If you’ve ever visited France’s Loire Valley, you know that you can’t throw a stone around the area without hitting a centuries-old castle. That said, most of the region’s historical edifices are only open for day visits. Like in a museum, you can walk around the place, and look at the architectural features and priceless art, but you can’t touch and you certainly can’t spend the night. But who wants to stay in a run-of-the-mill hotel after spending the day touring opulent castles? Not you. You want turrets and manicured gardens. And you can have exactly that at Les Hauts de Sancerre, a brand-new castle hotel that opened on July 1, 2025.
History and Location
Of course, while the hotel is brand new, the castle itself isn’t. Although the foundations of the edifice date back from the Middle Ages, the castle that stands today above the small, 2,000-inhabitant village of Sancerre was built in the 19th century. In fact, the castle celebrated its 150th anniversary in the summer of 2024. For the special event, the property (still undergoing renovations at this point) opened its doors to the public and 30,000 people showed up. But, it took another year for it to be ready to host overnight guests.
Getting to Les Hauts de Sancerre isn’t exactly difficult, but it’s not super easy either. It’s situated about 2.5 hours south of Paris and 45 minute east from the airport-equipped city of Bourges. You’ll need a car or a chauffeur to get there — but you’ll want to have your own wheels anyway, if you’re keen to tour the other castles of the Loire Valley.
Les Hauts de Sancerre is surrounded by other castles that you can visit on day outings. The impressive Château de Boucard is less than 20 minutes away, and so are the medieval Château de Buranlure and Château de Pesselières. Needless to say, if it’s castles you’re after, you’re in the right spot. And Les Hauts de Sancerre can act as your base while you attempt to see them all. That’s no small feat.
Rooms and Suites
While Les Hauts de Sancerre opened in July, there’s still a lot to do for the hospitality project to be complete. So far, there are eight suites available in the castle hotel, but as the renovations continue, there’ll be more accommodations. In 2027, when the work will wrap up, there should be 27 rooms and suites spread over four buildings.
The eight suites available to guests at the moment are in sharp contrast to the historical charm of the exterior. The focus is on natural, neutral colors, minimalist decor, and high-quality, contemporary furnishings. The wealth of natural light and lush views in each of the suites take center stage. The interior exudes a serene atmosphere that’s sure to appeal to overstimulated travelers. In short, if you’re looking for ornate canopy beds and glittery chandeliers, pass your way.
Food and Drinks
For now, Les Hauts de Sancerre has one 16-seat pop-up restaurant open for dinner from Wednesday to Sunday, and for lunch Saturday and Sunday. That said, you’ll want to book a table to try out the cuisine of 21-year-old celebrity chef Arnaud Munster. The €90 ($145) tasting menu is packed with refined traditional dishes and renowned local wines. It’s an experience you won’t want to skip.
In 2026, the pop-up restaurant will be replaced by L’Atelier des Cèdres, a permanent gastronomic venue. It will have 32 seats and continue serving dishes and wines rooted in the region’s heritage.
The Spa
Like any five-star hotel worth its salt, Les Hauts de Sancerre is home to a spa and fitness studio. What makes this wellness facility unique, however, is the fact that it exclusively uses hyper-local cosmetic products inspired by the nearby oak forests. The care menu is limited to a handful of hair, face, and body treatments for now, but as the property develops, so will the spa. The few offerings shouldn’t put you off, however. It’s probably the only place in the world where you can enjoy oak-shavings treatments.
Experiences
The castle hotel organizes unique experiences for its guests, so when you’re tired of castles, you can still find something fun to do. You can partake in vineyard tours and wine tastings, visit a traditional wine-barrel making facility, or even head over to a village where talented ceramic artists abound. If none of this appeals to you, hit the hundreds of miles of surrounding trails on foot or an electric bike. The landscape will provide plenty of awe-inspiring entertainment.
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FAQs
Q: What is the address of the castle hotel Les Hauts de Sancerre?
A: The address of the castle hotel is Les Hauts de Sancerre Esplanade Porte César,18300 Sancerre, France.
Q: How many rooms and suites are there at Les Hauts de Sancerre?
A: For now, there are only eight suites available for booking. When the hospitality project is completed in 2027, there will be 27 rooms in total.
Q: Is there a restaurant at Les Hauts de Sancerre?
A: Yes, there is a 16-seat pop-up restaurant open for dinner from Wednesday to Sunday, and for lunch Saturday and Sunday. A 32-seat permanent gourmet restaurant will open on the site in 2026.
