Chateau Belle Vie
Key Highlights
- An idyllic château so close to the UK
- The château is grand and elegant but remains fun and is perfectly suited to groups of friends and family, whether an event, wedding or relaxing holiday
- Everyone is entertained and catered for, with plenty to do in the château and also in the area
- There is a fabulous tennis court on site and a heated swimming pool, hidden behind a bank of wild flowers
Château Interior (4 levels)
Ground Floor
- Fully equipped kitchen with kitchen table (seats: 12), large range cooker, 2 fridge/freezers, chest freezer, hob, oven, microwave, 2 dishwashers, Nespresso machine
- Dining room (seats: 30)
- 2 sitting rooms
- Library with large TV
First Floor
- 9 bedrooms
- 8 bathrooms
Second Floor
- 3 bedrooms
- 3 bathrooms
- Games room with table tennis and table football
- High-ceiling playroom with full-size trampoline
- TV room with Playstation and DVD collection
Basement
- Entrance hall
- Snooker room
- Guest W.C.
Bedrooms and Bathrooms in Château
- 12 bedrooms: 1 with super king size bed, 7 with king size beds, 2 with twin single beds, 1 with four single beds and 1 double room
- 11 bathrooms: 10 en-suite bathrooms (with bath and/or shower), 1 shower room
Outside Grounds
- 4 hectares of lawn and woodland
- Private heated swimming pool (8x6m, depth around 1.5m, two steps), reached via a safety gate (guests are given the key). Open approximately May to September
- Terrace
- Stables with indoor mini-tennis court for event use (fees apply)
- Parking space
- Barbecue area
- Outdoor seating area for up to 24
- Boules
- Swing
- Tennis court
Facilities
- Wi-Fi
- Central heating and logs
- Working fireplace
- Satellite TV
- DVD player with large collection of Blu-rays and DVDs
- 2 music systems
- Play Station 3
- Indoor mini-tennis court with rackets
- Indoor trampoline (5m)
- Snooker table
- Table tennis
- Boules
- Games room with table tennis and table football
- 8 bikes
- Large gas BBQ
- Washing machine
- Tumble dryer
- Iron & ironing board
Château Belle Vie has always been about the good life. It was built in the 1880s by a wealthy family as a home where they could entertain in grand style. Not surprisingly, the reception rooms are the highlight of the house. Most have intricate wood paneling, all have views of the garden and the dining room still has the original table, which can extend to seat up to 30 lucky bon vivants.
The new owners had a similar dream: to restore the château to its former grandeur and create a spectacular holiday or events venue offering an intoxicating mix of both elegance and fun for all guests, from children to grandparents. And all of this so close to the UK!
Besides the elegance of the bedrooms, the grand dining room and the impressive entrance hall with grand staircase, the château also offers entertaining touches like indoor mini-tennis, a snooker room, table tennis and even an indoor trampoline room. The setting is tranquil and idyllic, in four hectares of gardens and woodland, with the River Aa running through the grounds. There is a heated swimming pool very close to the house, in a wonderful sunny, secluded spot surrounded by banks of wild flowers. The tennis court is in a beautiful setting, with trees all around, and lots of seating for spectators!
As well as being an easy journey from the UK, Château Belle Vie is also on the edge of a lovely village and just 400 meters from the village boulangerie. The village also has a cafe and a pharmacy.
The area has attractions galore: local markets, shopping, cathedrals, war museums and important sites and even the lovely beaches of the Opal Coast. Saint Omer, with all amenities as well as its well-known golf course, is only fifteen minutes away and Dunkirk is also within easy reach.
Thanks to this magnificent restoration, Château Belle Vie is once again the perfect setting for memorable holiday or event of friends and family who are celebrating ‘la belle vie’.
- The château is a 30-minute drive from the Eurotunnel terminal. From the UK, by car it takes 3 hours from Junction 5 of the M25. By train and then taxi/car it is under 2 hours from St Pancras International Station.
- Due to the fabulous location on the edge of the village, excessive noise is not permitted.
- There is a cottage in the grounds sleeping up to four additional guests, which can be made available at an extra cost for bookings of over 26 guests - please enquire.
At Oliver’s Travels we pride ourselves on going that little bit further for our guests. From private chefs to babysitters we can help you arrange those little extras that make it a truly memorable holiday. Simply fill in the concierge request form or contact the Oliver’s Concierge Team who will be happy to help. We can typically help you arrange any of the following:
- Maid service/extra cleaning
- Private chef/cook/catering
- Welcome hamper/pre-stocked fridge
- Local day-trips or tours
- Airport pick-up/drop-off
- Babysitting/childcare services
Please note that all extras are subject to availability and must be requested in advance of the holiday (prices on request). Due to some rural/remote locations, not all services will be available at all properties. However, we will always do our best to fulfil your requests!
Oliver's Travels Chef Service: A Gourmet Dining Experience
Make hosting a memorable dinner party at your villa an absolute breeze with our superb Chef Service. Our chefs will take care of everything for you from start to finish so you can just sit back and enjoy the gastronomic experience. They will bring all the necessary ingredients, cook and serve the food and even clean up afterwards. To find out more visit www.oliverstravels.com/chefs
Weddings & Events Information
Ask a questionThe walls and gardens of this château hold memories of the many exuberant and elegant French weddings that have been celebrated here over the decades. Just recently, the owners have transformed the former 19th-century stables into a beautiful wedding venue, for weddings and events. It’s a wonderful space that can be opened up on one side when the weather is fine. Light floods through the clear ceiling during the day. As evening approaches it is lit up by thousands of fairy lights, creating a magical ambience.
The château and grounds retain their former glory while also benefiting from the recent restoration and guests will be relieved and amazed at how close this glorious venue is to the UK by train or car. There are sweeping lawns, woodland and even the river graces the park with its presence for a short while.
Wedding Reception
140 guests can enjoy the newly refurbished stables. There is a large kitchen for the caterers, as well as a bar, dance area and toilets. The acoustics are so good that speeches can be made without microphones.
Wedding Ceremony
The ceremony can take place outdoors (no marquees) in the grounds or at the church which is 80m from the venue and can hold up to 200 people. The château manager can provide details of an English-speaking celebrant.
Where to Stay
26 people can sleep in the château and a further 4 in the cottage on-site. 12 guests can stay in nearby B&Bs and up to 80 more in the hotel, a five minute drive from the château. The owners can supply details of local transport firms.
Wedding Planning
The château manager can help with certain arrangements or can recommend an English-speaking wedding planner. Clients may also arrange to use their own planner.
Catering
The owners are able to recommend local caterers or clients may arrange their own. The kitchens and storerooms are large enough for the caterers to prepare everything.
Other information
Events can take place between April and September. For weddings and events there is extra parking on site. The owners can recommend many trusted wedding suppliers.
Please note that rental of the stables for events will be subject to additional charges and a venue hire fee which will be in addition to published rental rates and fees for renting the chateau.
Please note that any event rental may be subject to additional charges, venue hire fees and to a higher security deposit, which will be in addition to any published rental rates and fees.
All events are on request only and subject to prior agreement from the owner, who reserves the right to refuse all events without their prior authorisation.
