Château de Détilly Bed and Breakfast, France

10/08/2026

🍷 A remarkable piece of history — and a personal connection!

This beautiful old decree, dated 20 January 1808 in Pauillac, appoints Pierre Fontaney as Commandeur d’Honneur of the Ordre du Bontemps, an ancient wine fraternity.

The decree calls upon the winegrowers, cellar masters and workers of the Médoc, Graves, Sauternes and Barsac to recognise and honour him.

And there was a wonderfully theatrical tradition attached to his arrival: he was to be greeted with twelve blows of a mallet on the cask, barrel or vat! 🍷

What makes this document particularly special to us is that Pierre Fontaney is one of the hosts of Château de Détilly in the Loire Valley today. So, more than two centuries later, a Pierre Fontaney is still welcoming people into the world of French wine, history and château life. ❤️

Come and discover Château de Détilly, its history, its gardens and the stories that connect the past with the present.

06/08/2026

🎉 Château de Détilly BnB is 6 years old today!

Thank you to everyone who has followed our journey, stayed with us, recommended us, or simply enjoyed the photos and stories we've shared over the years.

Your support has meant more than you know. Here's to many more years of welcoming guests to Château de Détilly.

Thank you for being part of our story. 🏰🌹🥂

29/07/2026

We had the pleasure of hosting Philip Stephens and his two Argentinian carers, Fermín and Choco, at Château de Détilly this week. It was a wonderful visit filled with good company, plenty of laughter, and, of course, lots of attention for Ramsès, who was in his element soaking up every moment.

Thank you for staying with us. We hope you all enjoyed your time in the Loire Valley, and we look forward to welcoming you back one day.

19/07/2026

Picture yourself here on a warm summer evening. Are you watching the sunset with a glass of Chinon wine or enjoying a quiet walk through the gardens?

15/07/2026

It's wedding season again in the Loire valley. Château de Détilly used to an important venue for weddings. If you were married at Château de Détilly, we would love you to share some photos. We found this video on -Youtube.

Chateau de Detilly promotional videohttp://www.chateaudedetilly.com/

14/07/2026

When King Louis XVI, Queen Marie-Antoinette, and their children fled Paris in 1791 during the famous Flight to Varennes, three loyal noblemen—François-Florent de Valory, François-Melchior de Moustier, and Jean-François Malden—accompanied the royal family in disguise as servants, helping es**rt the king's carriage. Following behind was a convertible carrying two ladies of the household, Madame Brunier and Madame de Neuville.
After the royal family's capture at Varennes, de Valory was arrested alongside them and taken back to Paris. He was imprisoned and later became a victim of revolutionary violence. Contemporary accounts describe him being beaten with rifle butts and fatally abused by the mob, dying from the injuries he sustained.

François-Florent de Valory was related to the De Valory family that lived at Château de Détilly.

12/07/2026

After the First World War, life at Château de Détilly had changed for the Segond family.
Imagine arriving at a grand Loire Valley château in the aftermath of one of history's most devastating conflicts. France was rebuilding, families were looking to the future, and within these centuries-old walls, a new chapter in the château's remarkable story was beginning.
Who were the Segonde family? What changes did they make? What memories were created here during the years between the two world wars? Every family leaves its mark, and the Segondes were no exception.
Over the coming weeks, I'll be sharing some of the fascinating people, events and discoveries that have shaped Château de Détilly through the centuries.
History isn't just something you read about—it lives in places like this.
If these walls could talk, what stories do you think they would tell?

08/07/2026

07/07/2026

1914: When War Came to Château de Détilly

Destilly passait à la famille David de Saint-Hilaire qui garda la propriété jusqu'en 1871. A cette date, elle passa au notaire Ferdinand Jean Louis Noël, dit de la Poterie car il avait épousé Berthe Marie de la Poterie.

His name is engraved on the eastern side of the château wall.

In the summer of 1914, Château de Détilly had stood peacefully among the vineyards and forests of the Véron peninsula for more than three centuries. Still owned by the historic de Valori family, the château had witnessed the French Renaissance, the Wars of Religion, the Revolution and the rise and fall of empires.
Then, on 1 August 1914, France ordered a general mobilisation.
Across the Chinon region, church bells rang as men left their homes to answer the call to serve. Farms suddenly had fewer hands to harvest the grapes and tend the fields. Horses were requisitioned for military service, while women, older men and children took on work that had once been done by those now fighting at the front.
Although the guns of the Western Front never reached Château de Détilly, the war would still have changed daily life here. News arrived by post, families waited anxiously for letters, and every village mourned neighbours who would never return.
Like so many country estates across France, the château became a place of uncertainty rather than celebration. Its quiet rooms would have echoed with conversations about sons, brothers and fathers serving hundreds of kilometres away.
Today, it is difficult to walk through the grounds without reflecting on the generations who experienced those anxious years. The château has always been more than a beautiful building—it has been a silent witness to history.

06/07/2026

"Pierre and Graham are the loveliest hosts. The chateau and grounds are stunning, with an interesting history. Tremendous thought and care is evident in every detail. The spacious rooms and bathrooms were very comfortable and the layout of our two rooms was perfect for a family stay. We are so appreciative of the extra attention that was put into ensuring we had everything we need during our long weekend. Most of all, it was such a treat getting to know our other "hosts" Ramses and Aramis, who are so gentle and friendly with children. I highly recommend the Château de Détilly for any travelers seeking a getaway in the region - you will be very pleased with the choice."