Crédits : Pascallel Piacka. Translation: Jill Harry. Pictures: RR
Hotel
Château Saint Sabine
The residence basks joyously in a majestic park of almost 20 acres, home to deer in semi-freedom. Life at the castle… "You can just see yourself as Lord or Lady of the Castle. A fine historic buiding," says General Manager Axel Nérin. This neo-classic gem, a haven of peacefulness, offers the charm of family residences where the team welcomes guests with attentive care. The castle enjoys a perfect view of Châteauneuf-en-Auxois, one of France's loveliest villages, its château and surrounding countryside. From the tower, you can see the village of Sainte Sabine (with its traditions…) in the background, with its 16th-C. church.
The 22 rooms and suites in refined taste guarantee lullaby nights. Tastefully decorated, they preserve the charm of yesteryear; an ode to the past of this magnificent setting. Well-being is ensured by a collection of high-end amenities: satellite TV, free high-speed WiFi, telephone, minibar and safe. The bathrooms come with a bathtub (or shower), comfy bath linen, carefully chosen courtesy products.
Built in the Renaissance, the Château Sainte Sabine places bright communicating rooms at your disposal, accommodating up to five guests. Charming split-level rooms beneath the eaves, surprising and seductive, with exposed beams, are dotted around the château, communicating via the hallways, all with spacious bathrooms. Ideal for family relaxation! A warm, enveloping sense of welcome.
Tall handworked facades, spires, fountains and light-coloured stone, the courtyard of the château recalls a solemn, stately home. The hotel is the stage for graphic decor with a large staircase in harmony with its 18th-C. interiors. The surrounding area is enchanting, with wooded hillsides, fields dotted with old farms. A realm of legend and magic, the site is highly memorable.
At dawn, we enter one of the rooms - Superior, Tradition, Deluxe, Prestige - or suites, and are immediately overcome by a sense of fulfilment. Completely at ease… A breath of fresh air! At nightfall, it is all about the intimate comfort of a velvety room… Here, hospitality is the N°1 rule! Paying close attention, the teams make sure not a single detail is overlooked.
2023 holds out lots of promise. Extensive projects are on the programme: new suites in La Maison du Jardinier and that of La Salle des Gardes, boasting a magnificent, monumental neo-Gothic hearth. "I am intent on making sure that, in the future, Sainte Sabine will be a 5-star hotel, a Member of Relais & Châteaux, with a well-being area," says Mademoiselle. A sublime vision of Burgundian elegance… in an exceptional setting.
In our collective imagination, a castle's guard room conjures up the den of a medieval king, full of weapons and soldiers. The term "salle des gardes" or "salle" is, however, relatively recent (17th-C.). At the Château Sainte Sabine, it serves as a link between a glorious past and a promising future. "Until the end of the 18th century, the château was inhabited by wealthy families (Messey, Parisot, Wall and Rocault)," explains General Manager Axel Nérin. A new suite is to be created in the Guard Room, adorned with a monumental neo-Gothic fireplace. Located in the old library, it is a faithful reproduction of the one in the Guard Room of the Palace of the Dukes of Burgundy, in Dijon. "The château should take off with its renovations", says new owner Séverine Pétilaire-Bellet.
