In a valley not so very far from the ski-slopes, towards Aix les Bains, between Geneva and Lyon. Nicely restored, perfectly habitable. Between Geneva and Lyon the Rhone follows a tortuous course amid high valleys. Half way up one of its slopes, with a magnificent view over wooded hills, stands this chateau, constructed on mediaeval foundations, though mostly dating from the 18th century with a 19th century overlay and a very good recent renovation. A long approach road winds up through wooded parkland.

The main reception rooms are on the first floor, with double external steps leading up to it. If we pause first at the ground level, we see the two huge reception areas which have been made from former wine storage rooms. Here wedding parties or other grand functions can be accommodated (up to 140 guests have made merry here).

The large adjoining kitchen is fitted out to professional catering standards. Larders,storage rooms and a huge wine cellar (the vaults and the thickness of the walls show clearly their mediaeval origins). One of the storage rooms houses the central heating system (oil) which is recent and highly efficient.

If we now go up to the main living area (there is also, of course, an internal staircase) we enter the spacious, central hall with pretty patterned tile floor. The reception rooms to right and left are large and high and light, with fine original exposed timber ceilings. One is the living room, with French windows opening onto the balcony, and off it a second smaller reception room. The other is a dining room, for a normal capacity of 12 to 15 people, rather than the gargantuan affair on the floor below. And by it, now turned into an office and storage room, is what must have been the kitchen when it was only for family use. (It might become so again).

In one of the corner towers, a library, and next to it a billiard room; in the other a bedroom (said to have been a chapel once), preceded by a sitting room with good 18th c fireplace and a private bathroom.

On the second floor, four large bedrooms, all with private bathroom and two of them with a second bedroom attached, making them more like hotel suites. In the attic above, two more suites, again with private bathroom, plus the enormous attic which would certainly make for more bedrooms.

A separate outbuilding, late 19th century in appearance, has a garage and workshop, plus a caretaker's apartment above, consisting of five rooms.

The grounds contain a swimming pool, with a large surrounding paved area from which there is a lovely view over the valley, ideal for large summer gatherings. Below it a tennis court. The property has been renovated for the purpose of receiving in some comfort a large number of visitors, and to professional hotel standard. About ten minutes away a small railway station with good links to Lyon and Geneva and Paris. And the lovely lakeside spa town of Aix les Bains is only half an hour's drive.