Perched on a hillside in the heart of the French Alps and overlooking the capital of Savoie is a bewitching 14th century fairy-tale castle – Purple Summer’s Château de Candie. Surrounded by a hundred-year-old forest and its own vineyards this enchanting hotel with an ivy-cloaked façade, trickling fountains, and historic charm is the start of your journey to ‘happy ever after’. A blissful hideaway for your honeymoon or wedding day.
Your fairy-tale experience begins from the minute you’re collected from the airport, a hamper full of fresh produce,courtesy of the Château for you to enjoy as you sit back, glass of champagne in hand and take in the magnificent mountain views and mesmerising scenery on your journey to the Château.
This historic Château combines original features with contemporary touches, filled with antiques and period hues, decadent chandeliers and elegant accessories, its fairytale-esque ambience oozes French charm and countryside aesthetic.
There are 25 exceptional rooms and suites, all uniquely decorated, fusing contemporary and vintage designs each individually accommodating all your needs, making it ideal for you and your wedding guests. And for the happy couple themselves there is no question at all it has to be ‘The Tower’ a dream destination in its own right, whether you choose to have your wedding at Château de Candie or your honeymoon, The Tower is the ultimate suite for a romantic indulgent getaway. This three-floor decadent private tower divided into a bedroom, lounge and spacious bathroom with a large double bath was to be my home during my stay.
High ceilings, wood panelling, textured wallpaper, antique furniture and a spiral cast iron staircase that exudesarchitectural elegance, the most charming hideaway to pour a glass of champagne, open the French doors and gaze from the top of the tower at the alpine landscape that surrounds the Château, you really do feel like a princess cocooned in her very own tower.
There’s so much to see and do at the Château, whether it’s indulgent wine tasting with the amazingly knowledgeable sommelier, laze around and dip your toes in the serene, shimmering pool.
Enjoy an indulgent glass of champagne and oysters in the decadent champagne and oyster bar or if whisky’s more your tipple of choice delight ina warming whisky-tasting experience in the Château’s whisky snug. Once you’re feeling relaxed after your little tipples why not retire back to The Tower for a tranquil massage tailored just for you, using elite essential oils it’s the ultimate way to recharge and relax before your big day.
If you’re feeling more energetic take a long walk around the Château’s sprawling vineyards and surrounding woodland or venture into Chambery itself for a little sightseeing and shopping.
If it’s delicious cuisine in a scenic setting you’re looking for, a visit to the waterside restaurant Le Lido (just 15 minutes away) is a must. Situated on the banks of the Lac du Bourget, this picturesque lake is the largest fresh water lake in France and is the local’s destination of choice for walking, cycling, water sports and of course swimming.
It’s a picture-perfect spot to just sit and breath-in the awe-inspiring views of the lake and mountains from the wrap around outdoor terrace and private platoon. Le Lido is open day and night. You can revel in delightful food, enjoy a glass of local wine or just grab a coffee with friends as you wonder at the blue water against the mountainous backdrop by day and watch the sunset and the twinkling sky at night.
Reflected in the menu is the restaurant’s commitment to locally sourced food and drink, including fish directly from the lake. The menu has so many enticing dishes including trout gravalax tartine, breaded goats cheese salad, veal escallop and lamb pastille, all an array of fresh flavours, delectable and faultless on the palette, washed down smoothly with a chilled glass of Savoie wine. I rarely indulge in dessert but the pull of the Tea Gourmande dessert (a selection of 4 mini desserts with coffee or tea) was too tempting and was the perfect way to end a delightful dining experience.
Our culinary wonders didn’t end here, back at the Château we were invited to try the ultimate gastronomy experience,the Château’s wedding breakfastchoices. Where every mouthful of food is designed to make your dream wedding a reality. Couples can choose and sample an assortment of dishes, helping them decide what food to offer their guests on their wedding day.
We began our evening of culinary delights with appetisers, that included light cream of mackerel, nage of prawns, Foie Gras dome and mushroom broth, all miniaturemouthfuls of deliciousness and perfect for a pre-wedding breakfast cocktail reception.
There are three menu types available: Château (starter, main course, cheeses and dessert), Candie (Starter, fish course, main course, cheeses anddessert) and Baron (starter 1, starter 2, fish course, main course, cheese, pre-dessert and dessert). We decided to opt for the Chateau and the Baron menu. Each dish was as exquisite as the next, showcasing the finest cuisine beautifully presented and prepared with locally-sourced ingredients. Our choices included mouth-wateringly tender veal steak served with courgettes, olives and piquillos, fresh and flavoursome langoustine with aubergine condiment and the creamiest goats cheese mousse I’ve ever tasted, it’s where culinary artistry meets regional authenticity.
Chef Badara Gueye has put together an exquisite menu full of delightful French flavours complimented with spices from his home country of Senegal.It is obvious that extraordinary care and attention goes into each dish, ensuring couples and their guests are given a culinary experience they’ll never forget.
With its outstanding mountain views, scenic gardens and enchanting vineyards Purple Summer’s Château de Candie is a magical place that will make your wedding a day you will treasure forever.
Whether you envisage a winter or summer wedding, sunshine or snow there are so many scenic places around the Chateau to say ‘I Do’. Gather around the captivating fountain or enjoy your cocktails on the outdoor terrace as the scenery stretches before you as far as the eye can see. Embrace the sunlight as it shines through the French doors of The Salles Des Glaces reception hall, anexquisite room for an indoor wedding reception that can accommodate up to 120 guests for a sit-down wedding breakfast or up to 150 guests for a drinks reception.
No detail no matter how small is overlooked, the setting is the epitome of luxury, a fairy-tale property that exceeds expectations, the food is gastronomy at its best and the captivating scenery creates effortless aesthetics for picture perfect photos, and of course you get to live like royalty in your very own enchanting tower.
BOOK IT
Nightly rates at Château de Candie start from € 200 per room on a Bed and Breakfast basis.
Exclusive use of Château de Candie and all its rooms is € 15,000.
Wedding packages are tailored to couples individual needs, for more information and to book, please visit: www.chateaudecandie.com.
