Stay 
Abbey church of Saint-Philbert-de-Grand-Lieu
approx. 4 km
The Carolingian church of a Benedictine abbey founded in the 9th century, listed as a historic monument in 1896. It holds part of the relics of Saint Philibert and is open to visitors.
Château des Marais: a night in a château at Saint-Philbert-de-Grand-Lieu
The Château des Marais, formerly the Château des Jamonières, stands in Saint-Philbert-de-Grand-Lieu, in the Loire-Atlantique, near Lake Grand-Lieu. In the 15th century its estate belonged to Gilles de Rais; it became a hotel in 2020 and now offers rooms with fireplaces, a garden and an outdoor pool, about twenty kilometres from Nantes.
At a glance
- Location
- Saint-Philbert-de-Grand-Lieu, Loire-Atlantique department (Pays de la Loire), in the Pays de Retz, about 22 km as the crow flies from Nantes
- Accommodation
- Former Château des Jamonières turned hotel in 2020, described by Expedia as a château with garden, outdoor pool and banquet hall
- Highlights
- Garden, picnic area, outdoor pool (seasonal), rooms with fireplaces, banquet hall, free Wi-Fi, free parking
- Guest rating
- 9.4/10 from 87 reviews on Expedia (as of 14 Oct 2026)
- Check-in & check-out
- Check-in 4–8 pm · check-out at 11 am
- Good to know
- Pets allowed for a nightly supplement · buffet breakfast at extra cost · upper floors by stairs only · designated smoking areas
Staying at the Château des Marais: a night in the former Château des Jamonières
To stay at the Château des Marais is to sleep in a historic house in the Pays de Retz, turned into a hotel in 2020 and renamed on that occasion. Expedia presents it as a château set in a garden, with a picnic area, an outdoor pool open according to the season and a banquet hall.
As for the rooms, the listing mentions a fireplace, a desk suitable for a laptop, a dining table, a TV, a kettle, a hairdryer, bed linen and towels, and central heating. The rooms are soundproofed and Wi-Fi is free, at a stated speed above 100 Mbit/s.
A buffet breakfast is available for an extra charge: 7.30 am to 9.30 am on weekdays, 8.30 am to 10 am at weekends. On-site parking is free, including for motorhomes and coaches, with a limited number of spaces.
Photos of Château des Marais
The history of the Château des Marais, the former Château des Jamonières
- 15th century – The Jamonières estate belongs to the Laval family, then to Jehan de Craon and Gilles de Rais, before passing to the Le Ferron family.
- Early 18th century – The estate enters the Juchault family through a marriage.
- After the Revolution – Louis-Marie Juchault des Jamonières is the owner; he also holds the Clermont estate.
- 1855 – The estate passes by inheritance to descendants of the Juchault des Jamonières family.
- 1882 – The shipowner Fernand Crouan, who commissioned the Belem, buys the estate.
- 2020 – The château is bought and turned into a hotel; it takes the name Château des Marais.
The sources consulted say little about the château’s architecture. Wikipedia mainly traces the succession of its owners, among them Gilles de Rais, whose name is also attached to the Château de Machecoul, some ten kilometres away.
Facilities and services at the Château des Marais
The details below come from the Expedia listing (as of 14 Oct 2026); details may vary from room to room.
Rooms
- Free Wi-Fi in the rooms
- Fireplace
- Desk for a laptop and dining table
- TV, kettle and hairdryer
- Bed linen and towels provided
- Soundproofed rooms
- Central heating
Food & drink
- Buffet breakfast (extra charge)
- Picnic area
Grounds & events
- Garden
- Outdoor pool (seasonal)
- Banquet hall
- Designated smoking areas
Practical
- Free parking without service, including for motorhomes, coaches and lorries
- Step-free entrance and wheelchair-suitable path
- Upper floors by stairs only
- Pets allowed, with a supplement
Where the Château des Marais is: between Nantes, Lake Grand-Lieu and the Vendée
The château stands in the hamlet of Les Jamonières, in the commune of Saint-Philbert-de-Grand-Lieu, in the Pays de Retz, south-west of Nantes (about 22 km as the crow flies). According to Expedia, it takes about 16 minutes by car to Machecoul station and 30 minutes to Nantes - Atlantique airport.
The village of Saint-Philbert-de-Grand-Lieu, about 4 km away, is known for its Carolingian abbey church and for neighbouring Lake Grand-Lieu. Among nearby sights Expedia also lists the Lake Grand-Lieu fishermen’s house, the Château de Machecoul and the Planète Sauvage park.
Nantes, with its Château des ducs de Bretagne and Machines de l’île, is some twenty kilometres away; to the east lie Clisson and its medieval remains, and to the west the Atlantic coast and the Passage du Gois, which leads to Noirmoutier.
Distances (as the crow flies from the Château des Marais)
| Machecoul forest | approx. 3.5 km |
| Abbey church of Saint-Philbert-de-Grand-Lieu | approx. 4 km |
| Saint-Philbert-de-Grand-Lieu (centre) | approx. 4 km |
| Lake Grand-Lieu | approx. 6.5 km |
| Château de Machecoul (ruins) | approx. 11 km |
| Les Machines de l’île, Nantes | approx. 21 km |
| Château des ducs de Bretagne, Nantes | approx. 22 km |
| Château de Clisson | approx. 32 km |
| Passage du Gois | approx. 35 km |
Distances calculated as the crow flies; driving times to the station and airport are taken from the Expedia listing.
