Domaine et Golf de Vaugouard Hotel, Fortenay-sur-Loing
All round leisure retreat in this 18th century château
This hotel and leisure complex sits in the centre of a nature reserve and has 42 luxury rooms and 11 apartments. The imposing château dates back to the end of the 18th century when it was used as a royal residence. As well as an excellent 18-hole golf course, the domaine also has an outdoor swimming pool, tennis courts and mountain bikes for hire.
The rooms are all equipped with a TV, hair dryer, free WiFi and a courtesy tray. They have views of the golf course, swimming pool or courtyard.
There is a brasserie and a restaurant. The brasserie serves lunch in one of the castles rooms. On nice days, guests can also eat out of the terrace. To dine in the evening, the restaurant serves traditional cuisine with an extensive wine menu.
Sights nearby
Sights in La Loire
See all Sights in La Loire-
Abbeye de Fleury
The abbey in St-Benoît-sur-Loire, dates back to the 7th century. It is a well-known Benedictine abbey. The remaining abbey church is one of two originals. The second, dedicated to St Peter, was knocked down in the 18th century. The abbey is thought to contain the remains of St Benedict of Nursia, founder of the Western monastic ways of living, though this is disputed.
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Chateau de Sully, Sully-sur-Loire
This picturesque 14th century château, set close to the town of Sully, has beautiful grounds with century-old trees and a typical 'English' garden. Owned by the Barons of Sully, then the Dukes of La Trémoïlle and finally Maximilien de Béthune, it became the property of the department of the Loiret in 1962. Its chapel features listed frescoes and walls pierced with miniature gun ports. The château moat sits on a fork in the Loire and features the classic towers, keep and rampart. The impressive interior contains excellent tapestries and paintings in some of the grand château rooms.
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Carolingian Oratory
The oratory at Germigny-des-Prés was built in typical Loire light stone in the early 9th century by Bishop Theodulf of Orléans. The Spanish bishop was one of the most significant in Carolingian times. It is one of few Western European churches of its kind still to be in existence. A pretty oratory, now the village church, the most impressive feature is the mosaic on the ceiling of the apse, showing the Ark of the Covenant. It was painted over for a long time, hence its excellent preservation and was only rediscovered in the mid 1800s.
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Chateau de Chamerolles, Chilleurs-aux-Bois
The Château de Chamerolles has undergone extensive renovation in its 16th century style. However the real reason to visit is to see its six beautiful gardens dedicated to colours and aromas. Both French native plants and exotic species have been grown, as well as vegetable gardens, honeysuckle and more. Inside the château, rooms are dedicated to the development of scents and perfumes over the centuries.
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Musee des Beaux-Arts
This museum houses an exuberant collection of fine arts and is possibly one of the best collections in France. It traces art from the 15th to the 20th century in its permanent collection, with works from Italian, Dutch, Flemish and French artists. It also has many temporary exhibitions which are worth visiting. It is one of the oldest museums in France.
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Cathedrale Sainte-Croix
The impressive Gothic cathedral in the centre of Orléans was built in the late 13th and early 14th centuries. It dominates the skyline of the city when viewed from afar. Jean of Arc famously attended mass in the cathedral in 1429 when the city was under siege from the English during the Hundred Years' War. A stained glass window in the cathedral depicts her story. There is a great view of the city from the top of the bell towers.
