and replanted with breathtaking results.

Prices start from €36,000 per week for the chateau depending on the season. Daily rates start from €6000. Please enquire for a quote tailored to your group.

**Please note that this property cannot be booked online so please use 'contact owner' to request a quote for your group size and dates. Please do not attempt to book the property online.

Chateau - With all 850 square metres of the Château having been restored to their former 18th Century glory the owners then furnished it with beautiful European and Oriental antique furniture and art. However, the Château's cooking, heating, cooling, telecommunication, electrical and plumbing systems are definitely 21st century!

With three large reception rooms, a library, a large 18 person dining room and a large informal dining kitchen the chateau is certainly spacious. The Château's rustic internal courtyard is perfect for al fresco meals and the scents and sounds of the fountains, aviaries and jasmine covered walls set a wonderful scene. The Château has a fully equipped home-cinema which includes a 42" plasma screen, surround sound, DVD, Satellite TV and music system.

There are 3 large master bedroom suites (one king and two queen sized beds) – one suite on the ground floor and two on the first floor – all en-suite with a separate shower. Six further bedrooms (one king, two queen and two double sized beds and one with twin beds) are on the second floor. Each has its own en-suite bathroom (with showers over the bath) tiled with lovely Provençal tiles.

Farmhouse - The Farm building has been fully modernised to provide guest bedrooms and facilities, the Conference and Business Centre and sports facilities. The Maison Rose is one bedroom with a king sized bed; and either a suite with one twin-bedded room and a salon with convertible sofa, or two twin-bedded rooms. The Maison Jaune contains one king, one queen and one twin-bedded room. The courtyard level bedroom has one king sized room. As with the Chateau all bedrooms have en-suite bathrooms, with baths and separate shower stalls.

The guest bedrooms all overlook the beautiful internal courtyard which is very pretty and contains cloisters, various seating areas, lawn, lemon trees, jasmine clad walls and a fountain. A ground floor dining room can also be used as a card/games room, and is just off the courtyard. There is also a professional kitchen.

There is also a 20 person conference room fully equipped with multimedia facilities and its own reception room; the salon provençal; a fully equipped business centre and the estate office.

The more sporty guests can use the gym, play squash, tennis or water polo at any time of day or night. And the tennis and basketball courts are also floodlit! The less sporting can take an enjoyable walk in the extensive grounds or settle for a genteel game of croquet, badminton or volleyball on the especially dedicated lawns.

And of course the marvellous "mirror" swimming pool (25mx10mx4.5m), with its Olympic 1m spring board, water-polo facilities and its adjoining children's pool (3mx3mx0.6m), is a wonderful place to lounge. This area also provides an outdoor shower and a spacious, open dining Pavillion and attached sitting room and kitchen/barbecue). There are separate changing rooms, with shower and WC facility next to the pool area, so you need never leave!

*Please note, locations shown on the maps are approximations only

The nearest airport to the chateau is Nimes 60km away and Sarrians, the local village is within walking distance.

You will not go hungry in this region of France with its specialties of truffles, calisson, melons and wide variety of wine. Chefs make pilgrimages from near and far to select the cream of the crop from Provence. Guests can enjoy the riches of the region by visiting the picturesque markets of the nearby towns and villages. Local farmers bring their baskets of seasonal produce to sell directly from the traditional wooden trestle tables, placed under a canopy of plane trees.

We can make up a wonderful treat where our Chef and Sommelier will ensure a memorable stay at the chateau should any guests wish for something extra special.

If you feel the need to leave the glorious grounds of the château there are activities aplenty beyond the gates. The Fontaine de Vaucluse provides perfect trout fishing. Of course, you can canoe down the river and take in the peaceful scenery. Our Chef can prepare a picnic for you to enjoy amongst the vineyards and orchards on the river banks. For the more active: horse riding, hiking, cycling and skiing can be arranged. There are also several nearby golf courses.

Music lovers will already know of the world-class operas and concerts that take place in the region. In Vaison la Romaine and Orange concerts are held in the historic Roman theatres. The Summer Arts Festival in the old papal city of Avignon is famous for its films, theatre and street performers. And let’s not forget bullfighting. The stunning setting of two of the most intact Roman arenas in France - Nimes and Arles – is perfect for watching the toreadors and the bulls act out their ancient ritual.

The area is steeped in history. There are ruins, ancient villages, monuments, museums, medieval villages and towns and unchanged countryside to see and explore. The influence of Greek and Roman involvement over the last 2500 years is obvious everywhere. The scenes below show just a taste of what can be found in the areas around the chateau.

For most of our Tenants, not only will our Estate provide some wholly new experiences, but the region around it will do so as well.  Therefore, in order to maximise our Tenants enjoyment of the unique experiences awaiting them during their stay at the chateau:

The Estate’s Chef (who does not speak English, so our P.A./Staff can interpret if necessary), will be able to arrange a wide variety of menus to suit the Tenant’s requirements. His menus can range from a sophisticated “Degustation” menu highlighting the best of French cuisine, to a menu of Provençal specialties, to a simple “home cooking” menu, when everyone needs a break from their previous excesses! Don’t forget that the Estate’s Gym and other sports’ facilities can help our guests get rid of their newly acquired, extra kilos!

