The Bordeaux Wine Experience, from the owners of Château Coulon Laurensac just outside of Bordeaux, has a few more spaces for guest for their 2012 Harvest Tour, September 26 to October 1.  The tours are high-end wine and culinary tours of the Bordeaux region for an English-speaking international clientele.

This is an all-inclusive wine tour for 6 days and 5 nights (land only) at €3995 per person with more Classified Growths than any other Bordeaux tour.  The 2012 Harvest Tour includes visits to the top châteaux like Haut Brion, Pichon Baron and Château Yquem.  Meals in Bordeaux châteaux and Michelin-starred restaurants, all with great food and outstanding wines, are included.  Your accommodations are at the privately-owned 18th century Château Coulon Laurensac.

The tours are in English, expertly (and humorously) guided by Ronald Rens, M. Sc., Wine Master.  Deluxe transportation during the tour is provided, and small groups (maximum 6 double/twin and one single) keep the tour comfortable for all participants with attention given to everyone's questions and comments.

For booking or to inquire about more details or 2013 tours, please contact us by email at inquiry@au-chateau.com and please put Wine Tour in the subject line.

We cannot say enough good things about Château du Bois Noir and its friendly and charming host and hostess.  From tastefully decorated, spacious and comfortable guest rooms, to modern en suite bathrooms with the latest in amenities, this bed and breakfast is very special.

Located high on a hill in the Corrèze département of the Limousin region and adjacent to the Dordogne just to the south, guests will find Château du Bois Noir a tranquil getaway where they can enjoy luscious breakfast fare each morning and gourmet cuisine at dinnertime.

And, those dinners are incredible!  Your hostess, Henriette, is a superb and creative chef and prepares delicious and memorable dishes that are served with elegance by your host, Henk. These wonderful meals can be preceded with an apéritif on the terrasse or in the salon as your host tells you more about the history of this 19th century Renaissance château and their past six years as its owners.  Much has gone into redecorating the rooms, improving the gardens and completing it with furnishings suitable to the period of the château.  One can tell that attention to detail and much love has gone into these efforts, as it is more than a chambres d'hôtes ~ it is also their home.

Despite the château's country setting, it is easy to reach many attractions in the Dordogne and surrounding area.   Swimming, golf courses, and the Lac du Causse with beaches, rowing, water skiing and sailing are pastimes all can enjoy.  Prehistoric caves, the villages of Sarlat, Collonges-la-Rouge and Brive-la-Gaillarde and so much more is in the region to enjoy ~ and it is ideal for those who look forward to hiking and walking.

And, your hosts offer package stays that include a three-night Golf package, a two-night In Transit package to discover the surrounding countryside, and a 2010 Christmas package, also three nights, which includes 2 four-course dinners, a Christmas brunch and much more!  For nature lovers, there is also a four-night Culinary Hiking package that includes packed lunches to take along on your hike and fine four-course dinners upon your return. 

For more information or to make a reservation, please contact us at inquiry@au-chateau.com and mention Bois Noir in the subject line.  We look forward to hearing from you.

It was a Sunday afternoon when we were guests at Château de la Motte Usseau near Châtellerault ~ we drove north along the River Vienne and stopped in the little commune of Dangé-St-Romain, shown above.  We enjoyed a light lunch of melted brie on baguettes at a little village gathering place, the only 'restaurant' open for miles.  As with most French villages, picturesque lanterns and flower baskets adorn the bridges or streets adding that always-present French charm one sees throughout the country.

The tourist office tells us that in the 5th century the town was occupied by the Romans, and a governor, Damius, gave his name to the right bank of the town while on the left bank, monks built the Priory chapel and a toll bridge. Saint Romain, a disciple of Saint Martin, eventually became the patron saint of the boatmen.  The River Vienne has always played a vital role in the life of those living in around Dangé, and there are many splendid walks to take along the banks of the river. 
 
 

Château Soussac, in the Entre-Deux-Mers region of Bordeaux, has been sold by its charming owners, Joe and Nell Beattie, and will close to guests at the end of this month.

We were guests there last autumn and not only enjoyed our stay, but were quite impressed by Nell's fine cuisine and Joe's dedication to their quality wine production.  We are, needless to say, very sad to lose them as members of au Château, and we wish them the best in the future.  We are happy to know that they will remain in France, so perhaps we will have an opportunity to see them again.

Château de Rouffillac , a lovely château on the banks of the River Dordogne, is still available for weekly rental for the week of September 24th.

Château des Méouilles in Provence has much of September available.  They will rent the entire château or individual apartments in the château.  Please visit their pages on this site to see the many options!  This is a great, last-minute booking location for visits to both Provence and the Côte d'Azur.

Château Coulon Laurensac  invites you to join its 2012 Bordeaux Harvest Tour (October 1 - October 6) - only a few openings left!  This all-inclusive tour takes you to the top chateaux, with delectable meals in Bordeaux Chateaux and a Michelin-starred restaurant, and accommodations in their privately-owned 18th century chateau.  Tours in English & deluxe transportation during the tour.

Book now for CHRISTMAS AND WINTER HOLIDAYS at Château de Prauthoy in France's lovely Champagne country.  All nights except December 24 and December 31 are available.  What a lovely way to celebrate the holidays!

For information, answers to your questions or bookings, please contact inquiry@au-chateau.com and provide the name of the château.  Merci!

The answer to last issue's quiz is Château de Hautefort
in the Dordogne.  We had a few correct guesses, but the first
to contact us was a reader in New Jersey.  Congratulations to her!
 

Disclaimer: Cold Spring Press, au Château© and/or any persons associated with either organization do not take any responsibility for errors and/or omissions in any edition of au Château News© and no guarantees are given or implied with regard to the contents of any au Château News©.   The disclaimer on the au Château © web site at http://www.au-chateau.com, applies in its entirety to all au Château News© editions.  Cold Spring Press and au Château ©  take no responsibility for the contents of any web sites to which links are provided on our site or in any editions of au Château News.  Subscribers receive this newsletter because they have requested to be on our Opt-In mailing list.  To have your email address removed, simply send an email with 'Unsubscribe' in the Subject line to newsletter@au-chateau.com.
Our address is Cold Spring Press, P O Box 26098, San Diego California USA 92196-0098.

© 2000-2012 au Château - Cold Spring Press.  All Rights Reserved