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Autumn 2021 In this issue . . .  Our
Featured
B&B: Le Prieuré du
Château de Biron
Our Featured Rental: Château
de Courcy News &
Offers from our Membersand More! Highlighted links in this text will take you to the appropriate web sites. Just click on any one of them. This newsletter is best viewed with a Firefox browser. Our Featured B&B: Le Prieuré du Château de Biron a Jewel in the Dordogne  Le Prieuré du Château de Biron The Dordogne (Périgord) of southwestern
France is a very special place, and for those familiar with all it has
to offer, it needs no introduction. But, if you are going to
explore that region for the first time, or even if you are returning
for another visit, we highly recommend you spend several nights at Le
Prieuré in Biron. The photo above, with the priory in the
foreground, shows the massive Château de Biron dating from the
12th century, designated a Monument
Historique in 1928, and today a fine museum open to the public.
 We were guests at the priory several times in the past and found the location perfect. The little village of Biron is peaceful and charming, and it is an easy drive to Monpazier to visit the market in the town square each Thursday from 8AM to 1PM. Market Day in Monpazier   The
grand stairway and Chambre Le Pelerins
The priory
guest rooms are luxurious and spacious, and guests can gather in the
salon or on the terrace which offers endless views of the countryside
from its hilltop location. The French owner's efforts to assure
the priory is authentically furnished and appointed while offering
guests every modern convenience results in a most comfortable and
memorable stay.  View of the village and beyond  [Photos
© priory owners. All Rights
Reserved.]
Our Featured Rental:
Château de Courcy Luxury & History in Normandy  Château de Courcy For history buffs this château is perfectly located on the Cotentin peninsula near Cherbourg and the historic sites of D-Day. For those seeking a luxurious getaway for their family and friends, Château de Courcy will meet all your expectations. The château offers a twin bedroom which can be configured into a king, two single bedrooms and three spacious double rooms, all with their own en suite bathrooms. Guest rooms are decorated with period furnishings, but all modern amenities are included to make your 21st century holiday the perfect escape while enjoying a château of Classical and Neo-classical design. The cottage on the estate is for self-catering stays and has a kitchen, lounge, a twin and a double bedroom, a large bathroom and a back terrace, all set in the lovely park near the pond. 
Chambre Regency, one of three double bedrooms
There is not only a fine heated swimming pool for the guests, but a wellness center with a spa bath, infrared sauna and massage shower. Guests can enjoy spending some time playing tennis on the clay court. There is something for everyone on the estate including table tennis, croquet, pétanque and badminton, as well as bicycles to borrow for exploring the nearby countryside. 
 Visit Château de Courcy on our site today to learn all about this historic estate to rent for your special occasion or a holiday away with family and friends. We look forward to assisting you with your reservations or to answer your questions. Contact us at inquiry@au-chateau.com. [Photos copyrighted by Monsieur Jean GATTELLIER. All rights reserved.] French Quiz 139 Where are we? Hint: If you've been to France, you possibly
have been here!
Name
the city and the memorable landmark where this is located. the last remaining set of 12 au Château Notecards. 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 next newsletter. [Photo
© Wikimedia. All Rights Reserved.]
Villes et Villages de France . . . we hope to tempt you to visit these marvelous placeswhen you are roaming through the French countryside.  Reignac-sur-Indre Follow
this delightful road and cross the River Indre into to the pretty
commune of Reignac-sur-Indre. From delightful small restaurants
and a fine church to the incredible Labyrinth (maze) said to be the
largest plant maze in the world, a stop in this village is worth your
time.
  Unfortunately, the star of the village, Château de Reignac, is closed to guests, and we do not have information about when or if it will reopen. But please don't let that stop you from visiting Reignac-sur-Indre when you are next in this region.  [Photos copyrighted Cold Spring Press unless otherwise indicated. All Rights Reserved.]
