A great B & B in the Loire Valley!

Château de la Voûte

A wonderful Bed and Breakfast is the Château de la Voûte in the village of Pouillé, a fifteen-minute drive from the Château de Chenonceau (see my blog on The Ghost of The White Queen) and all other major chateaux. This sixteenth century château was built by the king’s horse master as a private residence. It features three lovely rooms in the castle itself, several family-style rooms in the ancient stables, a pool and pool house, tranquil gardens for strolling, and a private vineyard for wine tasting. Note that the owners are also Antique Dealers: the castle is full of rare and magnificent furnishings, paintings, and objets d’art. Rates are reasonable at eighty Euros a night per couple, breakfast included. http://www.lavoute.fr/index_en.php

Gorgeous grounds

View of chateau from the pool

The pool house has its own kitchen and Barbecue, you can prepare your own meals

Gorgeous old road on the grounds

Fabulous garden where the owners grow their own fruit for homemade jam

View of chateau from their vineyards

Vineyards, their wine is excellent, took home a few cases!

The King’s horse master, who built the chateau, died a tragic death. His cousin, insanely jealous of his success, hid behind the garden wall as the Horse Master and his daughter strolled the gardens. The cousin fired one shot, striking the Horse Master in the belly. The daughter cried for help and the Horse Master was carried to his favorite armchair in front of the fireplace in the salon of the castle where he died shortly after. Perhaps on cold winter nights, it is the ghost of the Horse Master groaning in pain, not the wind?

Stroll through the gardens

 Down the same path the Horse Master took

To the very corner where he was shot

Voila! Gros bisous des anciens châteaux et a demain!

Love, Charley