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La Beauficiere is a 3-bedroom B&B near Hembaye (50 Manche, Normandie) - see map.
The bed and breakfast offers spacious family bedrooms with a double bed, bunk beds and sofa bed. A cot is also available.
All bedrooms have en suite shower and toilet.
The accommodation offers a kitchen/dining room and lounge.
The B&B has plenty of free private parking and storage for bicycles.
The bedrooms are designed to incorporate the original features of the buildings whilst combining this with modern features such as the original oak beams which have being restored to provide a central feature in a number of the rooms. All bedrooms feature views over a cider apple orchard.
English owners Liz and Alan offer a warm welcome and plenty of advice on places to visit in the area. Ideally situated within an hour of Caen and 1h 20 minutes of Cherbourg, it makes an ideal stop within reach of the ferry ports. With all the attractions of Normandy (butter, cream, cheese, cider, calvados etc) there are the Normandy beaches, Mont St Michel all within reach.
SPECIAL OFFER - Three nights for the price of two for September, October and November 2008 PLUS discounts on ferry bookings!
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2000 years ago over 1000 people worked for 5 years on the construction of the Pont du Gard, near Remoulins (30 Gard, Languedoc-Roussillon).The objective was to bring water to the city of Nîmes via a 50km long aqueduct.
From 5 June - 14 June 2008 a firework and light show is planned to enhance the ancient Roman aqueduct with a nighttime concert under the title Lux Populi (theres a joke in the name!) - and as ever for the French the whole event is embellished with lyric poetry:
Costumed with light, they play with flames and with fire, fly through the air, walk on the water and project their most secret thoughts on the landscape. Who are they? They go by the name of ‘Les Regardons’! This new species-half human and half flame-can transform space. In 2007, they put on an amazing light show at the Pont du Gard. They liked the place and they’re coming back again like migrant birds. Perhaps they have chosen to return to reproduce? In any case, their dance of love and fire, their successful or missed meetings and their magical or scientific experiments form the opening of a saga that traces the myths and fantasies of the Pont du Gard: ‘Lux Populi’. The season opens with the first episode entitled « The Flame of my dreams ». On with the show
Well, whatever, it does promise to be quite a spectacle - a mix of a Son-et-Lumière, Circus and Music! From 10.30pm on 5,6,7,12,13 and 14 June 2008 - entry by ticket either in the stand or on the beach!
For more info see www.pontdugard.fr
We can also recommend a very handy good B&B nearby at Les Alouettes
See below a short video of the last show in 2007 -
Spectacle_de_nuit_2008
Uploaded by EPCCPONTDUGARD
In the heart of the Loire Valley there is an ideal solution for francophiles who are interested in wine. The Domaine de la Bellevue not only offers some stylish self-contained accommodation but also an opportunity to get really close to the process of transforming grapes into wine.
Surrounded by vineyards and sleepy hamlets our French/Anglo home is a delightful, peaceful retreat. Ideally located for discovering the Loire Valley and beyond, La Bellevue is conveniently close to Saumur, Chinon, Montreuil-Bellay, Fontevraud l’Abbaye and Angers.
In the company of a knowledgeable vigneron, wine-maker, discover the world of wine and enhance your understanding and recognition of an ‘inferior’/’superior’ wine. Spend time discovering how wine is produced at a stunning Domaine in the heart of the val de loire. Or perhaps try your hand at grape-picking during harvest.
With the added benefits that come with an English hostess and a French vigneron you can just enjoy the scenery and try the wines - or take a private wine tour with a winemaker - or have your own wine-tasting evening with expert advice and local knowledge - or if you are feeling really energetic (and no back problems) then get involved with the grape picking at harvest time.
Situated just south of Saumur, famous for its Sparkling Chenin Blanc, dry still white and the red Saumur-Champigny AC this is an area rich in chateaux, history and wine. The Domaine’s association with Domaine de la Paleine, a few kilometres away at Le Puy Notre Dame (49 Maine-et-Loire, Pays de Loire) gives you privileged access to a vineyard which has won recognition in the respected Guide Hachette des Vins de France, winning a Coup de Coeur in the 2008 edition for the red Saumur “Moulin des Quints” 2005 made from Cabernet Franc. They also produce Saumur Brut (sparkling), Saumur Blanc (dry white), Coteaux de Saumur (a dessert wine based on Chenin Blanc) and two rosés - Cabernet de Saumur (dry) and a Cabernet d’Anjou (medium dry) - see the website at www.domaine-paleine.com (there is more info on the French language version)
See our customised map of the Vienne département including the location of Domaine de la Paleine and Domaine de la Bellevue.
For more information on the Chambre d’Hote at Domaine de la Bellevue - see www.domainedelabellevue.com
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The Vignerons Independents, the body representing independent winemakers, holds a number of wine fairs (Salons) in Spring and Autumn each year, which are open to the public and give you the opportunity to taste from a wide selection of vineyards from every region of France, meet the winemakers and purchase wines at cellar door prices.
