Château Haute Roche

Lars achieves the perfect balance of refinement and simplicity, professionalism and hospitality. Our room was spacious, spotlessly clean and bathed in sunlight with views over the garden and the Vallée de la Loire. Dinner and breakfast were delicious, making generous use of local ingredients which Lars transforms into original and succulent recipes. Highly recommended.

We had the pleasure of staying here for two nights en route back from relatives in La Rochelle to the ferry from St Malo - and what a gem it is! There are no negatives. From the time of booking, when Lars was so helpful by email in describing the Chateau to check it was ok for my husband's mobility issues, to agreeing a modest fee to link our electric car to their power for recharging, to explaining the history of both the Chateau and the area once we had arrived, to suggesting where we might venture on our full day in the area . . . nothing was too much trouble and the pace was relaxing and easy. We stayed in the huge Tower Room, with it's magnificent views, and TWO towers (a reading tower, and a shower tower - wow, we will never experience an ensuite like that again!!). The beds and linen were so comfortable we could have stayed in bed all day - but were lured out by the superb breakfast Lars presented with eggs from their own chickens, home made breads and preserves, local yoghurts, delicious fresh fruit salad . . . and just when you thought you couldn't eat another thing, out came the freshly made muffins. Irrestible! On our first night we had not reserved dinner and were invited to have a "soup and cheese" supper. Well, never has soup and cheese tasted like that - totally delicious. We then began to realise what a treat was in store for our reserved dinner the following night, and were not disappointed. From the Cocktail of the Day, through four amazing courses to the infusion made from herbs from the chateau garden at the end of the meal (not to mention one of the best bottles of wine we have ever tasted) it was just exquisite. Lars is a true culinary artist. And the setting on the terrace with the sun going down, the immaculately set tables and the relaxed but finely detailed surroundings, wonderful. Lars and Nirin are the perfect hosts and we have already recommended a stay there to our family in France as well as a number of friends in UK who visit. I'm so glad we had the opportunity to find and stay at the CHR. As one of the other reviews said, some places you visit make a real mark, a lasting memory, and this is one of them. Do go if you get the chance, but DO reserve dinner at least one night of your stay at your time of booking DO ask Lars for directions to the pottery, and be sure to go DO explore the lovely village of Oudon DO take time to relax at the chateau and explore the tranquil garden To Lars and Nirin, thank you for your kind hospitality - we hope to be back one day. Good luck to you both