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Spring & Summer 2017
 
In this issue . . .



  Happenings at Le Pavillon de Galon

   Our Featured B&B:  Château du Breuil, Loire Valley

   Our Featured Rental:   Château de Méouilles, Provence

   COMING SOON!  Villa Belle Couronne, near Nantes

  News & Offers from our Members

and More!


 
Don't wait too long to plan your château stay this year!
Or book now for 2018 & get ahead of the crowds. . .

We hope this newsletter gives you some ideas.


Highlighted links in this text will take you to the appropriate web sites.
Just click on any one of them.

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Le Pavillon de Galon
welcomes you to Provence

Galon Pond and gardens.  Copyright M/M Hervais.  All rights reserved.

Award-winning gardens, including a magnolia tree planted in 1760, surround the delightful Pavillon de Galon in CucuronFountains, ponds. specimen trees and flowers are in abundance encouraging enjoyable  strolls at any time of day.

Vineyard at Le Pavillon de Galon.  Copyright Cold Spring Press.  All rights reserved.But, there is more! Vineyards and orchards are behind Le Pavillon as far as the eye can see.  And with that comes a new activity:  organized wine tastings either at Le Pavillon or in the various fine Domaines in the region.  Discover Hocus Pocus, the precious AOC Lubéron wine produced from their own vineyard!

Cooking classes have long been offered at Le Pavillon de Galon.  Request them when you book and learn about classic Provençal dishes using seasonal, locally-sourced and organically grown produce, much of it from their own kitchen gardens.


Of course, if you want to book a daytime gathering such as a lunch party, art exhibition or reception for up to 50 people in their lovely gardens, the owners work with the best local caterers including the Michelin star La Petite Maison restaurant in Cucuron.  Unfortunately, because of all the natural ponds in their gardens, children cannot be included in special events.

Le Pavillon has always offered two lovely suites for guests, but beginning this month the new fabulous 'Suite #3' is ready for guests.  This 100 square meter suite includes a spacious bedroom, an en suite bathroom and a grand salon.  It is located on the ground floor, convenient to the award-winning gardens.

Breakfast on the Terrasse.  Copyright M/M Hervais.  All rights reserved.
Breakfasts
can be taken on the terrace, and dinner is available with advanced reservation.  A short walk will take you into Cucuron, a charming village dating from the 11th century with a long pond at is center in the main square.  There are ruins of a Medieval keep and two churches in the town, as well as a café and shops.  The restaurant with a Michelin star is opposite the pond.
.

Back at Le Pavillon, panoramic views, a beautiful landscape and whimsical sculptures make the gardens so enjoyable.  The French Ministry of Culture and Communication awarded Le Pavillon's garden the Remarkable Garden designation in 2010.  A stay at Le Pavillon is inspiring, tranquil and relaxing ~ oh, and don't forget that amazing infinity swimming pool!


Map of the Vaucluse département.  Wikipedia

For reservations or more information about Le Pavillon de Galon,
contact us at inquiry@au-chateau.com.


[Photos © M/M HERVAIS & Cold Spring Press.  All Rights Reserved.]



Our Featured B&B:
Château du Breuil in Cheverny
. . .  Loire Valley wine country

Château du Breuil   Copyright B. Gattolliat.  All rights reserved.

Château du Breuil

Château du Breuil is a superb château in the heart of the Loire Valley in Cheverny  ~ not far from the Château de Cheverny (1624) that is open to the public for tours.  Château du Breuil is located west of Blois and Orléans and is so convenient to the River Loire, vineyards and the royal Loire châteaux.   The château has its origins in the 15th century evidenced by the remains of a moat and tower.  It is set on 112 acres of wooded parkland and offers guests the ultimate in 21st century comfort while maintaining its authentic charm and historical significance.  

Château du Breuil chapel interior.  Copyright Cold Spring Press.  All rights reserved.Château du Breuil is the perfect wedding venue, too.  The ceremony can be held in the chapel, the village church or in the gardens of the estate.  Thirty-nine guest rooms in the château and the Verger are all en suite, spacious and tastefully decorated.  They are ideal to accommodate the bridal party and many wedding guests.  The owners also own a small hotel in nearby Cour-Cheverny that can accommodate even more guests.

