Château Tilques

As I entered the grounds I breathed in the wonderfully fresh air. The green lawn was freshly cut and I could already hear the birds singing. Peacocks sauntered across my path. The countryside is the perfect place to reenergise, especially in a setting like this. I’ve often dreamed of buying a house in the country, so it’s a real treat to get a taste of the château lifestyle.

Château Tilques is quite simply majestic. Set in extensive grounds, this nineteenth-century building was built on the ruins of a seventeenth-century manor house. The raked paths, manicured lawns, pruned bushes and duck pond give it a real country house feel. When lunchtime arrived we settled on the outdoor terrace for a delicious meal with a glass of wine, leaving us ready for an afternoon of swimming, tennis or perhaps a bicycle ride.

Our Charm Room perfectly embodied its name. Spacious and well proportioned, it suited me down to the ground. With carpet, quilts, thick curtains and period furnishings, it was cosy and welcoming, exactly what you imagine when picturing a room in a château. But if you can’t live without your modern comforts, don’t worry; there’s a flat-screen TV and Wi-Fi, too. Comfortably propped up on the generous pillows, I got into the French spirit by reading Flaubert’s Madame Bovary. Like Emma, I sometimes dream of being a princess, and my dreams were coming true here at Château Tilques.

After a leisurely game of boules, it was time for our first romantic dinner at the hotel’s restaurant. You can eat on the terrace or in the period dining room, where beaded chandeliers, parquet flooring and white tablecloths provide the perfect backdrop to the refined menu showcasing seasonal ingredients.