A fairy-tale place! The Radinis, from Milan, wanted their children to have an international education, eventually finding Vaulogé. Marisa and her delightful, amusing daughter Micol now run the place, Marisa devoting herself to the garden, her latest project being the horseshoe-shaped potager for fresh dinner produce. The original part of the château, where the family lives, was built in the 15th century. Vaulogé was later remodelled in troubadour style, giving it two circular pepperpot towers; when the shock waves of the Revolution had faded, the aristocracy reclaimed their houses. If it’s space you’re after, stay in ‘Casanova’: a huge round tower room, with terracotta floor and amazing, near-vertical beams – excellent for propping books on. (There are plenty of books: Marisa feels a house is not properly furnished without them.) There are other round rooms – ‘La Grande Tour’ is smaller, and ravishingly pretty. The whole place is enticing with flowers and little nooks and crannies, often put to good use as wardrobes or cupboards. The grounds are lovely, with lilies on the moat and a delicate stone chapel.