Things to see around the Château des Marais
Lake Grand-Lieu
approx. 6.5 km
In winter, the largest natural lowland lake in mainland France, protected as a nature reserve. It is home to 270 bird species and lies almost entirely within the commune of Saint-Philbert.
Château de Machecoul
approx. 11 km
A former fortress now in ruins, known as the castle of Gilles de Rais and, wrongly, as “Bluebeard’s castle”. Its remains stand in the commune of Machecoul.
Château des ducs de Bretagne, Nantes
approx. 22 km
A ducal fortress built mainly in the 15th century, listed as a historic monument in 1840. Handed to the city in 1915, it now houses the Nantes History Museum.
Château de Clisson
approx. 32 km
A former fortress built from the 11th to the 15th century by the lords of Clisson on a promontory above the Sèvre Nantaise. Burned during the Vendée war, it has been restored since 1974.
Passage du Gois
approx. 35 km
A submersible causeway 4.125 km long linking the island of Noirmoutier to the mainland, passable only at low tide. Since 1971 a bridge has offered an alternative.
Tours & activities near Château des Marais
Experiences in the region that you can book online with Viator:
PANORAMA TOUR OF NANTES by electric bike
During this tour you will have the opportunity to discover Nantes and its surroundings in the best and most original way you can imagine. Riding an …
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Jet-ski session near Nantes
Since 1994, Jean-Yves and Franck Leroux have created a unique estate which brings together different activities in the same place. Jet-skiing is done …
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Nantes City Self-Guided Walking Tour with an APP
Dive into the heart of Nantes with our immersive Trippy Tour Guide App! Begin your adventure in the tranquil beauty of the Botanical Garden, then …
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Nantes Must-see Attractions Walking Tour With A Guide
Embark on a walking tour of Nantes with a knowledgeable local guide, delving into the city's rich history and vibrant culture. Situated on the Loire …
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Nantes Private Custom Walking Tour With A Guide (Private Tour)
Nantes is a city of history, art, and hidden corners that can be overlooked by visitors. Take the mystery out of your visit by exploring with a local …
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Guided tour of Nantes Discover the historic centre
Explore Nantes with a passionate local guide and discover the city from a new angle. Each visit is an immersion in the history, architecture, and …
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Private Transfer from Airports to Nantes
- The only one to have obtained the "Qualité Tourisme" label in Nantes issued by the Ministry of Tourism. - Private driver service recognized for its …
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AddictCamp Nantes - Route Addict
Plunging into the forest, you will venture on the trees in a green setting surrounded by nature! Strong sensations and challenges guaranteed through …
View details ›Some descriptions are machine-translated.
Who is the Château des Marais for?
History lovers
An estate linked to Gilles de Rais, a Carolingian abbey church 4 km away and the ruins of the Château de Machecoul about ten kilometres off.
Nature lovers
Lake Grand-Lieu, a nature reserve rich in birdlife, and the Machecoul forest are close by.
Couples and trips to Nantes
Garden, a pool in season and rooms with fireplaces, about twenty kilometres from Nantes and its Machines de l’île.
Families & groups
The listing mentions a banquet hall, a picnic area and parking for coaches; Expedia also lists the Planète Sauvage park among nearby attractions.
Good to know before booking the Château des Marais
- Check-in is from 4 pm to 8 pm; check-out is at 11 am.
- Pets are allowed for a supplement per animal per night; assistance animals are exempt.
- Buffet breakfast costs extra; it is served from 7.30 am to 9.30 am on weekdays and 8.30 am to 10 am at weekends.
- The outdoor pool opens according to the season.
- The entrance is step-free, but the upper floors are reached by stairs only; the property is listed as wheelchair suitable, with possible restrictions.
- Parking is free, without service, with a limited number of spaces.
Find available dates at Château des Marais
Frequently asked questions
Can you stay overnight at the Château des Marais?
Yes. According to Wikipedia, the former Château des Jamonières became a hotel in 2020 under the name Château des Marais, and it can be booked via Expedia.
Is there a swimming pool?
Yes, according to Expedia the property has an outdoor pool, open according to the season.
Are pets allowed?
Yes, for a supplement per animal per night; assistance animals are exempt.
What are the check-in and check-out times?
Check-in is possible from 4 pm to 8 pm and check-out is at 11 am.
Is there parking on site?
Yes, parking is free, without service; it also takes motorhomes, coaches and lorries, with a limited number of spaces.
How far is Nantes?
The Château des ducs de Bretagne in Nantes is about 22 km away as the crow flies; Nantes - Atlantique airport is about thirty minutes by car according to Expedia.
Room photos, guest reviews and available dates are all in the Château des Marais listing on Expedia.
Fancy a night in a former château of the Pays de Retz? Check availability and current prices for the Château des Marais on Expedia.
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