Comments by some of our visitors

"We loved the Chateau d'Alogny! It was even better than we expected. The welcome basket was a nice touch, as were the bouquets of fresh flowers throughout the house. I was very impressed by the garden! The different varieties of plants, the artistic color schemes and the many garden 'rooms' were so inviting!

Inside the house, the great room with its valley view is a perfect place to gather for meals, reading and relaxing. Very handy to the kitchen, also, to get another glass of champagne or just harrass the cook. We had lunch out most days and fixed dinner at Alogny after a trip to a local marché.

La Roche Posay was also a pleasant surprise. Just a 45-minute walk or a few minutes in the car and we found camera batteries,post cards and stamps, golf, good restaurants, a farmers' market, a grocery store and some of the best croissants aux amandes we've tasted! Our evening at Val de Creuse Restaurant was delightful.

The chateau is full of character, comfy beds and all the amenities we could ask for to enjoy our week. No ghosts were seen although I suspect they may be there. Good use was made of the computer, and all our elderly parents appreciated the e-mail access.

The pool is wonderful, too. Great place to soak in the sunshine, take early morning photos,enjoy an aperitif, have races or rescue baby hedgehogs with badminton rackets.

We'll tell our friends, and if you need references feel free to ask.
Thanks for a great vacation."

Pool with ponies "Seven friends and I spent a week at Chateau d’Alogny in the Poitou-Charentes area of France in early October of 2005, and found it to far exceed any expectations we had. The surrounding countryside is extremely verdant and beautiful, and the Chateau gives a perfect vantage point from which to enjoy it. The Chateau was originally built in the 14th Century (and parts are even older, apparently) and the modern improvements and additions make it a wonderful choice for a vacation rental. This house has the grandeur of ancient French architecture in a warm, spacious and comfortable home.

When we first went through the house we all felt like we were getting lost because it is so spacious. The old spiral-stepped stone tower, off of which the bedrooms are arrayed, is full of history with every step. The bedrooms are beautifully decorated (without being in any way fussy), each room is unique and all are comfortable and roomy. There are four bathrooms, which is a generous number for a European rental. The kitchen is partially open to the main living and dining area and is nicely stocked with necessities, dishes, cookware, etc. It was very comfortable for a group of friends and family to engage in group cooking. We also took advantage of the wonderful feature offered by the Chateau owners of having groceries bought and ready for us when we arrived, as well as a delicious dinner awaiting our arrival from our various destinations.

The lovely gardens and landscape around the house have a number of discreet areas to sit outside in groups. There is a large outdoor eating area as an alternative to the lovely dining table on the main floor; two other outdoor table-and-chairs areas are immediately next to the beautiful swimming pool, from which there is a grand view of the Creuse Valley below and around which we spent many hours. Two other patio areas are outside different bedrooms on separate levels of the house, and offer privacy and beauty to the choices of gathering places. The set-up would make it ideal for retreats or groups who need both group areas and private areas.

The Chateau is within about an hour’s drive to the Loire Valley and its many attractions. We spent two days exploring Loire Chateaux, and found the location to be ideal for such trips. The nearby town of La Roche Posay had a lot to offer in shopping and activities, and we were only able to scratch the surface of other nearby attractions. The location is an easy fast train down from Paris , an easy flight to nearby Poitiers from London , and a lovely drive from Paris , as well.

We have rented a number of villas and houses in Italy , Mexico , California and Oregon over the years, and this was certainly as good as it gets. The rental rates seemed to be extremely reasonable for the grand accommodations offered. The Chateau is perfect for a family summer rental, and we found it perfect for a bunch of friends in the beautiful autumn sun. I look forward to seeing it in every season in the future."

Margaret Hill, Berkeley, California

"I went to the Château d’Alogny for 10 days to be, to write, to eat and just relax in a part of France unknown to me. It was the most near-perfect trip I’ve ever taken. Alogny is magic--a comfortable, human scale castle with thick stone walls, a tower, fireplaces, several floors of rambling rooms with enticing nooks and crannies, simply and tastefully furnished. It’s regally positioned at the highest point in a landscape of rolling hills and overlooks a wide river valley —filled with fields of spent sunflowers when I was there last fall. There is much to see and do.

After my morning run , through woods, pastures and a dairy farm where the resident dog took friendly chase after the crazy, running American, we wrote for several hours every day and then hopped in the red Renault for food and adventure. Trips to the Loire Valley, to the spa town of La Roche Posay, just a short bike ride away, for massage treatments, and visits to Fontgombault Abbey, filled with mediaeval Gregorian chant.

"Alogny was our best holiday ever. We were in heaven! The children lived in the pool, with us beside them, looking out over the valley and enjoying all the great, inexpensive wines."

"The experience of being at Alogny is to be surrounded by nature. What I loved most of all was the beauty everywhere - out of every window, every door. Walks from Alogny straight into the woods and fields, our meals on the terraces. I never wanted to be anywhere else."

“We thoroughly enjoyed our holiday in this unique and most peaceful setting. Unfortunately we have to return to reality.”

“Thank you so very much. It is a truly enchanting place, ideal to relax and unwind. We will be back. Thank you.”

“Thanks a million. We had a super time, even though it was short. We didn’t want to leave”

“Magic place and a terrific reunion for us all. Thank you John for a very special week”

"Three good weeks here watching the spring come into leaf & listening to birdsong - also grappling with the muse. I think she enjoyed it & so did I."

"Alogny is a place of wonderful beauty and tranquillity. It is timeless. I can imagine no better place for a writers retreat"

"All of us loved our time at Alogny. The area is incredibly beautiful and great for exploration; full of castles, churches and delicious inns and restaurants."

"Ah, the fabulous little restaurants, the wines, the company of friends. The French life!

"Thank you for creating the perfect environment for a family vacation – extended family, that is – we were eleven. We had fun, ate well and just appreciated the great beauty of this place. We loved how comfortable you’ve made this house. We can’t wait for our next visit. "

Laura McPhee, Boston, Mass.

"We all had such a lovely time in this gorgeous place – we never wanted to leave! We hope to be back at your fabulous chateau."

Jenny McPhee, New York & London

"This place is a dream!"

Ellen C. Brooklyn

"What a wonderful way to celebrate our golden and silver weddings. We will recommend your lovely chateau to all our friends."

Frank Onions, London & New York

"Very peaceful, great views, lovely garden, well-equipped kitchen. Alogny is a splendid place to relax or to party. The history of the chateau is so strong you can feel it."

Patrick & Margaret Crotty High Wycombe , Bucks

"What a postcard perfect place!"

Ryan Russo, Brooklyn

"It is a lovely place, which has given us great pleasure."

Tim & Cordelia O’Brien West Lavington , Wilts.

"My 60^th birthday adventure has turned into so many marvelous experiences. My heart & head are packed with glorious memories. I feel so a part of mediaeval Alogny."

Sally Bratton, Fremont , CA

"What a wonderful week. This has been one of the best vacations of our lives."

Susan & Bob Leberman, Orinda , CA

"Alogny – the quintessential rural France vacation in a truly exquisite home. It was hard to tear ourselves away from the beautiful chateau and it immediate surroundings."

Joann Chernen, BC , Canada

Comments by some of our visitors: