Château de Picomtal is an absolutely delightful place to stay with welcoming owners who will proudly share their château with you.  From the very special gardens to the view over Lake Serre-Ponçon and the mountains beyond, you will appreciate the fresh alpine air and endless beauty that surrounds you.


This château has a fascinating history being an historic Medieval castle dating back more than a thousand years.  Many owners over the centuries added to the château, updated and made it their own.  It was in 1998 when it was purchased by Jacques Peureux and Sharon Halperin who spent the next four years renovating it to accommodate conferences, seminars, concerts and, of course, guests in their lovely chambres d'hôtes.  Perhaps you will be fortunate enough to see the video of the tower renovation ~ a truly impressive undertaking by these two dedicated owners.

An Annexe has an apartment perfect for up to four people, is self-catering and rented by the day or by the week.  The Château is open to guests from April to October each year.  It is easily accessible by car from Marseille, Grenoble, Lyon and Turin airports or Gap, Aix-en-Provence, Embrun and Valence rail stations.






Lovely and spacious guest accommodations await you at Château de Picomtal, and there is a handy elevator to the bedroom floor.  Period furniture, rich carpets and luxurious fabrics have been used to provide a warm and comfortable ambiance in each en suite guest room.

Although dinner is not offered at the château, many restaurant choices are nearby.  Cooking classes are held 5 times a year, and dinner is enjoyed by the students following the classes.

Make your next stay in France one where you have a view of the Alpes! 






For reservations or more information about Château de Picomtal, contact us at inquiry@au-chateau.com.

The exquisite Château Forge du Roy in the bucolic Dordogne département is offering a 10% discount for all 2018 bookings that are made and confirmed by December 31, 2017 ~ a €950 savings from the High Season price.  Don't miss this opportunity to rent one of the most luxurious properties in this part of France, complete with swimming pool and cabana, firepit and gazebo, boules, gym, sauna and massages, secure parking, laundry facilities, fishing and boating on the lake and so much more.  Maximum capacity is 20 guests.

Your hosts can arrange wine tastings and hot air balloon rides and advise about attractions in the region.  With ten lavish guest rooms, all en suite, this is the perfect getaway for family and friends or as a venue for a wedding or photo shoot. 

This is a fine self-catering property, convenient to so many of the popular regional attractions.  Visit it on our site and click on the video link to take a virtual tour of the château and the estate.  Contact us with questions or to reserve your week.  And please specify Forge du Roy.



Château Rhodes  in the Ariège département of the Occitanie region, is now for sale.  You can still visit its pages on our site to see photos of both the interior and exterior and read about what it has to offer. The château, on 20 acres of parkland and with 11 guest rooms (9 of which are en suite), is being offered at €1,450,000 with the furnishings.  Please contact us with your inquiries.


Also for sale is Château de Chanzé in the Loire, a fine historic château with an additional four gîtes on the property. Read all about this ideally-located château on our site.   It is available to guests from May through the end of 2018.  For selling price and other details, please contact us.  Or contact us to book your reservation for next year.

We have adapted this recipe from Eggs, a must-have cookbook by three-star Michelin chef Michel Roux.  His career includes 21+ years at the Waterside Inn in Windsor, England, many culinary honors, an Honorary Doctorate in Culinary Arts from Johnson & Wales University in 2002 and the Chevalier de la Légion d'Honneur in 2004.  He is also the food and wine consultant for Celebrity Cruises.

You will need only four ingredients: 3/4 cup of superfine sugar, 4 egg yolks, 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa, and the finely grated zest of one orange.

Begin by putting the sugar in a small pot with 2/3 cup of water and dissolve over low heat.  Then, bring to boil and immediately turn off the heat.  Leave the sugar syrup to cool completely.

Fill a pan (large enough to hold a round-bottom bowl) 2/3 full of warm water and heat gently. Put the bowl into the pan.  Pour the cooled sugar syrup into the bowl and whisk in the egg yolks.  Continue whisking the mixture over the heat for about 8 to 10 minutes until the sabayon is a light ribbon consistency.

When the sabayon reaches 149°F (65°C) it is ready.  Turn off the heat and continue whisking until the sabayon has a very thick ribbon consistency and a fluffy, shiny texture.

After removing the bowl from the pan, sprinkle in the cocoa a little at a time, whisking delicately until it has dissolved.  Stir in the grated orange zest gently.

Spoon the sabayon into dishes and serve immediately. 

Serves 6.   Bon appétit!