On the western edge of the official Champagne region, just a few kilometers off the Route Touristique du Champagne, stands the grand and beautiful Château de Picheny. Built in 1869 by the French architect Charles Hippolyte Blanche, the château remained in the Blanche family until 2017. Our love affair with this gem began when Vincent and Eric, a lovely couple from Belgium, bought the sand-colored building. With fresh ideas and attention to every last detail, they turned it into a fabulous guesthouse with only three suites – and a great deal of love.
You feel the French l’amour the moment you arrive. Everything is simply beautiful – not to mention that both hosts greet you with a glass of champagne. A classy gesture. And frankly, if not here, where? After all, this is Champagne.
The Rooms
The château has three suites, each with a very distinctive decor: lots of carefully chosen antique furniture, delightfully colorful wallpaper and charmingly furnished bathrooms – perfect for a romantic stay. We especially liked the little things, such as the gold embroidery on the bed linen. The floors are old wooden parquet, and the windows are original. It feels like the set of a classic French film.
Dining
The château has no restaurant, but it serves a great champagne breakfast and, on request and by prior arrangement, dinner. We can only recommend booking it – an absolute highlight. Vincent dons the apron himself and cooks up a storm, and judging by the taste, he certainly knows what he is doing.
Dinner is served in the former drawing room by the open fire (unless it’s too warm), with a bottle of exceptionally good champagne, of course.
Surroundings
Château de Picheny is the perfect base for champagne tastings in the many pretty villages nearby. Épernay, home of the great champagne houses, is 40 minutes away by car, and nearby Hautvillers has the abbey where the monk Dom Pérignon, a legendary figure in champagne history, worked. Or you could simply relax at the château, a good book in one hand and a glass of champagne in the other.
Ideal For
All champagne lovers and fans of French châteaux!
Prices
Suites from about 290 euros per night, including breakfast.
Booking & Contact
Château de Picheny
Le Haut de Picheny
2 Rue du Château
02330 Montlevon
France
