With this pass, visitors have full access to the exquisite gardens and grounds. Once inside the iconic front gates, visitors are free to explore the private eighty acres surrounded by the fifteenth-century stone wall as well as enjoy garden games, such as pétanque, badminton and croquet. The Château’s gardens were designed on a north-south axis, with the formal gardens closest to the Château and the sprawling grounds becoming progressively less structured nearer the woods. The classic gardens with the central allée, manicured boxwoods, delightful topiaries and immaculately trimmed expanses of green grass are extraordinary. Below the formal parterre is an exquisite potager garden surrounded by fruit trees. Beyond are acres upon acres to explore — a lake, meadows, grasslands and a historic white oak forest. Visitors can search for the seven statues placed throughout the grounds by King Louis XV as a housewarming gift to Baron Jacques Pineau de Viennay.
The Garden Pass + Pool and Chateau Access allows visitors to enjoy the expansive gardens and grounds as well as the stunning salons and common areas inside the Château. Typically only available to hotel guests, this pass also allows visitors to enjoy full use of the swimming pool and hotel services, including changing rooms and showers; and all garden games, such as pétanque, badminton and croquet. Visitors can explore the Exotic Garden, built at a slightly lower elevation and surrounded by walls protecting the area from wind. This extravagant garden remains incredibly warm, receiving most of the Loire Valley sunshine. Planted with a brilliant variety of flowers, the exotic garden is where the swimming pool, original working greenhouses and the quintessential orangerie are found. Visitors can explore the multitude of salons inside the Château and view the art collection on the rez-de- chaussée level of this centuries-old castle.
This pass is essentially the Nobleman’s Golden Ticket – a perfect way for day-trippers to experience Hotel Château when an overnight stay is not in the cards. Travelers passing through the Loire Valley or on a single-day sojourn from Paris or other nearby locales can enjoy an incredible stopover destination. Guests can live for an afternoon like a baron or baroness, and when night falls, leave Le Grand-Lucé with memories of an unforgettable day. This pass includes full access to the garden and grounds; a petit picnic; complete use of all hotel services, including the swimming pool and all garden games, such as pétanque, badminton and croquet; our fleet of e-bikes to tour the countryside; as well as a private room or suite to use as a home base for the day. Hotel Château du Grand-Lucé has hosted the most discerning travelers for centuries and is welcoming today’s guests to experience Baron Jacques Pineau de Viennay’s vision of modern splendor – translated centuries later.