Château de Goudourville

The owner’s refusal to take responsibility or offer compensation was the worst part of our stay, and the bed bugs made the whole trip stressful. We were there with a large group from July 5 to 12. On the first night, one woman was badly bitten. We sent the castle manager photos of the bugs and bites, and the supervisor shut that room the next day. With no clear idea which other rooms might be affected, we took precautions for the rest of the holiday, and some guests camped outside. After we got home, some friends said they had accidentally brought bugs back with them. We had to wash all our clothes at 60 degrees right away, then take them to the nearest laundromat for another tumble dry to kill any eggs. A few clothes were ruined in the process, adding to the disappointment and hassle.

Some people in our group ended up sleeping in tents outside to avoid further problems, and several of us faced extra costs once we got home to clean or treat our belongings. Some items were damaged. A mattress was replaced after the bed bugs were reported, but there was no other support or compensation. I was part of a group booking in early July 2025. On the first night, 05-07-2025, one guest noticed multiple bites, and insects were found in several rooms. The property manager later confirmed they were bedbugs. It disrupted our stay significantly. In my experience, the response wasn’t adequate. I’d advise future guests to check the current status of the issue before booking. I wouldn’t stay here again or recommend it to others. This is my honest experience, shared to help others make an informed choice.

Accueillant et chaleureux, that’s how I’d sum it up ;-) Geneviève was kind, cooperative, and enthusiastic from our first email, and paid lovely attention to personal details. We spent a week at the château de Gourville in May 2025 with around thirty people from across the world, aged 18 to 83, celebrating my son’s wedding to his fiancée. It was a family and friends gathering, without hired help or catering, even for the reception in the upstairs dining hall. Guests had come from China, Argentina, and everywhere between, so we cooked our own signature dishes together in the large, roomy, well-equipped castle kitchen. The rooms are gorgeous, with period luxury but also a homely feel. Most have private bathrooms, some have secret stairways, and there’s a separate little laundry house with plenty of machines. The gardens and grounds were a delight, though getting up to the castle through the lions' gate was quite a workout for the thighs and calves. Nicolas gave me an extension cord so I could work in the garden and made sure the swimming pool was ready. I’d definitely recommend the château de Goudourville to everyone aged 12 and up. If you stay, be sure to visit le château Labastide Orliac for the vineyard and wine tasting.

***BED BUGS*** We’d paid a lot and travelled a long way for a week with friends, so we stayed, but the bugs clearly weren’t limited to one room. They showed up on multiple floors, and several people brought them back to their apartment. It was extremely distressing. On the first night, we found one room was severely infested. My friend was bitten all over and had intense swelling for days. We told the owner, expecting immediate action. They closed off the room and called an exterminator, but the exterminator didn’t come until several days later and didn’t actually fumigate it. The owner refused compensation or any other remedy despite the mental and financial strain. Many people had to get their belongings professionally treated. I’d never stay here again and highly recommend avoiding the place, given how little attention was paid to such a serious problem.