A HOME FULL OF ANCESTRY AND ART

Artist and creator of elegant porcelain tableware Marie Daage shows us around her Loire Valley chateau, where she has created a comfortable and vibrant home while paying homage to its storied history

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In the north-west of France's beautiful Loire Valley, a little off the beaten track of its famous Châteaux Route, lies a lesser-known treasure, Château de la Fontaine, the country home of Philippe and Marie Daâge.

Situated in La Petite Beauce, an area of rich farmland and picturesque villages, the magnificent mansion-complete with lake and private park - has been in Philippe's family since the early 19th century.

Within easy reach of Paris, this is where the couple love to spend weekends with their six grown-up children; that is, whenever their busy professional lives allow.

Philippe is in finance, while Marie is an artist whose signature hand-painted Limoges porcelain is appreciated worldwide.

Of French-Austrian origin and raised in the West Indies, she studied at the École du Louvre before founding her own company in 1990.

Two decades later, her work, which is often compared to haute couture, won her the Legion of Honour for her contribution to France's heritage.

Now, as she welcomes us alongside her husband and daughters Constance, Axelle and Isaure, Marie tells us why she finds this place so inspiring.

Marie, what can you tell us about this area?

"In medieval times, this was a border area between the cities of Blois, where the kings of France reigned, and Vendôme, controlled by England's Plantagenet monarchs.

"There was a lot of fighting between the two places back then, and even today, there's plenty of rivalry. So I have fun inviting friends from both to mingle over dinner."