Welcome
Welcome to Château du Rayet, a stunning 18th century château that will captivate and enchant you.
The honey-coloured stone edifice stands proudly in a graceful courtyard encircled by a tranquil moat and set in 10 hectares of private gardens, meadows and woods. Less than 5 minutes away is Villeréal, recently recognized as one of France’s most beautiful villages.
Lovingly restored to the highest standards, the château combines historical charm with modern luxury. It offers guests 7 gorgeous bedrooms, each with its own sumptuous bathroom, numerous elegant reception rooms, a private study, a bespoke high-spec kitchen, a well-equipped gym with a Peloton bike, a 14 x 5m heated pool and high-speed internet.
The château is the perfect holiday home for guests of all ages. Relax in the sun, enjoy leisurely meals together under the trees, soak up the peace and tranquility. Nestled on the border of Dordogne and Lot & Garonne, the property is a gateway to exploring a region rich in history and natural beauty – from prehistoric caves and bustling markets to countless historic châteaux and vineyards, charming bastide towns and breathtaking landscapes of rolling hills, river valleys and limestone cliffs.
Offering complete privacy and tranquillity, Château du Rayet is set in beautiful countryside and secluded from close neighbours yet is just a 5-minute drive from Villeréal, where you’ll find delightful restaurants, cafés, boulangeries and patisseries, two supermarkets, a petrol station, artisanal shops, a pharmacy and one of the best weekly markets of the region. Bergerac airport is conveniently located only a 30 minute drive away.
The château comfortably accommodates up to 14 guests in its 7 spacious bedrooms (5 doubles and 2 twins), each with its own luxurious bathroom. The ground-floor atelier in the courtyard features a double bedroom with an open-plan sitting room, while the other 6 bedrooms are situated on the first floor of the main château. With generously sized rooms, 3.5-metre-high ceilings, a grand staircase, and expansive grounds, every aspect of Château du Rayet enhances the magic of your stay.
Facilities
Inside, you'll find two stately entrance halls, numerous reception rooms, including a drawing room, a cozy snug, a family TV and games room, a pool table room, a dining room, and a private study. Outside, you'll be drawn to two main areas: the enchanting courtyard, perfect for al fresco dining under the shade of mature trees and for playing pétanque; and the pool area, featuring a heated 14 x 5-metre swimming pool, a covered seating area and toilet.
The château was built by Jean de Paty was the Chevalier seigneur de Luziés, count of Beaumont and the baron de Rayet (1703-1769). He was a kings’ parliamentarian in Bordeaux before the revolution. He was made the first baron of Rayet by letters patent in Versailles in 1736, after which we believe he built the château.
His son Leonard inherited the titles and property and he went on to buy the beautiful Hôtel Paty du Rayet in Bordeaux, where he was also a member of parliament. During the French revolution he was arrested, condemned and then guillotined on 1st August 1795.
The de Paty family sold the château du Rayet to the Miran family in 1835. Joseph Miran had run the most successful pharmacy in all of South America, in Argentina, and returned to France aged 35 to marry and to start a life at Rayet. His family continued to live here until 1921, when it was sold for 200,000 francs. We were delighted to buy this stunning property in 2022.
Photo of the Château of Rayet around 1900-1920
At Château du Rayet, your holiday will be nothing short of extraordinary.
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