In this issue . . . featuring lodging in France's northwest
Coming soon: Château de
Gauville in the Eure département
Our
featured B&B: Château
de Bénéauville in Calvados, Normandy
Our Featured Rental: Château de Caillotière in
the Pays de la Loire News and Offers
from our membersand more!
It's a good time to begin plans for your visit to France in 2015!
We hope this newsletter gives you some ideas.
JUST CLICK ON ANY ONE OF THEM!]
Coming Soon . . . Château de Gauville
. . . weekly rental
offering luxury and
comfort
Château
de Gauville, Haute Normandy
Château
de
Gauville is a classic château in the style of Louis XV and on the
register of Historic Monuments in France. Built in 1732 on 25
acres, the parkland surrounding the château affords guests a most relaxing
holiday while the château itself provides luxurious
and authentically French accommodations.
With
nine spacious and tastefully-appointed guest rooms, six of which are en
suite, the château
can comfortably accommodate 18 people, and extra beds can be provided
for additional small children.
As shown in these photos, the common rooms
are elegant and inviting. Ample seating for your group's dinners
is provided, or smaller numbers of people can enjoy a more intimate
setting for taking their meals.
Please
return to the au Château web
site soon to visit Château de Gauville's pages for detailed information, photos,
and prices. If you are interested in reserving the château
now, don't hesitate to contact us.
French Quiz 122
Where
are
we?
Hint: A place like no other . . .
Please provide the
exact name of this historic site in France.
French Château Note Cards with our artist's original drawings.
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 Summer 2015 newsletter.
[Photo
©
Cold Spring Press. All Rights Reserved.]
Featured Rental Château:
Château de Caillotière
~ in the Pays de la Loire ~
Château
de Caillotière
Château de
Caillotière is a stately and
elegant 19th century architectural jewel located in the tranquil Pays
de la Loire of western France on more than 70 acres of parkland, woods
and gardens. It was built over 200 years ago by French
Ambassador, Augustin de Vernouillet, an ancestor of the present owners.
The château is
rented by the week and can accommodate up to thirteen people in six
bedrooms, four of which are en suite. There are two kitchens, one
small and a larger formal dining room, a games and music room, and a
Grand
Salon. Groups renting this château will find themselves
surrounded with every amenity and comfort to ensure their time here is
perfect in every way.
Chambre Bleue
Moving to the outdoors, guests can ride the horse or pony on the miles of riding trails on the estate, play tennis on the new court, swim in the new swimming pool, fish in the pond, or try their hand at pétanque (boules), badminton or table tennis. There are bicycles available for leisurely rides in the surrounding countryside as well.
Tennis court and Swimming Pool
Many times travelers heading for
France are hoping to take some cooking classes. At Château de Caillotière
two options are available: classes can be organized
with Chef Tempereau in his nearby workshop, or classes can be arranged
at the château with
chef Astrid de Beauregard who runs à la
table d'Astrid. Just
request a cooking course when you book your week at the château, and the owners will make
all the arrangements.
Gather your friends and family and start planning that wonderful week together in a history-filled French château for a vacation you will fondly remember for years to come. Visit Château de Caillotière on our site today, and contact us with questions, or to make a reservation.
Villes et Villages de France
. . . we hope to tempt you to visit these marvelous placeswhen you are roaming through the French countryside.
Our
hilltop view of Pleneuf-Val-André toward the sea
Wandering around town at our host's suggestion was great fun. Not only did we enjoy the village and a lovely lunch on the boardwalk above the west-facing beach, but we also saw people sailing or boating along the pristine shore. Not a touristy spot, most of the people we did see were locals enjoying the great weather with their children or out for strolls along the water.
Boats out for a warm September sail at Pleneuf-Val-André
We took leisurely strolls around town admiring the flowers hanging in baskets from poles and lightposts, the charming architecture of the homes, and this sign for the tennis club at a little park in the center of the village. Restaurants in Pleneuf ranged from small cafés to more elegant dinner spots. Our dining experience was exceptional with good service and fresh cuisine at two different restaurants.
Next time you are in Brittany along the Channel, don't miss the opportunity to visit Pleneuf-Val-André for a few days. It will appeal to anyone who loves the sea, the salt air and the opportunity to slow down and attempt to imitate the relaxed lifestyle of its local residents.
All Rights Reserved.]
Online French Video Immersion
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Authentic French videos include television programs, music videos,
interviews, documentaries, and travel.
Click on the banner to sign up or learn more!
