EXPERIENCE THE Château IN 2024
Château de Gudanes warmly and cordially invites you to discover her 2024 spring and summer 18th Century experiences...
14 - 19 June 2024 Cooking In The Cuisine experience (5 nights) - Fully Booked
22 - 25 June 2024 Bric-A-Brac Away experience (3 nights)
28 June - 1 July 2024 Bric-A-Brac Away experience (3 nights)
4 - 15 July 2024 The Grand Tour experience (11 nights)
20 - 27 July 2024 7 Starry Nights experience (7 nights)
We are delighted to announce that in the spring and summer of 2024 the château opens her gates and her heart once again to host a series of experiences like no other. Promising picturesque days of repose and relaxation amongst the french countryside and of course a little bit of magic! These experiences are all about spending time within the walls of a historical, working château as it is brought back to life.
It is our hope that this page shares with you all of the essential information about staying at the Château and about the upcoming experiences, including how to reserve your place. If you do decide that you would like to join us once you have made your reservation we will send further information to assist with your travel arrangements.
And so, without further ado let us share with you what awaits...
Your Stay
In 2024, as in previous years each Château Experience offers its own specially tailored itinerary of fully included events and activities but the focus remains on enjoying and experiencing the Château itself. The Château stays are very laissez-faire and you are welcome to choose how you fill your days.
You are able to take part in as many or as few of the set activities as you wish. Perhaps you would prefer exploring the grounds to learning about and restoring the Château’s 18th Century frescoes. Or you may rather like to expand your culinary skills as you help out in the kitchens with our chefs. You may also wish to enjoy a leisurely afternoon reading in the courtyard or playing board games, cards, juggling jigsaws and painting in the Salon de Rose. Or laze in the sun by the pool, jourer le tennis, take a gentle bike ride or hike…
The choice is yours and there will of course be the opportunity to do everything!
As you may know, the Château is still under restoration and is not yet finished. But by 2024 we are very excited to announce that we are hoping to have made significant progress with the ongoing restoration. Although we still continue to honour the 18th century Experience of staying at the Château, the Château is now mostly electrified with lighting and power-points in each bedroom to charge your bits and bobs. Wi-fi is available in common areas and in addition to power-points in each bedroom we will also continue to have a designated area where you will be able to charge your phone and such during the day. The charging area is fully equipped with in-built worldwide adaptors and USB ports.
Luxurious guest quarters
In 2024 we invite you join us for an 18th Century experience but with just a few more modern and luxury comforts!
Upon arrival the bedrooms at the Château are dressed in freshly cut flowers from the gardens and richly perfumed Trudon candles adorn the fireplaces. The fragrance of lavender lingers in the air. The beds are draped in antique monogrammed linens, ruffle trimmed pillowcases and floral sheets. Old wares and antique furnishings decorate the room. Reclaimed Versailles parquetry and ancient oak floorboards have been freshly laid in the bedrooms. All bedrooms have windows with aspects overlooking the surrounding mountains and valleys.
During your stay, Claude the Cat or Bruce the French Bulldog may enjoy sleeping on the bed if they find their way into your room!
We arrange the accommodations so that two guests share each room. This does mean that couples or travelling companions share their own bedroom whereas solo travellers may be sharing with a new friend. Each guest receives their own double bed or couples share a king size bed. We always carefully consider who we place to share with whom and although the bedrooms are shared the rooms are as large as 70 square metres (755 square feet) and so they do allow for abundant space and privacy.
We generally anticipate welcoming between 8 to 12 guests on each stay (with a maximum number of guests set at 16). Where the number of guests is lower, we prioritise solo travellers having their on private room (instead of sharing double occupancy).
the château bathrooms
At the beginning of 2019 the bathrooms at the Château were completely renovated in true 18th Century fashion - with elegant fittings and fixtures, delicate, reproduction floral wallpaper adorning the walls and sumptuously textured towels that add the perfect finishing touch.
As Château de Gudanes is a Class I historically listed building we are unable to install ensuites in the bedrooms, as this would involve damaging the historial wallpapers, plaster and stonework that remains there.
And so, at the Château there are three guest bathrooms each with a shower, toilet and washbasin. One of these bathrooms also has a bath. In addition to these shared bathrooms there are a further two separate powder rooms, one on the ground floor and another on the first floor.
Outside of the bathrooms, we have recently finished restoring the room and creating a beautiful dressing area complete with seating, soft lighting and mirrors throughout the room for hair and make-up.
