Chateau Art De Vivre

About this property

On the Médoc peninsula north of Bordeaux, it’s wonderful to be able to combine tastings at some of France’s finest wine châteaux with family fun on the Atlantic coastline whilst staying at the very welcoming Château Art de Vivre.

With vineyard views from its picture-book windows and the most beautiful sunsets as the evening falls, Château Art de Vivre is such an inviting family home which allows you to spend quality time with loved ones whilst experiencing the authenticity of this part of southern France. Ideal for families or a group of friends, the open-plan living and dining area is a convivial space to gather together, create feasts in the contemporary kitchen and drink fine wine from nearby Médoc wineries.

Four double bedrooms, which can also be made up as twins, allow space for up to 8 guests and three benefit from en suite shower rooms. Artwork adorns the walls and traditional features such as exposed stone and wood beams add to the château’s character and ambience.

Set within 8000m2 of enclosed parkland, there is so much space whether you wish to cool off in the charming swimming pool, relax in the hot tub, play on the swing, slide and trampoline or visit the friendly animals – as well as hens, geese and a couple of sheep, there are two donkeys who love to be groomed, fed and walked.

Wander through the local village to the beautiful banks of the Gironde estuary where you will find a picturesque restaurant as well as an oyster hut and wine-bar open in the height of the summer. Of course, there are so many wineries to visit from prestigious châteaux to family-run establishments. The famous wine town of Pauillac is only 23km away, also a paradise for food lovers with its weekly market and excellent restaurants.

The Médoc peninsula is also known for its vast beaches, sandy dunes, surfing spots, sailing lakes, cycling trails and forests ideal for long walks and horse-riding. The seaside resorts of Montalivet les Bains and Soulac-sur-Mer, around half an hour away, are especially atmospheric in the summer or head to Plage du Pin Sec for endless shores and the most stunning sunsets.

Château Art de Vivre is set in a small rural village on the Médoc peninsula, just a short stroll from the banks of the Gironde estuary and around a 90-minute drive north of Bordeaux.

The small village is surrounded by idyllic Médoc vineyards and there are a number of wineries nearby. There is also a restaurant within a 15-minute stroll overlooking the Gironde estuary, usually open for lunch and dinner (check opening days in advance depending on the time of year) and a charming wine-bar and oyster hut in July and August. A wide range of amenities including restaurants and supermarkets can be found in Lesparre-Médoc, about 11km by car.

Some of France’s finest wine appellations can be sampled within a short drive. The well-regarded wine town of Pauillac is around 23km away whilst Margaux is a 50-minute drive – look out for famous châteaux such as Latour, Lafite-Rothschild and Mouton-Rothschild as well as plenty of small family-run wineries. Food-lovers should visit Pauillac’s Saturday morning market and look out for a number of excellent restaurants serving the very best cuisine of this region from fresh mussels and oysters to foie gras and garlic.

The Médoc peninsula is also home to a stunning coastline of vast beaches, sand dunes and forests, perfect for watersports, long walks, horse-riding and cycling along the many trails. The seaside resorts of Montalivet and Soulac-sur-Mer are fantastic days out or head south to Lacanau with its surfing spots and sailing on Étang de Lacanau.

It’s around a 90-minute drive to Bordeaux or pick up the train from in Lesparre-Médoc. The restaurant scene is fantastic, there are so many wonderful wine bars and its historic centre will amaze you in so many ways. Take a boat trip along the Garonne, visit La Cité du Vin or cool off by the fountains at the spectacular Miroir d'eau.

Accommodation

Château Interiors

Ground Floor

-    Open-plan living area
-    Open-plan kitchen and dining area 
-    Bedroom with double bed (160cm or can be made into twin) and en suite shower room
-    Bedroom with double bed (160cm or can be made into twin) and en suite shower room
-    Bedroom with double bed (160cm or can be made into twin) connects to above bedroom

Please note one of the en suite bedrooms has an open mezzanine level

Loft Area

-    Bedroom with double bed (160cm or can be made into twin) and en suite shower room *two additional beds for children can be made available in the loft area upon request.
-    Lounge

Outside Grounds

-    Heated swimming pool (3x7m) with fencing/gate access and safety alarm. Open approximately May to September
-    Outdoor hot tub
-    Al-fresco dining area
-    Barbecue
-    Children’s play area with swing, trampoline and slide
-    Animal enclosure (two donkeys, two sheep, two geese and hens)
-    Bikes (adults and children)
-    Enclosed parkland (8000m2)

Facilities

-    Wi-Fi
-    Heating
-    Fireplace
-    Cable TV
-    Piano
-    Board games
-    Table tennis
-    Outdoor play area
-    Bathrobes
-    Hairdryers