Château de Fontager is located 1 hour's drive from Lyon's airport and offers a journey back in time with its historical atmosphere. With the Rhône River as a neighbor, there is wonderful peace and quiet for contemplation. At the same time, the castle is the perfect stop-over if you want to explore the Rhône Valley, its world-class vineyards and many gastronomic highlights.
The castle has now got the talented Mai Kappenberger (well-known Danish, Swiss hotelier, known from Kurhotel Skodsborg among others) behind the wheel and has reopened in the summer of 2022. There are upcoming expansions and renovations planned, but right now the castle is a good 4-star product with wonderful personal service. Here, the staff goes the extra mile to create a wonderful stay for you.
The castle is Danish-owned and has both Danish and French staff, who greet you with a smile and welcome you to 32 rooms in 4 room categories from Cozy double to Junior suites - all rooms are decorated differently with great love for the castle style.
In the summer months you can enjoy your lunch/dinner at Restaurant La Terrasse with a view of the pool area and the park, and in the winter months you move inside to the beautiful gastronomic restaurant, Chant de la Source, where you can enjoy your dinner in front of the impressive fireplace.
Here the Danish Head Chef, Nikolaj Skou Poulsen, lets his love for French cuisine and the exceptional ingredients it offers, do magic on your plate.
Alongside the Danish-French Chef, Francis Cardenau, who recently joined the board, Nikolaj aims to awaken the more than 2,000 year-old castle from its ground, by narrating the sensory tale of convivial, French hospitality fused with Nordic charm and aesthetics.
Francis Cardenau has garnered acclaim as one of Denmark’s foremost culinary trailblazers. He has been a member of the board at Bocuse d’Or in Denmark for a number of years – the latest three years as president. Furthermore, he has been awarded a host of accolades, most recently, in 2023, the title, Disciple d’Escoffier.
Chateau de Fontager's biggest attraction is clearly the 35-meter-long, beautiful pool, where you can laze on sun loungers with a view of the castle or the castle's beautiful park. If you are fit, there is also a little simple training by the pool.
By the pool you will also find the spa; Maison la Source, a well-being oasis with sauna and massage, immerse yourself in peace and tranquility as you slow down and recharge.
A new gym is on its way, up on the forest hill beside the castle, it will open its doors on the 1 May 2025
Prices from 150 Euro for 2 people in a double room including breakfast.
Things to do in the area:
Cité du chocolat
Enjoy a world of fine chocolate at Valrhona's Cité du Chocolat, which offers sensory and educational experiences ranging from tastings to workshops.
Palais du facteur Cheval
Palais du facteur Cheval In April 1879, postman Ferdinand Cheval stumbled upon a stone so bizarre that it sparked a dream. He then dedicated 33 years of his life to building a dream palace in his kitchen garden, inspired by nature, postcards and the first illustrated magazines.
Maison Delas
Explore the Rhône Valley's wine routes, starting with the nearby vineyards of Saint Joseph, Crozes-Hermitage and Tain l'Hermitage. The Hermitage hillside overlooks the Rhône, where vines have been grown in the nutritious soil of the granite slopes for centuries, producing a remarkably high-quality wine. At the bottom of the hillside lies the wine town of Tain-l'Hermitage, which is a popular destination for wine lovers and here you should also stop by Delas winery/hotel/shop. From the outside, the place doesn't make much of a statement, but when you enter behind the large gate, the most beautiful and stylish world opens up. Shop for some wine in the beautiful shop, where wine tastings are also arranged and you can visit their almost James Bond-like wine cellar. You can also stay in their exquisitely decorated hotel, where local chefs work their magic in the kitchen just for you.
Jardin Zen Eric Borja
Find your inner peace in Eric Borja's beautiful Zen garden. Follow the winding paths around the garden, which includes a harmonious collection of trees, flowers, artwork and water features. The garden is honored for its beauty and is a popular destination for locals and tourists alike Eric Borja is a renowned artist and landscape architect whose work has received worldwide recognition and his Jardin Zen is an expression of his passion for combining aesthetics and ecology in his architecture. Eric Borja began the creation of the Zen garden in Drôme back in 1973, and has also created the Garden of Chanel's headquarters in Neuilly.
Lyon
Take a day trip to France's gastronomic capital, Lyon, with its 20 Michelin-starred restaurants, including the world-famous Paul Bocuse restaurant and the many "Bouchons Lyonnais". Denmark once again put itself on the world map when Brian Mark Hansen from Søllerød Kro and his assistant Elisabeth Madsen from Svinkløv Badehotel won gold in the prestigious Bocuse d’Or cooking competition – also known as the unofficial world championship for chefs. Here, all the streets are like small, cozy Værnedamsvej streets. A good tip is to have lunch at Villa Florentine, the food is exquisite and for just 49 Euro you get a very delicious 3-course menu. And the place has the best view of Lyon in the city, which you can enjoy while eating.
Remember to book a table, as the place is very popular for the same reason. Another good thing is that it is located at the top of the old town, so you can walk straight down to all the cozy little alleys, and you can also spend some of your lunch up and down the many stairs that Lyon has to offer.
