In this issue
Enjoy a Spa Vacation at a French Château!
Coming Soon: Château de
Courtomer in Normandy
Our Featured Rental: Château de la Poujade
in the Périgord
L'Apropos in Amazing Orange ~ Our Featured
B&B
News
& Updates from our members
A pretty
Château for Sale in the Vendée
New! Département Maps showing property locations!
JUST CLICK ON ANY ONE OF THEM!]
Indulge yourself at a Spa in France . . .
. . . from
Brittany to Provence ~ from the Savoie to Bordeaux !
Choose from this fine selection on our
web site.
The spa at Domaine
de Moulin Mer is brand new ~ created when the owners discovered
that their
clients came to them not only for the relaxing, western Brittany coast
but to rejuvenate themselves and unwind from their everyday
lives. Offering the dry heat of a sauna (60 - 100° C), a
hammam (Turkish steam bath) with a maximum temperature of 60° C +
100% humidity, all at a small supplement for those who book rooms at
the Domaine, the spa will make every holiday in this exceptional part
of France perfect.
Planning a visit to the Lorraine area of eastern France? Don't miss the chance to stay at the magnificent Château des Monthairons on the peaceful River Meuse. After visiting the historic regional sites, return to the château for a relaxing professional facial or massage in their spa. You'll find a sauna, steam room, and Jacuzzi as well - complete with bathrobe and slippers - all for the small supplement of €20 per session for a guest of the château. Finish with a gourmet dinner in their elegant restaurant - a perfect end to your busy day.
Step into the hammam at Château Juvenal
in Provence and lose all your cares. This is just one of the many
ways to relax at this château's spa located in their newly
converted dovecote. Perhaps you'll find a massage, the hot tub or
Jacuzzi equally as refreshing. Take advantage of the
sparkling swimming pool, borrow bicycles for rides in the lovely
countryside (visit their vineyards up the road), or hike the country
lanes. Not far from Carpentras and its fabulous outdoor market,
this château is the ideal Provençal getaway for your next
visit to the south of France.
Château de
la Roque in Normandy has a spacious gym and spa which includes this
inviting Jacuzzi. The Turkish bath and exercise room with state
of
the art equipment, are just a few of the amenities available to
guests. Take advantage of the bicycles for exploring the Cotentin
Peninsula and coastal villages, or stay at the château and enjoy
a few games of tennis. Offering single, double, triple and larger
rooms, the château is able to accommodate all guests comfortably
at any time of year.
The estate of Château du Breuil
in the Loire Valley wine region near Cheverny is conducive to complete
enjoyment and relaxation. A fine restaurant, spacious and pretty
en suite guest rooms, and this irresistible heated swimming pool make
anyone's stay here memorable. But, don't miss out on the spa,
complete with several styles of massages with essential oils, hot
stones, and back relaxation sessions. Spa sessions are scheduled
for two hours, while back relaxation is for fifteen minutes. This
little amount of time out of your travel schedule is well worth
it. You will leave the château feeling superbe!
Château des Allues in the foothills of the
Alpes in the Savoie has a new wellness center for its guests.
Complete with a sauna, steam room and Jacuzzi, massages can be arranged
by appointment. Visiting here is really good for your
health! Not only can you take walks in the crisp mountain air
along winding country roads and mountain trails, but your host
specializes in growing organic produce in his vast kitchen garden and
then preparing it for his guests at dinnertime. Look at the
videos on his au
Château web page to learn all about it.
In the Yonne département of
Burgundy is the ultra luxurious La Borde Maison
d'Hôtes, where you can arrive by car or even by helicopter! Condé Nast
Johansens chose La Borde for its 2013 Most
Luxurious Guest House Award. Not only are the spacious en suite
rooms magnificent and the classified Jardin
Remarquable gardens captivating, but the spa is
exceptional. A sauna, hamman, shower, exercise room and
Massothermie (all over massage) are available to guests, as well as a
treadmill and weights. Cycling is enjoyable in the area, and
everyone will love the tennis court and swimming pool.
Farther south, in the Midi-Pyrénées,
you will find the classic Château de Garrevaques where you can
rent a five-bedroom apartment on the top floor of the château or
individual guest rooms in the Pavillon. Either way, you can avail
yourself of the benefits of the Pavillon's spa, Les Soins de Colette, for
professional massages in private rooms, hot stones, mud baths, hydro
massage or steam away your cares in the hamman. The château
has a lovely swimming pool and tennis court for more active health
pursuits. This is a beautiful region of France made only better
by a stay at this château.
Château la
Roque de Bas near Saint Emilion in southwest France is a
self-catering weekly rental with a fantastic swimming pool and fine
tennis court. In addition to those benefits, a professional
French masseuse will come to the château to povider massages for
guests. Enjoy visiting the region, go to vineyards for wine tastings,
schedule a chef to come to the château to prepare meals or give
cooking lessons - but do remember to get that massage. You won't regret
it!
\
Burgundy is the home to Château de la Resle,
a retreat resplendent in art and culture, and with a brand new spa
offering guests high-quality exercise equipment, a sauna and steam
room. Also brand new this year is the heated swimming pool.
