May 2024…// Luxury villa specialists Purple Summer are delighted to offer guests the ultimate French summer adventure this season, with a stay at Savoie’s Château de Candie. Located in picturesque Chambéry, just an hour from both Geneva and Lyon airports, this 25-room residence sleeps up to 60 on a by-room or exclusive hire basis and provides the quintessential Savoyard escape for families, friends and couples alike.
Reopening for the season from 1st May until 31st October, Château de Candie has introduced a number of new experiences for guests this summer. From a delicious new menu at the in-château restaurant featuring locally-sourced produce and dishes typical of the region, to champagne picnics on the estate’s rolling vineyards, watersports at the local Bourget lake and visits to Chambery’s famous covered market, Château de Candie offers the ultimate French weekend retreat.
A Seasonal New Menu by Chef Badara Gueye
Dining at the hotel’s own restaurant proves to be an unforgettable experience, with a brand-new seasonal menu of exceptional quality dishes created using locally sourced ingredients that showcase the very best of the region. Chef Badara Gueye continues to surprise with his newest flavor combinations, such as seared cod fillet with vanilla cauliflower purée and strawberry vinaigrette, a fabulous combination with an explosion of different tastes and textures that has brought many compliments.
Highlights include French and regional specialties such as L’Oeuf Parfait, France’s take on ‘the perfect egg’, served with lightly sauteed mushrooms from the neighboring village. The ultimate combination of firmness and oozing softness, it is cooked at a low temperature of 65°C to create a runny, creamy yolk and a delicately firm – but still ‘trembling’ – white.
Other must-try dishes include the Fois Gras Poelé, fried foie gras served in a cast iron pan at the table while flambée’d in delicate Armagnac brandy from the Southwest of France, served with fluffy brioche bread and fruity pear chutney. For a truly indulgent conclusion to any meal, the decadent chocolate fondue served with fresh fruit is a favorite of in-house guests and visitors alike.
All dishes pair perfectly with specially selected wines from Château de Candie’s extensive wine list. Guests can even sample the Viognier wine made with grapes picked from the château’s own vineyard, at a fascinating wine tasting workshop.
Champagne Picnics in the Vineyard
Surrounded by six hectares of private parkland and rolling vineyards, Château de Candie takes al-fresco dining to another level with a new champagne picnic offering. The castle’s warm and friendly team will set up a glorious picnic lunch within the vines, complete with a basket of red and white wines, chilled champagne, a selection of cold meats, cheeses, quiches and summer salads served with crusty French bread, with local jams and home-made cakes for dessert. All this with the vineyard and hills of the Chartreuse mountain range as a backdrop provides for a truly memorable gastronomic experience, whether guests seek a romantic meal à deux or some wholesome family fun.
The restaurant team will be on hand throughout to ensure guests want for nothing and can enjoy the produce from the château – whether it’s the Viognier wine grown on the château grounds or the honey from the château’s own beehives.
Local Activities and Excursions
Those in search of an alpine active adventure will be spoilt for choice with the opportunity to visit the nearby Lac du Bourget with its numerous watersports. On the deepest natural lake in all of France and set against a backdrop of snow-capped mountains, guests can enjoy paddle boarding, sailing, kayaking and wild swimming beneath sunny blue skies.
For an authentic taste of Savoyard life, residents can head to the history city center of Chambery to discover its Saturday morning covered market, or visit the iconic Annecy, just 30 minutes away. Also a short drive from the castle, the quaint canalside town of Chanaz – known for the production of walnut oil – offers unique arts and crafts souvenirs. Meanwhile, Purple Summer’s nearby Lido restaurant on the lake allows for the most scenic of spots to enjoy a large selection of local Savoyard wine along with the high-end bistro menu featuring locally sourced produce.
Back at the Château, guests can spot stunning seasonal flora and fauna, and dog walks in the dog-friendly château’s sprawling vineyards and surrounding woodland. And tucked away in the verdant gardens amidst statues and flowers, the glistening swimming pool is the perfect place to unwind after a long day of hiking, cycling or sightseeing. For the ultimate evening relaxation, guests can indulge in a restorative massage or simply curl up in the cosy bar area with a digestif.
About Chateau de Candie
Perched on the hillside overlooking the capital of Savoie and yet a world away from the hustle and bustle of city life, Château de Candie’s ivy-cloaked façade and 14th-century fortifications are truly enchanting. Surrounded by evergreen forest, beautiful gardens, fountains, and rows of grape vines, it commands magnificent views of the Chartreuse Mountain range. Conveniently positioned close to many of the major alpine resorts and the largest natural lake in France, the castle is ideal for a short stop en-route to the Alps (or further south into Italy or onto the French Riviera), or a longer stay exploring the local area.
The historic château offers a choice of 25 lovely, individually decorated rooms and suites bookable by room or on an exclusive-hire basis, all filled with antiques and period features. For a romantic getaway or just a little extra treat, the château’s impossibly quaint tower contains a truly luxurious suite spread across three floors.
For those looking to elope and tie the knot in true fairy-tale style, Château de Candie also provides an extraordinary wedding venue option. Whether couples are dreaming of an intimate ceremony in the vineyards or a big white wedding for over 120 guests, Purple Summer offers a variety of spoiling packages including a wedding planning service and is on hand to help plan the affair from beginning to happily ever after!
Nightly rates at Château de Candie start from 200 € per room on a Bed and Breakfast basis. The property is available on an exclusive hire basis from 15,000 €. For more information and to book, please visit https://purplesummer.com/destinations/accommodation-in-the-french-alps/
