The rooms

Expansive and spectacularly memorable

"Another magical visit. We arrived in pouring rain, but what better consolation than to be welcomed by our warm-hearted host, Marty, and invited to cosy up by an enormous roaring fire before being served a candle-lit dinner in the gorgeous drawing room? Next day the sun came out and we were able to marvel at the wildflower meadows cascading down from the avenue of limes

overlooking the rolling charolais landscape. Our fellow-guests that evening were a delightful young couple who became engaged on the terrace, and I can think of no more perfect little piece of heaven in which to receive a proposal! Thanks Rosie. What an amazing find! We were thrilled by our visit and long to return.

Just before we arrived we had a slight accident involving a local motorist and - our French not being quite up to the occasion - we asked her to accompany us to the chateau to get help in translation. Marty was quite wonderful, smoothing ruffled feathers and charming everyone with so much warmth, kindness and impish humour that we all relaxed, and instead of it spoiling our holiday we felt so looked after that we look back on our visit as a highlight of our trip. Everything about Marty and the chateau is expansive and spectacularly memorable, and the love and flair with which he and Thierry have restored, decorated and furnished their home is heart-warming, as is the generosity with which they share it. The far-reaching views from their hill-top avenue are glorious: it would be very tempting to return and see their wonderful garden and grounds in all the different seasons. Add to that a charming landscape dotted with mellow old villages and Romanesque churches, grazed by charolais cattle and alive with birdsong: what more could you ask for?"

Alistair Sawday's Special Places to Stay, Rosie and Roger, September 2011 and May 2012

Lovely walks around the grounds, definitely recommended

We received a very warm welcome from Marty when we arrived at short notice during our "Sawdays Road Trip" from Somerset to Italy. Chateau de Vaulx is a fabulous building that has undergone some serious renovations in recent years. Being a building geek I was fascinated by Marty's account of the works and history of his home. We enjoyed and a delicious breakfast - top service, definitely recommended.

Alistair Sawday's Special Places to Stay, November 2010

The best place I have ever stayed

Wow. What a bed and breakfast. Marty is the perfect host, making us feel at home, and arranging a light lunch for our 10 year old son as soon as we arrived. We booked in for two sittings of dinner, so that our son could eat early and we could put him to bed and have a grown up dinner in the dining room with our fellow guests. The whole chateau is decorated by interior design expert Marty,

and looks it. Our room was in keeping with the age of the building, interestingly furnished, yet oh so comfy. The modern bathroom appealed after 10 days on a canal boat! The bed linens are divine. My only regret is that we booked in for just a single night stay. The surrounding area is beautiful and I would have loved to have stayed longer at this beautiful place and be spoiled. The breakfast is delicious and plentiful; croissants, yoghurt, ham, cheeses, juice, tea, coffee. The dinner was fine-dining standard. The best place I have ever stayed.

www.tripadvisor.com, R., Perth, Australie, 6 avril 2013