Special Edition             June 2004

                                    In this issue:
                                                      Domaine Saint-Pierre de Trapel, A Week at
                                                        Château de la Barre, and Villa le Goëland

	Near Carcassonne or on the Atlantic Coast  -- two new members  offer you superb accommodations!         Domaine Saint-Pierre de Trapel Saint-Pierre de Trapel  The ancient walled city of Carcassonne has attracted visitors for a very long time and is at the heart of Cathar country in the Aude département of Languedoc which is known as 'the other south of France'.  With marvelous weather, a unique history and friendly people, this region is becoming more and more popular as a destination for vacations in France. Domaine Saint Pierre de Trapel offers those visitors a charming place well positioned to visit the fortress city, historic sites and the wonderful (and recently popular) nearby vineyards of Languedoc.  Not to be forgotten is the nearby Canal du Midi with its guest barges and bucolic shores.  Your host and hostess have authentically restored their home, a former 18th century master's house on a wine estate, which had great importance in the region in the past.  Today it is a warm and inviting retreat for those seeking bed and breakfast accommodations or a gîte offering lodging for four and its very own plunge pool. Breakfast is delightful whether under the shade of the chestnut trees or in the summer kitchen before the great fireplace.  You will delight in country breads, homemade preserves and jams, Viennese pastries and fromage blanc accompanied by a selection of seasonal fruits, local ham and cheese and superb coffee.  A great way to start the day!      Lovely park with swimming pool Open from April 1 to November 2, Domaine Saint Pierre de Trapel also has a lovely swimming pool on the grounds, vast gardens for strolls, and bicycles for exploring the surrounding countryside.  Nearby, guests will find tennis courts, an equestrian center, golf, the Pyrénées and the Mediterranean.   Twin Guest Room with view of Park The area is dotted with pleasant towns and villages and their interesting market days.  For those who love visiting these, we recommend Trèbes, Castres, Castelnaudary and Mazamet.  When near the sea, Narbonne may be appealing.  Another interesting visit is to the Abbaye de Fontfroide.  Outdoors men and women will appreciate the close at hand Parc Naturel Régional du Haut-Languedoc and the Montagne Noire -- both only 30 kilometers away.   Day trips can enrich your visit to the region, and Domaine Saint Pierre de Trapel will welcome you back in the evenings! The proprietors, Christophe and Catherine Pariset, are truly eager to welcome guests into their home which is filled with warmth and cheer, and they will be very helpful in guiding their guests to all the interesting regional attractions and fine restaurants for their evening meals.  A stay at Domaine Saint Pierre will be long and fondly remembered. [Photos:  courtesy M. et Mme Griffiths, Mas de Bastide. These photos are the copyrighted property of the owners and may not  be copied or used in any manner by anyone without their permission.] A Sponsor of this Newsletter. . . Mas de Bastide  Decorative Painting Classes and Lodging Mas de Bastide, in the warm and sunny Lot département of southwest France,  offers you a medieval environment for lodging and a professionally taught series of classes to learn decorative painting, trompe l'oeil, faux painting and more! Click banner to read about them and see photos. Click here to ask for more details or to reserve a room! An Incredible Week at Château de la Barre                                      by Elizabeth Colleran Recently, Elizabeth Colleran visited our web site in search of a place  to stay not far from Normandy's Eure département where  she would be attending a wedding.  Her plans included some time  in Provence as well, but she most wanted the opportunity to stay in a château where French language immersion was offered.  We recommended Château de la Barre in the Sarthe, and she took to our suggestion immediately.  Here is her story about the experience. I was so glad that I had decided to let Count Guy de Vanssay pick me up in Normandy.  It was a wonderful trip down to La Barre.  He took me by way of La Perche, a beautiful and little known part of France.  It is filled with charming small châteaux with rounded towers, set graciously into the soft green of pastoral hillsides.  The Count, I think, knows every single château in the area, along with its history, and he has an incredible eye for detail.  Time and again, he pointed out fascinating architectural details of châteaux, churches and buildings -- details I would have missed completely.  What bonne chance to see that lovely area with such an expert guide!  He even introduced me to the very impressive Percheron horses of the area,  large, sturdily built animals that are respected throughout the world.  I loved seeing them. Then the countryside began to change a little, and suddenly Count de Vanssay turned into the entrance road to Château de la Barre.  I was so enchanted by the drive through tranquil pastures filled with mother sheep and their little baby lambs that I forgot to look ahead until there we were, right in front of the château.  What an impressive sight!  It is  a handsome building, and I could feel immediately the sense of ages of French history right there before me.  