Terms and conditions of sale

In short (a summary; the articles below prevail): instant booking; a 30% deposit paid online when you book, not refundable; the balance is charged automatically to the card used for the deposit 30 days before arrival (a booking made 30 days or less before arrival pays the whole price at once); cancellation 7 days or more before arrival: everything paid beyond the deposit is refunded; less than 7 days or no-show: no refund; if the estate cancels: everything paid is refunded, plus compensation equal to the deposit; the same price all season, no cleaning fee, tourist tax included; one long-stay discount only, the highest reached; 2 nights minimum, arrival any day, book at least 48 hours ahead; the guest who books is at least 23; a €500 damage deposit paid on arrival (card, cash or cheque) and returned within 7 days at the latest; check-in 14:00 to 20:00, check-out before 12:00; no pets, no parties or events; no right of withdrawal.

1. Purpose, scope, parties

1.1. These terms govern the seasonal rental of the accommodation on the Château de Chazeuil estate booked directly on chazeuil.com, between:

• the Owner: DOMAINE DU CHATEAU DE CHAZEUIL (trading as “Château de Chazeuil”, also known as “Domaine du Château de Chazeuil”), a single-shareholder simplified joint-stock company (SASU), registered with the RCS of Cusset under number 102 227 691, registered office at Château de Chazeuil, 03150 Varennes-sur-Allier, Allier, France (see the Legal notice);
• the Guest: any adult natural person who books, acting as a consumer (outside any professional activity).

1.2. They do not apply to bookings made on Booking.com or another platform, which are governed by that platform's terms and the Owner's terms shown there. The château is the family's home: it is not rented. The estate does not host events or parties as part of a stay booked under these terms. Events (a booking of the whole estate, a corporate retreat, a festival, a celebration) are a separate offer, arranged directly with the estate on the conditions agreed for each one.

1.3. The Guest confirms having read these terms and accepts them by ticking the box before paying. The date and time of acceptance are recorded.

2. Accommodation, season and length of stay

2.1. The accommodation booked is one of the estate's units open for booking, as described on its page on the Site: maximum capacity, bedrooms, beds and surface are shown there. The units in the estate's second house open with the 2027 season; they cannot be booked until their page is open for booking. Descriptions and photographs are given in good faith; the accommodation is let furnished, for a temporary holiday stay, and the Guest does not take up residence there.

2.2. Season. Stays take place from 6 May to 30 November.

2.3. Length. A stay is at least 2 nights, with arrival on any day of the week. Maximum length of a stay: [to be completed : maximum number of consecutive nights (90 proposed)].

2.4. Notice. A booking must be made at least 48 hours before arrival.

2.5. Preparation. One night is kept free between two stays to prepare the accommodation; the dates offered for booking take this into account.

2.6. The maximum capacity may not be exceeded, children included (article 9).

3. Price

3.1. Prices are in euros, all taxes included, per accommodation and per night. The nightly price is the same for the whole season, July and August included.

3.2. There is no cleaning fee. The tourist tax is included in the price: the Owner pays it to the local authority. [to be completed : confirm that including the tourist tax in the displayed price is compliant]

3.3. The price includes: bed linen and towels, heating, Wi-Fi, use of the heated pool during its season and of the sauna during posted hours (article 8), a private hour at the pool or the sauna after closing, on request and subject to the estate's availability, parking. Not included: meals, the château (article 14), optional experiences and activities, and any service not listed above.

3.4. Discounts. For bookings made directly on the Site only, a long-stay discount applies to the price of the nights: 10% from 7 nights, 15% from 14 nights, 25% from 30 nights. Only one discount applies to a stay: a long-stay discount, the Clefs de Chazeuil discount (article 3.5) or a group rate agreed with the Owner. They never combine: only the highest applies. No discount depends on the booking device (no "mobile" discount).

3.5. Loyalty club "Clefs de Chazeuil". Membership is free and optional; a guest joins when booking directly on the Site. Every night of a stay booked directly on the Site and paid earns one point; bookings made on a platform and stays cancelled before payment earn none. The nights add up to four keys, whose benefits are commitments of the Owner:

• Pèlerin (from 1 night): a welcome gift on arrival; early previews of new offerings and spaces; the Countryside Passport guide.
• Ami du Domaine (from 7 nights): early access, the member seeing and being able to book new dates before they are released to the public; occasional estate produce boxes; 10% off bookable experiences, once they can be booked (never on stays).
• Compagnon de Chazeuil (from 15 nights): a personalised welcome and an inscription in the guestbook; an invitation to a private estate visit, off season; an apartment on the estate named after the member's family; 15% off stays booked directly on the Site.
• Gardien du Lieu (from 30 nights): locked legacy pricing, the nightly price that applies to the member when reaching this key never increasing; private event access and seasonal celebrations; a tree planted and named for the member on the estate grounds; the member's name inscribed on the Legacy Wall (a stone on site and a digital scroll); 15% off stays booked directly on the Site, as for Compagnons.