For autumn 2008 the dates are as follows:-
30 Oct - 3 Nov 2008 - Lyon (69 Rhone, Rhone-Alpes) - Hall Tony Garnier
7 - 10 Nov 08 - Reims ( 51 Marne, Champagne) - Parc des Expositions
14-17 Nov 08 - Lille (59 Nord, Nord-Pas-de-Calais) - Grand Palais
27 Nov - 1 Dec 08- Paris (75 Paris, Ile de France) - Porte de Versailles
For more info see www.vigneron-independant.com (in French)
If you are visiting Lille, there is a good B&B on the tram route to the city centre - see Alix’s Garden
Another of those books that leaves you yearning for the gentle pleasures of southern France, this one combines the story of setting up a classy B&B in the Tarn département and 100 recipes based on the food of the area. This is the land of Gaillac wines, Albi and the Tarn Valley on the border between the Languedoc and the SouthWest.
While walking in South-west France, cook and journalist Orlando Murrin dreamed up the adventure of a lifetime: why not wave goodbye to the rat race and come to live in this rural paradise, where the only traffic is the boulangerie van delivering baguettes? His book tells the story of how he set up a boutique b&b and includes 100 amazing recipes. …. they set about transforming the dignified old manor house into a phenomenally successful boutique b&b with its own magnificent kitchen garden. A Table in the Tarn charts the discovery, acquisition and renovation of the property. Along the way, we learn about the local food scene, with its astonishingly rich heritage of ingredients and dishes, about working in France and coping with the famous French bureaucracy, and about the unforeseen delight of working with the locals.Four years on, with countless plaudits and a coveted entry in the classy Mr and Mrs Smith directory, the business attracts visitors from around the world and continues to be a gastronomic destination for anyone seeking peace, tranquillity and above all fantastic food.
As former editor of the BBC Good Food Magazine and Olive Magazine, the owners know something about food and the recipes sound very enticing - Roast Pigeon breasts in Armagnac!
So now you can read the book, try the recipes and stay in the Manoir! The Manoir des Raynaudes is near Carmaux (81 Tarn, Midi-Pyrenees) - see our map of the Tarn and its attractions
A Table in the Tarn: Living, Eating and Cooking in South-west France
Le Manoir de Raynaudes, 81640 Monestiès T: 0033 563 36 91 90 F:0033 563 36 92 09
www.raynaudes.com
In the vicinity you’ll find the delights of the cathedral city of Albi (home of the Albigensian crusades against the Cathar “heretics”, a Toulouse-Lautrec museum - and you could pop in and taste the wines of one of the best Gaillac AC wine producers (red, white, sparkling and rosé) at Domaine de Labarthe at Castanet.
The heart of Gascony the Gers département (32 Midi-Pyrenees) offers what I consider to be the real “France profonde” - quiet, peaceful, gently rolling countryside with a distant view of the Pyrenees. You are miles away from the turbulence of the city and its traffic and fumes. The only very ocassional reminder is a speeding jet of the French Air Force and the high vapour trails of planes crossing the continent.
Yet this does not have to be a rural scene without modern facilities, nor without careful design and style as you will discover at the B&B Chambres d’Hote Les Chenes Verts de Gascogne:
Our Bed and Breakfast is a large restored 17th century gascony stone farmhouse set in 3 hectares of garden with four ensuite bedrooms and swimming pool. Situated in beautiful countryside with outstanding views, surrounded by vines and ideally placed for visiting the many historical sites, tasting the wines and armagnac at the local domaines, shopping at the local markets, visiting the Thermal Spa, house hunting or just lazing by the pool in its tranquil setting.
Here Julie-Ann and her family have magnificently restored an old stone farmhouse into a comfortable and elegant place to stay, with four ensuite bedrooms - 3 with kingsize beds and 1 with twin double beds. Outside there is 12mx6m swimming pool, a garden with covered shaded terrace and wonderful views over the countryside (see photos)
Although somewhat isolated from hustle and bustle (situated north west of Auch at Bezolles) there is nevertheless plenty to do in the region - follow the traces of the Three Musketeers and d’Artagnan, explore the charming towns and their markets or go wine- or Armagnac-hunting!
The house is surrounded by the vines of Domaine Camp du Haut producers of Madiran and Armagnac and Julie-Ann can introduce you to the owners of the Domaine for a tasting - and at least you could walk back afterwards!
In addition they have a very good and elegant website which offers online booking - see www.leschenesvertsdegascogne.com
Les Chenes Verts De Gascogne, la Bourdette, Gers France 32310
T:00 33 562 28 90 50 F: 00 33 562 29 28 51
see our map and more info on the area
cforms contact form by delicious:days
For more info and photos click Read more on this…
If you are visiting the southern Rhone, one site you must not miss is the fantastic Roman aqueduct - a three-level bridge across the Gard river carrying both road and water. Recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage site, and is one of France’s top five visitor attractions,
It is a truly impressive site - but you probably need to get there early to enjoy the place without too many crowds.
