Hôtel château Saint-Jean: luxury, calm and renaissance
Built on the former site of a commandery of the Order of the Temple, Château Saint-Jean has a warm welcome and a historic-contemporary look. The gastronomic restaurant La Chapelle is yet another reason to visit Montluçon.
As a point of passage between the Cher valley and the ancient Roman road linking Bourges to Néris-les-Bains, the site of Château Saint-Jean has historically been a stopping-off place. In the Middle Ages, the Order of the Temple (a religious and military order of Christian chivalry) established the commandery of Saint-Jean-d'entre-les-Vignes, whose chapel still stands today. After years of hospitality, the château was abandoned, tagged and squatted. Auvergnats by birth and heart, hoteliers Jean-Claude and Nicole Delion (also owners of La Réserve de Beaulieu, in the Alpes-Maritimes) can't bring themselves to see disappear the place where monsieur proposed to madame almost 50 years earlier. Like them, many people have memories of celebrations at this emblematic Montluçon address. The château needs to be restored to its former glory, so be it. After two and a half years of titanic work, the new Château Saint-Jean is inaugurated.
elegance and serenity
The façade retains its two turrets, ogival windows, pilasters and an air of sobriety. But from the moment you enter the reception area, you'll find a different kind of hospitality. Renowned designers Patrick Jouin and Sanjit Manku have added warmth to austerity and comfort to elegance. They have also applied to the letter the Delions' desire to use as many local materials as possible. Like the thousands of pieces of oak wood assembled into a magnificent parquet floor, or the black volcanic stone that appears in a variety of artistic forms. Thanks to the extension, the hotel now boasts 19 rooms and suites (from 24 to 75 m²), decorated in soft colors, some with brighter accents. Calm reigns in all. The only sound to be heard is the chirping of the birds occupying the lake in Parc Saint-Jean. on arrival, once you've put your suitcases down, you'll need to take a few dips in the elegant spa pool, or a few minutes in the whirlpool, before enjoying a sensory shower, a hammam or a relaxing massage in the treatment room.
Historic and musical Montluçon or a walk in the forest
A visit to the medieval town, just a few minutes away by car (or 20 minutes on foot), is an opportunity to discover the beautiful timber-framed houses of the 15th and 16th centuries and, of course, perched on a rocky spur overlooking the Cher, the Château des Ducs de Bourbon. Not far away, the MuPop (the hotel provides entrance tickets) offers, with headphones on, a rich tour of the popular music that makes people dance and sing, from the rural world to the electronic music of the 1990s, via brass bands and balls. The second tour features an impressive collection of instruments, including Bourbonnais' favorite, the hurdy-gurdy, as well as bagpipes, accordions and guitars from different eras. a few kilometers above the town, the magnificent Tronçais forest (laid out by Jean-Baptiste Colbert, one of Louis XIV's chief ministers) offers a unique opportunity to stroll among centuries-old oaks and discover numerous water features: charmingly lapping ponds and fountains.
Land-sea cuisine or bistro-style dishes
Back at the château, the XIIᵉ century chapel may have been desacralized long ago, but it has lost none of its serenity. Design studio Jouin Manku took over the space to create an incredibly vibrant, almost noise-free gourmet dining room. In this 10-table setting (maximum 22 covers), christened La Chapelle, chef Olivier Valade brings land and sea together with panache. Scallops, cauliflower, caviar and a vegetal brown champagne sauce; lightly smoked white brill, green cabbage, pistachio sabayon, black bonito vinaigrette and truffled blanquette. at almost every course, a sauce, bisque or crémeux is poured in front of the customer's eyes, while sommelier Nicolas Charrière comments on the wines, almost in a whisper. Before or after dinner, the Saint-Jean bar is a must, where everyone gathers around the ever-rising Volvic stone fireplace. It's such a success that it's best to arrive early. However, the restaurant offer doesn't stop there: the Bistrot Saint-Jean is also a good reason to dine out, seven days a week, around colorful and tasty suggestions, such as the velouté d'almonds.t, such as artichoke velouté with smoked haddock, guinea fowl fillet with crispy skin and parsnip roasted with herbs, before one of the appetizing desserts on display from the team of pastry chefs.
- Hôtel Château Saint-Jean (5 stars)
- Where: Restaurant La Chapelle - Bistrot Saint-Jean, Avenue Henri-de-la-Tourfondue, 03100 Montluçon
- www.chateau-saint-jean.com