The 15% is a discount within the meaning of article 3.4: it never combines with another. The account of a member who has not signed in for 3 years is deleted with its points (privacy policy). [À VALIDER — avocat] Conditions for changing or ending the programme, and what happens to benefits already earned.

3.6. The price that applies is the one displayed at the time of booking. It cannot change after confirmation.

4. Booking and formation of the contract

4.1. Steps. The Guest chooses the accommodation, dates and number of people; enters accurate contact details; checks the summary (accommodation, dates, total price, any discount, deposit amount, balance date, damage deposit); ticks acceptance of these terms; then clicks the "Book with obligation to pay" button, which leads to the secure payment page. The Guest can correct the information before that click.

4.2. Instant booking. The booking is firm as soon as the deposit (article 5.1) is paid: the nights are blocked for the Guest at once. Dates go to the first guest who pays. The Owner has no period to accept or decline.

4.3. Formation of the contract. The contract is formed when the deposit is received. The Guest immediately receives a confirmation email that restates the information in article 4.1, these terms and the practical arrival information, and is the confirmation of the contract on a durable medium.

4.4. Age of the guest who books. The person who books must be at least 23 and present during the stay. [to be completed : validate the minimum-age condition]

4.5. Keeping the contract. The Owner archives the contract. The Guest may obtain a copy on request at [email protected].

4.6. The Guest warrants that the information given is accurate.

5. Payment

5.1. Deposit. A deposit of 30% of the total price of the stay is paid online when booking. This deposit is not refundable, except in the cases of articles 11 and 12. This sum is a deposit in the sense of an «acompte».

5.2. Balance. The balance (the remaining 70% of the total price) is charged automatically 30 days before arrival, to the card used for the deposit. When booking, the Guest agrees, by ticking the box before paying, that this card is saved by the payment provider for that purpose and charged automatically for the balance, on the date and for the amount shown before payment and in the confirmation email. The Guest receives a reminder by email 7 days before that charge, with the amount, the date and a link to pay the balance earlier, by card or bank transfer; the automatic charge then does not take place. The card is removed from the payment provider's record once the balance is paid or the booking is cancelled, and can no longer be charged. A booking made 30 days or less before arrival pays the whole price when booking; no card is then saved.

5.2 bis. Failed balance charge. If the charge fails or the Guest's bank asks for confirmation, the Guest receives by email a payment link (card or bank transfer) and has 3 days to pay. If the balance is still unpaid after that time, the booking is cancelled under article 10: the deposit is kept and the nights are put back on sale. A bank transfer that is under way when the time runs out is not cancelled.

5.3. Payment methods. Payment is made through Stripe Payments Europe, Limited, by the methods offered on the payment page. Card details are processed only by that provider; the Owner has no access to them. The Guest's bank may ask for strong authentication (3-D Secure). [to be completed : list of payment methods offered]

5.4. Refunds. Refunds due under these terms are made to the payment method used, within [to be completed : refund period, 14 days proposed].

6. Damage deposit

6.1. A damage deposit of €500 per house is paid on arrival, when the house rules are signed, by card, cash or cheque, as the Guest prefers. It is never taken online or automatically before arrival.

6.2. It is returned after the check-out inspection, within 7 days of departure at the latest, less any amount justified under article 6.3.

6.3. In case of damage, loss or cleaning-up costs, the Owner informs the Guest with supporting evidence and may keep the justified amount, up to the deposit. If the damage exceeds that amount, the Guest remains liable for the difference on evidence: the deposit is not a cap on liability.

6.4. [to be completed : consequence if the damage deposit is not paid on arrival]

6.5. For bookings made on Booking.com, Booking.com's deposit rule applies.

7. Arrival and departure

7.1. Check-in: between 14:00 and 20:00. The Guest gives the arrival time in advance. Any arrival after 20:00 must be agreed in advance with the Owner.

7.2. Check-out: before 12:00, leaving the accommodation in an ordinary clean state.

7.3. On arrival, the Guest shows an identity document and signs the house rules. Foreign guests may have to fill in an individual police form, kept for six months.

8. House rules

The Guest and everyone with them follow these rules, which apply from the booking:

