| France is filled with beautiful chateaux and manor | | | | Nearby Brantome is one of the most beautiful towns |
| houses that have been lovingly restored and | | | | in France, and is steeped in history. Crowned by a |
| converted into charming bed and breakfast | | | | stunning abbey, Brantome is also known as the |
| properties, also known as 'chambres d'hotes'. | | | | 'Venice of the Perigord' as it is completely surrounded |
| So on your next visit, skip the hotels and follow this | | | | by the river Dronne. |
| fascinating itinerary that will take you from Paris | | | | After a few days in the Dordogne, or a week |
| down to the Loire Valley, into the Dordogne, down | | | | learning how to paint and sketch at the Chateau de |
| to the land of the Cathars near Toulouse, back up to | | | | Villars, head down (3-4 hours) towards Toulouse to |
| gastronomic Lyon, and ending back near Paris in the | | | | the town of Lautrec, where you can stay in the 11th |
| famous vineyards of Champagne! | | | | century Chateau de Brametourte, in the heart of |
| After spending a few days in Paris, start your | | | | Templar and Cathar country. This beautiful castle, |
| journey by driving into Normandy to the Manoir | | | | once home to Toulouse-Lautrec's ancestors, has |
| d'Hermos, a 16th century manor set in the heart of a | | | | been ecologically restored and is now one of France's |
| 12 hectare park, with glorious views of the grounds, | | | | first self-sustainable castles, and conducts organic and |
| lake and apple orchard. This lovely estate, located | | | | traditional farming. The rooms have interesting names |
| under 2 hours by car from Paris, has rooms from | | | | such as Gothic, Troubadour and Templar Suites and |
| 59 including breakfast, which is served either in | | | | are reasonably priced from about 80 a night. |
| the wood-panelled dining room or outside under the | | | | This area, like the rest of France, is steeped in |
| lime trees. While there, you can visit Giverny, the | | | | history, and offers many places of interest to see |
| home of Claude Monet, where he painted many of | | | | including he ruins of Cathar castles, Templar sites as |
| his famous masterpieces. | | | | well as the vibrant city of Toulouse. |
| After a relaxing few days of walking, fishing or | | | | Next, head back North towards the gastronomic |
| horse-riding, set off for the Loire Valley to the town | | | | capital of Lyon, about 5 hours away by car, stopping |
| of Saumur, just over 2 hours from the Manoir. Here | | | | off at the historic towns of Montpellier and Nimes. |
| you will find the Chateau Jacob de Tigne, a beautiful | | | | Here you can stay in the picturesque Manoir de la |
| 17th and 19th century Chateau set between the river | | | | Pagerie, an 18th century Manor located about 15 |
| and vineyards of the Loire. The Chateau has 5 | | | | minutes from Lyon. Set in glorious grounds and |
| beautifully decorated rooms, that start at 110 | | | | shaded by 100 year old cedar trees, the manoir |
| including breakfast. Spend a few days exploring the | | | | resembles a florentine villa and offers rooms in two |
| area and visiting some of the more famous Chateaux | | | | wings of the building, the pavilion and the pigeonnier. |
| of the Loire, including Chambord, Chenonceau and | | | | While in the area, don't forget to visit the historic city |
| Cheverny! | | | | of Lyon, the traditional home of some of France's |
| The next stop is the Dordogne, just under 4 hours' | | | | best chefs. |
| drive from the Loire valley, where you can stay in a | | | | After enjoying the best of gastronomic cuisine it's |
| charming chateau near the magical, mystical town of | | | | time to taste the pinnacle of French wines in the |
| Brantome. The elegant Chateau de Villars, set in 9 | | | | Champagne Region of France. Where better to do |
| acres of tranquil and beautiful grounds, has been | | | | this than staying in a chateau vineyard B&B located in |
| beautifully restored and tastefully decorated. The | | | | Ludes, near the famous champagne towns of Reims |
| gracious sitting rooms lead to a stunning terrace ideal | | | | and Epernay? This drive will take about 4 hours, |
| for relaxing, reading, or just enjoying a glass of wine, | | | | through the town of Dijon. |
| while the pool offers a refreshing break during the | | | | The house of Champagne Ployez-Jacquemart has 5 |
| hot summer days! | | | | beautifully decorated rooms set in the manor house, |
| Chateau de Villars offers a spring and summer menu | | | | with prices starting from 100 a night including |
| of full board holidays some themed 'Sketch and Paint', | | | | breakfast. |
| from 950 pp, and 2 night short breaks in August, | | | | Many of the larger champagne houses offer guided |
| September and October from 95 a double room. | | | | tours and tastings so make sure you taste the best |
| A highlight is the light and delicious gluten free | | | | champagnes while visiting Reims and Epernay. |
| gourmet French cuisine (4-course dinner from 32) | | | | The last stop on your journey is Paris, less than 2 |
| made using the freshest ingredients possible, often | | | | hours by car, where you can return and reflect on |
| from local farms and organic. They serve artisanal | | | | your magnificent tour of the chateaux and regions of |
| local cheese and yoghurts, and grow many of their | | | | France. |
| own herbs and some selected vegetables and fruits. | | | | |