Chateau de Lucy sits in tranquility in 9 acres of woodland on the banks of the river L'Oise in the hamlet of Lucy near Ribemont, an easy 2 hour drive from Calais.

In a region steeped in battlefield history from times way back before the 11th century, Château de Lucy is also situated on a Roman archaeological site.

In more recent times, the Château was the Headquarters for the German army during both the First and Second World Wars and was occupied by Crown Prince Wilhelm of Germany and Prussia during WWI. Under the floorboards in one of the attics, we have found prayer books and a book of poems issued by the German army in 1916. Nearby, the Moulin de Lucy (situated just up river and on the opposite bank) was occupied by the German troops during the first world war.

As a reminder of the Château's turbulent past, we have a 'pill box' (machine gun fortification) about 20 yards from our kitchen door which was built to protect the Château when it was occupied by German Officers in the Second World War.

After WWII, up until the 1980s, weddings and Christenings were held at the Château, with the last wedding being held in 1982.

Now, while we live in the newer part of the Château, the gite which makes up the majority of the old original Château, is an ideal place to come for to explore and sample a true taste of France, easy enough to get to, but far enough into France to be truly French. 

Newly renovated, the gite makes up the majority of the 'old Château' built in the 1700s and is arranged over 3 floors.

Comprising of a large entrance hall with oak staircase, large bathroom with roll top bath and hydrotherapy shower, a double bedroom, a single bedroom, a double bedroom in the tower and open plan kitchen/sittingroom. Beautiful light rooms overlooking the Château grounds and river.

A welcome pack including toiletries and all bedlinen, towels, a dishwasher, fridge, full size cooker with ceramic hob, cooking utensils, cutlery, crockery and dining table and chairs are included.

For relaxing after a hard day's holidaying, a selection of board games, books, CDs and DVDs along with the CD, DVD player and Playstation 2 are included for your use. Wifi (wireless internet access) is provided, should you be unable to tear yourself away from your emails or want to check out local places to go.

Gas central heating and a woodburner are installed and keep the gite warm during the chill autumn and winter months.

The gite has access to a private terrace of some sixty square metres (a veritable sun trap) for eating breakfast outside, sunbathing or for a barbecue and sitting out with a glass of wine in the evenings.

Table and chairs, sun loungers and a gas barbecue are included for your use. Although the private terrace is exclusively for your use, you are very welcome to enjoy any part of the nine acres that Château de Lucy sits in. 

The 9 acres of woodlands that the Chateau sits in are ideal for walking, mountain biking, or just laying back in a hammock and relaxing.

The river L'Oise which runs around the edge of the property is ideal for trout fishing and carp lakes are between 2 and 5 miles away.

If fishing doesn't appeal to you, you can always test the water in the 'beach area' which is situated between our property and the Mill at Lucy, or you can kayak or row down the river.

The hamlet of Lucy is on the edge of Ribemont which can be accessed via St Quentin at Junction 10 from the A26 from Calais.

Ribemont, is a small market town rich in history and culture, it has a supermarket and petrol station, several boulangeries and a couple of restaurants and tabacs.

Ribemont has an excellent kayak club, currently placed 17th out of the 200 competetive clubs in France. We can arrange kayak hire for you from the Ribemont Kayak Club.

If you are into horse riding, there is a an equestrian centre and pony club in the heart of town, just let us know if you want us to arrange riding for you.

Just outside the grounds of the chateau runs the small tourist train, taking in the scenery of the L'Oise valley. From time to time, the dining car, reminiscent of the Orient Express steams along the tracks, offering luxury dining of a bygone age.

St Quentin (15kms from Lucy Ribemont)

The City of St Quentin, is best known for the Basilique and with 60,000 inhabitants is a bustling City full of artisan and designer shops, street cafes and beautiful Gothic architecture. A large market is held every Wednesday and Saturday morning off the town square.

Laon (40kms from Lucy Ribemont)

The medieval walled town of Laon (the Capital of France prior to Paris) oozes history such as the 12th Century octagonal Knights Templar Chapelle des Templiers. The Cathedrale de Notre-Dame (built in the second half of the 12th Century) was so ahead of its time that parts of its design were copied at Chartres, Reims and Notre-Dame in Paris.

Reims (80kms from Lucy Ribemont)

Reims is synonymous with champagne, although not only famous for champagne, the 2000 year old city witnessed the holy annointing the Kings of France, its architectural monuments (the Cathedral of Notre-Dame, the Palais du Tau, the Abbey of Saint-Remi, the Basilica and Monastery) have been listed by UNESCO of part of the World Heritage. 

There are views of the river and the Château grounds from the gite and private terrace.

The chateau comprises 3 bedrooms in total; 2 double, 1 single. . This gives room for up to 5 people. Bed linen and towels are provided for your use.

The chateau has 1 bathrooms and 1 WCs for your party's use. Central heating keeps you snug and warm.

The chateau has television video, dvd. The music system will play cds, radio.

There is room for 5 in the living room and 5 in the dining room. To prepare food you will find a cooker, an oven, a microwave, a fridge, a kettle, a toaster. You will also find a dish washer, a washing machine, a clothes drier, an iron and ironing board. The owner has also provided cutlery, crockery, glassware, cooking utensils.

This is a non-smoking chateau

Pets are not welcome 

Not suitable for wheelchairs 

The chateau is in a very quiet area. It has a south facing garden, a south facing patio area, interesting views, a barbeque. If you are driving there is private parking and a garage with the outside areas of the house having external lighting.

The chateau is right beside fishing, walking, cycling, historic sites.

Close to the chateau you will find swimming, horse riding, golf, a sports center, a museum, a theatre/cinema, shopping areas, a restaurant, a food shop.

Within easy reach of the chateau you will find a themepark.

Tourism steam train goes around the L'Oise valley on Sunday mornings.

The chateau is....

60 min from Lille airport.
80 min from Paris.
45 min from Vimy War Memorial.
45 min from Reims.
30 min from Laon - Capital of France before Paris.

Saturday- Only applies in the months of August

Saturday- Only applies in the months of

3 days.

4 PM

11 AM

Martin says: "We were looking for somewhere to completely chill out and recharge our batteries and Chateau Lucy was just what the doctor ordered! An old Chateau that has not been looked after for many a year, but 18 months ago Martin, Amanda and their family took it on as a project, a fairly big one it has to be said to bring the Chateau back to life which will offer them an ideal home and others, like ourselves, a haven where we can get away from it all! The Gite (3 bed apartment taking up one wing of the Chateau with its own entrance and fantastic terrace overlooking the the gradual reclaimed garden) was great. The old worldly charm has been kept, but with some modern comforts and they go together great! The Chateau is ideally located just on the outskirts of Ribemont which is a friendly little market town, but within an hours ride you can be in Saint Quentin, or Laon or Soissons to name but just a few of the very many picturesque small towns that they have in France. Martin, Amanada and their family are working very hard to make this whole thing work and without a shadow of doubt we will be going back sometime soon to see how they are getting on and of course to recharge our batteries again! "

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Long stay discount!! 10% discount if booking length is more than 2 weeks.