Activities at or around the Chateau
Whether you want to find a quiet corner in the Château and relax with a glass of fine wine and a good book, or simply enjoy our splendid grounds, the choice is yours. For those looking for fun and excitement, you won’t have to venture far from the Château, as we have a fantastic variety of activities available right on site.
The beauty of taking a luxury, all-inclusive vacation with TradeWinds is you can choose your level of activity. Simply enjoy the surroundings and relax and unwind.
Water sports
Despite being inland, our water sports activities are second to none. The pretty river L’Isle runs alongside the Château and provides our guests with the perfect location to get their feet wet! Try your hand at kayaking and rowing a boat down your own private river, or take advantage of the calm water and give stand-up paddle boarding a try.
If you want to see the picturesque landscape from a different point of view or you just fancy a romantic afternoon on the water, you can row along the riverbank and spend some time admiring the charming French countryside.
Fishing
If you’re more used to exhilarating deep-sea fishing, then why not try a change of pace? Experience the peace and serenity of fishing from the banks of the river L’Isle. Teeming with a variety of fish, including trout, carp, catfish, pike, perch and roach, you can kick back and enjoy a truly peaceful afternoon under the shade of the willow trees. All fishing equipment is provided by TradeWinds and is available for all our guests to use during their stay.
Cycling and Walking
Situated near the town of Mussidan, the Château is surrounded by country lanes that are waiting to be explored. Cycle paths lead from the Château, along the river and towards the town. Enjoy a peaceful and relaxing ride as you take in the beautiful French countryside. All bicycles are provided by TradeWinds, available to our Members during their stay.
One of the most wonderful things about Château Alizés is that the grounds are perfect for a quiet, reflective wander or a romantic stroll with a loved one. With all the different gardens, and paths that lead to the riverbank or the natural spring, why not take a picnic with you and enjoy a chance to experience your own little corner of Château Alizés?
Lawn Sports
If you want to fully experience the French way of life, you need to try your hand at some traditional lawn sports. With over seven acres of grounds to explore, show off your fiercely competitive side with a game or two of Pétanque, a form of boules where the goal is to roll hollow steel balls as close as you can to the small wooden jack.
Or, try your hand at lawn croquet, where the object of the game is to get your ball through six hoops with a wooden mallet.
If target practice is more your sport, then we have our own archery area for you to take aim. Just remember to tell your opponents ‘bon jeu’ after you’ve beaten them!
Billiard Room
As you enter the Château you’ll find our majestic Billiard room with a high cathedral-style ceiling. Here you can relax and admire the Dambier family heirlooms and antiques, or sit and relax with your new friends over a glass or two of fine Bordeaux. Or perhaps try out the billiards table, ready and waiting for a game.
The mezzanine floor is home to our very own library in honour of Château Alizés’ last owner: from his remarkable family history and his impressive career, photographing some of the world’s most beautiful women, including Brigitte Bardot and Rita Hayworth, to running the Château as a hotel with his cousin in the mid-1990s.
Excursions
We know that, for our Members, a TradeWinds vacation is all about having unique and memorable experiences, and at Château Alizés this is no exception. Located close to the largest fine wine producing region in the world, you’ll be surrounded by a collection of celebrated vineyards and wineries, perfect for wine-lovers and gastronomes alike. We’ll take you on several all-inclusive excursions to experience the best this special region has to offer.
One of our trips will take us to the town of Saint-Émilion, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, where we will visit an ancient 12th-century cellar to taste a selection of fine wines accompanied by some local culinary delights. After this gastronomic experience there is time to wander through the beautiful and medieval cobble-stone walled town.
Another trip will take us to yet another beautiful and picturesque local town. Here you can visit a fine Château, a Cathedral, practice your French at the farmers market, or simply sit back and enjoy this magnificent part of France. So get ready to savor the world-famous Bordeaux, and discover what else this wonderful wine region has to offer.
Altogether there are normally four excursions per week, and there’s plenty of time to enjoy the ambience and character of the Chateau, and indulge in the many activities on offer.
Dining at Château Alizés
A visit to the wonderful Périgord area wouldn’t be complete without sampling some of the finest food in the region. Famous for truffles and wild mushrooms, foie gras and local cheese, at Château Alizés our in-house private chef will take you on a culinary journey of France. Our chef will prepare French delicacies and haute cuisine for our guests each day, using fresh organic and locally sourced ingredients, either from our own gardens, that of the chefs’ or very exquisite artisan farmers markets in Bergerac or Perigeaux, a short drive away. Our meals are akin to ‘locally sourced and farm to table’.
Whether you decide to have breakfast in your room or outside in the gardens, you can enjoy a sumptuous feast of freshly baked and prepared French pastries, as well as fresh fruit and a selection of cereals, yoghurts, cheese and continental meats. Enjoy the unmistakable sound of a fresh baguette as you break through the crust, revealing the soft, tasty interior, or the sensation of a ripe, mature brie as the creamy, mild and sharp cheese melts on your palate.
Lunches can be enjoyed outside, as a picnic or within the Château, with choices including fresh and healthy salads that accompany locally sourced meat and poultry. Savor the finest cheeses to go alongside the finest selections of wines from the region.
Delight in delicious, freshly prepared evening meals and enjoy fine wines served in our grand banquet hall, as you swap tales of the day’s activities with your fellow guests.
We’re happy to cater and accommodate all dietary requirements. Please let us know at the time of booking. Bon appétit!
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