Exploring the Enchanting Château de Candie: A Travel Daily Review
Purple Summer’s Château de Candie: A Hidden Gem in the Heart of France
Discovering Château de Candie
Nestled in the foothills of The Alps, just outside the picturesque town of Chambéry in the Rhone-Alpes region of France, lies the stunning Château de Candie by Purple Summer.
The magnificent ivy clad Château dates back to the 14th century and boasts a rich history that beckons visitors to step back in time and immerse themselves in its beauty.
As you wander through the grand halls and ornate chambers of Château de Candie, you can't help but feel the echoes of the past whispering secrets of centuries gone by. From its origins as a medieval fortress to its transformation into a luxurious Renaissance Château, each stone of this historic landmark tells a story of intrigue and elegance.
Today, Château de Candie boasts 24 individually styled and decorated rooms and suites. The hotel also offers exclusive hire, offering a true fairy tale wedding.
‘The Tower’ makes the most perfect bridal or honeymoon suite or ultra luxe romantic escape
It has its own entrance, is spread over 3 floors and features an impressive double bathtub.
We stayed in a stunning duplex suite that slept 6 people.
On the lower floor you have the master suite and bathroom with a living area complete with Nespresso machine and stocked mini bar. Upstairs in the eves of the chateau you have another double bed and twins along with a toilet. Robes and slippers are provided too.
The beautiful suite is traditional in its style, and completely in keeping with the chateau's history, yet still provides all of the modern amenities guests would expect from a high end hotel stay.
The views from this suite gave us stunning dual aspect views across the French countryside and wonderful pine forests with the mountains beyond.
Château de Candie has a lovely swimming pool in its grounds with stunning views of the mountain range.
Loungers surround the pool making this the perfect spot to relax in the summer months or cool off after a days activities in the area. We loved the pool honesty bar, such a good idea, and very well stocked!
Château de Candie is an extremely dog friendly hotel, lots of water bowls are dotted around and the Château's fifteen acres mean there are plenty of walking opportunities.
Surroundings
Château de Candie is perched on the hillside amongst an ancient forest and overlooks the absolutely stunning Chartreuse Mountain range. The mountain range is vast and the whole area has amazing views everywhere you look. It is like being in a Bond film!
One word that we used a lot during our stay was ‘epic’. Initially relating to the scenery, the use of this word quickly spilled over into food, wine, customer service and the Château itself. This area of France is largely visited in the winter months due to its proximity to some of the most prestigious ski resorts in Europe.
This region has a significant amount to offer at any time of year. Whether this be hiking, mountain biking, sky diving or simply relaxing by the pool of a beautiful Château with a glass of something cold, there is something for every taste. It really is a must visit area.
Nearby towns, like Aix-les-Bains, are rich with history and charm. Wander through quaint streets filled with shops and cafes, and soak in the vibrant atmosphere.
Lac du Bourget and the closest town of Chambéry host a variety of events and festivals throughout the year. From summer concerts to water sports competitions, there’s always something happening. These events bring the community together and make for a lively atmosphere that is great to sample if you can. The iconic Annecy is just a thirty minute drive away too.
Food & Drink
The Chateau’s restaurant provides a sumptuous dining experience.
Chef Badara Gueye’s seasonal menus and locally sourced ingredients make for exciting new flavour combinations as well as offering great quality traditional favourites.
On our first evening we enjoyed drinks on the terrace with canapes, all of which were delicious.
There are lots of little terraces and seating areas scattered all over the grounds of the chateau, perfect for a morning coffee or evening drink in the sunshine before dinner.
The restaurant has a really lovely ambience. There are three main dining rooms which are connected, even though the space is large, it still feels intimate and cosy. The dining rooms are classically decorated with lovely lighting and flickering candles. You also have the option to dine outside on the large terraced area in the summer months, overlooking the gardens and water fountain.
Some of our party enjoyed steaks, even the younger members were treated.
We also enjoyed seared cod fillet with vanilla cauliflower purée and strawberry vinaigrette, ingredients that you don’t always see together, but works amazingly well!
We finished our meal with Crème Brûlée, perfection!
We were busy the following day down at the lake so opted for a lighter dinner on our second evening, or so we thought.
We ordered sharing plates of charcuterie and cheeses for the table. These ended up being rather large, but really lovely with freshly baked bread . . . and we used our spare dessert stomachs once again as the offerings were too good to refuse.
The Château will provide a picnic if you want to go off exploring for the day. We were treated to a farewell picnic before we set off for the airport. The mushroom quiche was amazing and the little home-made sweet treats went down very well with the children.
