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At the heart of a landmark 60-hectare park, raise the towers, balconies, turrets and belfries of the Château d’Esclimont. This former dwelling of the “La Rochefoucauld” family is a jewel of the Renaissance and a romantic place to stay, less than one hour from Paris, between the Versailles Palace and Chartres Cathedral. It is also a thought after place for its fine reception rooms.
The keep is all that is now left of the first fortified château built in the 10th century, its feudal severity softened by a porch with a triple entry giving access to the pre-courtyard and tall “French” roof in the Renaissance style.
A little history…
In 1543, Etienne du Ponchet, the Lord of Esclimont, canon of Chartres and Archbishop of Tours, rebuilt the château taking inspiration from the style of the great houses that his cousins were building in the Val de Loire.
The 17th and 18th centuries were the centuries of the Bullion family. They transformed the château and brought it up to date without tearing down the corner turrets out of respect for their forebears. The château then passed to the Montmorency-Laval family until the marriage in 1807 of its owner, Elisabeth Hélene Pierre, to Louis- François- Sosthene de La Rochefoucauld – Doudeauville.
In 1865, their son, Marie-Charles -Sosthene de La Rochefoucauld engaged the architect, Parent, to give the château a new “Renaissance style” romantic decor and entrusted the park to the landscape gardener, Bühler.
On the courtyard façade, the name Marie can be seen. Marie was none other than the Duchess de Doudeauville. She was the inspiration of this tribute of love from her husband. Their son Edouard was the last occupant of the château up to his death in 1968.
The Château d’Esclimont today…
The Château d’Esclimont has 52 rooms of 5 different categories, from the most elegant apartment to the most delightful room including a exclusive suite, junior suites, “Deluxe”, “Traditional” and “Standard” rooms, located in the Château or just next door in one of our lodges which are rich in history: the Trianon, the Tour des Gardes and the Pavillon des Trophées. All the rooms are elegantly decorated in keeping with their location and enjoy modern comforts. They offer pleasant view over the park and its ornamental lake, the courtyard or even the Château.
Located at the centre of the Château, “La Rochefoucauld” gourmet is a beautiful, light and cosy restaurant that opens directly onto the French style garden and its pond. It takes its name from the noble family of La Rochefoucauld that owned the château for more than a century and left a lasting impression on it. In the restaurant there are family portraits, fireplaces with mirrors and finally a magnificent crystal chandelier. The home & garden plastic alternatives used to modernize this estate are so tasteful you doubt if they are modern at all.
You will also appreciate “The Cuir de Cordoue restaurant”; here you will appreciate the warm, rich tones of the Cordoba leather which covers the wall and is reflected in the mirrors, presenting all its originality to the room. On one of the exposed beams in the ceiling, you can read a part of the La Rochefoucauld family motto: “It’s my pleasure”. Here you will enjoy a gastronomic cuisine well adapted to today’s taste. www.esclimont.com