EXPERIENCE AUTHENTIC french cuisine
At the Château each new day brings the possibility of a different setting, a different menu and a different dining experience. From leisurely breakfasts, to picnics in the park, formal dinners by candlelight, alfresco dining in the Château Gardens, Marie Antoinette inspired afternoon tea and evening aperitifs.
During your stay the Château Chefs shall prepare a combination of family style shared meals, traditional plated and coursed French fine dining (complete with bread baskets and chocolate carts!) and servez-vous style meals. The Château Culinary Team prepares both traditional French cuisine as well as regional fare inspired by local seasonal produce blended with the Château’s signature botanical and floral influence. Most of the fresh produce that we use in our cooking is inspired by and grown in the Château Vegetable Gardens and Fruit Orchards. If not, it is carefully chosen at the markets after being cultivated by local growers and producers.
The Château Culinary Team is experienced in catering for a wide variety of different dietary requests, requirements and allergies. And so, please do just let us know your needs when you book in.
The region in which the Château finds its home is the oldest wine and sparkling region in the country, and so it is only fitting that most of the beverages at the Château are locally mixed and made. Each evening during aperitifs hour we like to offer a different signature drink, with alcohol and no-alcohol choices, and each meal we offer a paired wine (or wines!) and paired non-alcohol beverage. In the Château Bar the fridges are filled to the brim with various alcohol and no-alcohol wines, sparkling, aperitifs and liquors (as well as water, juices, sodas, Château-made botanical sirops and Orangina).
In the Château Bar, we also have a tea and coffee station, including Mariage Frères tea and a selection of local teas and coffees, presented with home-made sweet and savoury biscuits and seasonal fruits for you to enjoy throughout your stay.
We hope that you would servez-vous as you would in your own home!
arrival & departure
Your stay with us is fully inclusive of all activities and events, meals, beverages etc (as outlined at the close of this page). And so, as part of the pricing of your stay we offer transport to and from the nearest French city to the Château, which is Toulouse (or in the case of the Grand Tour we begin in Paris).
On the first day of your Experience we look forward to meeting at 10am at the front of the Place du Capitole in Toulouse. Karina, the owner of the Château, will be there to welcome you wearing a bright red cardigan! Once we are all gathered together we will put our luggage into the Château Bus and then travel to the Château.
On the day that your Experience comes to a close we will be leaving the Château together at approximately 11am, packed with water and home-made French biscuits for your ongoing travels. We anticipate arriving in Toulouse at about 1pm. Where possible, we kindly ask that you arrange your ongoing travels to accommodate this timing.
The Grand Tour
(11 nights travelling through France from Paris to Château de Gudanes)
From 1670 painters, collectors, classical scholars, historians, aspiring architects and antiquarians, both men and women, began travelling to France to experience French culture, refine their French language skills, encounter beautiful architecture, paintings and objets d’art to broaden their minds and eventually return home with souvenirs, mementos and memories of their journey and time away…
This stays follows in their footsteps, travelling across the French countryside through cities and villages to visit and appreciate museums, ancient historical sites and fine French food and wine. The tenets of this stay are history, heritage and luxury and we warmly invite you to join us on this expedition of beauty and intellectual curiosity.
Each guest shall receive a Grand Tour welcome trousseau with a collection of special items and wares, both old and new, reminiscent of the 18th Century and original items that were once upon a time carried upon such grand journeys.
Cities En Route: 2 nights in Paris, 2 nights in Versailles, 1 night in the Loire Valley, 2 nights in Bordeaux, 1 night in Carcassonne & 3 nights at Château de Gudanes
Please kindly note that this stay is fully inclusive of accommodation, transport, dining, beverages and activities both throughout the trip and at the Château, as well as all our other usual inclusions for our stays as listed on this page (below)
Price & Itinerary Upon Request
Date: 4 July - 15 July 2024
To book in, we kindly ask that you reach out to us via email at experience@chateaugudanes.com so that we may share further details with you
In the heart of Paris this stay begins, these are a few of our favourite things!
Some of the special highlights of this stay include:
Our time in Paris together commences with a visit to the Musée Carnavalet, sharing all of the beauty, opulence and grandeur of the 18th Century and setting the scene for our days ahead shared together…
In Paris, we shall walk the cobblestone streets of Saint-Germain-des-Prés sharing our favourite homewares, decoration and luxury perfumery houses in the city
Ambling down the tree-lined allées of the Luxembourg Gardens… with a crêpe in hand of course!