The Countess de Vanssay came out at once and gave me such a warm and gracious welcome that I was at home at La Barre from the start -- not to mention the gentle and affectionate greeting I received from two of the most civilized dogs I have ever met. They have carefully restored the château to its proper historical grace and beauty,   and imagine my delight in seeing it all -- the lovely antiques, the tastefully chosen décor, the authentic historical details.   You could sense that it had all been done by this couple with an affectionate pride in the château's long history and with a true pleasure in sharing it with others. When they took me to my charming bedroom, I discovered that this château was old enough to have one of my most favorite things -- an ancient circular stairway, twisting upward, ascended and descended throughout the ages by countless people, some known, with their portraits on the château walls, some forever unknown, with the grey stone worn down by their endless footsteps.  And there I was -- adding my footsteps to the château's history, even though I will never be a portrait on the wall! My room, with its blue pastoral wall-paper and real fireplace, was delightful (and the shower works extremely well!).  Imagine getting up in the morning, throwing open the French windows and looking out at a pasture filled with mother sheep and their lambs, running freely to and fro, searching for their mothers, finding them, and then running off again.  I stood there for ages, with a smile on my face, absorbing the tranquil vista of French countryside. Dinners in the handsome dining room, again with that aura of tradition all around us, were such fun.  The conversation was a glorious mish-mash of French and English, whichever seemed easiest at the moment to the speaker.  But, whatever the language, the talk was filled with humor and interesting ideas. Of course, when the Count was around, laughter was never too far away, but we were also able to comfortably speak seriously and share ideas on the world today and our values and philosophies of living.  That kind of conversation is rare anywhere, and to find it in a château in France was just icing on the cake!  Added to that was the Count's expertise in wine.  Since my husband and I had spent some time studying wines, it was a real treat to be able to hear his information on the wines he was serving and again to be able to play around with analyzing the tastes.  He, of course, was far more knowledgeable than I, but that only made it better.  Every meal was delicious.  The Countess has a great sense of knowing just how adventurous one might be, and she kindly avoided the more exotic French delicacies -- like raw things and the innards of animals!  We had wonderful delights like paté, smoked salmon, chicken with lemon, steak, delicate salads, French cheeses (with interesting information about them), and those fabulous desserts including a chocolate soufflé that one can only find in France.  The de Vanssays are a perfect couple to have a château like La Barre because they so easily interact with their guests, carrying on interesting conversations, and giving a sense of relaxed well being. In the mornings, I had French study with the Countess, whom by now I was calling by her first name, Marnie.  She is an excellent teacher, patient and clear, and she really did an incredible job of advancing my knowledge in that terror of all students, the subjunctive!  At any time of the day, she was ready to help me with my speaking and clarify my questions.  It was so nice, too, that during our conversations in the classes I was able to come to know her better.  She is a multi-faceted, multi-talented person! One afternoon, the Count (whom I was now addressing as Guy)  took me off into the highways and the byways to see the great châteaux of the Loire.  Again, it was a rare opportunity to see them through the eyes of someone who knows and loves their history the way that he does.  I don't think it would be possible to have a better view of that beautiful area than I was given.  We saw not only Chambord, Chenonceau, and other great chateaux, but also so many interesting churches, cathedrals, troglodytes, and ancient villages.  Do you know what was one of my favorite days?  It was a day when I was tired and decided to spend most of the day just at the château.  I wandered around the beautiful grounds, taking pictures and just absorbing the incredible calm of the scene, watching the lambs, seeing the early daffodils and hyacinths, noting the first feathering of the spring leaves on the trees as the they framed the château, imagining the historical events surrounding the remains of ancient stone walls, now covered with moss and grass.  Then I went into the Rose Salon and curled up on the big red leather sofa to read, calmly watched over by the portraits of the previous inhabitants of La Barre.  Before I knew it, it was time for white wine before the fireplace and another candle-lit dinner. I felt so much a part of that château that I could be happily there, not as some alien visitor, but as if, in some small way, it was my château as well!   In all my readings of the history of France and of its châteaux, I had never thought I could feel a part of one.  Yet, that is the ambiance that the Count and Countess de Vanssay created.     Elizabeth Colleran lived in France in years past and in recent times traveled there often with her late husband. Finding herself returning alone to attend a friend's wedding, but not eager to drive on her own, she was seeking a way to see the great Loire châteaux, take part in French lessons and rediscover something of the French countryside she experienced in times past.  