le chateau du gros tison
The earliest parts date back to the 1730s. Once the heart of a working farm estate other buildings were added over the following centuries in a mix of styles. The former gatehouses have been adapted for use as comfortable holiday cottages, but still retain all the charm of their original features.
Close to the historic town of Fauquembergues , in the St Omer region of northern France , with excellent access to all areas via the motorways linking Paris to the channel ports.
location
The chateau is situated close to the village of Thièmbronne in the Pas de Calais , under an hour from the channel ports or the tunnel and about 35 minutes from Boulogne. The regions sandy beaches are within a 40 minute drive.
accommodation
The gatehouse cottages have two/three bedrooms, bath or shower, sitting-dining area and modern fitted kitchen. One has a log fire for winter months. All rooms have efficient electric radiators. We suggest that these cottages are suitable for groups of 4 however they are spacious enough to allow for an extra bed to be added. Gatehouse 1 has sleeping for 5. Cottage 3 is larger having 4 bedrooms , lounge , dining room-kitchen , 2 bathrooms. Cots are provided on request. The cottages have UK satellite TV, dvd player, cd player and radio.
The units look onto the chateau's gravel courtyard which provides a sheltered spot to sit in the sun. In one corner of the courtyard is a large barbeque. The extensive gardens are divided into different areas, including a large lawn ideal for children. Do not be surprised if you see deer grazing on the lawn early in the morning, or if a group of pheasant stroll by. The chateau's grounds are a safe haven for wildlife.
for golfers and fishing enthusiasts
There are many excellent courses in this part of France. The nearest to the chateau is the competition standard St Omer just fifteen minutes by car, but other well known courses within a reasonable distance are Le Touquet, Hardelot and Wimereux. There are many fishing opportunites, excellent private pond fishing in two neighbouring villages and river fishing in the Aa and the Lys again close by, as well as inshore fishing at Etaples.
for the young ones
The amusement theme park Dennlys Park is at Dennebroeucq about 15 minutes from the chateau. The Vallée de l'Aa steam train starts at Lumbres, again about 15 minutes from the chateau. You can take the train into St Omer and spend the day around the old town and the canal area , then get a return train and be home for an evening barbeque. For good reason, the region's most visited attraction is the marine world Nausicaa at Boulogne, 35 minutes from the chateau. Other popular destinations are Aqualud at Le Touquet, with both indoor and outdoor water slides, chutes and pools , and Bagatelle theme amusement park at Berck plage.
other sites of interest
La Coupole museum and the Eperlecques Blockhaus are former V1 V2 launch sites. Both are near St Omer . La Coupole is about 20 minutes from the chateau.
At Verchocq , barely 5 minutes away, is a riding stables, one of several within a reasonable distance.
The historic walled town of Montreuil sur Mer is a 30 minute drive and is well worth a visit for its choice of excellent restaurants.
The famous resort of Le Touquet is 40 minutes from the chateau. There you will find many fashionable boutiques cafés and restaurants, two casinos, beautiful public parks, a twice weekly open market and an atmosphere quite unlike any other.
war graves and sites
The chateau is ideally located for those people interested in the military history of the region. Agincourt and Crecy are almost local. Arras, Vimy, Bethune , the Somme , Albert , Ypres and many other memorial sites can be visited in hours although they merit more time than that. Montreuil was General Haig's headquarters. La Coupole and Eperlecques have already been mentioned. At Etaples, a working fishing port close to Le Touquet, there are still to be found enormous concrete WW2 gun emplacements in the forest.
shopping
For your daily requirements a good supermarket plus other shops are located at Fauquembergues , approximately 5 minutes by car. Fauquembergues has a weekly open market in the town square by the 13th century church, and a couple of reasonable restaurants.
For the more ardent shoppers, the nearest hypermarket is at Longuenesse, between the chateau and St Omer, so allow 20 minutes for the drive.
More quirky items and local produce can be found in the narrow lanes of St Omer's old town.
The best open market is Etaples , on Tuesday and Friday from 8am until midday. As this town is a busy port for inshore fishing , the quayside restaurants serve excellent sea food.
Close to the Tunnel at Coquelles is the renowned large indoor mall City Europe. Very modern, air conditioned, easy parking but not particularly French.
rates
Our rates per 2 bedroom cottage are:
low season £260 per week
mid season £320 per week
high season £400 per week
Cottage 3
low season £400 per week
mid season £500 per week
high season £600 per week
These prices include linen, towels, electricity and final cleaning.
Baby cots and extra beds can be provided free of charge.
Use of the laundry drying ironing room is free.
We ask for a 25% deposit with the booking, and the balance to be paid 8 weeks before the start of your stay.
Guests are requested not to smoke indoors.
The accommodation is available after 4.30pm on the day of arrival and we ask guests to vacate by 10.30am on the day of departure. Our usual rental period is Saturday pm to Saturday am.
For Christmas and New Year weeks there is a £30 supplement to cover the additional cost of heating.
To check on availability or any other matters please e mail to chateau.shaw@hotmail.fr or use the enquiry link on the website. You can telephone on +33 321 060493
parking
There is ample off-street parking . Campervans and minibuses are welcome. For drivers of open top cars, vintage cars etc , safe garaging can be made available.
places to eat
The restaurants that are listed here are off the beaten track so are not priced for the tourist market. That makes them excellent value.
Le Fournil at Coupelle la Vieille , between Fruges and Fauquembergues, excellent food beautifully presented.
L'auberge at Wismes , barely 5 minutes drive, limited choice, simple fare, cheap and plentiful.
The P'tit Louis outside Fauquembergues does an excellent house speciality lunch on Thursdays.
The Auberge d'Inxent, in the Vallée de la Course , typical french country cuisine in a beautiful setting.
