By: Chantal Piper
Why Chambéry?
I’ve never really been a hen kind of girl. Mainly because forced fun and activities are the very opposite of what I find enjoyable. So when the girls suggested an ‘overseas hen,’ I gave them a very specific brief – an ‘anti-hen hen’ if you will – ‘chic, no faff, no activities!’
I wanted the hen to feel like a special girls’ holiday that everyone would enjoy. At this stage in my life, hens can be expensive and exhausting, and I wanted the trip to work for everyone. And my goodness, did the girls nail the brief…
Flying into Geneva, the hen party (led by chief planner extraordinaire Kendra Leaver-Rylah) surprised me with a stay at the stunning Purple Summer’s Château de Candie. We were greeted with personalised ‘Château Chantal’ caps and slippers from Gigi & Olive for a champagne-fuelled 72 hours – my idea of heaven!
Where We Stayed
From the moment we touched down, the team at Château de Candie kept us very well fed and watered. We started with the sweetest picnic of fresh madeleines and croissants (with a side of champagne) for our journey from the airport into the mountains. Upon arrival, we enjoyed cheese and oysters (and more champagne) before lunch in the gardens.
I was given the very special bridal suite complete with my own turret! Despite having a short blonde bob, I felt like Rapunzel in my glorious tower, with three floors of beautiful antique furniture and huge windows overlooking the swimming pool and mountains. Waking up to the birds singing and the fresh mountain air, I couldn’t have felt more relaxed!
What We Did
Now, I know I mentioned above that I said no activities. However, this kind of activity was my kind of fun – a wine tasting including Viognier from the Château’s very own vineyards, hosted by their in-house sommelier. Divine! Other activities I enjoyed included lazing around the Château’s beautiful pool, drinking cool, crisp crémant. Personally, I can think of no better way to spend an afternoon with my best girlfriends.
Where We Ate
Following the wine tasting, we were driven to Restaurant Le Lido on the Lac du Bourget, a picturesque spot on the water a short drive away from Château de Candie. Despite the weather, we had the most stunning evening, feasting on fish from the lake and salmon tartare. The mist and clouds provided a magical backdrop and we left with very full bellies and hearts!
What We Packed
Paper London provided the most gorgeous swimsuits for the hen party for our boat trip. I wore a white high-waisted bikini from my favourite Arabella London (trust me when I say you won’t find a more flattering fit; it lifts you up and holds you in all the right places!)
Although I told the girls that under no circumstances was there to be any hen paraphernalia, I became utterly obsessed with my Gigi & Olive ‘MRS’ cowboy hat. I may or may not still be wearing it while writing this almost 5 days after coming back from my hen – the chicest accessories for any bride-to-be. I cannot recommend the quality enough.
Best Moment of the Hen Weekend
A trip to Annecy wouldn’t be complete without a boat trip on the lake, and we had the most glorious weather for it. Drinking bottles of Perrier-Jouët Blanc de Blancs and a very special magnum of Belle Epoque, we were whisked around the crystal-clear waters of Lake Annecy by speed boat. We anchored down for an afternoon of sunbathing, swimming, and singing – the highlight of the trip with some hilarious memories I will treasure forever.
My idea of the perfect hen!
To book your stay at: Purple Summer’s Château de Candie
