Chateau de Paraza — Hotel in Narbonne

I chose the Chateau de Paraza, having spent ages Googling places to stay after booking a five-day ‘Ryanair break’ (and car-hire) into Carcassonne from Manchester. It was the most ‘disappointing’ of the three places we stayed; whilst visiting the likes of Narbonne, Beziers, Montpellier, Sete and Bages/Peyriac-de-Mer.||We spent two-nights here with our sixteen year-old son. I booked the King Suite, really so he could have his own 'room' and not be on a cramped and/or flimsy sofa-bed mattress in the ‘lounge’ or at the foot of our bed, as is often the case in regular hotels! I’d built myself an image of somewhere (both the building itself and our King Suite room) that would be opulent, sophisticated, memorable, unique, clearly ‘historic’ (something my son loves) and rather grand. Somewhere with some ‘wow-factor’ that we’d reminisce about in years to come. I’m just reviewing the accommodation element here. We didn’t do any of the wine-tasting in the separate shop/visitor/function area.||This is where it gets a bit awkward. Overall, I tend to judge places by how the 'reality' compares with the 'expectation' (the website, the descriptions and imagery, the previous reviews, the cost, the 'picture in my head' and what I'd expect of that standard of accommodation etc.) So, if I was being really harsh, it was a bit of a let-down and my wife and son agreed. But seems unfair to give it a 2-star, so will stick with an 'average'.||I was expecting rooms that combined tradition/heritage with perhaps some element of modernity. But the King Suite was just rather old-fashioned and a bit depressing really. I felt like we were rather trapped in an old soul-less public school, or an old National Trust property. The noise and footsteps from the room upstairs seemed to echo everywhere, despite the high ceilings. The toilet and bathroom door creaked and were a struggle to close. The bathroom is the 'far-side' of entrance room (that has the smaller wooden framed bed in it), so if the main bedroom occupants want to go to the bathroom in the night, you've got to tip-toe passed the person/people in the other bed/room, and then back again.)||There’s no TV. Didn’t bother us, but I’d not twigged that I’d not spotted one in the photos! Plug sockets are a bit random as, again, it’s an old property. Our biggest problem however was the heat. Admittedly it was 40+ degrees and a heatwave whilst there. But there’s no air conditioning (yes, I appreciate that it dates from the 17th Century!) It was stiflingly hot. Open the windows and you’ve got insects in, plus the church bells all night! Close them and it’s boiling. I just lay wide-awake on top of the bed all the first night, counting down time till morning. I was almost tempted to go outside, run the car engine and aircon, and try to sleep in the car. Late on the second day I went over to the winery offices to find someone to ask about maybe locating a fan for the second night? Lucille (?) went and got us one from an empty bedroom, but why not offer it to us at the start? Or, better still, why not have one in each room, without us having to ask? How much does it cost for a fan off Amazon!?||We never really found out if our booking included breakfast or not, or where we’d go for it, if it did? You could argue that the hotel part is very ‘relaxed’, but it wasn’t clear where to really find someone to ask anything. It rather seems the accommodation bit plays second fiddle to the wine business.||There was a shared (I presume?) fridge for guests outside our room along with a noisy coffee machine (why not move that somewhere quieter?) Further down there’s a water chiller tap (Zipp/Quokker type).||Pool area was nice enough. There’s a large central ‘lounge’ room with some board games, a billiard table and piano but, once again, we weren’t really sure if guests were allowed to use it or just pass through it to access the pool. Other rooms were presumably reserved for the family. Parking is in the courtyard directly outside (we were given a remote control to operate the gate.) ||Whilst some people will love the ‘olde-worlde’ charm of the Chateau, that ‘charm’ alone didn’t do it...

My girlfriend and I stayed here last week (August 8 through 10, 2018). If you want to stay in the most charming, timeless Chateau with modern amenities then Chateau de Paraza is where you want to be. It is in the middle of vineyards and open fields in the countryside. The rooms (we stayed in theBaron de Jougla suite) are period accurate with at least 15 foot ceilings. The bathroom was out if Architectural Digest and would look good in the most modern of homes. The suite also had direct access to the pool (salt water and beautiful) overlooking the vineyards. We slept with the 10 foot windows open and the breeze was wonderful. The winery you see on the website is accurate and right next to the chateau. The wine is delicious. The best part of all is the family Danglas who host you. From grandmother, daughters, sons, cousins and all. Lucille was our main contact and she even helped us with finding a place in Costa Brava, our next stop, that we also love. Lucille’s English is impeccable as are her other key personnel, like Margot, her cousin. You will need a car with GPS, but driving in the country side is fun and an adventure. I highly recommend Chateau de Castignan, which Lucille recommended to us. It is an architectural wonder like none other you have seen - in the middle of nowhere! I don’t want to give away its secrets. All of what we did was very reasonably priced and surprisingly less than we expected. Lucille will be happy to share her knowledge and the family only wants to make sure you have a good experience. If you like a large hotel with expensive lobbies, bars and glitz, this isn’t for you. But if you want to stay in a true southern French chateau with the accompanying charm, food, and atmosphere this is your place. Also, when we had breakfast it was set out like we were the king and queen of the chateau. Absolutely beautifully prepared and set. Believe it or not, you also get the keys to the castle to open and close the massive steel gate doors and fronts doors to go and come as you please. Our only mistake was not staying there longer to get out to see more towns and wineries nearby. Note that there is a small market in town, too, if you need something. You might miss it. We can’t...

My experience at Château de Paraza was nothing short of extraordinary. From the moment we arrived, we were immersed in the rich history and stunning beauty of this remarkable estate.

Here's a breakdown of our visit:

Grounds and Tours The Château grounds are impeccably maintained, offering a glimpse into the grandeur of French history. The tour was both informative and engaging, highlighting the château's historical significance and its role in the region's winemaking traditions. Walking through the vineyards and the beautifully landscaped gardens felt like stepping back in time.

Wine Tasting The wine tasting was a highlight of our visit. The Château de Paraza produces some of the finest wines in the region, and we had the pleasure of sampling several varieties. Each wine was expertly presented, with detailed explanations of the flavors and the winemaking process. The dedication to quality and tradition was evident in every sip.

Dining Experience The lunch we enjoyed in the formal dining room of the Château was a once-in-a-lifetime experience. The room itself is a testament to classic French elegance, and the meal was nothing short of spectacular. Each course was thoughtfully prepared and beautifully presented, showcasing the best of local cuisine. The staff were attentive and professional, adding to the overall exceptional dining experience.

Service and Hospitality The service at Château de Paraza was impeccable. From the warm welcome to the attentive care throughout our visit, the staff went above and beyond to ensure we had a memorable experience. Their knowledge, passion, and hospitality made us feel like esteemed guests in this historic setting.

Château de Paraza is a perfect blend of history, elegance, and modern comfort. Whether you're a wine enthusiast, a history buff, or simply looking for an unforgettable experience in the French countryside, this château is a must-visit. The combination of stunning surroundings, exceptional service, and exquisite wine and food make it a standout destination.

I highly recommend a visit to Château de Paraza. It’s an experience that will stay with you long...