The Château has its own beehive on the grounds too so expect lots of delicious, truly local honey at breakfast and throughout its dishes.
Behind reception there is a delightful snug area with the full range of aperitifs or digestifs. We could only imagine being curled up in there on a cooler evening, in front of a roaring fire with a mug of something warm, a good book and the gentle background music making the whole environment rather soporific. Instead we opted for a post dinner glass of red and a game of Uno!
Candie 1891
Château de Candie has its own vineyard for guests to enjoy.
It is thought there were vineyards on the grounds of as early as the 14th century. They were wiped out in 1879, replanted and then abandoned again for over a century.
In 2003 the owners decided to restore the land and in 2009 Viognier was replanted.
Viognier is a white grape variety that thrives in Château de Candie's mountainous climate and around 3000 bottles of the "Candie 1891" are now produced each year.
You can enjoy the wine in the hotels restaurant and bar, but, the ultimate experience has to be a picnic in the vineyard itself with those beautiful views. The Château team will happily set up a hamper full of food and wine for you to enjoy, or perhaps a wine tasting experience with one of the Château's own sommelier.
We were treated to a bottle in our room on arrival and can highly recommend!
The Lake
Lac du Bourget is more than just a pretty lake; it's a treasure trove of natural beauty and adventure. This stunning body of water is the largest natural lake in France. Whether you're into hiking, swimming, or just soaking up the sun, Lac du Bourget has something for everyone.
Surrounded by towering mountains and lush greenery, the scenery is absolutely breath taking. The lake's crystal-clear waters shimmer like a giant sapphire, inviting you to take a dip or paddle around in a kayak.
The views change with the light, making every moment a new picture-perfect opportunity. Whether it's sunrise or sunset, the play of colours on the water will leave you in awe.
Lac du Bourget is a hiker’s paradise. With a variety of trails, from easy walks to challenging hikes, there's something for everyone. One popular trail leads to the Mont Revard, where you can get a panoramic view of the lake and the surrounding Alps.
We took the opportunity to have lunch at The Lido restaurant. A warm welcome, a relaxed environment, fantastic food and an equally fantastic wine list, whilst also catering for our three ‘energetic’ children made for a superb lunch.
The restaurant is located at the foot of poet's hill, on the banks of Lake Bourget. It has huge floor to ceiling windows overlooking the lake, with the lush interiors mirroring the colours of the lake and surrounding scenery.
Everything on the menu is made with ingredients sourced from the local area, even the drinks, this is something the team are very proud of, and understandably so.
The food was just as lovely as the view. Here you can sample local delicacies such as the famous Savoy cheese and fresh fish from the lake.
We enjoyed 'sweets of the lake', pork ribs and lamb and the children's menu was really good and the quality of food just as good as the main menu.
The restaurant was busy with locals (always the best sign) and had a lovely warm atmosphere.
We followed this with a leisurely stroll along the lake, with nothing more to think about other than skimming stones and watching some slightly more adventurous weekenders jumping out of planes!
Château de Candie works in partnership with this brilliant restaurant (as they are both owned by Purple Ski) and are more than happy to organise transport and book a table for you.
Indulging in Luxury and Elegance
Today, Château de Candie stands as a testament to timeless elegance and sophistication. Its opulent rooms and lush gardens offer a glimpse into the lavish lifestyle of the French nobility, inviting guests to bask in the beauty of a bygone era.
The service Purple Summer & the Château de Candie offer its guests really is first class.
From the luxury vehicle that collected us from Geneva airport complete with picnic and drinks for our journey, to the care and attention given by the hotel staff. Nothing was too much trouble and they were on hand at all times to offer recommendations of things to do and places to eat if we ventured out.
Since 1991 Purple Ski has specialised in offering some of the finest luxury catered ski chalets in Méribel, Courchevel, and Val d'Isère. The aim is that their guests have the perfect experience on and off the slopes. Their venture into summer holidays with Purple Summer certainly has carried on in this vein.
Purple Summer now have a select number of luxury accommodation and villas in the Côte d’Azur and Mallorca, as well as their French properties.
If you were to stay at one of their villas, a full concierge service would be available there too. They really do go the extra mile to ensure that your experience is a memorable one.
Château de Candie is a hidden gem that captures the essence of French charm and elegance. Whether you're a history buff, a lover of luxury, or simply seeking a magical escape, this enchanting castle is sure to captivate your heart and leave you longing for more.
Nightly rates at Purple Summer's Château de Candie start from 200 € per room on a Bed and Breakfast basis. The property is available on an exclusive hire basis from 15,000 €. For more information and to book, please visit https://purplesummer.com/destinations/accommodation-in-the-french-alps/
