Grandes Etapes Françaises - Our History
Three properties in the Loire Valley, one on the Côte d'Azur, so why not one in Alsace near Colmar? Having accepted the original proposal from the union of wine merchants and wine growers for the Alsatian vineyard, René Traversac opened the CHÂTEAU d'ISENBOURG, an old fortress watching over the old town of Rouffach in 1973 .

		For years, they harboured the dream of opening a beautiful establishment in the Paris area. The opportunity arose between Versailles and Chartres, in the enchanting shape of the CHÂTEAU D'ESCLIMONT , the veritable jewel of the Renaissance surrounded by magnificent forests, the former property of the Duc de La Rochefoucauld. The château was bought from the Duke's granddaughter in July 1981.

It was then to Divonne , near Geneva where in 1984 they had the opportunity to purchase the Chateau-Hotel which belonged to the Count François-Paul de la Forest-Divonne for a nominal sum. They immediately understood that the excellent restaurant and exceptional view would attract people from nearby Geneva.

		Following close on the heels of the Château de Divonne, the CHOISEUL opened in 1985 on the initiative of Pierre Traversac who fell under the spell of this 18th century on the banks of the Loire and at the foot of the Chateau d'Amboise.

René Traversac was 74 and Simonne 67, when they took on the task one more time and embarked upon an enormous job at the CHÂTEAU DE GILLY, the superb former residence of the Abbots of Cîteaux from the 14th to the 18 th century, located between Dijon and Beaune at the heart of the great Burgundy vineyards. The opening took place in September 1988 .
Taking up the torch, in turn Pierre Traversac and his wife Sophie were filled with enthusiasm for the Château de l'Île. Four hectares of peace and greenery close to Strasbourg and its airport, a genuine treasure. With the restoration and construction of a typical Alsacian complex around a chateau completed, this latest opening was held in April 1994 .