Château de Bénéauville
~ in Calvados, Normandy
The uniquely lovely Château de Bénéauville has been a listed historic monument for the past 50 years and dates back to 1589. Situated on 25 hectares of woodland and park, this incredible château has much to offer its bed and breakfast guests.
Four extraordinary king and twin guest rooms and suites, all with their own bathrooms, provide total comfort in an atmosphere of rich history and refined décor.
The common rooms of the château include a quiet salon as well as a library and dining room each with remarkable hand painted beamed ceilings. Every corner of this château exudes warmth and timeless charm.
Guests will also enjoy the park at Château de Bénéauville with beautifully-tended gardens and a natural pond. Of special appeal is the heated swimming pool, infrequently found at châteaus in Normandy, and certainly a welcome amenity in the warmer months.
Heated Swimming Pool and Delightful Pond
Please visit Château de Bénéauville's pages on our site, and then contact us with your questions or to make a reservation at inquiry@au-chateau.com. In addition to being a guest at this fine bed and breakfast, you will enjoy its convenience to the D-Day landing beaches and Caen - the city of William the Conqueror - among all the other historic and enjoyable attractions of beautiful Normandy.
News
from Our Members . . .
with several special offers
- Château Allure du Lac, an
enchanting château on a lake in the bucolic Maine-et-Loire
département, has a very special offer for your group
rental: It is their "Cancellation Special". Save € 3732 per week in May! This
special discount applies to all 7-day bookings for stays between May 1
and May 21, 2015, and results in a discounted 7-day rental rate of
€ 9750, including taxes, intead of the regular rate of € 13,482. Contact us to take advantage
of this special offer.
- Château de Courtomer in Normandy invites you to its Cultural Highlights and French Art of Living tour, April 17-23, 2015. Exclusive tours of the Bayeux Tapestry, the cathedral and open air market at Sées, the National Stud farm at Haras du Pin, the D-Day landing beaches, Monet's Gardens at Giverny, a visit to Versailles and more are included. This elegant château will be your home away from home for the week where you can relax, enjoy a cooking lesson, learn about French wines and cheeses with Pascal, the sommelier, take a hot-air balloon ride and so much more. There are limited places left, so please contact us very soon for more information and availability.
-
Château de Challain
has a special discounted offer: Book between now and May 1st and
all bed & breakfast rooms will be
€ 200 per night including breakfast. OR rent the whole château for 30 guests (2-night minimum) for € 1950 per night. Contact us today for further details. These special rates are only valid if booked through au Château!
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
Easy
Recipe ~ Moules (Mussels)
with Shallots, Pernod
& Saffron
This recipe is courtesy of the wonderful book, Walnut Wine & Truffle Groves: Culinary Adventures in the Dordogne by Kimberley Lovato with recipes by Laura Schmalhorst. It is a book filled with insight into the charm and warmth of the Périgord, exploring the villages that are like no others in France, and finally delving into a cuisine rich in tradition and relying on locally-sourced produce and products. This particular recipe reaches farther away to the sea for the mussels, but the result is nonetheless delicious.
You will need 8 pounds (4 kg) of fresh mussels, 1/2 pound of unsalted butter, 3 cloves of garlic minced, 4 shallots minced, 1/4 teaspoon of saffron threads crushed, 2 medium tomates chopped, 1 cup (250 ml) dry white wine, 1/2 cup (80 ml) Pernod (pronounced pear-no - a French anise liqueur), 1 teaspoon white pepper, and 1 tablespoon chopped fresh tarragon.
Place the mussels in the sink and
run water over them to remove any sand. Remove stringy fibers
attached to the shells and discard any mussels that are open or
cracked. In a large pot over medium heat, melt the butter.
Add the garlic, shallots, and saffron, and cook until fragrant - about
2 minutes. Add the tomatoes, wine, Pernod and white pepper and
bring to a full boil for 2 minutes.
Finally, add the mussels, cover, and
cook - occasionally stirring gently - until most of the mussels have
opened - about 5 minutes. Add the tarragon and cook until all of
the mussels are open - about 1 minute longer. Discard any that
have not opened. Divide mussels
among large soup bowls, and ladle the broth over the top. Be sure to
serve with
crusty baguettes.
Copyrighted 2009 by Kim Lovato and Laura Schmalhorst,
and published by Running Press Book Publishers, Philadelphia, PA 19103, USA
ISBN 978-0-7624-3799-3]
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 121 - Where Are We? from our Winter 2014 issue
It was the ancient Breton city of Vannes founded over 2000 years ago, and the monk born there
was Saint Emilion, after whom a great wine area of Bordeaux was named.
The winner of our France 2015 Calendar was a subscriber from North Yorkshire England.
Congratulations!!
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