Visiting Galerie Vivienne on our way to Drouot, a multi-storey auction house in the heart of Paris. Galerie Vivienne is our favourite place for finding postcards in Paris!
At Versailles, we shall enjoy a private tour followed by a luxury luncheon and pass-the-parcel in the gardens
Whilst in the Loire Valley we shall be visiting Château de Chambord, Château de Chenonceau & Château de Villandry, three of the grandest castles in the countryside and continuing our travels in the spirit of the grandeur of yesteryear…
In Bordeaux, we shall enjoy a wine tour and paired luncheon returning to explore the city in the afternoon
Visit the ancient fortress and UNESCO world heritage site, Carcassonne, enjoy lunch at *Michelin Star restaurant and stay for one night in the heart of the old city
Exploring vide-greniers, charity shops, brocantes and specialty antique stores throughout the French countryside. Should you do a little too much shopping, when you arrive at Château de Gudanes we are able to organise UPS worldwide shipping for your purchases to be sent home to you!
Some of the special highlights of your three nights at Château de Gudanes include:
Traditional, French piano accordion performance by a local musician during your arrival luncheon at Château de Gudanes
Gentle guided walk around the Château’s local villages
Historical tour of the interior of the Château
Savoury cooking classes with our Chef de Cuisine and sweet cooking classes with our Le Cordon Bleu patisserie chefs.. In addition to the set classes you are also most welcome to join our chefs in the kitchens at any time during your stay at the Château for more informal lessons
Tour and flower collecting in the Château Jardin followed by a floral dessert decoration workshop and photography session to capture your creations in a beautiful setting. We shall share these photographs via Dropbox following your departure as a memory of your time with us
An en plein air French film soirée!
Horse & carriage ride experience around the grounds of the Château
Restoration lecture and demonstration followed by the opportunity for guests to assist in the restoration of 18th Century frescoes in the Château’s original dining room
Dramatic reading of Edgar Allan Poe’s ‘The Black Cat’ in the Château’s basement
Evening piano performance featuring classical, jazz and modern pieces held in the Salon de Musique
7 starry nights & 8 summer days
(7 nights at Château de Gudanes)
Embrace the slow and peaceful rhythm of days spent in the countryside amongst the lush, green mountains of the French Pyrenees. Awake to the melodic sounds of birdsong outside your window and cowbells in the distance, as each day we invite you to experience the authentic nature of the local culture and cuisine of France.
Under the warmth of the summer sun we shall spend days, with baskets in hand, exploring ancient medieval villages and castles, artisanal farmers’ markets and antiquities boutiques. The afternoons and evenings shall pass gently by as we enjoy long lunches, cooking classes and wine tastings and evenings filled with music and the flickering of candles. This stay is for those seeking the peace, tranquility and simple pleasures of la vie en plein air et en France.
Price: €5,200 PP
Date: 20 July - 27 July 2024
Royal banquets fit for queens and kings, these are a few of our favourite things!
Some of the special highlights of this stay include:
Visiting a regal, Renaissance revival château for a delicious picnic luncheon and wine tasting with a local producer of biodynamic wines
Lunch at another 18th Century Château, overlooking the Pyrenees, honouring local, seasonal produce and the luxury, gastronomic culture of France
Time to explore the medieval village, markets and brocantes of Mirepoix. This is largest local farmers’ and artisanal market in the region and the village itself has remained largely unchanged since the 15th Century
Visit the ancient fortress and UNESCO world heritage site, Carcassonne, and enjoy lunch at *Michelin Star restaurant in the heart of the old city
Canoeing and hiking expeditions surrounded by the mountains of the Pyrenees, as well as gentler guided walks amongst the Château’s surrounding villages
Horse & carriage ride experience around the grounds of the Château
Exploring local vide-greniers, charity shops, brocantes and specialty antique stores. Should you do a little too much shopping, we are able to organise UPS worldwide shipping for your purchases to be sent home to you!
Savoury cooking classes with our Chef de Cuisine and sweet cooking classes with our Le Cordon Bleu patisserie chefs. In addition to the set classes you are also most welcome to join our chefs in the kitchens at any time during your stay for more informal lessons
Dessert decoration workshop followed by a photography session to capture your creations in a beautiful setting. We shall share these photographs via Dropbox following your departure as a memory of your time with us
Piano performance featuring classical, jazz and modern pieces held in the Salon de Musique
Traditional, French piano accordion performance by a local musician
Dramatic reading of Edgar Allan Poe’s ‘The Black Cat’ in the Château’s basement
An en plein air French film soirée!
