This chateau with its fairy-tale tower, is 55 minutes from Paris by train.  It was built by Francois 1st for his royal mistress, Marie Gaudin, in the 16th century.  The present owners are the princes of Broglie, two young bachelor princes from Normandy, who after living in Paris, decided to buy the chateau, refurbish it, and open it as a chateau-hotel.  It turned out very well.  Prince Philippe Maurice is in charge of the administration and his younger brother Louis Albert looks after the now famous gardens - all in a 135 acre woodland park. 

The chateau was magnificently restored.  20 rooms were set aside for the hotel and they are filled with period antiques capturing the passion of the original period.  Most of the food served at the hotel is "garden-fresh".  It is said that the two Princes, contrary to what anyone would think, are the simplest guys you can imagine - often helping with the luggage. 

The TV show "Joe Millionaire" was filmed at the Chateau.