Obviously, no meal in France is complete without Wine.  In this regards, the Estate has its own cellar and Tenants may chose, from its Wine List, a wide selection of some of the best wines available in our region. Alternatively, should the Tenant wish to enjoy some of the best premium wines that France has to offer, our associated “Sommelier”, David Thomas of Avignon, can, with advance notice, endeavour to acquire such wines.

Finally, as our region is full of wonderful vineyards, which offer both wine tasting and direct purchases from their cellars, going on a wine-tasting expedition is great fun and, for many, a must.  In this connection, the Estate has provided a small, separate wine cellar, in which the Tenant can store the wines they acquire during their stay.  And, should they find a regional wine, or wines, that they particularly like and which wines they would like to take home, David Thomas can assist with the shipment of such wines.

Capacity
Indoor reception capacity: 30-40
Outdoor reception capacity: >150
A marquee in the grounds is possible for Euros 3,000+

Availability
All year round

The Service
There is a chapel on site that can be used for a service and access to an English speaking vicar or priest.

Catering
E25-200 p/p – excluding beverages

Other Services
Flowers: Yes, Live bands/DJs: Yes, Transport: Yes, Marquee hire: Yes, Wedding Planners: Yes

Accommodation
32 guests in 16 double rooms can stay at the chateau. The rest can be accommodated nearby.

Travel
Avignon – 20 mins, Nîmes - 45 mins, Marseille - 60 mins

- Security deposit: €15,000. This is paid no later than 1 month prior to arrival and will be refunded in full after departure subject to damage inspection.
- Linen & towels: All linen and bath towels are included in the rental price.
- Energy costs: Included in the rental price.
- End of stay cleaning: Included. Please leave the property in the state that you found it.
- Arrival time: 6pm onwards.
- Departure time: 10am.
- Pets: No pets allowed without prior consent.
- Smoking: No smoking in the property.
- Staff: The rental fee includes the services of the staff, excluding any Guide charges. As prescribed by French labour law, each Staff member is officially only permitted to work a 35-hour week. The Tenant should bear this in mind when requiring the Staff to work long hours. It should also be noted that the Staff will work in relays during the period 8.00 hrs - 24.00 hrs each day and each Staff member will alternate in order for each one to have one day off per week. In view of this, it is customary for the Tenant to leave a staff gratuity. This Staff Gratuity will also help compensate the Staff for working much longer hours than are normal.
- Contract: A full & detailed contract, provided by the owner, must be signed before a booking can be confirmed.
- Minimum rental period: We only permit bookings for increments of 1 week (Mon - Mon) in the high season (1 June - 30 September & 20th December - 5th January) and a minimum of 3 nights in the off-season.
- It is recommended that all guests take out insurance to cover against potential cancellation and any accidental damage caused during your stay at the property.

C’est magnifique! The perfect setting for our family reunion. We came from California, Munich, Germany and Florence, Italy and we don’t want to leave! Pool games, shopping trips, wine tasting, cicadas singing, guitars playing and lots of love.

Cindy

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What a wonderful time we have had at your Château Estate! We have visited the most beautiful corners of the world, but never have we experienced a place as magical as the château. From six-year-old Marco to seventy-six-year-old Pa (plus or minus a couple of years),


we all had the ultimate vacation. It was a pleasure to have the opportunity to meet you, and we look forward to seeing you in the future.

David

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Never in my life have I experienced such a wonderful exposure to a beautiful home and surrounding culture. The two weeks we spent here was simply a tease into this amazing region of Provence. I will never forget this awesome place. Incredible! And, as a UCLA water polo player, I must say the pool was the most beautiful I have ever seen. Honestly! I cannot imagine another vacation spot that could be better. Great wine, great people, great countryside. I had the time of my life. Thank you!

David’s Nephew

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We had the most wonderful time here. With our families spread over California, Netherlands, Israel, Spain and soon Australia, the only way to see each other is on this kind of occasion. We can’t think of a better place, so many activities around the house, a beautiful environment, dedicated staff, charming cities and villages, an abundance of cultural events, great food and wine and the very kind personal attention of both of you. Thank you and hope to meet you in person in the future.

Anat Gafni and Fred

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My alter ego Frasier Crane once said, “If less is more, think of how much more more will be”. I don’t have to think about it any more, I have lived it here at your amazing home. Sumptuous feasts, violin concerts in the chapel, croquet in our whites on the lawn, ballooning, bicycling, and aperitif each night in a more beautiful location. I want more… more… more! Thanks so much.

David

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The Château is a beautiful place for sure, but it is Michael and Marie-Thérèse, along with the wonderful staff that made it the most special place that we have ever been to! Many, many thanks.

Mike

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