The Place
They do things properly at this top-end residence in Burgundy’s Morvan natural park. Catherine and Coen Stork are friendly hosts who give their beautifully proportioned, elegant 18thC house an informal feel. They live with their children in the chateau itself, but you will still (more or less) feel you are staying in a private family home. No longer operating as a B&B, Villette is open to private groups from 6 to 22.
Public rooms and bedrooms are stylish, with expensive fabrics, canopied four-poster beds, top-quality linen – a nice balance between masculine and feminine. The style is English country house meets French château. Some of the bathrooms have been carved out of slightly awkward spaces, but that’s normal in a house of this age and they are all comfortable, and sparkling.
If booked in advance, wine tastings and market trips are available, organised by Catherine herself. Our reporter describes Catherine as “easily a Michelin star cook”. Otherwise, Catherine and Coen have plenty of local restaurant recommendations. A stay at Villette is “all in” as Catherine says. Prices are available upon request.
An 18thC cottage in the grounds, La Grenouillère, provides further accommodation to the eight rooms in the house, and extra privacy. Close to the house is a classic, sheltered, formal garden – and then the 500ha grounds open out. They may have been designed by Le Notre himself and are a wildlife haven. ‘An extraordinary find’, reports one satisfied guest.
Things to do in the area? See our sister website, TripDog.