• Pets: not allowed. [to be completed : legal exception for assistance dogs, if any]
• Parties, events and gatherings: parties, events or gatherings likely to disturb the peace of the estate are prohibited, except with the Owner's prior and express authorisation. Events are a separate offer, arranged directly with the estate (article 1.2).
• Age: the person who books is at least 23 (article 4.4).
• Quiet: the estate can host several groups of guests at once. Between 22:00 and 08:00, guests are particularly discreet; sound equipment (speakers, instruments) is used moderately and must not be heard from the other houses.
• Smoking and vaping: not allowed inside the accommodation; please use the ashtrays provided outside.
• Pool (outdoor, heated, 14.95 × 6.50 m, more than 2 m deep, not supervised): open all season and heated from early May to the end of October, only during the estate's opening hours, every day 09:00–19:00; access outside these hours is strictly prohibited. Exception: a private session after closing can be booked with the estate; it is included in the price and follows the same safety rules. Swimming is at the guests' own responsibility: children under 6 are accompanied at all times by a responsible adult, other minors stay under the effective supervision of an adult close by, and no minor uses the pool alone. Shower before swimming; no animals, no barbecue, no running and no diving (except where expressly provided) around the pool. Sauna: every day 09:00–19:00; a private hour after closing can be booked; it is included in the price.
• The estate: open to guests from 9:00 to 19:00; from 19:00 the park and the shared outdoor areas (pool, ponds, paths) are closed, and only your accommodation and its own outdoor space stay open. Park only in the places shown at check-in, never on lawns or paths.
• Visitors: a visitor staying the night is declared to the Owner when booking; the maximum number of occupants can never be exceeded (counted as in article 9). You make sure your visitors follow these rules.
• Barbecue: the electric barbecue provided is used by adults only, outside the accommodation, and never around the pool. Drones are prohibited over the estate. The estate's animals are not fed without the Owner's permission. Fishing in the ponds is allowed, following the Owner's instructions. Sparklers, cake fireworks and smoke devices set off the fire alarms: please do not use them.
• The estate's house rules (règlement intérieur), sent when you book, set out these rules in full.

Failure to follow these rules may lead to a deduction from the damage deposit and, in the event of a serious breach, to the immediate end of the stay.

9. Capacity and occupancy

Children aged 2 and over count as adults in the number of guests. Cots are free on request for younger children; extra beds are not available. The number of people sleeping on site may not exceed the capacity on the accommodation's page. Visitors not staying: [to be completed : rule on visitors who do not stay].

10. Cancellation or change by the Guest

10.1. Any cancellation is notified in writing to [email protected]. The date of receipt counts.

10.2. The refund depends on the number of days between receipt of the cancellation and the arrival date:

The 30% deposit is never refunded. If the balance has not yet been charged, nothing more is due or refunded; if it has, it is refunded in full when the cancellation comes 7 days or more before arrival. Leaving early: no refund.

10.3. The Owner may, at its sole discretion, make a goodwill gesture beyond this grid; it creates no right for other bookings.

10.4. Changing dates or accommodation: [to be completed : rule for changing dates]

10.5. The Guest is encouraged to take out cancellation insurance (article 15).

11. Cancellation by the Owner

If the Owner cancels after the contract is formed, or cannot provide the accommodation, other than for force majeure, the Owner refunds without delay everything paid, deposit included, and also pays the Guest compensation equal to the amount of the deposit (30% of the price of the stay), in line with article R212-2, 2° of the Code de la consommation. The Owner offers if possible equivalent accommodation at the same price, without prejudice to any damages due.

12. Force majeure

Neither party is liable for a failure caused by force majeure within the meaning of article 1218 of the French Civil Code (an event beyond its control, unforeseeable and irresistible). Performance is suspended; if the impediment lasts more than [to be completed : duration, 15 days proposed] days, or makes the stay impossible, the contract is terminated and sums paid for the period not performed are refunded. An administrative closure or restriction that prevents the stay is force majeure. Purely personal events (illness, work) are not: see cancellation insurance.

13. No right of withdrawal

Under article L221-28, 12° of the French Consumer Code, the 14-day right of withdrawal does not apply to accommodation services provided on a specific date or for a specific period, other than residential accommodation. The Guest is told so before ordering. The cancellation terms are those of article 10.

14. The château

The château is the family's home and is not rented. It is not part of the stay, and no visit of it is sold.

15. Liability and insurance

15.1. The Guest is liable for damage caused by themselves and the people with them, and is encouraged to take out holiday-rental insurance (or the "villégiature" extension of their home insurance) and cancellation insurance.

15.2. The Owner holds professional liability insurance (see the Legal notice). The Owner is not liable for theft or loss of personal belongings, absent proven fault, nor for activities the Guest pursues on the estate at their own risk; children remain under their guardians' supervision.

15.3. Nothing in this article limits the Owner's liability for personal injury, gross negligence or wilful misconduct, nor the consumer's mandatory rights.

16. Complaints and mediation

16.1. Complaints go first to [email protected] or +33 7 69 31 68 93. The Owner answers ordinary requests within 24 hours, and within 48 hours at the busiest times, and a complaint on the merits within [to be completed : time to answer a complaint, 15 days proposed].

16.2. Consumer mediation (articles L612-1 ff. of the French Consumer Code): if a disagreement persists after a written complaint, the Guest may refer it free of charge to the consumer mediator: [to be completed : consumer mediator named by the lawyer: name, postal address, website and how to refer a dispute].

17. Personal data

The Guest's data are processed in accordance with the Privacy Policy.

18. Governing law and jurisdiction

The contract is governed by French law. A consumer Guest may bring proceedings, at their choice, before the court of the place where they lived when the contract was concluded or the harmful event occurred, or of the place of the accommodation. No exclusive jurisdiction clause can be enforced against a consumer.

19. Language and changes

These terms are written in French; if translated, the French version prevails. The terms that apply are those in force on the date of booking.