LA ROCHELLE COUNTRY HOUSE

Built in the 1940s by an Englishman, Sir Stephen Courtald and his Italian wife Virginia, this mini-castle is set in 40 acres of nature and gardens. If the castle has a familiar feel to French visitors, it's because its architecture is based on the castle of Sir Stephen's Huguenot forefathers in La Rochelle, France. The large colonial house has finely decorated rooms, between varnished wood and flowery sheets. A very romantic address.