THE HISTORIC CENTRAL WING
CHÂTEAU DE PUY VIDAL
GARDENS, STAIRCASES, AND TOWERS
The Estate
As a creative retreat guest here at Puy Vidal, the chateau and its many hidden passageways and fragrant gardens are yours to explore.
You will have access to salons, towers, dining rooms, beautiful grounds and gardens, the estate is yours to discover. Enjoy a round of petanques in the interior courtyard, curl up with a novel in the tower library, or hang a hammock in the petit bois for an afternoon of peace and contemplation. Right outside our gates are fairytale paths perfect for a leisurely bike ride or sunset stroll.
The Breakfast Room
Each morning, you will find a breakfast spread in the blue-and-white porcelain room. Fresh croissants, butter, jams, baguettes, delicious yogurts, granola. quiches, and more.
There is a Jura coffee machine offering a variety of espresso and coffee-based drinks, as well as tea, and fresh juices.
Return for snacks throughout the day and a Lunch buffet.
We affectionally refer to this room as " The Coffee Shop".
The Grand Salon
To the left of the Entryway, an enfilade suite of reception rooms begins with the Grand Salon. It is the largest room in the Château. Boasting 18th century moldings, Aubusson tapestries, and beautiful antiques, this salon is illuminated all day long by the double exposure french doors and windows.
During the day gather for discussions, attended a lecture, or read a novel.
In evening, come an watch a classic film on the large projector screen. Experience the leisure and delights of the 18th century.
The Internal Courtyard
The "cour intérieure" is one of the architectural highlights of Puy Vidal.
It's three wings surrounding the south facing center with echos of the Roman baths, Latin American haciendas and Italian villas. This is truly the heart of this chateau.
You will find that all roads lead here.
Warm on a summers evening, perfectly clear for star gazing, sheltered from the winds, it is the perfect counterpart to its sprawling gardens to the north.
The Formal Dining Room
At the heart of every great home there is a place to come together drink and be merry. Every evening you will be summoned by the courtyard bell to dine, discuss the days events, learn more about your fellow chateau inhabitants.
The ceiling is hand painting with renaissance motifs and on the floor you will find terracotta tiles interspersed with wood parquet border forming a unique hexagonal pattern. No journey to the past would be complete without the roaring fireplace large enough to stand in.
The Entryway
Resplendent with Gothic flourishes, the entryway is said to be one of the oldest parts of Puy Vidal. The large wooden door faces the glass door opposite, allowing you to see straight through the Chateau when the courtyard doors are open. Hunting trophies from another century greet you as you enter, calling to mind the deep hunting traditions of these countryside regions.
The essential costume closet of Puy Vidal is found just under the spiral staircase. Come and select your finery for your crusades and theatrics.
The Entry Gates
After a meandering country road, dappled with farms and quaint stone houses....
A long stretch of forest appears, then a low wall and suddenly a sign saying "Puy vidal."
On your right appears formal stone entry with green iron gates. As the gates open and you pull in, a second gate beckons at the end of a charming tree line drive.
You have arrived.
The Spiral Staircase
The spiral staircase of Puy Vidal connects all three levels of the central historic wing. It's beautiful limestone and rope hand rail brings to mind sword fighting knights protecting their fortress.
Descend from your Chambre to the glittering party below.
The Arcade
The Arcade offers a lush tranquil repose from the summer sun. Enjoy a cup of tea or a house cocktail while being able to take in the changing light in the Internal Courtyard.
Situated just outside the workshop studio, this Arcade offers the perfect place to take a break before, during and after Creative Retreat sessions.
The Billiard Room
Featuring an antique billiard table known as Carom billiards in french. This table differs from modern billiards in that is does not have pockets. The goal is to use your ball to successively hit the other two balls to win one point.
Requiring significant exactitude, we challenge you to try your hand at "carambole".
The Tower Library
At the end of the suite of Salons, a beautiful gem awaits. A paneled vaulted semi circular library.
As you look up the faces of knights and warriors look back at you from the frescoed ceiling. The classics line the shelves- biographies, history, novels and poetry.
There couldn't be a better spot to delve into the world of literature.
The Petite Salon
Just off of the Grand Salon, the more private petite salon offers the possibility of gathering with a smaller group, as the party continues in the Grand Salon.
Overlooking the formal French gardens to the North and the Courtyard to the South, this light-filled room is a delightful place to take in the estate.
THE WEST WING
The West Wing Salon
At the furthest end of the West Wing, you will find another large salon with magnificent hand painted beams, tapestries and comfortable couches. Its adjoining hallway leads both to the interior courtyard and the English garden to the West. A set of French Doors within the room leads out to the Forest Amphitheater to the South.
Private and accessible from many directions, this salon offers a quiet place to work or remove yourself from the bustling activity throughout the Chateau.
The Porcelain Tower
A treasure of a room, right off the west wing salon, this tower houses all of the chateau's most cherished porcelain. Handpainted, curved cabinents house beautiful teacups, plates, and serving dishes from England, Itay and France.
A hidden powder room is accessed through a tiny door, featuring arrow slit windows, reminding one of the original defensive purpose of these towers.
THE EAST WING
The Studio
A flexible workshop studio. This open work space can accommodate a variety of workshop activities from yoga, painting, filmmaking and well as providing a good place to store supplies and equipment.
The large arched doors led out to the chateau entryway and parking area, making it convenient to meet and load vehicles for day trips, excursions and to receive any deliveries. An adjoining bathroom is found at the back of the studio.
EXPLORE MORE
OF PUY VIDAL
The Forgotten Attic
Located on the floor above the studio this unfinished attic is bursting with relics of the past. Documents, photographs, cast aside pots and pans - a treasure hunters paradise.