Historical tour of the interior and gardens of the Château
Restoration lecture and demonstration followed by the opportunity for guests to assist in the restoration of 18th Century frescoes in the Château’s original dining room
cooking in the château cuisine
(5 nights at Château de Gudanes)
This stay is true celebration of bountiful, seasonal produce and tasting the terroir. We cordially invite you to join us at the Château for evenings filled with champagne and wine tastings, candlelight banquets and tables overflowing with blooms and set with antique linens. Sharing the spirit of French cooking and life in France, we hope that you shall return home with rekindled passion and inspiration for cooking, baking and table decorating!
We warmly welcome both new and seasoned home chefs to join us in the sweet and savoury Château kitchens, where our chef de cuisine and Le Cordon Bleu chefs de patisserie shall guide you on an exploration of traditional French cuisine, wine, patisserie and desserts shared through hands on classes as well as demonstrations.
Price: €4,200 PP | Date: 14 - 19 June 2024
Cakes and croissants and antique apron strings, these are a few of our favourite things!
Some of the special highlights of this stay include:
Savoury cooking classes with our Chef de Cuisine and sweet cooking classes with our Le Cordon Bleu patisserie chef , including a mix of hands on classes and demonstrations. Should you wish to cook or bake something particular please do let us know so that we may tailor the classes to your requests. Please kindly note that should you have specific dietary requirements or allergies, we will adapt the classes to ensure that they work for you. And so, the exact classes scheduled will be finalised following time for guests to share their requests and dietary requirements. In addition to the set classes you are also most welcome to join our chefs in the kitchens at any time during your stay for more informal lessons
Learn how to make an original 18th century apple cake recipe that was cooked at the Château once upon a time
Foraging in the Château Jardin in search of nettles to bake stinging nettle pie
18th Century French Masters inspired floral and table setting workshop sharing a little about the history of table setting and more about our own Château style. We hope that you will also share with us some of your own table setting traditions!
Food styling workshop followed by a photography session to capture your creations in a beautiful setting. We shall share these photographs via Dropbox following your departure as a memory of your time with us
Visiting another regal, Renaissance revival château for a delicious picnic luncheon and wine tasting with a local producer of biodynamic wines
Time to explore the medieval village, markets and brocantes of Mirepoix. This is largest local farmers’ and artisanal market in the region and the village itself has remained largely unchanged since the 15th Century
Traditional, French piano accordion performance by a local musician
Dramatic poetry and short story reading in the Château’s basement
An en plein air French film soirée!
Historical tour of the interiors and gardens of the Château
Restoration lecture and demonstration followed by the opportunity for guests to assist in the restoration of 18th Century frescoes in the Château’s original dining room
Examples of previous classes include…
Savoury: mushroom chou farci, baked saint marcellin, duck or chicken confit, a range of tarts (such as stinging nettle, zucchini, carrot and harissa, and heirloom tomato), beef bourguignon, French onion soup, coq au vin, a range of salads and sides (such a ratatouille, gratin dauphinois, carrot top pesto, stinging nettle pesto), beetroot cured local trout, and savoury options for evening aperitifs
Sweet: caramel choux, paris-brest, ile flôttante, rustic strawberry & rhubarb tart, clafoutis, mille feuille, lemon and basil tart, frasier, macarons, almond croissants, crêpes, tarte-tatin, canéles, choux pastry swans with violet cream, crème brûlée, pain-perdu and specialty chocolate making
Joint Sweet & Savoury: sorbet making, pastry making, seasonal jam making, seasonal sirop making and traditional madeleine making in seashells
BRIC-A-BRAC AWAY
(3 nights at Château de Gudanes)
The Bric-A-Brac away stay is a little mélange of everything...but mostly, it's all about antiquing! Journeying together through the sunflower covered countryside to discover brocantes hidden on hilltops and expert dealers in antiquities tucked away behind the crumbling and assuming facades of old country houses. Days shall be spent winding our way through the stalls of local antique markets and rummaging through charity shops and vide-greniers to unearth all sorts of treasures. This experience is for both beginner brocanteurs and seasoned collectors.
Price: €2,900 PP | Date: 22 - 25 June 2024
Price: €2,900 PP | Date: 28 June - 1 July 2024
Limoges and copper pull on our heartstrings, these are a few of our favourite things!
