The oldest historical document referring to La Villedubois dates back to the early 1400s. It is surrounded by 12 hectares of landscaped gardens.
Two of the three generations who now live in the chateau - Emilia, her husband Allard and their children Theodore (five) and Victoria (four). The family love opening the doors of the chateau to guests from around the world; the authentic floor tiles of the entrance hall are laid in an open-book pattern.
Not far from Rennes, in Brittany, set in the middle of a landed estate with woodlands, is the seat of the de Farcy family, which is now run as a guest house. When you see Château de la Villedubois appear at the end of the oak-lined avenue, it looks surprisingly modern, despite being over six centuries old - the earliest historical document referring to La Villedubois dates to the early 1400s. The de Farcy family acquired it in 1647 and today three generations of the family now live here: the Count and Countess de Farcy, their daughter Emilia, her husband Allard, and their children Theodore and Victoria.
The best way to keep a building alive is to live in it - so five years ago the de Farcy family decided to turn their chateau into a guest house. 'I was lacking a sense of purpose in my previous job but now I completely have it,' says Emilia. 'My purpose is to get up in the morning and welcome and meet people from all over the world, while at the same time raising funds to look after the house to make sure it's looking beautiful and well-maintained. And then, eventually, to hand it down to our children. We love every single bit of running the guest house.' The feeling is mutual. Guests very much enjoy meeting in the dining room over a breakfast of delicious, freshly baked 'viennoiseries', taking tea in the grand salon' or enjoying an 'apéro' on the terrace after a stroll through the park.
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة August 2022 من Homes & Antiques.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك ? تسجيل الدخول
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة August 2022 من Homes & Antiques.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك? تسجيل الدخول
Lisa Coppin
The Cotswold Company’s chief creative officer shares the pieces that mean so much to her
TRAVEL
Six of the best pineta, plus a festive trip to Covent Garden. Review of The Orange, Belgravia by Katie Pike, travel stories
OLD SHEFFIELD PLATE
Stumbled upon by chance, this ingenious material was a more affordable option than solid silver, and well-preserved examples are particularly desirable today
Merrily on high
Summoning servants since the 1700s, bell boards create instant English country-house style (even if you don't have any servants). Emma Longstaff dons her pinny
Let it snow
Nostalgic, magical and highly collectable, snow globes are curious objects of wonder that never fail to instil joy
Velvet Crush
Once the preserve of the wealthy, velvet finally touched all levels of society, thanks to advances in its production process
Celebrating in the Stable
Antiques dealer Julia von Hülsen specialises in Gustavian pieces - all of which look perfectly placed in her German home
THE SHOW MUST GO ON
Victorian toy theatres charming and exquisitely designed miniature worlds have inspired theatre royalty for decades. Today, the tradition is being kept alive by a small but talented network of makers
NICHOLAS LEES
The ceramic artist talks to Dominique Corlett about new ways of working with clay and blurring the edges of solid objects
Candy CHRISTMAS
Pastel hues, vintage decorations and bowls of sweet treats: the festive run-up is gloriously joyful at Bettina Færgeman's historic Copenhagen apartment, where there's an emphasis on entertaining...
