Anchored on a rocky promontory in Maine-et-Loire, this former Benedictine priory is just a stone's throw from Saumur, in Chênehutte-Trèves-Cunault, where the Loire lazes between abbeys and white tufa houses. Could this be Zaya Younan's favourite château?
Table of Contents
It was in the 10th century that the Benedictine monks settled on the Priory estate to live together and pray.
Over time, the architecture of the château was transformed into Renaissance style under the aegis of the Comte de l'Aubépin in the 19th century and the Comte de Castellane in the early 20th century. It is to him that we owe the castle's terraces overlooking the Loire, which today are the charm of the place.
A castle saved from oblivion
When Zaya Younan took over the château in 2016, the Prieuré had not been heated or lived in for several years. The businessman invested nearly five million euros to restore the magnificent residence to its former glory.
" It was practically a rescue »We had to redo everything from top to bottom,« explain Matthieu Richaud and Aurélien Querau, interior designers in charge of decoration. Everything had to be redone from top to bottom: "Electricity, plumbing, walls and all floors ». These enthusiasts have surrounded themselves with the best craftsmen in the region to carry out this Herculean task to the highest standards. In the course of the renovations, they made some wonderful discoveries, not least a painted ceiling, the most remarkable part of which has been carefully preserved in the heart of the grand salon. As soon as you enter, you are enveloped in an atmosphere of calm.
The hotel has 21 rooms and suites, some of which have high ceilings and open onto the Loire landscape. Others, located in the wings, are more contemporary with direct access to the park. The decor follows a clear line: wood panelling, thick fabrics, natural colours and soft lighting. There's nothing flashy about it: this is a hotel that you live in and that meets today's standards: quality bedding, modern bathrooms, good soundproofing. Comfort takes precedence over style.
A protected historical heritage
The living room still has a beautiful fireplace and large windows overlooking the park. With its deep armchairs and low tables, it's a great place to chat, read and wait for dinner. In fine weather, you can take a stroll in the park, then go for a swim in the outdoor pool.
" To restore the house's cachet, we bought 25 Bohemian crystal chandeliers, Boulle furniture and asked copyists in Hamburg to reproduce 12 paintings in the Haut Empire style on the theme of «Return from Egypt».»« say the architects. And to add a touch of history to the establishment, they have hung representations of Bonaparte, Josephine and Murat on the walls.
Zaya Younan admires a certain General Bonaparte... who became Napoleon. He may not speak French, but Zaya Younan feels French. He criticises the entrepreneurs who leave France, while praising the wealth of its craftsmen.
Restaurant Le Castellane: a toque at Gault & Millau
Le Castellane is the gastronomic restaurant of Château Le Prieuré. Comfortably seated in the Empire-style dining room, with its large picture windows, or on the terrace, I enjoy the panoramic view over the Loire.
Chef of the restaurant, Richard Prouteau, originally from Tallud, near Parthenay in Deux-Sèvres, arrived on 1 September 2017. And has earned a Gault et Millau Toque as well as being recognised in the Michelin Guide. This disciple of Escoffier works with herbs, edible flowers, local and seasonal vegetables. He only uses French meat: Rouge des prés, the local breed of beef, lamb and veal from the Pays de la Loire, Breton pork... And fish caught on the French coast: monkfish in spring, Saint-Pierre in summer, red mullet in autumn and scallops in winter. An ideal address for a gourmet meal in the Loire Valley.
The establishment boasts an impressive wine list. The vaulted stone cellar is one of the château's highlights. It complements the gastronomic experience of Le Castellane restaurant. The cellar offers mainly wines from the Loire region, with local appellations and some of the great names in French wine. The hotel can organise private tastings or wine experiences on request or as part of special offers. Gift packs available through the hotel (tasting menus or «oenological» offers) also underline this wine tourism aspect of the stay experience.
Zaya Younan: a lover of beautiful stones
From one love at first sight to another, Zaya Younan has built up a luxury hotel group by investing in châteaux. He already owned five châteaux, which he transformed into luxury hotels, with the slogan: « Everyone deserves a night in a castle ». The prices on the internet for the Beauvois campsite, near Tours, for example, are not far off the mark: just over a hundred euros a night. « Those with a love of art and history should be able to visit. »
This Assyrian-American entrepreneur, as he likes to call himself, with a passion for France, studied engineering in Chicago. Before making his fortune in office property in the USA. For €3.5 million, he bought a vineyard in the Saint-Emilion Grand Cru appellation at La Croix-Fourney. And he has already acquired 5 châteaux-hotels in France. Inevitably, there is a touch of bling-bling about this man, which goes hand in hand with the billions he has amassed in property in the United States. But there is also a passionate side, when the American businessman, in his fifties, talks about his love of France, its history and its châteaux. Let's salute this patron of the arts, driven by the desire to pass on and promote Europe's architectural heritage.
Château Le Prieuré - Younan Collection
Rue Comté de Castellane, 49350 Gennes-Val-de-Loir
Telephone : 02 41 67 90 14
www.lamaisonyounan.com/fr/chateau-le-prieure/
