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Marie and Phillippe Daâge posing at Loire Valley chateau© COUCHE STUDIO

Peek inside Marie and Philippe Daâge's Loire Valley chateau full of ancestry and art

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

January 25, 2025
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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.

Marie and Phillippe Daâge with their children at Loire Valley chateau© COUCHE STUDIO
Philippe and Marie Daâge have opened the doors to their French home, Château de la Fontaine

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.

Marie Daâge's drawing room at Loire Valley chateau© COUCHE STUDIO
The property is located north-west of France's beautiful Loire Valley

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 and Phillipe Daâge's three daughters at Loire Valley chateau© COUCHE STUDIO
This is where the couple love to spend weekends with their six grown-up children (pictured: Constance, Axelle and Isaure)

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.

Marie Daâge's chequered floor hallway at Loire Valley chateau© COUCHE STUDIO
The property has been in Philippe's family since the early 19th century

"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."

How long has Château de la Fontaine been in your family?

Marie Daâge in yellow flares and black top sitting at table in Loire Valley chatea© COUCHE STUDIO
The magnificent mansion comes complete with a lake and private park

"It was built in the 17th century, and Philippe's ancestor Jean-PhilibertDessaignes, director of Vendôme's college – where the writer Honoréde Balzac studied – bought it in1815. 

Jean's son François-Philibert Dessaignes, a brilliant businessman, politician and philanthropist, completely remodelled and greatly extended it in the 1840s. 

Marie Daâge's chic kitchen at Loire Valley chateau© COUCHE STUDIO
'We’ve done major structural work on the roof, walls and windows'

"However, the English-style park has changed very little over the years."

Have you made many changes here?

Marie Daâge's red bedroom at Loire Valley chateau© COUCHE STUDIO

"We’ve done major structural work on the roof, walls and windows, respecting the old construction, half the bedrooms, upgraded living rooms and modernised bathrooms.

"Comfort and modernity had been introduced here rather brusquely at the beginning of the 20th century, with a lot of visible pipework, so a lot of effort went into camouflaging that.

Marie Daâge's bathroom with freestanding bath at Loire Valley chateau
Restoration work has includedmodernising bathrooms

"My husband set his imagination to work, coming up with a whole series of features such as cornices, porticoes, lintels, niches and columns to hide it. 

"He showed such an ability to visualise in three dimensions that I think he could have been an architect."

Marie Daâge's bedroom at Loire Valley chateau© COUCHE STUDIO
The couple say they tried to respect the spirit of the house

What were you aiming for with your choice of decor?

"We’re trying to respect the spirit of the house, while giving each of the 17 rooms its own identity. 

Marie and Philippe Daâge's bright bedroom at Loire Valley chateau© COUCHE STUDIO
However, it was important to give each ofthe 17 rooms its own identity

"We’ve used picture wallpapers for interest, and lots of fabrics, especially my favourite Charles Burger ones, to create a warm atmosphere.

"Then, of course, the whole place is full of my porcelain, with each piece customised to go with its setting."

Marie Daâge in pinstripe suit on red sofa at Loire Valley chatea© COUCHE STUDIO
Two of Marie's daughters work alongside her

How did you become an artist?

"The beauty of my surroundings has always had a strong impact on my mood. I think my mind is artistic; it’s part of my personality. 

Marie Daâge's floral print wallpaper room at Loire Valley chateau© COUCHE STUDIO
'We’ve used picture wallpapers for interest, and lots of fabrics'

"Then there was my upbringing. With an Austrian mother and a French father, and living in the West Indies until I was 16, I was always surrounded by a rich mix of cultural influences.

"That said, it was only once I was married that I enrolled on a course in history of art at the École du Louvre. Before that, I had studied business in Dusseldorf and London, where I confess I spent most of my time in museums and galleries."

Marie Daâge wearing green tartan trousers at Loire Valley chatea© COUCHE STUDIO
The couple's daughters have inherited their artistic side

Where do you find inspiration?

"It’s something quite mysterious that can come from anywhere at any time. Something – perhaps a blade of grass, a piece of tree bark, a tapestry, a mosaic or a vintage wallpaper – will catch my attention.

Marie Daâge's grand fireplace and chandelier at Loire Valley chatea© COUCHE STUDIO
'Colour is like listening to a musical note'

"Colours are also very important to me: observing a colour is like listening to a musical note. They come together on porcelain to make a melody. 

"A well-decorated table is like a whole symphony, and as with symphonies, each one you compose is unique.

Marie Daâge's dark oak library at Loire Valley chatea© COUCHE STUDIO
Artist Marie is inspired by her beautiful home

"Here, I love to adorn my tables with flowers and plants from the garden."

Have any of your children inherited your creativity?

Marie Daâge's grandaughter at Loire Valley chatea© COUCHE STUDIO
Marie and Philippe's grandchildren enjoy spedning time in the home

"Two of my daughters, Axelle and Isaure, have a deep artistic sensibility. They work alongside me, Axelle as the general manager of my company and Isaure looking after the beauty and quality of our products."

With such a passion for table art, your family must enjoy receiving guests...

Marie Daâge posing in chair against palm tree backdrop at Loire Valley chatea© COUCHE STUDIO

"We all love it. A house like this is made for entertaining, and if people didn’t get together here, it would seem lifeless.

RELATED: Philanthropist Nancy Davis unveils timeless Beverly Hills home that's hosted Elton John, Mick Jagger and more 

 Marie Daâge's staircase with red carpet at Loire Valley chateau© COUCHE STUDIO
A house like this is made for entertaining

"We invite friends over for laid-back lunches and black-tie dinners. Since we have two dining rooms, I usually create a distinct ambiance.

"Then there are special events. Two of our daughters got married here. Every summer, one of our sons organises a private music festival for his friends, and more than 150 people sleep in tents in the park.

Marie Daâge's tablescape at Loire Valley chateau© COUCHE STUDIO
'I love to adorn my tables with flowers and plants from the garden'

"Lately, thanks to the renovations we’ve made, the house has become more pleasant during the cold winter months. At Christmas and Easter, we host up to 30 relatives."

Marie Daâge's quirky attic room at Loire Valley chateau© COUCHE STUDIO
The house plays host to relatives and friends

PRODUCTION AND TEXT: ANA FERNANDEZ DE CORDOBA & CRISTINA LORA ALARCON

PHOTOS: FERNANDA NAVARRO & PALOMA ROJAS-MARCOS (COUCHE STUDIO)

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