For more guest reviews, log on to www.tripadvisor.com and search 'Loire Valley Retreat'

 Engels Family, Wassenaar (Netherlands) EASTER 2009

"It was truly an unbelievable weekend.  What fantastic hosts and accommodations!  The opening weekend will be a holiday I will never forget.  The wine tasting, Easter Egg hunt, soccer games in the courtyard and most of all the wonderful friendships we made.  We wish you the best with your endeavour and can't wait to come back."

Hughes Family, London (UK) EASTER 2009

"Thank you for all that you have done for us on your opening weekend.  We felt the warmth of your hospitality immediately on arrival and the kids loved the chateau and your family so much that we had to drag them away to see the local sights.  Chateau de Chargé relflects both of your warm, sociable, engaging personalities - always putting your visitor first.  We've had a ball.  Thank you so much and best wishes."

Milicic Family, London (UK) EASTER 2009

"What a fantastic job you have done with the château - your hard work has all paid off with a really fantastic result - the whole place is stunning.  Thank you for a fantastic stay - we have had a brilliant Easter thanks to your warm welcome and made many new friends too.  Thanks also for your excellent care of our daughter - there aren't many people we trust with the care of our one year old - but she has had a truly fabulous time.  Well done and every success for the future - we plan to return again and again for the surroundings, the welcome, the food, the wine..."

Mr Hillman, Oxford (UK) 19 April 2009

"'Château de Chargé is much more than an up-market B&B, it is a gem greated with love and dedication to making ours, and I am sure every, visitor's stay, as perfect as possible.  From the magnificently comfortable king sized bed to the wonderfully welcoming open fire in the lounge, you have established a haven of peace in an atmosphere of quiet luxury, in the heart of the Loire Valley.  No wonder the kings of France hurried here in days gone by to escape their daily toils!  Now thanks to your efforts, we too can escape, to enjoy your wonderful hospitality in your magnificent home.  I am certain your initial success is only the beginning and your enterprise will prosper.  We look forward to our return."

Ms Zhang, Oxford (UK) 19 April 2009

"What a wonderful home you have built, you make my dream come true, because I always imagined that if one day I could escape from the noisy city and go back and enjoy life in the middle ages in a château in France, it could be fabulous.  Now I have experienced what a paradise life in the 15th and 16th century would be like.  I really appreciate what you have created.  I wish that everything goes well for you and maybe one day I will return back again."

Ricour Family, Paris (FRANCE) 26 April 2009

"Un très grand merci pour avoir rendu notre séjour (très court!) en tous points inégalable.  Le très grand confort de votre demeure et l'indéniable  qualité des prestations proposées nous rendent béas d'admiration pour le travail que vous avez déjà accompté et nous force au plus grands des respects.  Nous vous souhaitons le tout meilleur pour la suite de ce fantastique projet et n'avons qu'une idée en tête désormais : REVENIR!  Revenir et profiter de ce cadre majestueux et de ce vrai silence qui nous rappelle que nous vivons dans le bruit.  A très bientôt."

Vigan Family, Paris (FRANCE) 10 May 2009

"Je serai heureuse de recommander le Château de Chargé à nos amis ou nos familles.  Les deux jours de détente nous ont faits grand bien et je pense que les filles seront heureuse de revenir prochainement!  Nous reviendrons donc à 5 la prochaine fois - encore merci pour votre acceuil, bonne continuation!"

"Notre séjour a été des plus agréables et reposants en ces lieux chargés d'histoire.  Nous vous félicitons pour le travail accompli en vu de redonner le lustre à ce château : les chambres sont très chaleureuses et certains services qui pourraient être qualifiés de détails me seront désormais indispensables, tels l'espresso au lit (!) Bref, on se sent chez soi, un mieux!  Tout cela n'est qu'anecdotique au regarde de l'acceuil de Jérôme et Charlotte qui a été parfait.  Nous avons été en particulier sensibles à l'attention portée par les propriétaires à nos enfants qui auront été les rois et les reines de ce château.  We will be back soon!"

Mr & Mrs Inamder-Nominé, Paris (FRANCE) 10 May 2009

"Thank you for a wonderful stay and 'dépaysement' in a region I have discovered for the first time (after 9 years in France!)  Your hospitality was always at the top and we felt at home.  We look forward to seeing you again at Chargé and would definitely recommend it as a great getaway.  Well done on a beautiful château!

