Maison Coste

On your way to Spain? Then spend a night in Maison Coste in the old town of Carcassonne. Not to be confused with La Cité, which features a real medieval town, with shops, restaurants, hotels and a castle. Maison Coste is located in a maze of narrow and dark streets. Be amazed when the owners, a male couple, open the door to their beautiful building: a decorating shop, a salon de thé and the most beautifully decorated and luxurious rooms.
We were received with the utmost elegance, recommendations to the best restaurants, and exquisite room service.


Reservations are made through their ultra-modern website. Very convenient. Breakfast is served in the garden, that also features a jacuzzi. We only regret spending just one night in Carcassonne. This is a jewel to be cherished for at least two or three nights.

For more information visit www.maison-coste.com.

Chateau de la Rue

Chateau de la Rue is a very charming XVIII century country mansion at a 10 minutes drive from Chateau de Chambord in Blois. The owner Madame Véronique de Caix lives on the property and is most welcoming. Breakfast is served every morning in her own dining room at whatever time is convenient for her guests. Upon arrival we were welcomed by an American girl from Racine, Wisconsin who combined a perfect French with a perfect sense of hospitality.

We stayed in the big Orangerie that was just next to the antique greenhouse and a pleasant pool. The decoration was exquisite, albeit the beds short and slightly uncomfortable for our long limbs.


The room price is quite high, but well worth it for such a unique location. We felt very privileged to have been able to stay in such an old and beautifully maintained 'castle.'
All the main castles like Chambord, Cheverney, Blois and Chenonceaux are within a 45 minute drive.


For more information (and a beautiful website) visit www.chateaudelarue.com.

La Vieille Ecole in Bourgougnague is a Dutch owned bed and breakfast in the departement Lot-et-Garonne in the region Aquitaine in France.
Fred & Rens Olthoff realized four guestrooms in a former Catholic girls' school. And every Summer season they set up four castle tents in the garden that is equipped with a charming little pool. Each tent has its own private - very large - bathroom.
The couple offers table d'hotes almost every night, either in the communal hall under the chapel or in the garden with spectacular sunsets.


We spent a week in one of the big tents with our two children and found both the 'glamping' and the area very relaxing. The landscape is friendly, with field after field of sunflowers, unexpected views of rolling hills, a minimum of tourism, charming little towns called 'bastides,' good food and kind people.

Bourgougnague is close to the airports of Bordeaux and Bergerac. For more detailed information go to: www.lavieilleecole.eu