We had an unforgetable stay at Chateau des Briottieres. The first impression when one arrives is jaw dropping; as if the estate and the mansion was taken out from the "Downton Abbey" series, in its French version, I syppose. The mansion is decently preserved, as the owner, Francois, lives there and the place has been given from father to son for six generations, since early 1700. The gardens are simply wonderful; perfect pink hydrangeas around the entrance veranda, diligently designed buxus, fantastic trees of every kind and an overwelming endless green grass, unfolding up to where the garden horizon "kisses" the sunset every evening. the room was big and the decoration what it should have been for a family chateau. The drawing rooms, one light green and the other scarlet red, were so welcoming, perfectly matching with Francois hospitality. Dinner was "table d' hote" style with some nouvaute like asian shrimp soup, duck main course and ice cream macaron; there is still room for improvement. The swimming pool was fantastic, clean and with a ceratin privacy, as it was surrounded by thich bushes and trees. Excellently maintained tennis court and a trambolino for the children. The orangeries added a nostalgic flair and the lake completed the mansion's "fairytale".