Delfosse Family, Paris (FRANCE) 10 May 2009

"Ce château est une petite merveille!!!  Vous avez créé un lieu authentique, chaleureux et raffiné.  Et ce souci de détail est tout simplement un plaisir pour les yeux et les sens.  Merci pour votre acceuil, sans parler de la cuisine de Charlotte qui est un pur délice!  Nos enfants ont passé également un excellent moment et se souviendront longtemps de notre weekend au Château de Chargé.  Couettes moelleuses, coffre à jouets, parties de jeux avec Louis... Encore merci.  A très bientôt."

 Poulain Family, Versailles (FRANCE) 23 May 2009

"Thank you all for a wonderful stay in your magnificent château.  You have done an amazing job, I can only imagine how hard you have worked to achieve this wonderful result.  As ever your hospitality is outstanding, the wine and food as good as ever!  You have set standards we aren't going to be able to keep up with.  Amy used to just want a swing, now she would like a château!  We look forward to seeing you all again in the near future."

Basu Family, Antwerp (BELGIUM) 1 June 2009

"What a wonderful weekend!  First of all, hats off to you for getting this place up.  A royal comfort in modern times.  Your warmth and hospitality was amazing.  Sad to leave today, but what to do! Work beckons.  You created the atmosphere of family, the delicious food on both nights, the drinks in the garden, the conversations at the dinner table, the pets - we will miss them all.  We will surely come back.  Even if we don't, do keep in touch and let's be friends forever!"

Payne Family, London (UK) 20 June 2009

"Thank you very much indeed for a wonderful, albeit far too short, stay!  The room is perfect, the food excellent, and the company charming, not to mention the wine.  We were particularly impressed at how you managed to provide such a child-friendly experience while at the same time making it so un-intrusive an 'civilised' if you know what I mean!  Thanks again, and we look forward to seeing you again soon."

Sherwood/Donohoe Family, Dublin (IRELAND) 10 July 2009

"Congratulations on Château de Chargé, we had a great time with some great memories to leave with.  You are such consumate hosts and anyone would think you had been doing it for years.  Thank you for everything especially all the great local advice.  We wish you every success with Château de Chargé - a class A retreat with everything a guest would ever need."

Lane/Lucas family, Wicklow (IRELAND) 12 July 2009

"We have had a lovely time here in this relaxing, family friendly and enchanting retreat.  Thank you for your hospitality and assistance which has even extended to helping us getting here.  Highlights have been the wine-tasting, the swimming pool, having a guests' kitchen (a welcome surprise for families) and seeing all the children making the most of their imagination with Châtea de Chargé as the backdrop.  A special thank you to Louis for giving so much of his time to our daughter Isabel - definitely two kindred spirits - may they continue to remain so.  Outside the château there was plenty to see and do for all ages.  We hope that we will be back."

Mr and Mrs Marks , London (UK) 14 July 2009

"We have had a very relaxing and luxurious stay.  You have done up the château to very high standards and we have really appreciated it.  We had not been to Chinon before and found it charming while being in easy reach of many other tourist areas.  Your recommendations for restaurants have been first class and we have eaten well.  I can see that in a few years' tim when you have finished all that you wish to do here you will have a spectacular home with continuing excellent rooms for guests.  I shall be telling my children about the château as it is very child friendly.  Good luck over the next few months and onwards."

Powell Family, London (UK) 22 July 2009

"We've had a fabulous time at Chargé.  It is a genuinely beautiful and historic building - and all of the rooms are fantastically comfortable and welcoming.  Amy loved the pool and wandering about 'her' castle.  Look forward to seeing the finished article with more of the same delightful accommodation.  Best of luck with the future.  Look forward to a return visit soon;"

Hughes Family, Discovery Bay (Hong Kong) 23 July 2009

"After two weeks at Chargé I am feeling dangerously relaxed, to the point of chucking in the towel and becoming your gardener!  I've drunk lots of lovely wine, played in the pool, walked around the glorious countryside... what a great place.  Back to Hong Kong and my 'real life' now, but I'm sure we'll be back at some point.  All the best to you, and good luck with the ongoing 'Chargé project'."

Group of 8 adults from Finland, Slovakia, Mexico, England, Singapore and France, 26 July 2009

"Merci pour votre acceuil chaleureux et félicitations pour le travail accompli.  vous nous avez permis des retrouvailles heureuses entre la Finlande, la Slovaquie, la Mexique, l'Angleterre, Singapour et la France.  Nous vous souhaitons chance et succès pour la suite de l'aventure et viendrons très bientôt écrire d'autres pages..."

Heikkila/Zenone Family, Mexico City, 26 July 2009

"Excellent place for families with children with good amenities, great food, spacious and beautifully decorated rooms.  I hope to be back soon - thank you!"

