Stay 
Château de Gorce
approx. 4.5 km
A late-medieval château beside the Transon at Pleuville, with an entrance gatehouse, a keep crowned with machicolations and the ruins of an older round keep. Registered in 2002.
Photo: Sonja Gurt, CC BY-SA 4.0
Château Paradis: a château for large groups in Benest, Charente
Château Paradis is a large château rental at Benest, in the north of the Charente, close to the border with the Vienne. According to the Expedia listing it has 28 bedrooms and sleeps 91, with a heated pool, a garden, a terrace and a babysitting service. It is a family and group address in the countryside, a short drive from abbeys, châteaux and a primate park.
At a glance
- Location
- Benest, Charente (Nouvelle-Aquitaine), in the north of the department near the border with the Vienne
- Accommodation
- Large château rental with 28 bedrooms sleeping 91, managed by a professional host; 15.5 private bathrooms in the listing’s count
- Highlights
- Heated pool, garden, terrace, sun loungers, games, golf listed on site, fireplace, air conditioning, full kitchen, babysitting
- Guest rating
- No reviews on Expedia yet
- Check-in & check-out
- Check-in from 4 pm · check-out at 10 am
- Good to know
- No pets · non-smoking · free on-site parking
Staying at Château Paradis: a 28-bedroom château in the Charente countryside
To stay at Château Paradis is to take over a whole château in the rural north of the Charente, rather than book a room. The Expedia listing is titled “Chateau Paradis – 28 bedrooms, sleeps 91” and presents it as a château for families in a countryside setting, managed by a professional host. The pictures show a grand entrance hall with a chequerboard floor and chandelier, a salon with a grand piano and fireplace, and a dining room with a dark wooden table.
Leisure is a strong point: the listing names a heated pool and a communal pool, sun loungers, a garden and terrace, games and golf among the activities, plus a babysitting service. The room features mention private pools and fireplaces as well as work areas and printers, so check which apply to each room. There is also a laundry, a washing machine, a dishwasher, a kitchen, air conditioning and central heating, and Wi-Fi in all rooms and some public areas.
Pets are not allowed, smoking is not permitted and on-site parking is available. The listing counts 15.5 private bathrooms, with sofa beds as well as bedrooms, which helps explain the capacity of 91 guests.
Photos of Château Paradis
History around Château Paradis: abbeys and châteaux of northern Charente
- 784–785 – Charroux Abbey is founded by Count Roger of Limoges and his wife Euphrasie of Auvergne, under Charlemagne’s protection.
- 850s – Charles the Bald founds Nanteuil Abbey, later wrongly credited to Charlemagne; it is destroyed by Viking raids in the early 10th century and rebuilt towards the end of it.
- 989 – The Council of Charroux meets, the first of four councils held at the abbey.
- 12th century – The Romanesque church of Saint-Justinien at Benest is built; it depends on Charroux Abbey as a priory-parish.
- 14th century – The fief of Ordières already belongs to the La Rochefoucauld family, and the keep of the château dates from this period.
- c. 1520 – The Renaissance château of La Rochefoucauld is built largely on the site of an 11th-century fortress.
- 1617 – Abel Pastoureau has the central logis of the Château d’Ordières built and its coat of arms carved.
- 1984–2002 – Benest church is registered in 1984; part of the Château d’Ordières in 1989; the Château de Gorce in 2002.
The history of Château Paradis itself is not documented in the sources used for this guide, and the Wikipedia article that the data matched to it was unrelated. This section therefore looks at the heritage of Benest and the surrounding area. The nearest château on Wikipedia, Ordières, stands 1.6 km away; nothing links it to the listing.
At Benest, the former prior’s lodging next to the church, known locally as the “Château Saint-Justinien”, was restored in the 2000s by the commune and is occasionally open to visitors. Around it, many farms date from the 19th century, and a few from the 18th.
Facilities and services at Château Paradis
The details below come from the Expedia listing (as of 14 Oct 2026); facilities may vary from room to room.
Leisure
- Heated pool and communal pool
- Sun loungers
- Garden and terrace
- Games
- Golf listed as an on-site activity
- Babysitting service
Rooms
- 28 bedrooms, sleeping 91
- 15.5 private bathrooms (the listing’s count)
- Sofa beds
- Bed linen and towels provided
- Hair dryer
- Cable and satellite TV
Kitchen & comfort
- Kitchen and dishwasher
- Washing machine and laundry
- Fireplace
- Air conditioning and central heating
- Workspaces and printer
- Wi-Fi in all rooms
Around the château
- Free on-site parking
- SARL La Charrette, about 10 minutes’ walk
- Auberge Les Fontilles, about 11 minutes’ walk
- Ruffec station, about 28 minutes by car
Where Château Paradis is: Benest, between Charroux and Confolens
Château Paradis lies at Benest, in the north of the Charente department, in countryside close to the border with the Vienne. A car is the practical way to get around: according to Expedia, Ruffec station is about 28 minutes away by car, and two places to eat are within about a 10-minute walk.
The nearest historic sites are the Château d’Ordières, 1.6 km away, and the Château de Gorce, about 4 km away. Charroux Abbey and the ruins of Nanteuil Abbey are each about 11 km away as the crow flies, and Confolens, the main town of the Charente Limousine, is about 17 km away.
For children, Expedia points to Laby’Infernal and the Circuit du Val de Vienne motor-racing track, about 22 km away; it also lists the Affental, the monkey park known in French as La Vallée des Singes, about 25 km away.
