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CHÂTEAU LESVESCAULT: A dream comes true in the South of France
Life on Vancouver film sets for stunt performer Fiona Benson (née Roeske) was exciting, doubling Uma Thurman, Charlize Theron, Angie Everhart and Sharon Stone in stunt sequences over a 20-year period that made audiences gasp. Now, guests have the same reaction when walking into her magical French property, Château Lesvescault.
pursued an Interior Design degree at Yorkville University’s Institute of Design and received an award for a condo redesign from Canadian House and Home magazine. Her completely redesigned penthouse on Vancouver’s downtown harbour was featured on the HGTV series Lofty Ideas.
Her passion for French design and cuisine led her to the French countryside. Fiona and her husband fell in love with a 15th-century listed château, originally the palace of the Bishops of Poitiers, which stands in the heart of the Charente, nestled near Cognac fields, markets, culinary artisans, and Michelin-starred chefs, and only two hours from Paris. They have spent the last four years renovating
As well as loving the stunt business, Fiona’s other passions were interior design and French cuisine. She attended the prestigious Debrulle Cooking School for six months, and after meeting comedian John Cleese, the two produced and co-hosted a pilot for a TV stunt cooking show. She also
Story by: Lesley Diana with Kirsty Withams in France Photos of the château and grounds: Justin Silvester Photos of Fiona: Kirsty Withams
the entire property, creating beautiful guest accommodations, complete with a heated saltwater pool, a pétanque court, a fully stocked potager, fountains, intimate seating areas throughout the gardens and a professional outdoor kitchen complex.
THE CULINARY RETREAT
Inspired by conversations with Caren McSherry of Gourmet Warehouse in Vancouver, who said international chefs would love to come to a fully equipped venue in France to teach exclusive residential culinary delights to holidaying guests, Fiona and her husband were enchanted by the idea. They set about making this a reality, creating a wonderful French venue for luxury culinary holidays and inviting international chefs to come and teach the art of French cuisine.
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THREE GÎTES. SHARED GARDENS. PRIVATE RETREATS.
Today, set in a stunning new outdoor teaching kitchen, overlooking the French gardens, Château Lesvescault welcomes chefs from around the world to share their expertise with guests through immersive culinary experiences in this private facility. Guests may learn timeless, classic techniques in “Mastering the Art of French Sauces” or discover delicious fish recipes such as “Poisson à la Bordelaise”, while discovering the exceptional produce and culinary traditions that make this region one of France’s gastronomic treasures.
What awaits are three beautifully appointed gîtes, magnificent French gardens with a 19th-century fountain, walled kitchen gardens and the kind of unhurried quiet that only centuries of stone can offer.
Maison Juliette, Maison Olivier, and L’Orangerie each occupy their own restored stone buildings with their own history, their own character and their own private terraces. All three gîtes open onto the shared grounds of the domaine— ancient stone walls, peaceful fountains and the unhurried pace of the Charente. You will sleep inside a piece of French history.
Beyond the kitchen, guests can immerse themselves in the rich culinary heritage of this region. Optional experiences include sommelier-guided Cognac tastings, guided tours of the beautiful distilleries and vineyards, and intimate wine tastings in the Château’s 15th-century tower. Spend a leisurely morning strolling around vibrant markets, exploring picturesque ancient villages, or simply relaxing with a good book while sipping chilled rosé by the pool before your afternoon culinary experience begins.
ONE OF THE QUIETEST, MOST BEAUTIFUL CORNERS OF SOUTH-WEST FRANCE.
PASS THROUGH THE GATES. LEAVE THE WORLD BEHIND.
Villefagnan sits at the heart of the Charente—equidistant from Cognac, Angoulême and Poitiers, and within an easy drive to the Dordogne, Saint-Émilion and Bordeaux, with its access to the famous Medoc and its world-class wines. The landscape is gentle and ancient: rolling fields, stone market towns, roads lined with plane trees, and a pace of life that has not changed in generations.
The private entrance to Château Lesvescault is unlike any other in Villefagnan. Its massive round towers, connected by the 15th-century crenellated gallery, still bear the original corbels that carry vestiges of their medieval bretèches and machicolations. As the massive wooden gates close, you enter a place of peace and tranquility. The small pedestrian door beside the arch is another original feature, unchanged for 500 years. The two round towers, the entrance porch and the enclosing walls were officially listed as a Monument Historique by a decree dated 4 December 1951.
From quaint French villages, artisanal cheesemakers and organic bakeries to Pierre Lecat Cognac Distillery, unforgettable French culinary adventures await, making this a vacation that will fulfill guests’ dreams. T
Open May to September, an experience that lasts a lifetime can be booked on their website. chateau-lesvescault.com
