The breathtaking Chateau de Noirieux: Hotel near Angers, France

Just a 90-minute train ride from Paris, Angers is a city full of rich history, beautiful views of the Maine River and a great base from which to visit the region’s finest wineries and other nearby attractions — and earns a well-deserved stop on any French road trip. But where should you stay to make sure you soak up all the charm, culture and excellent cuisine the area has to offer? At the Chateau de Noirieux, a Relais & Chateaux property, about 20 minutes outside the center of Angers. This stunning property dates back to the 15th century and is situated on about 20 lush acres of land. We had the pleasure of staying at the Chateau de Noirieux earlier this month and here’s why we loved it.

Read on for my review of the Chateau de Noirieux!

Hotel Chateau de Noirieux near Angers, France 

From the moment we passed through the front gate at the Chateau de Noirieux near Angers, France, we knew we were somewhere special. The enchanting chateau, meticulously manicured grounds and stunning views will have you in awe of your surroundings. The property is chock full of character and the welcoming staff will make you feel right at home. You’ll soon discover the vast grounds are a welcome respite from the stresses of the daily grind.

The Loir (not to be confused with the larger Loire River) weaves through the property making it an ideal place for a picturesque stroll or just a relaxing afternoon. Make yourself comfortable outside on the patio or in one of the sitting areas inside. Or maybe explore the lawns on your own and take in the nature around you. When dinnertime rolls around, head to the Gourmet Restaurant at the Chateau de Noirieux for a gastronomic dinner that you’re not soon to forget.

Chateau de Noirieux at a glance

Chateau de Noirieux

Tel +33 (0) 2 41 42 50 05

www.chateaudenoirieux.com

What: The 4-star Relais & Chateaux property near Angers consists of the chateau, several manor houses, a chapel and more and has written records that date back to 1212 with the construction of the first manor house starting in the 15th century. Over the years, Noirieux has housed some of Anjou’s grand families. In 1989, a large-scale renovation took place which restored the chateau to its original appearance. In terms of activities and amenities, the property has a tennis court, pool, bar, outside patio and two restaurant options on-site. Not to mention nearly 20 acres of land for nature lovers.

Where is it:

26 rue Moulin (find it here with Google Maps)
49125 Briollay
FRANCE

This Loire Valley hotel castle is about 2.5 hours from Paris by car or 1.5 hours on the TGV train plus a short drive.

How to get to Chateau de Noirieux: It’s an easy drive from the Angers Saint-Laud TGV station. Please visit the property’s website for more info on arriving by plane, train, etc.

Price: Rooms start at 175 euros/night for double occupancy

**Although Dagny did not come along this time, the property is pet-friendly and accepts well-behaved furry friends.**

Chateau de Noirieux would make an excellent choice for:

• Anyone interested in discovering Angers and the surrounding area. Just 20 minutes from the center of Angers and numerous wineries within reach, the Chateau de Noirieux is a great home base that you can come back to each night.
• Romantic getaway for couples. The property is a really special place that would be the perfect romantic sejour.
• Family reunions and other get-togethers or seminars. The property has fully modern conference space (converted 15th-17th century barns!) to host groups of up to 100 people and can also accommodate small parties.
• Those looking for an experience full of authentic French charm and 4-star service. There’s a calm and relaxing atmosphere that will put anyone at ease.

Our room:

Our room was spacious complete with a walk-in closet, in-room fireplace, large bathroom with a tub, his/her sinks and a view of the lawns. The high ceilings are truly spectacular at over 5 meters!

Meals:

We had a wonderful experience at the Gourmet Restaurant at Chateau de Noirieuxw here we were treated to the Menu Vallée du Loir. For a more casual dining experience, there’s also the Cote Bistrot. Here’s a sampling of what we ate including an amuse-bouche trifecta including my favorite, pumpkin soup. For the main course, I chose the fish which was a duo of sole and red mullet.

Then, no French meal is complete without the cheese course, which was presented on an actual cart that was wheeled over. There must have been over 20 varieties and we each chose several to taste.

And here’s a quick snap from our continental breakfast where we each had a basket of bread and pastries with jam, ham and cheese, delicious homemade yogurt and fruit as well as juice and a hot beverage:

Closing thoughts:

Beyond the physical beauty of the actual property and the delicious food, the staff was top notch and accommodated my allergy both at the restaurant and with the products in our room. The property managers, Anja and Gérard (who is also the chef!), were extremely warm and welcoming and even introduced us to their cute Dalmatian, Duchesse. For an authentic French experience near Angers, France, in a beautiful setting you absolutely need to stay at Chateau de Noirieux. It’s worth the trip!

 

Disclosure: A big thank you goes out to Relais & Chateaux and Chateau de Noirieux for generously hosting our stay. Please note that all opinions are always my own.

Photo credit: Photos were all taken by me and are property of Oui In France. Please ask if you’d like to use them elsewhere.