Hotel Château du Grand-Lucé.

Located an hour from Paris by train, this 18th-century neoclassical estate is a meticulously restored French national treasure. Built in 1764 as a summer retreat for the Baron Pineau de Viennay, the château avoids the museum-like stiffness of its peers by blending original oak parquet and François Boucher tapestries with bold Pierre Frey fabrics and contemporary comforts. The 17 rooms and suites are spread across the main house, including the Baron’s Suite, which features rare Chinoiserie murals hand-painted by Jean-Baptiste Pillement. Outside, the 80-acre grounds are a masterclass in garden design, spanning formal French parterres, a historic white oak forest, and a circular swimming pool fashioned from an old reflection pond. For a truly immersive stay, the staff provides a modern take on traditional valet service, handling everything from unpacking to forest picnics.