She found that  the proprietors at Château de la Barre were willing to retrieve her in Normandy, take her on  day trips in their region, engage in French conversation, provide structured French lessons, and return her to Vendôme's train station for her return to Paris at the end of her week with them.  We hope you've enjoyed the story of her stay at Château de la Barre and that you will stay there very soon to learn first hand what a rewarding experience it can be.  We want to add that Guy and Marnie de Vanssay enjoyed their time with Liz Colleran as much as she enjoyed her time with them! If you would like to contact Mrs. Colleran, drop us an email at info@au-chateau.com            Bastille Day Greetings . . .  Click on the web link below if you would like to send  web greetings to your French and Francophile friends for the upcoming (July 14) holiday - Fête Nationale http://www.123greetings.com/events/bastille_day/                   Villa le Goëland     Villa le Goëland in Biarritz Here is your opportunity to stay in a luxurious and historic property right on the Atlantic shore!  Most châteaux are nestled in the countryside, but this beautiful villa,  situated on a plateau in the resort city of Biarritz,  has a commanding view of the Atlantic and the coastline from the Landes region south to Spain.  Your room here with a balcony could become one of your favorite places in the entire world! We can't stress enough the charm of the south Atlantic coast of France.  The liveliness of Biarritz with its upscale restaurants, grand casino and Napoléonic history is something to make a vacation unforgettable.  The Basque people in this corner of France infuse the towns and countryside with their fascinating folk customs, interesting architecture and unforgettable cuisine.  Just don't try to understand their language!! The Villa le Goëland is a gem -- not only for its incredible location and appealing architecture but for what it offers:  a host and hostess, Monsieur and Madame Daraignez,  intent on welcoming you to their home with comfortable and well furnished rooms, large modern bathrooms, and great breakfasts on balconies with views to take your breath away!   These friendly and knowledgeable people will answer your every question about the Basque region and Biarritz, as well as point you to the best restaurants and shopping in town. Three en suite guest rooms await your visit, each with a view -- even the large modern bathrooms have views!  Your comfort is paramount, of course, but what you will find outside your window will also make a lasting impression -- the coast and the sea!  Naturally, as Villa le Goëland is located in the heart of Biarritz, you will find access to fine restaurants, shopping and the casino quite easy.  Parking is provided at the Villa for you car, but you may decide that walking to all the city's destinations is quite convenient. The region around Biarritz offers vacationers everything from golf and scuba diving to horseback riding and paragliding.  The Landes coast to Arcachon is a pleasant, uncrowded drive, and Atlantic beaches are wide and clean.   Nearby there are many sites and museums devoted to prehistory.  An easy drive from Biarritz will take visitors to St-Jean-de-Luz down the coast, inland to Basque country, and less than two hours north to Bordeaux.                  All Guest Rooms have Views of the Sea and Gardens Imagine  breakfasts of fresh fruit, yogurt, breads and pastries, juice and coffee  taken on the terrace overlooking the sea.   When people are looking for fine tourist attractions but still insist upon tranquility and relaxation on their vacation, they could do no better than to reserve a room for several nights in fashionable Biarritz at the historic and classical Villa le Goëland. [Photos in this newsletter are courtesy of Domaine Saint-Pierre de Trapel and Villa le Goëland and are copyrighted property of the owners.  Photos herein may not  be copied or used in any manner by anyone without their permission.] Coming soon . . . Very soon a newsletter will come your way to introduce the luxurious and inviting Domaine du Verbois west of Paris and Versailles -- a late 19th century mansion of grand proportions set in a acre forest. Domaine du Verbois offers the absolute best to its guests, from exquisite rooms and meals to facilities for conferences, workshops, cocktail parties and receptions.  Look for Domaine du Verbois on our pages by the first of July! We hope you have enjoyed this Special Edition of au Château News.  If you have,  please forward it to friends and encourage them to subscribe. It's FREE! Of course, if you have questions or need help with reservations at any of our member properties, don't hesitate to contact us at info@au-chateau.com.  You have received this newsletter because you have requested  to be on our subscriber list.  If  you do not wish to receive this newsletter, please send us an Email with your name and Email address, and we will remove you from our database promptly. Disclaimer:  Cold Spring Press, au Château and/or any persons associated with either organization take no responsibility for errors and/or omissions in any edition of au Château News© and no guarantees are given or implied with regard to any statements made in au Château News©.  We are not responsible for any information provided in the web sites linked to any issue of au Château News©,  and those links are for informational purpose only. The disclaimer on the au Château© web site at http://www.au-chateau.com,  applies in its entirety to all au Château News©  newsletters.
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