Menu of the day:
Drive,
Look out the window,
Stop for what is beautiful,
Have lunch,
Drive some more.
Listen to the radio,
Drive,
Stop for a drink,
Take some photos,
Hold hands...
Drive,
Find a hotel,
Have dinner,
Sleep.
How many castles chateauxs are in France?
Over 30,000.
How many times have I said, "Oh my God! Look at that chateau?"
Probably 5,005 times so far.
Am I sick of them yet?
No, more in love.
Which one in my favorite?
That is like asking a mother which one of her children she prefers most. For the record, my mother preferred me. Sorry brothers! But I am the only daughter.
A few hours before we arrived in Paris the other day, we passed through Bellegarde. A small village in the Loiret region. As it was around noon, we stopped for lunch. That is how we fly, no plan, wherever we are around noon, we have lunch. Wherever we are around seven in the evening we start looking for a hotel.
Bellegarde provided a wonderful little pearl of a restaurant.
Cafe au Chateau. What a name!
The chalkboard outside provided different menu options:
Menu du Jour,
Menu Bistro,
Menu Etape,
Menu Gourmand,
Menu for the Workers.
Simple tradtitional French fare.
We had carrot and celery root salad, a cepes omelette, cheese, creme brulee and wine.
As we arrived around 12:15ish, the cafe was empty. In France lunch is served between 12:30 and 2:00, before or after that it is less common to find a restaurant (outside of a city) serving lunch. As the clock struck 12:35 the cafe filled quickly.
The Menu listed for Workers, was in demand. Twenty or so workers from the chateau sat in another room for lunch. The Cafe is part of the chateau complex and features high ceilings, with large naive paintings.
Built in 1376 by Nicolas Braque, was the home of the Duke of Antin, son of Madame de Montespan, the famous mistress of Louis XIV.
Two 1700s pavilions flank the entrance and gardens.
The pavilion of the Salamander, which houses the Town Hall, contains remarkable woodwork. The other pavilion is next to a"Captain" tour. The entire property is made with brick and stone (1717-1727).
The rose gardens, arranged around the dungeon 12th-14th centuries, also surrounded elegant turrets.
The chateau du Bellegarde was closed, we peeked into the windows, it was mainly empty and appeared to be used for meetings due to the tables and chairs we saw.
My cousin Nicole asked me why the French Goverment did not take more care of the chateauxs, preserving their history? I assume that with over 30,000 chateaus in France, most privately owned, it simply cannot. Though certain tax breaks are offered to help differ the cost for those who do own a chateau.
French Castles for Sale, click here to drool.
Seven Most Beautiful Chateaux in France.
Check out this blog about French Castles.
Everything about Chateaux in France.
Thank You, private tour guide!!!! Loved this and love the 'workers' menu'.... We are super lucky with at least one quite good 'café' in our place where we can get a 3 course menu for €11.70 or €13.50 with a quart of wine.... :) Go and beat that!
I honestly can't wait until I shall be able once more to travel in that leisurly way - no fixed RVs - just enjoy the moment.... we did that for years but now, with HH working abroad and me looking after our house here, we can't afford to travel (more than necessary) - but as I said before, there SURELY is light at the end of the tunnel.
I shall now prepare my lunch, a Greek salad with Feta (sheep cheese) morsels, small tasty tomatoes, cucumber, and I think I'm gonna make myself some polenta with fried onions and ham stripes. There is also some sparkly Saumur left (we usually drink red wine, hence a leftover...) which I will serve myself in a lovely flute! Life IS beautiful - and the sun is shining!!!!
Posted by: Kiki | 04 June 2013 at 11:57 AM
If I could I would only do that, travel with no plan all around France (and Italy) and eat in a chateau ;) Love your summer, Corey!
Posted by: Irina | 04 June 2013 at 01:12 PM
J' habite tout à côté ! on aurait pu se voir...
Une autre fois peut-être ?
Bonne suite de voyage.
Posted by: Janet | 04 June 2013 at 02:26 PM
That photo of the mustard field was gorgeous (as were the other photos). I love your road trips!
Posted by: martina | 04 June 2013 at 04:49 PM
Oh I would love to travel through France like this. So quaint and beautiful and Frenchy!!
Posted by: Lora | 04 June 2013 at 04:56 PM
I cannot imagine one would ever tire of the various stories, histories, intrigues, liaisons, feuds and complexities of chateau society-I am in love with it all-thanks for sharing the history and details....never enough!
Posted by: g | 04 June 2013 at 05:29 PM
Bellegarde is wonderful. My favorite chateau in France (of the ones I have seen) is Vaux-le-Vicompte, southeast of Paris. We went during the wintertime (February I think) and pretty much had the whole place to ourselves. It was a very foggy day and you couldn't see the chateau from the parking lot. It emerged from the mist as we walked closer; it was like going back in time.
I am enjoying your travel photos, Corey.
Posted by: Diogenes | 04 June 2013 at 06:05 PM
Thanks for the awesome tour Corey...how I wish I could join you!
Posted by: Chris Wittmann | 04 June 2013 at 07:05 PM
Yeah? Chateaux Brother Mathieu has a dungeon for salamanders like you.
Posted by: Brother Mathew | 05 June 2013 at 01:17 AM
Loved seeing the castles of France when we traveled there. So many to see and wishing for more trips to see more. Your castle photos, just gorgeous. Yes, I am sure you were the favored child.
Posted by: Marilyn | 05 June 2013 at 03:21 AM
Love the menu of the day.....and love traveling through France with you. Thank you so much for sharing!
Posted by: Teri Salvo | 05 June 2013 at 06:19 AM
I am a chateaux-phile (if there is such a word?) and am always looking at websites of chateaux for sale, etc. - thanks for this lovely and timely post.
Posted by: 24/7 in France | 05 June 2013 at 08:59 AM
What a delightful, romantic adventure with your husband. Your photos bring back my several trips through various parts of France especially the last with my daughter two years ago. We set out to see all the le plus belles villages en France in the geographic area we were touring. What an experience!
Continue to enjoy this meaningful journey.
A bientot
Posted by: Maggie | 05 June 2013 at 01:06 PM
Thanks for bringing me along for the ride! I like following your FB updates, too.
Posted by: searose | 05 June 2013 at 11:41 PM
how beautiful...love the chateaux's/castles. xxpeggybraswelldesign.com
Posted by: Peggy Braswell | 06 June 2013 at 12:24 AM