Some of the special highlights of this stay include:
Exploring local vide-greniers, charity shops, brocantes and specialty antique stores. Should you do a little too much shopping, we are able to organise UPS worldwide shipping for your purchases to be sent home to you!
Visiting another regal, Renaissance revival château for a delicious picnic luncheon and wine tasting with a local producer of biodynamic wines
Time to explore the medieval village and markets of Mirepoix. This is largest local farmers’ and artisanal market in the region and the village itself has remained largely unchanged since the 15th Century
Sweet cooking classes with our Le Cordon Bleu patisserie chef
Traditional, French piano accordion performance by a local musician
Dramatic poetry and short story reading in the Château’s basement
An en plein air French film soirée!
Historical tour of the interiors of the Château
Restoration lecture and demonstration followed by the opportunity for guests to assist in the restoration of 18th Century frescoes in the Château’s original dining room
A few treasures you may find…
private château experiences
In celebration of a special occasion or to simply cherish the joy of being together and making memories with friends and family, we present the Château to you for your own private and personalised Experience. The Château is able to host up to 18 guests shared between 8 French furnished bedrooms. Be our guest and choose from a selection of activities to experience the magic of the south of France in your own way and create and curate your own personal itinerary for your stay. Each day filled with feasts of delicious French fare and memorable adventures.
*Please kindly note that for Private Château Experiences we require a minimum of 12 guests.
Price: Commencing at €2,900 PP for 3 nights
Dates: We kindly ask that you reach out to us via email at experience@chateaugudanes.com to enquire regarding our available dates for a Private Château Experience.
all château experiences include
• Daily breakfast, lunch, dinner, delectable desserts and snacks in between prepared by international and local chefs (including Le Cordon Bleu pastry chefs) at the Château as well as memorable dining experiences throughout the region,
• Unlimited Château beverages - sparkling, wine, spirits (the drinking kind!), beer and various no alcohol drinks,
• Tea and coffee station, presented with a selection of biscuits and seasonal fruits, for you to enjoy throughout your stay,
• Double occupancy accommodation and shared bathroom facilities,
• All organised activities. We warmly welcome you to view the sample itineraries for each stay on this page. Also, should you wish to visit any particular sites in the region or activities please do not hesitate to let us know so that we may tailor your stay to these requests,
• Use of the Château’s amenities including tennis court, pool and wifi,
• Complimentary laundry facilities for you to use as needed,
• Transfers to and from Toulouse and transport for all activities during your stay. The 8-person Château Buses are fully air-conditioned and we always make sure to travel with additional snacks, motion sickness tablets and lollies, locally bottled spring-water & medical kits,
• The opportunity to be part of the Château Story by assisting with the restoration of 18th Century frescoes in the Château’s dining room,
• And many special surprises along the way! Including pre-arrival postcards and gifts to be received in the mail, hand-written welcome cards and welcome gifts (including Château de Gudanes aprons for those joining us on our Cooking In The Cuisine stay), calligraphy place cards and menus for you to keep as memories… and more!
Please kindly note that the cost of the Experiences excludes your flights to and from Toulouse, personal spending money and travel insurance.
payment & travel insurance
To join in, we require a 30% deposit made by credit card at the time of booking. This amount will be charged in Euros and the exact currency conversion will be calculated based on the rates of your bank. The remaining payment for the spring/ summer season will be due on February 21st 2024. Any bookings for either season made after these dates will need to be paid in full upon your reservation.
You are welcome to pay in instalments at your discretion.
All amounts paid are non-refundable and we kindly ask that you request any refunds through your travel insurance, which is compulsory as per the terms and conditions linked below. We sincerely appreciate your understanding.
terms & conditions
We kindly ask that you follow the link here to view the important terms and conditions of staying at the Château and being part of a Château Experience.
Please note that by booking a place on a Château Experience you are agreeing with these terms and conditions laid out.
merci beaucoup
No matter if you decide to join us at the Château this year or not, we would like to extend our dearest and most gracious thanks for your support and encouragement along the restoration journey.
As in previous years, all proceeds from the 2024 Château Experiences fully assist in the restoration of Château de Gudanes and we sincerely thank you for your support.
further information
For further information we warmly and cordially invite you to browse this year’s booking and information dossier below and truly hope that it conveys all of the magic and excitement that we hope to share at the Château in 2024…
We welcome any further questions that you may have about the Château Experiences and kindly invite you to contact us at experience@chateaugudanes.com