Hall Family, Buckinghamshire (UK) 28 July 2009

"Thank you for the most amazing stay.  We wanted a bit of luxury before moving on to the coast and a Eurocamp site, but this really was better than we could ever have hoped.  Spotlessly clean, attention to detail, gorgeous pool; delicious food and very warm, welcoming hosts.  We hope to be back one day and will definitely recommend you to our friends."

M et Mme Valette, Ohain (Belgium) 30 July 2009

"Sous le soleil de juillet, Château de Chargé nous a éblouis dès le premier regard!  Jean-François nous avait dit que nous aurions une très belle surprise!  Tout est soigné, votre acceuil nous a beaucoup touchés.  Merci pour ces deux belles journées.  Bonne chance et bravo pour cette magnifique demeure."

Chantry/Harvey Family, Shipton-u-Wychwood (UK) 1 August 2009

"We have been racking our brains to think of a place where we have had more hospitable hosts, a more comfortable or luxurious room or a more beautiful place in which to stay - tha answer is nowhere!  Your hard work, vision and taste has provided the perfect place to stay.  You could not have been more accommodating, and rest assured, we will be back.  You are living our dream and we can't wait to see the next stage.  Thank you so much."

Allen/Winter Family, Forest Row (UK) 1 August 2009

"Château de Chargé is the most wonderful place we have ever stayed in France!!  You have created a little piece of heaven on earth here, so welcoming, hospitable, comfortable, relaxing, peaceful, easy-going and your attention to our needs has been kind and thoughtful, the breakfast beyond delicious, the rooms beyond comfortable (ah, those beds!!) it's so 'like home' I for one am finding it hard to get in the car and actually leave!!  Looking at the before and after photos all I can say is that your vision and hard work and eye for style and detail are amazing.  We will definitely be back and very much look forward to seeing what you will have done this time next year.  Bonne chance, and thank you so much!"

Hallez Family, Paris (France) 2 August 2009

"One word - 'epoustouflant'!  You really have surpassed yourselves with this magnificant château.  The rooms are just beautiful (not to mention the bathroom - fit for a king!)  The peace and tranquility of the surrounding rolling countryside, but most of all your warm welcome and attention to every detail.  Our two little ones have had a ball too - James will be talking about the 'âteau' for a while yet.  A heartfelt thank you for a wonderful start to our holiday and we hope it's not too long before we meet up again."

Achermann Family, Zug (Switzerland) 5 August 2009

"It was a great pleasure to meet you here at the castle (Chargé) and to be your guests.  We really enjoyed our stay in the Touraine!  Lots of compliments to the château, it really is magnifique and luxurious.  We wish continuous success, and who knows, when we meet here again."

Egitto Family, Bristol (UK) 6 August 2009

"Thank you for your wonderful hospitality, relaxation, wine, food, in the most relaxing place.  We have all enjoyed our stay a lot.  Luca and Emilia enjoyed the pool and playing with Louis.  We hope to return next year."

Cummins Family, Hillsborough (Northern Ireland) and Bruxelles (Belgium) 11 August 2009

"We have had a really wonderful holiday at Loire Valley Retreat.  Thanks to all three of you for your hospitality and entertainment; food wine and education excellent, and your accommodation is the best I have ever experienced.  Love and best wishes for the new arrival and many thanks for a truly relaxing holiday."

"Un magnifique séjour ou le temps semble d'être arreté.  Les journées ensoleillées ponctuées de visites des châteaux, de randonnées vélo, et de tours du vignoble et se terminant le plus souvent à l'ouest autour du barbecue à cause bien sûr du vin de la région, resteront un excellent souvenir.  Un grand merci à Charlotte, Jérôme et Louis qui grâce a leur hospitalité et générosité ont pu faire de ce séjour une expérience inoubliable."

"Thank you for such a lovely holiday.  We have enjoyed ourselves so much, we love the château and everything about it... the rooms, the food, the swimming pool...  Thank you for being so welcoming and for showing us around and organising the wine tasting!"

Harper-Smith Family, North Lincolnshire (UK) 15 August 2009

"Thank you for a lovely stopover!  Wish we were staying longer.  The room was fantastic, bliss after a night travelling.  Will recommend this château to all our friends."

Hale Family, London (UK) 17 August 2009

"It has been an absolute pleasure staying with you here at Chargé - thank you for a wonderfully relaxing two days, for a superb introduction to Loire wines and for your company - overall for looking after us so well!  All three of us have just had a wonderful stay and we hope to return very soon!" 

Blazye Family, London (UK) 19 August 2009

"What a fantastic time we have had - 5* all the way - with beautiful surroundings, food, and not forgetting the wine!  The château is delightful and one of the most pleasant places we have every stayed.  Congratulations on a wonderful adventure and lots and lots of success in the future.

