South African celebrities Gert‑Johan Coetzee and Nadia Nakai escape to France's Château de Montflour
Image: Supplied
When South Africa is engulfed with cold temperatures, there is nothing like a Summer getaway and that's one thing South Africa's creatives and celebrities love to do.
Recently, designer extraordinaire Gert‑Johan Coetzee, award-winning rapper Nadia Nakai, multi-instrumentalist Folk Rock duo formed by Lourens and Esté Raaf and award-winning presenter and executive producer Relebogile Mabotja are discovering one of rural France's most captivating hideaways: Château de Montflour.
Located in the tranquil Creuse region of Nouvelle‑Aquitaine, this South African-owned, beautifully restored 15th‑century château has become a serene retreat for laughter, luxury and cultural reconnection.
Phindile Matroshe Mtshali, Nadia Nakai, Gert-Johan Coetzee and Vicky Visagie during their stay in the French countryside, at a Chateau owned by South Africans.
Image: Supplied
Video Player is loading.
Play Video
Play
Unmute
Current Time
0:00
/
Duration
-:-
Loaded :
0%
Stream Type LIVE
Seek to live, currently behind live
LIVE
Remaining Time
-
0:00
This is a modal window.
Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window.
Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque
Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps
Reset
restore all settings to the default values Done
Close Modal Dialog
End of dialog window.
Advertisement
Video Player is loading.
Play Video
Play
Unmute
Current Time
0:00
/
Duration
-:-
Loaded :
0%
Stream Type LIVE
Seek to live, currently behind live
LIVE
Remaining Time
-
0:00
This is a modal window.
Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window.
Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque
Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps
Reset
restore all settings to the default values Done
Close Modal Dialog
End of dialog window.
Next
Stay
Close ✕
Coetzee shared clips of the décor-rich suites, as well as visits of neighbouring towns. Musicians, Este and Lourens, showcased the tranquil surroundings as well as elegant dining al fresco.
Rapper Nadia Nakai and Coetzee also made sure to use the time in the countryside for an impromptu photoshoot.
Mabotja, noted in one post: 'The most beautiful welcome at the South African-owned @chateaudemontflour in the countryside of France just over 4 hours outside of Paris… What a treat!!! Divine and just 👌🏾!'
For South African visitors, especially the well‑known creatives escaping their busy routines, Montflour offered more than scenery; it offered quiet, community and creative recharge.
Guests at Château de Montflour are treated to comprehensive hospitality: three‑night minimum stays, full-board service including local cuisine and wines, and transfers arranged from Limoges or Paris by train and private car.
The experience is designed to slow time. Leisurely meals, hidden nooks for reading, tranquil gardens, and communal moments. The château is partially listed as a historical monument, adding complexity to renovations but also reinforcing the value of preserving its legacy for future generations.
IOL Travel
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


The South African
6 hours ago
- The South African
'The Blessing': Vincent Tshituka and wife share sweet wedding post
Springbok Vincent Tshituka and his wife Katlego Monare are sharing more content from their picturesque wedding which took place a week ago. The rugby player and his influencer bride wed in an intimate ceremony attended by close family and friends. Last month, the DRC-born player proudly made his green and gold debut against Italy at Loftus. In an Instagram post, Vincent Tshituka shared a clip of his beautiful wedding ceremony to wife Katlego Monare. 'He who finds a wife finds a good thing,' he says to the camera, which captures him weeping as he waits for his bride at the altar. The couple received showers of blessings as rain soaked them while they said their vows. The clip featured imagery of the couple enjoying intimate moments together and celebrating with their friends and family. 'The blessing,' read the caption of the emotional post. In November last year, Vincent Tshituka and Katlego Monare celebrated their lobola negotiations with a ceremony merging their Congolese and South African cultures. The Springbok also posted a screenshot of a DM he had sent to his partner in 2022. In it, the brazen rugby player stated his intentions to marry the beautiful woman. 'I'll come back to this in a couple of years to see', she jokingly responded. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X, and Bluesky for the latest news.


The South African
6 hours ago
- The South African
'Chapter is closed': Tatjana Smith won't swim competitively again
Former Olympic swimmer Tatjana Smith (formerly Schoenmaker) has reflected on the first anniversary of her retirement, insisting she has no desire to ever competitively compete again. The 28-year-old ended her professional career after a successful stint at the 2024 Paris Summer Olympics, where she won gold in the 100m and silver in the 200m race. Tatjana is the wife of sports agent Joel Smith, who is the brother of former Springbok WAG, Rachel Kolisi. In an Instagram post, Tatjana Smith reflected on the anniversary of her decision to suddenly retire from competitive swimming. As South Africa's 'golden girl', the news came as a surprise to the public. She shared: 'It still feels surreal. A journey that began with a dream ended up exceeding every expectation I ever had. Swimming gave me more than medals or records — it shaped who I am. It taught me discipline, resilience, humility, and the power of showing up, again and again.' Tatjana added that her final race was dedicated to her family, who made many sacrifices to make her dreams come true, and even to her competitors, who helped motivate her. She continued: 'Swimming gave me a stage — but more importantly, it gave me a purpose, a second family, and moments I'll carry with me for the rest of my life. 'The chapter has closed, but the gratitude never will'. After retiring, Tatjana Smith revealed that she planned to enjoy quality time with her husband, family, and friends, and discover her new interests. She's also been vocal about her mental health challenges, particularly how swimming on a world stage amplified the pressure, and her anxiety, and how she now plans to slow down. In a new interview with SwimSwam magazine, Tatjana hinted that she was concerned about the sport's lack of money. She shared: 'In South Africa, we don't get paid by our federation, so athletes rely on sponsorships. But sponsorships are often based on performance; if you don't place at the top, there's little financial support. 'Winning bronze, for example, barely covers expenses. I realized that if I continued swimming, it would be purely for financial reasons, and that's not why I started. I swam because I loved it and wanted to leave on my terms.' She added, 'I never swam for fame or pressure. I swam because I loved it. And now, as I figure out what comes next, I carry that same passion with me.' Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X, and Bluesky for the latest news.


The South African
7 hours ago
- The South African
Shock as SA couple 'charge' guests up to R65k to attend wedding
TikTok content creators Tisha and Thabang Mokoena have pranked South Africans into believing their outrageous wedding demand in a post that has gone viral. The couple, who married in 2023, spoofed the country by inviting wedding guests to spend thousands of rands to attend their special day. On the X app, a screenshot of a TikTok prank by the couple quickly went viral. In it, Tisha and Thabiso Mokoena demanded that guests choose a wedding package to attend their special day. The price guide contained three categories for table reservations: Bronze for R20 000, which included a bar tab of R5000, a meal platter, and an Instagram tag by the couple Silver for R30 000, which included first row seating, a bar tab worth R7 500, and a 'VIP pictures' with the couple. Gold for R65 000, which featured a 'VVIP access to pre-wedding activities', a speech, and a bar tab at over R10 000. The X post – viewed almost a million times – had many South Africans gawking at the audacity of the couple. However, it was all for laughs as the TikTokers have been known to post comedic posts about love, marriage, and relationships. One South African who hopped on the gag was media personality Anele Mdoda, who is planning her white wedding. The 947 presenter reposted the invitation, telling her followers: 'Tickets are selling out fast for our wedding. Early bird tickets are done'. In April, Anele announced her engagement to partner, Bulelela 'Buzza' James, with a traditional lobola celebration. They are expected to host a grand wedding celebration in the coming months. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X, and Bluesky for the latest news.