After all these years of travelling in France riding the trains and driving past many Chateau,
we finally "lived the dream".
We stayed in a Château or as some of our grandsons would say " Bowser Castle"....to my little boys this definitely was not the Bowser Castle in your games.
We travelled by car with our "French Connection" friends approximately 400 kilometres north east from our location in the Lot Valley.
Château d' Ygrande located in the Auvergne region of France was built in 1835 and became a hotel in 1998.
It is now a four star hotel.
It is situated in a very rural setting on 40 hectares with a lake, a swimming pool open in season, many walking and riding trails.
The property also has an Equestrian Centre.
We took advantage of an off- season promotion for a night's stay in a superior room, use of the steam room, gourmet dinner and breakfast the next morning.
We received a warm welcome from the front desk staff and were given a tour of the Château's interior...the dining rooms, lounge, library and billiard room.
We were escorted to our rooms on the first floor which in France is actually the second floor.
Spiral stone steps led us to our floor.
The walls in the main areas of the Château are covered in luxurious fabrics and coordinated with the draperies.
Our suite was spacious and elegant with a grand en-suite bathroom sympathetically updated.
This room reminded us of the bathrooms which we viewed at Château des Milandes (Josephine Baker's estate).
There was many antiques and period styled pieces of furniture, decoration, and objets d'art of paintings, pottery, porcelain, and sculptures.
Of course, the many bronze sculptures appealed to "Monsieur Honey".
After unpacking and settling in, we enjoyed a glass of wine with our friends in the lounge where the fire was burning.
Here, we met the owner Monsieur Tissier together with his pets, two Weimaraner dogs in a chocolate grey colour. These dogs are sometime nicknamed " Silver Ghost " because of their colour.
We had hoped to be able to walk the grounds but the weather did not cooperate.
Please note that due to the cloudy, rainy weather the outside photos that we took are dark...but use your imagination to see it sparkling in the sunshine.
For dinner we were served several courses by very competent, friendly staff.
. Amuse bouche (for my friend, Shari here's some ideas for your micro-cuisine)
- cucumber tartare, cauliflower foam and a nutty biscuit.
. Crème brûlée made with foie gras
. Entree - a seafood and chicken risotto, very much like paella....delicious!
. Main - choice of cod with artichoke and radish, or rabbit done three ways.
. Cheese plate
. Dessert - exotic fruit salad with crispy cookie layers.
....and if that wasn't enough ...a plate of Chateau Surprises, little nibbles.
The chef is David Martin.
There is currently a program where the recipes of Top Chefs are being served in select Château.
The next day after a delicious breakfast with many choices, we readied ourselves for the journey home.
It was a "Magnificent" experience!
