About us
Chateau Mahjong brings together two things rarely found in one place: expert American mahjong coaching and travel planned to the last detail.
At the table is Linda Hartley, who has taught American mahjong for more than twenty years and has played in National Mah Jongg League tournaments since the 1990s. Alongside her is Julien Marchand, a Saumur native and former sommelier who runs the tournaments, the timetable and the wine cellar.
Behind the experience is Leatherback Travel, which has spent the last seven years running small-group adventures around the world. After over 480 trips and 4,400 travellers, founder Matthew Newton is now bringing that same care to American mahjong. Are you ready for a week in a grand French house, with twenty players who came for the mahjong?
Our team
Matthew Newton
CEO
Mat runs Leatherback Travel, the group behind Patch Adventures, Fencox Travel, The Classical Club and a handful of other brands built around unique experiences and slow travel to less-known destinations.
Travel shaped most of his life. His parents took him across most continents when he was young, and in his solo-traveller days he once drove himself to the airport for a same-day flight to Bali, booked on a whim because he felt like it.
Chateau Mahjong grew out of The Classical Club, Leatherback's chess week at the same chateau. One remarkable house, a small group, and a game played seriously in good company turned out to suit American mahjong just as well.
Leatherback Travel has spent seven years learning how to run unforgettable trips and provide experiences that stay with people. That same craft now goes into mahjong.
Linda Hartley
American mahjong teacher
Linda grew up in Westchester, New York, keeping score at her mother's Tuesday-night game. She has taught American mahjong for more than twenty years, first at her local library and now at clubs from Palm Beach to Paris, and she has played in NMJL tournaments since the 1990s.
She is patient with newcomers and ruthless at the table. At Chateau Mahjong, Linda leads the group reviews after each session of the Chateau Cup and gives an evening talk on strategy and defence.
Julien Marchand
Retreat host
Julien was born in Saumur, twenty minutes from the chateau, and spent ten years as a sommelier before he started running house parties in the Loire. He picked up American mahjong at one of Linda's workshops in Paris and hasn't stopped since.
At Chateau Mahjong, Julien runs the tournaments, the timetable and the wine cellar, and he leads the visits to Saumur.