Reserve your room for several days at this château in the
countryside, surrounded by woodlands and tranquility, while still
convenient to charming villages and historic sites too numerous to
mention.
We
hope that you will stay at one or
more of these inviting historic properties when next in France ~ a far
more fulfilling experience than any hotel, we guarantee. And,
while there, take advantage of their spas, bicycles, tennis courts or
swimming
pools to get the most out of your visit.
French Quiz 119
Where are we?
What
is this monument and where is it?
Hints:
It was (it is estimated) built around AD 20, has had more than one
restoration, is the oldest surviving example of its kind, and is a
UNESCO World
Heritage Site.
We
are providing many hints because
no one guessed our last
Quiz!
The
first person
who sends us the correct complete
answer
will
receive
our exclusive au Château Note Cards.
Send
your answer
by email to newsletter@au-chateau.com
See the answer to the last issue's Quiz at the end of this newsletter.
The answer to this quiz will appear in our Autumn 2014 newsletter.
[Photo
©
Cold Spring Press. All Rights Reserved.]
Coming Soon. . .
.
. . Château de Courtomer
in Normandy
Château
de Courtomer
This
elegant 18th century country manoir is located in Normandy's
Orne département along
an ancient Roman road.
It was built on the eve of the French Revolution on the site of an 11th
century stronghold of the Barons of Courtomer who served the King of
France.
Today, it is an exquisite property
offering 15 en suite guest rooms, a modern kitchen and all 21st century
conveniences, while maintaining the tradition and authenticity that
comes with careful preservation of its aristocratic heritage and 18th
century details and architecture.
The château does not offer bed and breakfast accommodations but is rented in its entirety on a weekly basis for gatherings of friends, family reunions and vacations, celebrations, and business meetings. Only 160 kilometers from Paris, it is convenient for those arriving from near and far.
Do return to our site soon to see Château de Courtomer in great detail. Perhaps, it will be your group's next destination in France.
[Photo
Copyright owners of Château de Courtomer. All rights
reserved.]
Featured Rental Château:
Château de la Poujade
~ in the heart of the Dordogne ~
Château
de la Poujade
Special
Offer: weeks of July 5 & July 12 are still
available at €4000 per week!!
Rural
peace and quiet while only a few minutes drive from all the wonderful
sights and attractions of the Dordogne ~ that's the advantage of a stay
at Château de
la Poujade. This
spacious 17th century chartreuse (charter
house) is the largest in the
region and a listed Historical Monument.
Château de la Poujade offers seven guest rooms for a maximum capacity of 15 adults or children plus a toddler under the age of 2. The château, which is rented by the week, has a grand dining room, tranquil and relaxing salon, fully-equipped kitchen and is set in a beautiful parkland. There is a small swimming pool, fitness room in a converted chapel, and table tennis in the Orangerie.
The Dordogne has so much to offer
visitors including delightful historic villages, prehistoric sites,
activities such as golf, river canoeing and kayaking, and equestrian
pursuits. Add to that the beauty of the region, and this is the
ideal vacation destination.
To find out more, visit Château de la Poujade on our site, and contact us with questions, or to make a reservation.
Villes et Villages de France
.
. . we hope to tempt you to visit these marvelous places
when
you
are roaming through the French countryside.
Stairs
between Cité Plantagenet and Place des Jacobins in Le Mans
Visiting the city of Le Mans is always interesting, from the cobbled old town known as Cité Plantagenet (wear sturdy shoes to go walking here!) and the grand Cathédrale de Saint-Julien within the fortified Roman walls, to the remnants of the Roman baths (Crypte Archéologique des Thermes Romains) and the Cistercian Abbaye de l'Epau, founded by the wife of Richard the Lionheart.
This photo shows 'The Tunnel', built in the 19th century, giving access to Cité Plantagenet, and stairs for pedestrians to go between the Cité Plantagenet and Place des Jacobins. It has various names including Tunnel Wilbur Wright and Tunnel des Jacobins. In reality it is a deep trench, but because of its high walls, it is not well lit ~ and thus it is called the Tunnel.
And, of course, we are particularly partial to any location graced by the beautiful River Sarthe which courses its way through Le Mans.
[Photo
copyrighted
Cold Spring Press. All Rights Reserved.]
Featured Bed & Breakfast:
L'Apropos in Orange
~ steps from the Amphitheater ~
The parc at L'Apropos
Originally constructed in 1860, L'A Propos, is a property that will seduce you with its natural elegance, fine décor and vast private gardens in the heart of historic Orange. It is simple in its appearance from the street, don't let that simplicity fool you, for inside it is a sparkling and cheery B&B with spacious en suite guest rooms and suites, an inviting dining room, and all the amenities a guest could want. To make it nearly perfect, you will find your hostess absolutely charming!
We were most impressed by the gardens ~ as they take you off into the countryside so you completely forget that you are in the heart of an ancient city.