Guest chambre at Château du Breuil.  Copyright Cold Spring Press.  All rights reserved.
The
elegant guest rooms, whether in the Verger or in the château, offer the ultimate in comfort.  There is air conditioning in most rooms, and there are also flat screen TVs with 50 French and international channels and free WiFi.




Awarded 4 stars
from the French Tourism office and recognized with a European Eco Label for their environmental approach, the château owners strive to assure that their château chambres d'hôtes will be the best it can be.

In addition, a fine restaurant with four distinct dining rooms offers a variety of exceptional French fare and has received the Association Française des Maîtres Restaurateurs distinction.  It is also possible to arrange for hot air balloon rides, horseback riding, bicycle tours and golf ~ all nearby.  Guests enjoy strolling and exploring the vast parkland surrounding the château.  And, you may want to take advantage of a relaxing massage while at the château. 

For that perfect bed and breakfast stay, the château offers all you could ask.  A great location, historic ambiance,  personalized service, attention to detail, and a warm and welcoming host.

Map of the Loir-et-Cher.  Wikipedia

Contact us by email  for answers to your questions, availability or to book your stay at Château du Breuil.
We are sure you will enjoy your accommodations and the warm hospitality of the friendly hosts and attentive staff.

[Photos © B. GATTOLLIAT & Cold Spring Press.  All Rights Reserved.]





French Quiz 130

Where are we?

Hint:   This monument, erected in 1989, has two names.

Quiz 130

Please provide the names and location of this monument.

The first reader to send us the correct answer
 will receive our exclusive Château Note Cards.

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 Spring 2017 newsletter.

[Photo © Cold Spring Press.  All Rights Reserved.]


Our Featured Rental:

Château  de Méouilles . . .
for a great experience in Provence

Château de Méouilles and pool.  Copyright B. MASSON  All rights reserved.
Château de Méouilles

Take
a relaxing and rejuvenating break in Provence with a week or more at this historic château built by the Knights Templar in the 12th century to protect the surrounding lands from the marauding Saracens.  Rent one of three delightful, self-catering apartments or rent the entire château.

Guests can enjoy the beautiful swimming pool, dine on the terrace with views over the swimming pool or relax on the smaller terrace overlooking Lac de Castillon ~  part of the River Verdon ~ just below the château.  You can visit the nearby Gorges du Verdon, a major attraction in this region known as "the Secret Alps of Provence".

Apartment St Jean.  Copyright B MASSON.  All rights reserved.Apartment St Jean.  Copyright B MASSON.  All rights reserved.
Apartment St Jean bedroom and bath

On the eleven-acre estate is the Chapel St-Martin, built by the Romans, and statues of Saints Peter and Paul which have been visited over the centuries by pilgrims passing by.  The château is also near the Route Napoléon and the border of the old Savoy province, where many battles were fought until being brought under control by King Louis XIV at Colmars les Alpes.

Enjoy fully-equipped kitchens in each apartment, spacious guest rooms, modern bathrooms and comfortable salons and dining rooms.  Details and photos can be found on their au Château pages.


Map of the Alpes de Haute-Provence.  Wikipedia

Please visit Château de Méouilles on our site for more information and photos.  Please contact us with questions, or to make a reservation.  Be sure to put Méouilles on the subject line.



[Photos ©B. MASSON. All Rights Reserved.]



  Villes et Villages de France

  . . . we hope to tempt you to visit these marvelous places
when you are roaming through the French countryside.



Surgères Park and Mairie.  Copyright Cold Spring Press.  All rights reserved.

Surgères Park and Mairie

The  town of Surgères has been occupied since Neolithic times, but came into its own in the Middle Ages as a defensive town against Norman invaders.  Its history includes Eleanor of Aquitaine and King Louis IX, and in Renaissance times Catherine de Medici and Richelieu.

The Renaissance Gate of Surgères.  Copyright Cold Spring Press.  All rights reserved.

Today
it is a peaceful and pretty little town with the twelfth century Romanesque Eglise de Notre-Dame a monument Historique since 1862, the old castle grounds classified an historic monument since 1828, the 16th century ramparts classified since 1925, and the beautiful Renaissance gate shown here.  As you can see, the town has been quite significant throughout history.

