Estancia La Fortuna

Elegant Equestrian Palace in the Pampas

This luxurious French-styled chateau feels right at home in its South American setting, especially given its one-of-a-kind focus on Argentina's traditional gaucho cultural traditions. A storied horse property, it’s an elegant destination where Argentinian heritage meets championship-quality, English polo horse training grounds, and guests reside in a stunning, antique-furnished and architect-designed French chateau dating from 1873. A horse lovers' idyll, with resident horses from some of England's most prestigious polo tournaments, the authentic chateau offers noble lodgings for those seeking full immersion in the legendary gaucho tradition. 

Built at the turn of the 20th century by Gallic architect Le Bergere for its French-Argentine owners during the country’s glorious Belle Epoque period, this grand estate was created as an equestrian estancia in the wide open, fertile countryside, some 200 kilometers from Buenos Aires. Here, life includes a library, billiard room, observatory and private cinema, along with a basement wine cellar, swimming pool and on-site dedicated staff of eight, including a manager, concierge, cook, gardener and gauchos. 

Guests are greeted with a welcoming wine reception and treated to daily breakfasts, afternoon teas, an asado criollo (traditional barbecue), on-site pulperia, and wine tastings in the basement cellar. Horseback riding, antique horse-drawn carriage trips, and evenings spent gaucho-style around an outdoor fire pit are also on offer.

The property is best visited by horse lovers and dedicated equestrians who can benefit from its on-site stables and horseback riding excursions. Horseback adventures and carriage outings are available at the house, as are numerous other serviced activities including tango classes, wine tastings, cooking courses, swimming, biking, hiking, and antique car or carriage tours, plus private helicopter transfers.

AROUND

Salto is set in the vast grassland that has historically been home to the gaucho, the horsemen also known as the “cowboys of the pampas,” and cultural symbols of the country. A typical day at La Fortuna might include a horseback ride on the grounds (suitable for beginners), accompanied by one of the gauchos who work on the ranch. Gauchos flourished in the 18th and 19th centuries in this region, also referred to as the Uruguayan and Argentine pampas, a vast prairie ideal for tending to livestock. Gauchos are held in high esteem in Argentinian legend, literature and folklore admired for their nomadic lifestyle and migratory cattle tending. 

LOCATION

Salto, Buenos Aires Province, Argentina. Nearest airport: Buenos Aires (200km)

BEST TIME TO VISIT: Shoulder seasons, spring and fall (March to May, September to November)