Château des Forges

The one thing we missed was being able to use eBikes for a quick meal in town. We had to pay for a half day rental despite biking for less than half an hour, about 15 minutes each way to the restaurant. Otherwise, we loved this place for a couple’s escape, a chance to unwind and recharge. It’s an older castle, not a modern building, so there are creaky floorboards, limited soundproofing in the hallways and smaller shared spaces. We loved its genuine character and thoughtful accommodations, though that might not suit everyone. The castle sits in a wooded area overlooking the Mayenne and Ile Saint Aubin. It’s charming and authentic, with warm, friendly staff who are also discreet, keeping things quiet and relaxing. The pool was enjoyable and refreshing, with just a little heat, which we thought was perfect. The massage services cost extra and were excellent, and the breakfast buffet was delicious. We also really valued the sustainability efforts, which fit with our own values. We’ll definitely come back.

The old floorboards creak, so at night you may hear other guests coming and going from their rooms. It wasn’t too bothersome and we could still sleep, but light sleepers might find it more of an issue. We found the evening food “snack” very basic, served with only a small salad and no substantial sides, so it really is more of a snack than dinner. The hotel is lovely and well situated, with easy parking and an easy trip into town.

We’ve got family in the city, but this time we chose to stay at this Beautiful Château des Forges and were so glad we did. The room and sleep quality exceeded what we expected from a last minute Christmas booking. Breakfast was very good and local. Thank you, Team Château des forges. Your friendliness and kindness will stick with us.

We ate in and tried the tasting menu, which was good, and enjoyed it with a bottle of wine. The service was friendly, polite and attentive. The building and rooms are impressive, though ours was a letdown: almost basement level on one side and very dark. They were full, but it didn’t feel like a £120 room with a view. The location is just off the fast roads, although you’d probably need to drive or take a taxi to nearby restaurants. The room had herbal teas only, so we asked for plain black tea and milk. The milk was fine, but the tea was Earl Grey. Bring your own bags if you like English breakfast or Yorkshire tea.