Château de Neydens

Half an hour from the centre of Geneva, just across the border in Saint-Cergues, Château de Neydens began as a twelfth-century Cistercian barn. Now it’s a five-star private château of 1,597 square metres, let whole to one group, with a 20-metre heated pool, stables on the estate and a home cinema named Best Home Cinema EMEA in 2022.

Seven bedrooms and a dormitory sleep up to nineteen guests across nine bathrooms. We’d suggest it for a family celebration, a board retreat or a residential programme, and the owners also accept film and photo shoots. Among the villas in France we place, it’s the one we’d suggest when Geneva is part of the plan.

THE CHÂTEAU

Sixteen can sit at the dining table, twelve more along the kitchen counter. The house also has a library, a lounge and offices for anyone who has to work, plus a historic wine cellar. Terraces give onto the garden and the countryside, and the estate is fully enclosed and secured.

THE CINEMA, GAMES AND CARS

Film nights happen in the award-winning cinema. Next comes the games room, with billiards, table football, darts and car-racing simulators, plus a music studio for anyone who plays. A private gallery of cars is on display (a Formula 1 car and a James Bond car among them), and collector or sports cars can be hired by the day on request.

THE WELLNESS

Heated and 20 metres long, the pool has an adjustable depth, and there’s an outdoor jacuzzi. Sauna and hammam make up the spa; the fitness room has a bike, a rower, a treadmill and pilates equipment. Massages, Aquaflorès treatments and private yoga, pilates or fitness coaching are booked at extra cost.

THE BEDROOMS

Bedroom One, on the first level, has a king-size bed, a dressing room, a bathroom with tub and shower, a separate toilet and a private terrace. Bedrooms Two to Five on the second level, and Six and Seven on the third, each have a queen-size bed and a walk-in shower; Two and Three have terraces of their own. Also on the third level, the dormitory takes five single beds with two shower rooms.

THE GROUNDS

Close to seven hectares surround the house, including a wooded park and a pergola bar with a brazier. Outside dining seats twelve. Equestrian activities can be booked on request at the château’s own stables, the Écurie de Neydens, and a helicopter can land in the grounds.

THE SERVICE

A dedicated house manager is on site, concierge help runs from before arrival through the stay, and housekeeping is done before and after, with linen ready when you arrive. VAT and tourist tax are included. Breakfast (delivered, or cooked by the chef), daytime cleaning and fresh linen mid-stay come as supplements. On request: a private chef with a fully personalised menu, transfers from Geneva Airport, Cornavin or Annecy station, and boating on Lake Geneva.

THE LOCATION

Saint-Cergues lies on the French side, about 30 minutes from central Geneva, 50 from Geneva Airport and 15 from the lake. Companies use it for seminars, board meetings and client receptions, each priced on its own once we know the format and the numbers. For houses of a similar scale elsewhere, our shortlist of mansions for rent in Europe makes a useful comparison.

SHORT STAYS

The Château is priced by the week, Saturday to Saturday, and the nightly rates shown are that week divided by seven. Outside Christmas, New Year and the school holidays we can also quote fewer nights on request: up to three nights at 60% of the weekly rate, four to six nights at 80%. In a low-season week that works out at about $4,700 for a long weekend and $6,270 for five nights.

To check dates or request a quote for Château de Neydens, write to [email protected].