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Château des Tesnières Celebrated in Melle Bon Plan’s Exceptional Stay in Brittany
We are delighted to share a recent feature celebrating the experience of Château des Tesnières and Mosaic, the gastronomic restaurant of Chef Chantel Dartnall, in the beautiful region of Brittany, France.
Published on 2 September 2026, the article, “Exceptional stay at the Château des Tesnières in Brittany,” was written by Melle Bon Plan, whose travel and lifestyle publication takes readers on journeys through distinctive destinations and experiences.
Following a stay at Château des Tesnières, Melle Bon Plan offers an intimate glimpse into the château, its surroundings and the world that Chef Chantel Dartnall and her family have created in Torcé, Ille-et-Vilaine.
A Château Reimagined
The feature describes Château des Tesnières as a remarkable nineteenth-century neo-Gothic property that reopened its doors in May 2025 following four years of extensive restoration.
For Chantel Dartnall and her family, the château represents far more than a historic residence. It is the realisation of a deeply personal family project, bringing together hospitality, art, gardens, wine and gastronomy in one extraordinary setting.
The six-hectare estate is home to beautifully appointed guest suites, an extraordinary cellar containing approximately 30,000 bottles, and Mosaic, Chantel’s gastronomic restaurant.
“What stood out to me most about Chantel Dartnall’s kitchen was the attention to detail and the precision of the colour schemes, which truly transform the plates into small paintings.”
The World of Mosaic
A particular focus of the article is the culinary experience at Mosaic.
After fifteen years at the original Mosaic restaurant in Pretoria, South Africa, Chantel brought her culinary vision to France, reopening Mosaic at Château des Tesnières in May 2025. She was joined in this new chapter by members of her loyal South African team, creating a beautiful connection between her South African heritage and her new home in Brittany.
Melle Bon Plan describes Chantel’s cuisine as botanical, highlighting her remarkable use of edible flowers, herbs and seasonal ingredients. The dishes are presented with extraordinary attention to colour, detail and precision, transforming each plate into something approaching a small work of art.
The menu draws inspiration from the Breton terroir and the changing seasons, while incorporating elements that reflect Chantel’s South African roots and her distinctive culinary language.
A Journey Through Taste, Nature and Art
The feature captures something central to the Mosaic experience: dining here is not simply about the food.
It is a journey through nature, art, memory and place.
From ingredients gathered from local producers to flowers and herbs inspired by the château gardens, each element contributes to an experience that is carefully considered from beginning to end.
The château itself provides the perfect setting. Its historic interiors, extensive art collection and beautifully cultivated gardens create an atmosphere in which the culinary experience feels intrinsically connected to its surroundings.
The gardens themselves are a significant part of the story, with approximately 150 trees and more than 6,000 plants and flowers. A developing permaculture vegetable garden is also being cultivated to supply the restaurant’s kitchens directly.
A Celebration of the Complete Experience
Melle Bon Plan’s feature also explores the château’s six individual suites, each inspired by a woman from history or mythology, as well as the estate’s breakfast experience, gardens and impressive wine collection.
The article highlights the extraordinary cellar of approximately 30,000 bottles, assembled by Chantel’s father, Cobus du Plessis, with a collection that brings together celebrated French and European wines alongside exceptional South African selections.
Together, these elements form the essence of Château des Tesnières: a place where hospitality, heritage, family and gastronomy meet.
From South Africa to Brittany
For Chantel Dartnall, the journey to Château des Tesnières represents a remarkable new chapter.
Her move from South Africa to the land of her Breton ancestors has allowed her to create something deeply personal—a destination where her South African heritage and French surroundings can exist beautifully alongside one another.
The recognition from Melle Bon Plan is a wonderful reflection of this vision and of the experience that Chantel and her family are creating for guests from around the world.
We are grateful to Melle Bon Plan for taking the time to experience Château des Tesnières and Mosaic, and for sharing her perspective with her readers.
Read the full feature:
“Exceptional stay at the Château des Tesnières in Brittany”
Written by Melle Bon Plan | Published 2 September 2026
[Read the original article on Melle Bon Plan]
Château des Tesnières and Mosaic look forward to welcoming guests to this unique corner of Brittany, where the spirit of South Africa, the beauty of France and the art of gastronomy come together.