Mr & Mrs Yates, Kingsbridge (UK) 20 August 2009

"Many thanks for making our holiday in this beautiful part of France so memorable.  Your kindness and hospitality was very much appreciated plus your advice on Chateaux to see and restaurants to use was invaluable.  We will be reporting back not only to the "Claygate Mob" but also to all our friends.  We are sure your enterprise will flourish and we look forward to returning again."

The Smith Family, Sevenoaks (UK) 22 August 2009

"We have had the most wonderful stay.  We wish we could stay longer!  The château is so beautiful, you have done an outstanding job of the renovations - stylish yet homely and comfortable.  The setting and tranquility of th eplace has made our stay so relaxing - within minutes of arriving after 7 hours in the car we felt relaxed.  You have a wonderful formula - stunning château, great food, excellent wines, toys galore for the children, sparkling pool, stylish family friendly spacious suites and most of all generous thoughtful hospitality where nothing is too much trouble.  We wish you every success with the château and look forward to coming back soon and seeing what else you have done to the place."

The Ness Family, Bromley (UK) 22 August 2009

"Beautiful setting, delicious food, stylish and comfortable rooms, wonderful pool, brilliant childrens' facilities, and above all... perfect hosts!  We wish we were staying longer bu we know we'll be back!"

Leyland / De Richelieu, Cheshire (UK) 25 August 2009

"Lovely accommodation, lovely setting, everything lovely.  Thoroughly enjoyed the wine tastings.  Look forward to seeing you again."

By email "You made what was a very unhappy start to our holidays the best seven days we have spent in many years.  Your attention to our needs and the stunning surroundings and  rooms of your beautiful château, apart from making us very welcome also added to the relaxation and tranquility which was much needed by Jayne and I.  We both extend our sincere thanks to you, we hope that your dream continues and that success is a matter of record." 

Wrenn family, Isle of Wight (UK) 26 August  2009

"Two days of supreme comfort and enjoyment.  You must be the ultimate hosts.  And then the wine...!"

Mr & Mrs Singer, Wiltshire (UK) 28 August 2009

"As we approached the chateau the only words to be discussed were 'wow''.  Your home is truly beautiful and you have put so much into making it a dream place.  You have been wonderful hosts.  One night is certainly not long enough but we will most definitely be back  and you will be recommended to all friends and family.  Jerome - thank you for the tour, you have taken so much time out, the cellars are spectacular.  Owen and I wish you all the very best for the future and for all your plans.  One final word, our bed was so comfortable, the best night's sleep I have truly ever had.  Thank you.  A wonderful start to our holiday."

The Carn Family, Orpington (UK) 31 August 2009

"What a fantastic location!  We've really enjoyed our short stays and it's a shame we have to leave.  You have been lovely hosts and I struggle to think of anything that could have made our visit more enjoyable.  I would recommend this to anyone especially those with young children, and look forward to returning in the near future."

Mr & Mrs McDonald, Wandsworth (UK) 31 August 2009

"Thank you for a lovely stay.  The boulangerie is very 'chouette' and the meal and wine excellent.  Charlie clearly enjoyed playing with Milou!  I am sure we will be back on our way to Lectourne (Gers)."

The Skipwith Family, London (UK) 5 September 2009

"Congratulations on ditching your 'proper jobs' and finding your true vocation!  Thanks for hosting us so well and for your kind generosity (with the wine!)  We all absolutely loved our stay here at Chargé.  It's been great fun and relaxing  - a good mix.  Also we were amazed at how much you have managed to do with your new home and we're excited about your second phase.  It's been a real pleasure getting to know you - two lovely people enjoying your new home and rezlaxed enough to have fun with your guests.  What could be better!"

The Bryant Family, Surrey (UK) 6 September 2009

"Thank you so much for a wonderful week at your beautiful château.  The rooms are amazing - such attention to detail and the beds huge and very comfortable.  Your hospitality has been second to none; the food and wine particular highlights.  Looking forward to enjoying the Quincy and Château Yvonne in deepest Surrey and remembering our time at Chargé.  Your knowledge of the area helped us make the most of our days and keep Owen happy and entertained.  We will definitely recommend Chargé to our friends as we know they'd get such a warm welcome on arrival and throughout their stay.  Thanks for a great week."

The Parsons / Jackson Family, Surrey (UK) 25 September 2009

"Thank you for a wonderful few days.  The house is beautiful and you have renovated it to perfection.  We cannot believe how much you have done in a year.  Not only is the house amazing to stay in, but as hosts you seem aware if even the smallest needs.  We felt well looked after and greatly welcomed.  We can't wait to see how your plans develop."