Castle Life

Women at the top: women's success stories in Maubreuil

In the heart of the Nantes region, the Château de Maubreuil not only offers visitors a sumptuous setting, it is also the theatre where women's success stories are played out. Within its walls, women with remarkable skills rise to daily challenges, orchestrate major events and manage this residence with unfailing precision and determination.

Women's leadership at the heart of Château de Maubreuil

Of the seven teams that make up the soul of Château de Maubreuil, five are led by exceptional women: Léa, Lucile, Mélissande, Caroline and Virginie. Through their expertise and passion, these female leaders demonstrate every day that success and excellence know no gender.

Executive Assistant Léa Leclaire heads up the Administration team. The cornerstone of the Château's management, she looks after administration, human resources and security. Lucile Nicolas, Head of Marketing and Communications, is responsible for the Château's captivating presence in the public imagination, ensuring that Maubreuil's reputation reaches new heights. Mélissande Marchal, in charge of Accommodation, is responsible for ensuring that every visitor has an unforgettable experience. Caroline Quesnel, in charge of Sales, is the magician of business and private events, devoting herself body and soul to satisfying everyone's wishes to make the Château an exceptional venue. Finally, tranquillity and well-being are the watchwords of Virginie Amory, Spa Manager, who ensures that every guest is pampered.

Estelle Bichon, at the helm of Château de Maubreuil, a feminine vision transforming the luxury hotel industry

At the helm of this iconic establishment is Estelle Bichon, the General Manager, whose career and vision embody the very essence of female empowerment in the luxury hotel industry. Under her chaperone, the Château de Maubreuil not only becomes a haven of luxury and tranquillity, it also becomes a symbol of female success in the world of luxury hotels, a sector where women continue to break glass ceilings to assert themselves and inspire.

Immerse yourself in our exclusive interview with Estelle Bichon, a passionate and attentive manager who, above all, favours close links with her team, sharing both the victories and the lessons learned from the challenges. Let us guide you through an unprecedented exploration of the world of luxury hotels, seen through the prism of a daring woman redefining the standards of this sector every day.

What dreams did you have as a child?

When I was very young, I imagined becoming a fairy, then a professional dancer to make people dream. As I grew up, I wanted to become an air hostess, seduced by the elegance associated with the feminine figures in this profession and by the desire to discover the world, but I soon aspired to a profession based on human contact.

How did you get to the position of Director in the hotel sector?

My curiosity about all the departments in this profession and the opportunity to discover different aspects of the hotel business enabled me to progress from Receptionist to Manager. I climbed the ladder by learning alongside my mentors, gaining invaluable experience.

As a woman, have you encountered any specific obstacles in this industry?

In the hotel industry, I have chosen the small structures where the art of receiving guests is the most important, where details and delicacy are the first lines. The struggles waged by women before us paved the way; today we are reaping the rewards of their efforts. I've always been lucky enough to work for groups that were at the forefront of gender equality, where women were valued as much as men.

How do you explain the fact that 70% of the managers at Château de Maubreuil are women?

We recruit both men and women. A five-star establishment, affiliated to Relais & Château, is based first and foremost on skills. Our female employees have shown themselves to be more determined and competent than other male candidates.

Is there a woman who inspires you every day?

My grandmother was the first inspirational female figure in my life. She lost her husband when she was very young and never wanted to start a new life, at a time when it was rare for a woman to be on her own. She represents independence and courage to me, and taught me that to get ahead in life, you have to know how to exist on your own and make your own way.

What advice would you give to young women aiming for positions of responsibility?

It's crucial not to let anyone decide for you. Women often tend to lack self-confidence, and not for good reason. It's a battle we have to fight with ourselves first. The important thing is to chart our own course without encroaching on those of others.

As an inspirational woman, what would be your preferred medium for an interview?

I like discretion, but if I had to choose, it would be an interview in a women's magazine, entertaining and popular! Not an overly serious magazine where I wouldn't fit in.

We would like to express our deep gratitude and salute the remarkable achievements of these extraordinary women. Their daily contribution enriches and diversifies the professional landscape, making it abundantly clear that female leadership is essential and intrinsically associated with excellence and innovation, not only in the hotel industry but also in many other sectors.