With its tall, 18th-century outline, the Evecquemont priory, built in a neo-classical style in the early 1900s, looks like a sumptuous private mansion, like many built at the time, particularly in Paris. Shielded from its surroundings by walled grounds and outbuildings, it dominates the surrounding area, offering its vast rooms to be hired for holidays or events, which was undoubtedly its original purpose. It is easy to imagine a time when excited guests would arrive here in horse-drawn carriages or cars to enjoy the last few days of the week, or even longer. Its new-found glowing features will delight fans of prestigious venues offering undeniable comfort not far from the capital.
After working for some of the biggest hotel and restaurant groups in Paris, and with our passion for architecture and history, we began to dream of having a château. After many visits, we finally found our dream location and fell under the spell of this property, with its setting both close to Paris and in the centre of the verdant setting of the Vexin regional nature park. It took us three years of work to perfect our dream, preserving the building's original and authentic appearance, before opening it up to our guests and sharing this exceptional place with them.
The château is set in one and a half hectares of enclosed parkland planted with remarkable ancient trees and overlooking the Seine. It is built entirely of ashlar (Menucourt royal bench). The cellars were built using one of the very first applications of the reinforced concrete technique. The main entrance is from the village near the church, through a very large gate surrounded by stone walls decorated with sculptures and bas-reliefs. Beyond this gate, elegant outbuildings have been converted into gîtes, followed by a yew-lined driveway leading up to the main building. A few steps with two lions on them lead up to the peristyle, which precedes an elegant entrance hall leading to a dining room adjoining the main kitchen, and an elegant conservatory providing access to several light-filled lounges. The complex is extended by a terrace overlooking the grounds and the Seine valley, with views as far as Paris.
Château du Prieuré, also known as “Grace-Dieu”, was built in the early 20th century on the foundations of the former 12th-century Benedictine priory belonging to Fécamp Abbey. The prior had the rank of bishop, hence the name of the village: mont de l’évêque (Bishop's Mount). In the Revolution, the convent was burnt down and the priory sold as national property. Construction of the current château, a neo-classical Louis XVI folly, began in 1908. It was interrupted during the First World War and completed around 1920. Plans dating from 1908 mention a room reserved for the installation of a "telephone switchboard", an unusual feature in a private residence at the time. Some of the earpieces have been carefully preserved.
The château is located less than 40 kilometres from Paris, in the charming village of Evecquemont, in the north of the Yvelines department and in the heart of the Vexin regional nature park, the perfect setting for a few days' relaxation, a special event or a seminar.
The restaurants "Le séquoia" in Triel-sur-seine and "La Bottega" in Vaux-sur-seine. In Evecquemont, the "Champignonnière des carrières", one of the last three mushroom farms still in operation in Yvelines, "Miels d'exception" and "l'Artisan du Chocolat", a true taste alchemist with its flagship creation: the delicious Bishop's hazelnuts (noisettes de l'Évêque). The Vexin français regional natural park is the ideal place for hiking in the Ile-de-France region. It has 66 walking and hiking routes (PR) covering 860 km and three long-distance footpaths (Grande Randonnée) covering 150 km. The Park has also set up Sentiers du Patrimoine® (Heritage Trails) in 41 communes to help visitors discover the local heritage, and has around 15 riding centres offering lessons, courses, boarding and horse or pony rides.
The Château du Prieuré, with its French art de vivre, is an ideal venue for a seminar, team-building event, meeting, corporate event or product launch. On the garden level, a large workroom opens onto an avenue of lime trees, ideal for breaks or lunches in good weather. In the wing of the château, a second room equipped with a projection screen can accommodate around 15 people. There are ten bedrooms spread out between the castle and the gîtes. The grounds offer plenty of opportunities for outdoor activities. A large, fully-equipped catering room completes the offering.
ref 797811
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