Chambre Levant and its spacious terrace
When you arrive you will be directed through the large gates allowing you to park your car safely off the road. After a night in your lovely room, a hearty breakfast will help you start your day. If you like, you can arrange to have dinner at L'Apropos in the evening ~ superb cuisine beautifully presented and long remembered. L'Apropos is convenient to all the important attractions in Orange ~ within walking distance, in fact ~ and a place to which you will vow to return.
Please take a moment to visit L'Apropos on our web site to see more photos and to find out what it and the historic city of Orange have to offer. For reservations or to check availability, please contact us at inquiry@au-chateau.com.
SPONSORING THIS ISSUE
The book, "Solitary Desire - One Woman's Journey to France" by Kim Defforge,
is an engaging & inspirational story filled with love, sweat and tears
to show how dreams can come true!
<>Read Kim's blog featuring current events, news, amusing stories, articles about French cuisine, & savoir-faire!
Contact Kim to buy her book or click here to buy it from Amazon.com.
News
from Our Members . . .
- Château de Bournand in the Loire has new owners. We hope to have more details soon, but if you are interested in booking at the château, please contact us at info@au-chateau.com.
- Château Coulon Laurensac in Bordeaux
will no longer appear on our web site for accommodations at their
château. But, we will still be working with them to book
participants
for their wine tours. Small groups can enjoy visits to
wine producers who are rarely open to the public, dinners in fine
restaurants, ground transportation and Ronald's wine expertise. We will
be happy to provide the dates of upcoming tours, tour prices and make
your
reservations to stay at the château. Simply contact us at info@au-chateau.com.
-
au
Château is pleased to present over 25 châteaus whose
owners will host weddings of various sizes. Perhaps you've seen
our display ad in Brides Magazine if you live in the UK. The
owners of these châteaus can often suggest wedding planners and
will advise the bride and groom with regard to caterers, musicians,
florists, photographers and celebrants. See which of our members
offer their châteaus as wedding venues by clicking on this page and looking for the bride and groom
icon.
Please
remember
that au Château gives every inquiry personal,
prompt
attention ~
and
we
are
here to answer your questions, unlike the automated online
booking
services.
[Contact us at inquiry@au-chateau.com
for availability or reservations at any property
mentioned in this issue.
Please
be sure to put the property name in the subject line.]
In the sunny Vendée, not far from Atlantic Beaches, there is a very pretty château on an acre of land comprised of 8 bedrooms, three bathrooms, a completely equipped kitchen, a utility room, two great salons (one with original Impressionist murals) and a library in the tower.
A sprawling French country garden has specimen trees, fruit trees, statuary and a heated pool with a security cover. All of this is behind grand stone walls with a beautiful iron entrance gate. The château is at the edge of a lovely little village and convenient to le Marais Poitevin, La Rochelle, the Ile-de-Ré, and the large town of Fontenay-le-Comte.
As the owners are now working in another region of France, they are motivated to sell quickly. Please contact us for price information and other details at inquiry@au-chateau.com.
Easy
Recipe ~ Madeleines
The Madeleine was taken from the family
recipe of a chambermaid in the court of King Stanislas, the Duke of
Lorraine, when he requested a sweet little dessert for a
gala dinner he was hosting. Because they didn't have a proper
name, the King named them after the chambermaid: Madeleine of Commercy.
You will need a Madeleine mold, 4 eggs, 7 ounces of sugar, the peel of a lemon, 1 vanilla bean, 7 ounces of sifted flour, 1/2 ounce of powdered yeast, and 6-1/2 tablespoons of butter. Preheat the oven to 430°F (or 220°C).
Beat
the eggs in a bowl, adding the sugar and lemon zest.
Stir gently over a pan of simmering water until the sugar
dissolves. Remove from heat and continue stirring until the
mixture has cooled off.
Add the flour very gradually along
with the dried yeast and a little of the seeds of the vanilla bean,
stirring all the while, mixing well. Melt butter separately, and
add it last.
Grease each Madeleine mold with
butter, and fill the molds with the mixture. Bake in the
pre-heated oven for 10 minutes. Loosen the cakes from the mold
immediately, and cool on a wire rack.
Bon apétit!
[Photo
credit www.familyfriendlyfood.com.
Recipe adapted from Champagne, Alsace and Lorraine chapter of
Culinaria France,
originally published in 2004 by Könemann, Cologne, Germany, with
our thanks.
We highly recommend this beautiful book which is printed in the EU with
the ISBN 3-8331-1129-1]
We hope you have enjoyed au Château News.
If you have, please forward it to friends and
encourage them to subscribe by email to
newsletter@au-chateau.com. It's FREE!
Answer to Quiz 118 - Where Are We? from our Spring issue
The
restaurant at the Musée d'Orsay in Paris,
opened
in 1900, and absolutely stunning. We received a few guesses that
it was Versailles, but no correct answers were sent in. We
suggest that
more people dine there when visiting the museum.
The atmosphere and food are both delightful, and the prices are
very reasonable.
Département maps courtesy of Wikipédia, FranceDisclaimer: 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.
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