Nearby you could stay at Brigitte’s B&B at Les Alouettes near Uzes (30 Gard) -
See map
For more info on the Pont du Gard see www.pontdugard.fr
For more on Brigitte’s B&B at Les Allouettes………… Read more on this…
Try the east for a change? One area well known to British wine drinkers but less well known to Britons is Burgundy. Only 5 - 6 hours from the Channel Ports or 90 minutes from Geneva or Lyon airports this area abounds with small villages, individual cuisine and lots and lots of really fine wines.
“We’re biased. We live in a small village in the extreme east of Burgundy, right on the border with the Jura Department and we love it here” say John & Carolyn Scallon at www.bandb-burgundy.com who offer excellent accommodation (4 individually decorated bedrooms with en-suite facilities) in the heart of south Burgundy at Sens-sur-Seille (71 Saone-et-Loire, Burgundy) east of Chalon-sur-Saone.
They have provided a personalised guide to visiting the vineyards of Burgundy - see http://www.frenchduck.co.uk/B&BBurgundy.html , This is great as Burgundy is one of the wine regions which I know least well, as it did not really fit my focus on “lesser known French wines” in my wine merchant days. So it is good to get advice from someone who knows the region well.
My most memorable Burgundy was imbibed at Nuits-Saint-Georges, where we stayed for a night about 20 years ago. As is usual, we opt for the local wine in the restaurant - a Clos la Marechal from Faiveley, which was smooth and creamy with oaky lush cherry fruit. Sadly every red burgundy since has been a bit of a disappointment, in part because Pinot Noir tends to be a bit tempremental, and Burgundy’s weather can be quite variable. Last time I looked it was about £25.00 a bottle, which is the other problem with Burgundy - it tends to be pricey! However find the right one and you could be in heaven. See Faiveley’s website (under construction)
You may just have missed the annual Lille Wine Fair (16-19 November 2007) but Lille’s colourful Christmas Market starts on 21 November and runs through until 24 December. This vibrant northern city also features an excellent selection of modetn and stylish shops (Galeries Layfayette, Fnac, plenty of fashion) and the heart of the old town (Vieux Lille) has innumerable interesting shops and boutiques - including food, antiques, gift shops.
There is no shortage of places to eat e.g the extravagant ll’Huitriere for superb but extyravagant fish and seafood. Local resident Alexandra Hudson at le Jardin d’Alix recommends the rue de la Monnaie, the oldest street in Lille for finding somewhere to eat - including l’Assiette du Marché (the market plate) which is housed in the old mint (* gourmet food, and a good deal at 16€ (starters and a main course, or the main course+dessert), but also more refined dishes“).
Nearby is the “la Pâte brisée“ very cheap, which specializes in different hot and cold, sweet and salty tarts and pies. Both places are jammed with Lille people, because the price value is so good.
The chocolate expert is also on rue de la Monnaie near the musem l’Hospice Comtesse - his name is Benoit, and he is listed in all the gourmet guides..
A personal favourite is another fish restaurant, somewhat cheaper than l’Huitriere, but excellent food and service - l’Ecume des Mers, near the Grand Place - or if you are a fan of mussels and want something more bistro style - try Aux Moules in the rue de Bethune.
There is no shortage of places to stay in Lille to suit all pockets, but for a real sense of the place you could try the Jardin d’Alix, a B&B in the suburbs but on the tramway straight into the city centre.
Also until 20th January 2008 there is an exhibition of Chagall’s ceramics at the Roubaix Swimming Pool!
If you missed the Lille wine fair, Paris is the venue for the Independent Wine Makers’ WIne Fair - 22nd -26th November 2007.
The Chateau Rieutort de Blanville at Saint-Pargoire (34230 Herault, Languedoc) is a very stylish chateau surrounded by vines – the chateau estate producing classy wines in the Coteaux du Languedoc and Grès de Montpellier appellations as well as some Vins de Pays Vicomté d’Aumelas.
Sitauted just 10 minutes from the medieval town of Pezenas (34 Herault, Languedoc), and not far from the Mediterranean coast at Narbonne, many of the best Languedoc vineyards are within easy reach
The Chateau offers classy Bed & Breakfast (Chambre d’Hote) accommodation.
Rieutort is not an hotel. It’s a home open to you and where you will feel welcome, the home of the owners of Blanville Wine Estate.
Blanville produces high-quality wines ( red and white), in particular Château Haut-Blanville, regularly rated amongst the best brands in Languedoc.
For more on the B&B - see Chateau Rieutort
For more on their wines see Blanville Languedoc wines
