French Château
"Noblesse Oblige"
Chapter 52 of Dan Brown's bestselling thriller The Da Vinci Code begins as protagonist Robert Langdon and his companion Sophie arrive in an armored truck at the gate of a 17th-century chateau northwest of Paris. While the subsequent plot developments are pure fiction, the Château de Villette really exists, and the historic property originally commissioned for a prominent French count is now open to commoners as a high-end vacation rental — complete with a modern tennis court nestled among the groves and formal gardens of the 185-acre estate.
With 18 bedrooms and a price tag fit for a king, Château de Villette is not practical for the average family vacation, but by signing on with a group program operated by A Taste of France, you won't have to rent the entire estate to gain access.
Château de Villette: Olivia Hsu Decker (contact)
100 Tiburon Blvd., Suite 200
Mill Valley, CA 94941
415-435-1600
www.frenchvacation.com
Group tours: A Taste of France
201 E. City Hall Ave., Suite 610
Norfolk, VA 23510
757-216-2662
www.thetasteoffrance.com
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