Built in 1267
Château de Puy Vidal
An Immersive Château
Our Creative Retreat participants are invited to immerse themselves fully in the enchanting world of Puy Vidal, where every corner is a story waiting to be captured. With exclusive access to the château’s salons, towers, dining rooms, gardens, private art studio and newly renovated pool, you are free to explore its many hidden passageways and fragrant exteriors. Whether you’re playing a round of pétanque in the interior courtyard, curling up with a novel in the tower library, or hanging a hammock in the petit bois for an afternoon of peace and contemplation, the château offers endless inspiration. Step outside the gates, and you’ll find country road paths perfect for a leisurely bike ride or a sunset stroll. Every moment here is a canvas, waiting for your creative touch.
Resplendent with Gothic flourishes, the entryway is said to be one of the oldest parts of Puy Vidal. The large wooden door faces the glass door opposite, allowing you to see straight through the Chateau when the courtyard doors are open. Hunting trophies from another century greet you as you enter, calling to mind the deep hunting traditions of these countryside regions. The essential costume closet of Puy Vidal is found just under the spiral staircase. Come and select your finery for your crusades and theatrics.
After a meandering country road, dappled with farms and quaint stone houses. A long stretch of forest appears, then a low wall and suddenly a sign saying "Puy vidal." On your right appears formal stone entry with green iron gates. As the gates open and you pull in, a second gate beckons at the end of a charming tree line drive. You have arrived.
The Arcade
The Arcade offers a lush tranquil repose from the summer sun. Enjoy a cup of tea or a house cocktail while being able to take in the changing light in the Internal Courtyard. Situated just outside the workshop studio, this Arcade offers the perfect place to take a break before, during and after Creative Retreat sessions.
The Porcelain Tower
A treasure of a room, right off the west wing salon, this tower houses all of the chateau's most cherished porcelain. Handpainted, curved cabinents house beautiful teacups, plates, and serving dishes from England, Itay and France. A hidden powder room is accessed through a tiny door, featuring arrow slit windows, reminding one of the original defensive purpose of these towers.
The Breakfast Room
Fresh croissants, local butter, homemade jams & yogurts, baguettes, granola, quiche lorraine, fresh press juice bar await you each morning expertly curated and served by our wonder Chef Marie-Josephine who joins us each retreat from Paris.
Travel back in time as you step through the renaissance staircase and enter the ancient rooms of the château. Dating back to 1267, some of the oldest stones of Puy Vidal will be found in the central wing.
At the end of the suite of Salons, a beautiful gem awaits. A paneled vaulted semi circular library.
As you look up the faces of knights and warriors look back at you from the frescoed ceiling. The classics line the shelves- biographies, history, novels and poetry. There couldn't be a better spot to delve into the world of literature.
At the far end of the West Wing, you will find our elegant Palm Court dining salon. This salon is a nostalgic tribute to the glamorous eras of the 1930s and 1940s, featuring French doors that open to our English garden, forest amphitheater, and the south facing interior courtyard. Whether you choose to share a table with friends during breakfast or sit in peaceful solitude during lunch, you can immerse yourself in the serene beauty of Puy Vidal.
Renaissance Dining Room
At the heart of every great home there is a place to come together drink and be merry. Every evening you will be summoned by the courtyard bell to dine, discuss the days events, learn more about your fellow chateau inhabitants. The ceiling is hand painting with renaissance motifs and on the floor you will find terracotta tiles interspersed with wood parquet border forming a unique hexagonal pattern. No journey to the past would be complete without the roaring fireplace large enough to stand in.
The Grand Salon
To the left of the Entryway, an enfilade suite of reception rooms begins with the Grand Salon. It is the largest room in the Château. Boasting 18th century moldings, Aubusson tapestries, and beautiful antiques, this salon is illuminated all day long by the double exposure french doors and windows. During the day gather for discussions, attended a lecture, or read a novel. In evening, come an watch a classic film on the large projector screen. Experience the leisure and delights of the 18th century.
The Petite Salon
Just off of the Grand Salon, the more private petite salon offers the possibility of gathering with a smaller group, as the party continues in the Grand Salon. Overlooking the formal French gardens to the North and the Courtyard to the South, this light-filled room is a delightful place to take in the estate.
FIND BEAUTY WITHIN
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THE PUY VIDAL ART STUDIO
Nestled within the ancient walls of the old château chapel, our art studio offers a serene and inspiring environment for creativity. The open workspace comfortably accommodates up to 12 artists, making it perfect for a variety of workshops and retreat activities. Open 24 hours a day, it welcomes you to retreat within its walls whenever the muses strike.
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Whether you're painting, drawing, sculpting, journaling or exploring new artistic techniques, this versatile studio space provides the ideal setting for both collaboration and contemplation. Surrounded by the rich history and beauty of the château, you're sure to find endless inspiration during your stay.
This château is a labyrinth of secrets, where every corridor whispers, and every room holds a riddle—patiently waiting for the curious soul to wander its halls and uncover its mysteries.
The "cour intérieure" is one of the architectural highlights of Puy Vidal. It's three wings surrounding the south facing center with echos of the Roman baths, Latin American haciendas and Italian villas. This is truly the heart of this chateau. You will find that all roads lead here. Warm on a summers evening, perfectly clear for star gazing, sheltered from the winds, it is the perfect counterpart to its sprawling gardens to the north.
After a meandering country road, dappled with farms and quaint stone houses. A long stretch of forest appears, then a low wall and suddenly a sign saying "Puy vidal." On your right appears formal stone entry with green iron gates. As the gates open and you pull in, a second gate beckons at the end of a charming tree line drive. You have arrived.