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                                                             Special Edition                     May 2003
 

 
 


A Spectacular View ! 

Château Les Hauts

[The photos are large files and may take a little time to open -  we ask your patience.]
 

Watercolor of the château and Le Mont St-Michel

Watercolor of Château Les Hauts & Le Mont St-Michel

Although your view of Le Mont St-Michel may not be precisely as close as in the photo you see below, you will nevertheless be able to gaze upon this incredible historic site from your bedroom window as a guest at the marvelous Château Les Hauts  -- a charming and distinctive bed and breakfast perched high above the Baie du Mont St-Michel. The château, on the spectacular west-facing coastline of the département of the Manche in Normandy is the much-loved home of André and Suzanne Leroy who are eager to welcome you.  You will be offered André's special Pommeau apéritif upon arrival, and may decide to take cooking classes with Suzanne.  Your warm welcome will set the stage for many enjoyable days and nights at Château Les Hauts.

Le Mont St-Michel

The château offers ten thoughtfully decorated guest rooms, one of which is famous for a guest who stayed nearly 60 years ago  -- American General Dwight Eisenhower who found peace and tranquility at Château Les Hauts, especially during his solitary strolls in the gardens.  The sea plays a large role in life along this coastline, not least of which is the rapidly rising tide,  and you may decide you would like to take advantage of a horseback ride the seven kilometers across the bay (at low tide, of course) from the château to Le Mont St-Michel.  Several local companies offer guides for just such an outing, and your host and hostess will be very happy to make arrangements on your behalf.  The Gulf Stream makes this coastline almost tropical, and it is often called Normandy's Riviera.  Mimosas and palms grow in the gardens of the château which is sheltered from the coastal winds by its own wooded acreage.

From the moment you arrive at this much-loved residence, you will realize you are in a very special place in France, viewing the single most visited tourist attraction in the country, Le Mont St-Michel.  The location of the château with this view is unsurpassed, yet a stroll through the sheltered and tropical garden will take you into the village of St-Jean-le-Thomas, population barely 400,  for a sense of small town country life along this incredible coastline.  It is in this town where you can make arrangements for guides to take you on walks along the beach and across the bay to Le Mont St-Michel, or for the ride on horseback we mentioned earlier.  In either case, you will be in for an adventure few have experienced when visiting the Normandy coast.

Billiards and Breakfast in this inviting room

Guests will enjoy a delicious breakfast included in their room rate or can take advantage of a wide range of menu options for dinner (with an advance reservation, of course) which includes an apéritif and wine.  The entire house is non-smoking, and rooms display fine medieval art and grand stone fireplaces -- creating a comfortable atmosphere for all its guests.

Nearby attractions to see include Bayeux, which offers, among other things, the famed 230 foot long Tapestry, the D-Day landing beaches, the channel city of Saint Malo, and inland centers of culture and history such as Rennes and Caen.  Don't miss the opportunity to visit Sainte-Mère-Eglise where there is a 'memorial' of a kind to an American paratrooper who dropped into town on D-Day.

Visit  Château Les Hauts  on our web site today where you will find photos of the exterior, a guest room and other inviting spaces where guests will feel welcomed and right at home.  Prices, amenities, a Michelin map and directions are all on the same page, making your virtual visit uncomplicated and enjoyable. 

[Photo Credits  -  Château Les Hauts]


Medieval Splendor ! 

Le Prieuré du Château de Biron

We  are so happy to bring you our site's first property in the lovely and extremely popular Périgord (the département of the Dordogne) of southwestern France.  Filled with perched villages, meandering rivers, historic châteaux and great cuisine, this area is also the center of prehistory in France -- "grottes" await your visit where you can marvel at the exquisite paintings left by early man.  Not far from the medieval market town of Monpazier is the small village of Biron set inside the walls of a massive fortress, the Château de Biron.  And, just across the way from the château, is Le Prieuré, an appealing restoration of an ancient priory and home to monks in centuries past.   Its modern day amenities and tasteful décor have transformed it into a modern-day chambres d'hôtes.

Le Prieuré au Château de Biron
The Priory at Château de Biron

Much  is offered to guests of Le Prieuré au Château de Biron, in addition to its luxurious rooms, suite and apartment.  Breakfasts, of course, are always a delight, and you can enjoy them in the dining room or in the secluded garden on warm mornings.   Guests can wander through the medieval village of Biron and investigate its interesting historic past, take strolls or an apéritif in the garden, or they may simply choose to relax in the comfortable sitting area of their room -- when they are not busily absorbing all the region has to offer.  Monpazier and Trémolat, the bastide town of Domme and Beynac -- these are but a few of the easy to reach towns and villages filled with charm, history, shops and restaurants.  Or discover lovely La Roque Gageac perched over the Dordogne River, Cadouin, renown Sarlat La Canéda, peaceful Lalinde, or bustling  Bergerac.  Don't forget the caves near Les Eyzies-de-Tayac or those at Lascaux II.  Between the villages are vineyards and rolling countryside, steep banks along winding rivers -- something for everyone, without a doubt.

Wedding receptions, following ceremonies in the chapel at the Château de Biron, are often held at Le Prieuré.  All details are attended to,  and the guests will enjoy the medieval ambiance of the Priory as well as the beauty and appeal of its gardens. 

Château ArchwayChâteau de Biron
 Images of Château de Biron -  its archway in the village and its impressive presence

The Dordogne has allured visitors for years and its history tells of its allure for the English who fought long and hard to conquer it.  Their fortresses and those of the French are especially worthy of exploration, perhaps the most significant being Beynac-et-Cazenac (held by the French during the Hundred Years War) on one bank of the Dordogne and Castelnaud (held by the English) on the other, neither too far from Le Prieuré for a visit.

If you are familiar with the Périgord, you will know that many visits are required to take in all it has to offer, and, if you have never visited this region, it should be one of the next destinations on your list.  You will find a gentle climate, superb scenery, a fascinating history, prehistoric treasures, great food, charming people, and coupled with a stay at Le Prieuré  --  that's a vacation worth remembering!

 


Of course, if you have any questions or need help with reservations at any
of our member properties, don't hesitate to contact us at info@au-chateau.com


We hope we have enticed you to explore more of France by presenting these 
special properties to you.  From a château on the historic coast of Normandy to a priory
in the intriguing medieval Purple Périgord -- a stay at either will introduce you to 
new experiences of traveling in France and provide memories to take home and savor.
 In the coming weeks we will be bringing new members to our web pages -- among them
one very near Paris and another in the southwest.  Each will be a very pleasant surprise!
 Please continue to visit our member properties to experience the comfort, congeniality, 
and relaxation they provide.  All are unique,  offering complex and interesting history, 
friendly owners and regional diversity.  Avoid impersonal hotels, and opt for the comfort and
security of a château or manoir in the French countryside.  You won't regret it!

(Remember - all underlined phrases above are active links to informative web sites.)


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