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The Phoenix of Valescure

May 22, 2020

Château Lou Casteou sits elegantly amidst the quiet hills of Valescure, its architectural grandeur matched only by the stunning interior décor, each piece of furniture an ode to the exquisite craftsmen of a bygone era. By Cassandra Tanti of the Riviera Times. 

"It was devastating when we realised the whole place had been vandalized, yet there stood this beautiful big staircase and these amazing arched windows. The château’s charm was indisputable. The project was so overwhelming, but the place needed to be rescued.”
Château Lou Casteou was built in 1904 by Lord William Amherst, a British conservative member of parliament who is chiefly remembered as a collector of rare books, manuscripts, antique furniture and other works of art. Lord Amherst is also famous for the large Egyptian collection he amassed; antiquities that ignited a passion for Egyptology in Howard Carter, the Englishman who later uncovered the tomb of King Tutankhamen. Sadly, Lord Amherst passed away just two years after his summer home was completed.

Family feuding among the property’s next owners, the Velays, meant that this enchanting mansion was left to disarray for 30 long years, occupied only by a group of itinerant squatters. Then, one dreary January day in 2006, London entrepreneur Morag McLaren Baxter toured the property with a real estate agent from Cannes. “We only had torches because there was no electricity,” remembers Morag. “There were enormous cob webs everywhere and pigeon skeletons scattered all over the floor. It was devastating when we realised the whole place had been vandalized, yet there stood this beautiful big staircase and these amazing arched windows. The château’s charm was indisputable. The project was so overwhelming, but the place needed to be rescued.”

Aided by a small army of local artisans, Morag and her husband Chris managed to restore Château Lou Casteou to its former glory. Some of Lord Amherst’s stunning antique pieces were saved, including a delightful fountain in the courtyard.
LOU CASTEOU PRE-RENOVATION
Today, 12 luxury suites are all furnished in traditional style, each with ensuite bathroom and spectacular views over the Bay of St. Tropez or the captivating Esterel mountains. Five large reception rooms boast beautiful oak parquet floors and traditional fireplaces; the cloisters provide for atmospheric dinners and sophisticated entertaining. There’s a home cinema and games room, professional kitchen that can cater up to 200 guests, and a swimming pool beautifully situated amongst the olives and pine parasol trees.

In addition to hosting weddings and corporate events, the château is open to individuals for refined activities: a week-long gastronomic experience hosted by a celebrity chef; a culture retreat with song writing classes and art workshops; fitness holidays with treks to the Esterel; and a tennis academy. It is also available for private hire: the perfect getaway for family and friends. 
The Baxter’s have not only managed to rebuild Château Lou Casteou to an estate that Lord Amherst would be proud of, they have gone one step further by offering it, in all its splendour, to be enjoyed by all.
This article originally featured in the Riviera Times

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By Beth Lowe 17 Dec, 2020
ACADEMIC AND ADVENTURE CAMP FRENCH MEDITERRANEAN, EASTER AND SUMMER 2021 DATES: April 6-12th and July 3-17 2021. ‘A CAMP WITH A DIFFERENCE’ APPLICATION LINK BELOW The Lou Casteou Camp provides the opportunity to reside in a lovingly restored chateau on the French Mediterranean, located in an area rich in Roman History, dramatic architecture and stunning countryside and beaches. The program is well balanced and carefully constructed to deliver a unique academic and European cultural experience. Students will develop business skills and enhance their financial knowledge and have the opportunity to understand and prepare for University Applications. Evening discussions will address some of the most difficult questions of the day [Artificial Intelligence, Global Warming, Pandemic Policies] The event will be led by an international team of highly experienced and world class business experts and entrepreneurs with a track record of success in their specific industries. SUMMARY OF PROGRAM CONTENT: ACADEMIC -Group Hackathon Competition: To solve a range of social and business issues in a team format -Top University preparation workshops with a focus on UK and US universities (Oxbridge, Ivy League etc.) -Business and Technology Workshops: venture building, finance, negotiations, technology and blockchain -Evening Discussions on topics such as Artificial Intelligence, Climate Change & Pandemic Policies -Networking & mentoring sessions CULTURE AND DANCE -Painting at the chateau and in the surrounding countryside -Visits to museums and beauty spots including the historic Roman Town of Frejus. -Latin and Afro Dance Classes -Chess Tournament SPORTS AND FITNESS -Tennis Coaching for beginners through to advanced players -Coastal and Mountain Trekking -Water Sports -Table Tennis -French Boules All activities are optional and should be pre- selected to ensure adequate equipment and staffing levels.
02 Jul, 2020
Lou Casteou's charm and character made it the perfect location for filming France TV's stunning period drama 'Romance'.
01 Jun, 2020
Lou Casteou are delighted to announce dates for October's Let's Salsa luxury dance retreat. Join our award-winning team in this fabulous château set in the south of France from the 8th to the 11th October 2020.
23 May, 2020
Indulge in some fabulous R&R at this stunning property just 35 minutes from Cannes. An exquisite turn-of-the-century château that has been tastefully and luxuriously restored to blend traditional design with contemporary touches. Coming up in 2017 you could be ne-tuning your backhand at the Tennis Academy, getting into the groove at the Let’s Salsa retreats, or just indulging in some pampering Côte d’Azur-style with the Body Tonic break.
22 May, 2020
Замок Lou Casteou элегантно вписывается в спокойный холмистый ландшафт Валескюра рядом с горами Эстерель. Его архитектонический грандиозный внешний вид отражается в духозахватывающей внутренней декорации: каждый предмет медели — ода ремесленному искусству прошлых лет.
22 May, 2020
Elegant schmiegt sich das Château Lou Casteou in die ruhige Hügellandschaft von Valescure in den Ausläufern des Estérel-Gebirges. Sein architektonisch grandioses Äußeres spiegelt sich in der atemberaubenden Innendekoration wider; jedes Möbelstück ist eine Ode an die Handwerkskunst vergangener Zeiten.
20 May, 2020
Mark Hodson, editor of 101 Holidays, gives his verdict on Lou Casteou's Body Tonic luxury retreat.
18 May, 2020
Lifestyle magazine reports Château Lou Casteou’s ‘Let’s Salsa’ retreat combines all the rhythm and sparkle of Strictly Come Dancing with good exercise, great company and delicious food.
12 May, 2020
About Time Magazine ranked Château Lou Casteou's Body Tonic Retreat 'best in France' in their top picks for fitness holidays.
22 Apr, 2020
If you're thinking about a very different approach to the road to health and fitness – dancing – in particular, joyful dancing (well, all dancing is joyful) then Lou Casteou delivers the perfect Salsa dance retreat.
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