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Voyager Magazine Applauds Our Botanical Vision

We are absolutely thrilled to share that Chef Chantel Dartnall and our new home, Château des Tesnières, have been featured in the prestigious French publication, Voyager Magazine! The beautifully penned feature, titled “Château des Tesnières: the culinary exception in Brittany,” beautifully captures the essence of our journey from Pretoria to the heart of Torcé, France.

A New Chapter in a Neo-Gothic Masterpiece
The magazine highlights the painstaking four-year restoration led by the Dartnall-Du Plessis family. Alongside master architects and local craftsmen, we have revived this magnificent 19th-century building. Today, it stands not just as a boutique hotel and restaurant, but as a living museum housing 1,300 works of art scattered across its monumental spaces and uniquely decorated guest suites.

I love botanical cuisine which is made up of edible flowers… and I want to pay tribute to those of Africa.

Our Signature Botanical Philosophy Comes to France

Voyager Magazine celebrates Chef Chantel’s internationally renowned poetic and plant-based table. Having previously placed in the world’s Top 100 restaurants by La Liste during her time in Pretoria, Chantel brings her signature “botanical cuisine” to Brittany. The article beautifully notes how she draws inspiration from local producers in the Vitré region, alongside our very own permaculture vegetable garden—where we cultivate everything from magnolia and fennel to calendula and medicinal African plants.

A 100% Female Brigade & World-Class Cellar

The piece also shines a light on our incredible, close-knit 100% female culinary brigade—including Johanna, Antro, and Anna—who work side-by-side to craft edible works of art. Additionally, our exceptional cellar made quite an impression! Housing 25,000 bottles curated from our historic South African collection, our curated wine pairings blend French grands crus with rare South African discoveries to tell a unique story with every pour.

Come Experience the Magic

Whether you are joining us to celebrate the historical female figures honored in our six sumptuous suites, or pulling up a chair at our gastronomic table, Mosaïc, we cannot wait to welcome you to our French oasis.

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