Nearby is Le Clos de la Garenne, a delightful guest house and a convenient home base in the region, and the seaside towns of La Rochelle and Rochefort which should not be missed.
                                                                                                                                                                                                          
Map of Charente-Maritime.  Wikipedia
[Photos copyrighted Cold Spring Press.   All Rights Reserved.]
                                                                                                         







Coming Soon . . .
Villa Belle Couronne
 near Nantes in the Pays de la Loire

Villa Belle Couronne.  Copyright M/M Liebreks   All rights reserved.

Villa Belle Couronne

We are very pleased to introduce our readers to Villa Belle Couronne, a lovely bed and breakfast that will soon become a member of the au Château family.  The owners are old friends of our web site as they are the former proprietors of Château de Cheman, also in the Loire region.  Last autumn they became the proud owners of this stunning property designed in the Belle Epoque style.

Chambre Bell Epoque


There are two bright and sunny guest rooms with
spectacular views of the Loire, vineyards and nearby villages.  Each room has a modern en suite bathroom with double washbasins, shower and bath tub.  The Villa is located in the heart of the village of Le Cellier, and secure private parking is provided. 










The enclosed park offers guests a swimming pool and many places for strolls or just sitting to relax under age-old specimen trees.  Breakfast can be enjoyed in the Villa or on the terrace in the garden.

Villa Belle Couronne swimming pool

Map of the Loire-Atlantique.  Wikipedia.

Come
back soon to learn all about this fine bed and breakfast only 24 kilometers (30 minutes) by car to Nantes which will soon have a brand new international airport.  We look forward to assisting you with your reservations. Book in advance if you would like.  Contact us at inquiry@au-chateau.com.


[Photos copyrighted by M/M Liebreks.  All rights reserved.]
                                                                                       


  

News from Our Members . . .
& other travel information

                                Getting the news!
Château Forge du Roy  in the Dordogne département has some last minute special offers for guests:

    -  August 5 to 12 is being offered at a 20% discount
    -  August 26 to September 2 is being offered at a 10% discount

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 de la Barre in the lovely Sarthe should be your destination for their package tour of Normandy to explore the battlefields and D-Day beaches with a Brigadier General, and see the landing beaches.  There are other tours as well including a visit to Chartres Cathedral.  Contact us for all the details and information about staying in this incredible château.  Specify Barre in your email.

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 with them.
 


Remember!
Remember
 
au 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: Braised Asparagus (Les Asperges Braisées)



Susan Herrmann Loomis in NormandyWe are borrowing this recipe from Susan Herrmann Loomis, author of On Rue Tatin and so many other tempting books, and chef in her Normandy kitchen.   If you cannot find white asparagus, use thick green asparagus stalks.

  You will need:

½ cup (125ml) water

1 large clove garlic, green germ removed, cut in thin strips

Several sprigs fresh thyme

2 pounds (1kg) white asparagus, peeled and trimmed

Sea Salt and freshly ground white pepper

About 2 teaspoons pistachio oil

Chervil sprigs – optional garnish

  1. Place the olive oil, the water, and the garlic in a large, heavy-bottomed skillet over medium-high heat and add the asparagus. Turn the asparagus so it is coated with the oil and water mixture and when the water and oil come to a boil, reduce the heat to medium-low, cover, and cook the asparagus until it is tender, turning it from time to time so that it cooks evenly and turns golden, 8 to 10 minutes.
  2. When the asparagus is nearly tender through, remove the cover and cook it, shaking the pan and stirring it, until any liquid in the pan evaporates. Remove from the heat, season with salt and pepper and transfer the asparagus to a serving dish. Garnish with the pistachio oil and the chervil and serve immediately.

4 to 6 servings    Bon appétit! 

Join Susan for her new classes in Los Angeles and Asheville, North Carolina

Asheville will be October 18-20 and Los Angeles October 25-27. 

Cooking classes with Susan Herrmann Loomis
Click here to open the enrollment form for the US classes or
for classes On Rue Tatin in Louviers, Normandy ~
 (it has all the details, prices, etc.)


Susan apologizes for the wrong Los Angeles dates on the enrollment form:
It should read November 1 - 3, 2017.




  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 129 - Where are we?  from our Winter 2017 issue
 

Le Train Bleu restaurant in Paris' Gare de Lyon.

  
The first correct response was received from a subscriber in California
 who received our 2017 France calendar.

Our thanks to everyone who participated.

 


Département maps courtesy of Wikipédia, France

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