Map: © OpenStreetMap contributors.
Distances (as the crow flies from Château Paradis)
| Benest (village) | approx. 500 m |
| Château d’Ordières | approx. 1.5 km |
| Château de Gorce | approx. 4.5 km |
| Alloue | approx. 5 km |
| Nanteuil Abbey | approx. 11 km |
| Charroux Abbey | approx. 12 km |
| Confolens | approx. 17 km |
| Ruffec | approx. 20 km |
| Circuit du Val de Vienne | approx. 22 km |
| La Vallée des Singes | approx. 26 km |
| Château de La Rochefoucauld | approx. 34 km |
Distances are calculated as the crow flies from the coordinates given on Expedia; driving times come from the Expedia listing.
Things to see around Château Paradis
Nanteuil Abbey
approx. 11 km
A ruined Benedictine abbey founded in the 850s by Charles the Bald, long wrongly credited to Charlemagne, and rebuilt in the late 10th century after Viking raids.
Photo: Jack ma, CC BY-SA 3.0
Charroux Abbey
approx. 12 km
A Benedictine abbey founded in 784 or 785 under Charlemagne’s protection, now a ruin. It hosted four councils, the first in 989; the Charlemagne tower still stands.
Photo: JLPC, CC BY-SA 3.0
Confolens
approx. 17 km
A sub-prefecture of the Charente and the main town of the Charente Limousine, known for its Festival.
Photo: Jack ma, CC BY-SA 3.0
La Vallée des Singes
approx. 26 km
A zoological park at Romagne, in the Vienne, founded in 1998, showing a wide variety of primates on wooded islands.
Photo: JLPC, CC BY-SA 3.0
Château de La Rochefoucauld
approx. 34 km
A Renaissance château built largely around 1520 on the site of an 11th-century fortress whose towers survive. Classified in 1955, it belongs to the La Rochefoucauld family.
Photo: Aubry Françon, CC BY-SA 4.0
Tours & activities near Château Paradis
Experiences in the region that you can book online with Viator:
Discover La Rochelle: Discovery Walking Tour of La Rochelle
Walking tour of La Rochelle in English. Find out about the history of La Rochelle, visit the key sights to see, discover the best things to see and …
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Versailles Full-Day Electric Bike Tour : Market, Picnic & Palace
Discover the best way to reach Versailles from Paris: by electric bike rather than by train or bus. Accessible to everyone, even the less sporty, the …
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Paris Private and Customized Tour with Driver-Guide for Layovers
Choose a hassle free tour with a bilingual driver-guide, brand-new and comfortable vehicles. I pick you up at the arrivals and drop you off at the …
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The Océâmes Treasure in La Rochelle
IMPORTANT: The rate is 42 € / TEAM (6 maximum, if more, contact me) Passionate and creator of games of logic, reflection and observation for many …
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Food Tour - Discover La Rochelle
The La Rochelle Food Tour provides a unique insight into the gastronomic delights of La Rochelle and the surrounding region.
View details ›
Au Cœur du Château - VSOP D’USSÉ & XO BARON OTARD
An architectural masterpiece of Gothic and Renaissance inspiration, the Château de Cognac opens its doors and reveals its history and some of the …
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Discover Braastad Cognac
A dive into a family cognac house, whose work reflects the values. An authentic experience, where you discover the development of cognac through all …
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retro road trip/ Méhari, 2CV & Burton in Rochefort, La Rochelle
Get ready for an exceptional experience. Whether it's a getaway in town, on the coast, on the islands of Ré or Oléron or an adventure on the …
View details ›Some descriptions are machine-translated.
Who is Château Paradis for?
Family reunions and large groups
28 bedrooms and space for 91 guests make it one of the largest listings of its kind, ideal for reunions, big celebrations and group holidays.
Families with children
A heated pool, games, a garden, a babysitting service and La Vallée des Singes within about 25 km give children plenty to do.
Abbey and castle enthusiasts
Charroux, Nanteuil, Gorce and La Rochefoucauld lie within a short drive, so history lovers have plenty to explore.
Group retreats
The room features mention work areas and printers, and the large communal rooms can serve a team away day or a workshop.
Good to know before booking Château Paradis
- Check-in is from 4 pm and check-out is at 10 am.
- Pets are not allowed.
- Smoking is not permitted.
- The listing’s title states 28 bedrooms and sleeps 91; for group bookings check the exact bed set-up with the host.
- The room features list private pools and fireplaces among other amenities; check which apply to the rooms you book.
- A car is recommended: Ruffec station is about 28 minutes away by car.
Find available dates at Château Paradis
Frequently asked questions
Can you stay overnight at Château Paradis?
Yes. It is listed on Expedia as a château rental at Benest, in the Charente, with 28 bedrooms and space for 91 guests.
How many people can stay at Château Paradis?
The listing’s title states that it sleeps 91 guests in 28 bedrooms.
Is there a pool at Château Paradis?
Yes. The listing mentions a heated pool and a communal pool, with sun loungers.
Are pets allowed?
No. According to Expedia, pets are not allowed at this property.
What are the check-in and check-out times?
Check-in is from 4 pm and check-out is at 10 am.
What is there to see near Château Paradis?
Château d’Ordières is 1.6 km away, Château de Gorce about 4 km, Charroux and Nanteuil abbeys about 11 km, and Confolens about 17 km.
Room pictures, guest reviews and available dates are all in the Château Paradis listing on Expedia.
Looking for a château big enough for the whole family? Check availability and current prices for Château Paradis on Expedia.
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