News
from Our Members . . .  Be sure you follow the most recent regulations for entering France as a tourist with regard to COVID vaccinations. Click here for the government requirements so you will be assured of a problem-free entrance into the country. Enjoy your stay!. We sadly bid good-bye to Château de Canisy in Normandy and Château de Garrevaques, members who have each been with us for twenty years! The owners of Villa Belle Couronne in the Pays de La Loire overlooking the Loire River have decided to close their B&B business due to an illness in the family. Finally, Château du Barthas in the Midi-Pyrénées has been sold and Les Vieux Murs, a lovely B&B in the Allier is currently for sale. However, we can still offer accommodations throughout France at our 60 other member properties, so do visit our web site to entice you to travel to France and enjoy the history and comfort each château offers. Château de Courtomer in Normandy  Château de Courtomer, a majestic and historic property in Normandy 's Orne département and quite convenient to Paris, is eager to welcome you and your group of friends and family to share in all it has to offer.  This grand stairway is but one of the elegant features that make the Château de Courtomer very special. The salons and guest rooms in the château are beautifully appointed to provide the utmost in comfort for their guests.   Offering 15 en suite bedrooms in the château and an additional 9 in the beautifully renovated Farmhouse, Château de Courtomer is the ideal choice for a special family event such as a wedding or a celebration with a large group of friends. Seminars and meetings are also accommodated. For anyone wishing to arrive by helicopter, a helipad is provided. For those interested in attending the 24 Hours of Le Mans or other events at the racetrack, Courtomer is only an hour's drive away. For more information or to make your reservation, please contact us at inquiry@au-chateau.com. And ask about the owner's weekly newsletter telling of life at the château, its history, its gardens and so much more. Delightful reading!  [Photos
copyrighted by Elisabeth BONNER. All
rights reserved.]
Delightful Brittany awaits your visit . . .  Reminder: Château de la Ballue
in
Brittany regularly hosts classical music concerts for the public and
its guests. But, the principal attractions for both guests and
visitors are the spectacular, award-winning gardens with endless views
over the Brittany countryside.
Bed and breakfast guests will appreciate the luxurious rooms, warm welcome and the opportunity to experience authentic château life in this special corner of France. Please watch this video for a closer look and then visit them on our site. Contact us with questions or to make your reservation.  New UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SITES 2021 welcomed two additions to the
39 UNESCO sites already in France: the City of Nice and the
Cordouan Lighthouse in the Atlantic off the coast of Nouvelle-Aquitaine.
 The Cordouan Lighthouse is an active lighthouse located 7 kilometers at sea near the mouth of the Gironde Estuary. It stands 221 feet tall and is the tenth tallest "traditional lighthouse" in the world. It embodies the great stages of the architectural and technological history of lighthouses. By land it is about 52 miles northwest of the city of Bordeaux that is situated on a bend in the River Garonne.  Nice is a very popular city on the Riviera. It bears witness to the evolution of the winter resort due to its mild climate and Mediterranean seaside location at the foot of the Alps. It has a convenient international airport just 4.3 miles from the city - Nice Côte d’Azur Aéroport - code NCE. Be sure to visit our Special Offers page often to see what properties are discounting their rates or offering guests a special bonus for booking through au Château.  Rememberau 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 on our site or mentioned in this issue. Please be sure to put the property name in the subject line.] Easy Recipe: Sainte Maure de Touraine &
Honey Bagels
You will need: 4 bagels, 1 log
of Sainte Maure de Touraine cheese, 1 avocado, 1/2 cucumber, 1
tablespoon lemon juice, honey, some arugula and baby spinach, butter,
salt and pepper. Open the bagels and toast them in a
toaster or in a pan with butter. Mash the avocado and mix with
the lemon juice ~ then add the salt and pepper to taste. Slice
the cucumber very thinly. Slice the cheese. On the bottom
half of the bagel put a layer of avocado spread, a bit of the salad, a
layer of cucumber, a few slice of cheese and a generous tablespoon of
honey. Put the top of the bagel on. Serves 4. Bon appétit! Be sure to visit Fromages.com's
web site. We've ordered an array of cheeses
many times over the years that are shipped via FedEx arriving in perfect condition for our French wine and cheese gatherings. We highly recommend them. And, subscribe to the online newsletter, FRANCE On Your Own from our sister web site of the same name. Published since 1997, our newsletter offers regional reviews, expat experiences, and lots of travel information to explore FRANCE On Your Own. And, it's Free! Click here to subscribe. Please put Subscribe in the subject line. 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 138- Where are we? from our Winter issue A distant view of the walled fortified city of Carcassonne in the département of Aude in the Occitanie region of southern France. Carcassonne dates from Neolithic times, and evidence of settlements can be traced to 3500 BC. The correct answer was received by a subscriber from California, and several other responses were correct as well. We appreciate all the participants!
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