A powerful fortress since the Middle Ages, the Château de Chailly in Côte d’Or has today become a high-class hotel set within one of France's most beautiful golf courses. A must-see.
A medieval fortress softened by the Renaissance, the Château de Chailly is closely linked to the prestigious history of the Dukes of Burgundy. One of its lords was chamberlain to Charles the Bold and gave it its current appearance. After some vicissitudes and several transfers from family to family, its destiny took a turn in 1987 when a Japanese businessman, passionate about Burgundy, Yasuhiko «Mike» Sata, decided to buy it. Classified as a Historic Monument, the Château de Chailly was artfully restored, respecting the spirit of the place, to become one of the most beautiful addresses in Burgundy.
250,000 mosaics
Life at the Chailly castle is nothing like the cold and sometimes austere spaces of the past. Today, a small hotel has taken over the premises, and no concessions have been made regarding comfort and quality of service. There are 45 rooms, including family rooms, junior suites, and castle suites. All are luxurious, adorned with fine fabrics, with an ambiance that is sometimes classic and very French, and sometimes more modern, where the Asian origin of the owner can even be felt at times. In addition, there are 7 cottages for more independent stays.
Guests can also enjoy the restaurant «La Table des Producteurs.» Here, Chef Nicolas Papin and his team prioritize seasonal products. Not to mention coffee in the Golf Pro-shop area, as well as a cozy, English-style bar, a bar for athletes, and even a tasting cellar to sample some of the wonderful wines from this Burgundian terroir with the château's sommelier. And then there's a curiosity: the «Cosmos Dome,» a space for reflection and meditation with sublime decoration and lighting, where the gold and azure mosaics and frescoes are said to have charmed a certain Dalai Lama who was passing through the region. Its Dutch designer envisioned a 5-sided fountain in its center to represent the 5 continents of the planet.
18 legendary holes
A few years after the hotel opened, the Château de Chailly was expanded with an 18-hole course that had been envisioned from the beginning by the owner. A course designed and built by Thierry Sprecher and Géry Watine, who have over 50 golf courses to their credit in 14 countries. They skillfully incorporated natural elements from the château's park, including, for example, several century-old trees. The result is a lengthy course with elevated greens protected by numerous bunkers (over 70!) and water hazards. While the fairways are wide and the greens appear calm, it's easy to lose your ball! Watch out for the tenth hole and its water hazard, for instance. At holes 4, 8, and 15, the Rubillon stream lies in ambush. As for hole 11, its tee box is somewhat emblematic of the course, with the sublime château as a backdrop. But beware, this is not the time to be distracted, as another water hazard awaits you. In short, the environment alone and the spectacle offered by the château justify trying out this course, which spans 75 hectares.
The post-golf experience here is no afterthought either. In addition to its heated outdoor pool and its fully renovated wellness area—complete with a jacuzzi, sauna, and fitness center—the hotel features a «Vinésime & Charme d’Orient» spa and a pool heated from May through October. The estate also features an outdoor tennis court. It’s no surprise, then, that the Hotel Golf Château de Chailly has been ranked among the top 100 hotels in continental Europe.
Heading for the Burgundy vineyards
As we know, Burgundy is rich in tourist attractions, and the Château de Chailly puts all the treasures of the Côte d'Or department within day trip range. This includes, for example, the Burgundy vineyards (Côte-de-Nuits, Côte-de-Beaune, Côte Chalonnaise, and Chablis), or renowned historical sites such as Fontenay Abbey, Flavigny Abbey, Vézelay, Châteauneuf-en-Auxois, Bussy-Rabutin Castle... And finally, Beaune and Dijon are just 30 minutes away. All these highlights can be reached and/or explored on foot, by car, by bike, or even by hot air balloon (flights can be arranged from the estate!).
Hôtel Golf Château de Chailly, Allée du Château, 21320 Chailly-sur-Armançon, www.chailly.com.
