MOTORING TREATS FOR THE RACE DRIVER IN YOU IN THE LOIRE VALLEY

 

While staying as private guests of Comte and Comtesse de Vanssay experiencing 600 years of history in their elegant Loire Valley Château,
Automobile lovers can enjoy racing a Ferrari 430GT, a Lamborghini Gallardo a Porsche or a Pescarolo Prototype around the world famous racetrack in Le Mans.
This exclusive 3 night package, priced between 525 and 725 euros per person, includes:
- Three nights accommodation in one of the elegant rooms of the château, furnished with designer fabrics and precious antiques
- Champagne welcome, flowers and port wine in your room
- a memorable Grand Siècle candlelit dinner in the prestigeous XVIIth century dining room on one night
- a wine and cheese tasting supper in the XIVth century billiard room on another night
- Daily English breakfast and afternoon tea
Additional cost per motoring event : 250 euros for 4 laps to 1200 for an entire day
Specific dates : May 21&22, Wednesday 13th of July, Monday 25th of July, Monday 31st of October, Tuesday 1st of November and Sunday 6th of November

It's Good To Be King, or at least a Prince or Princess - Chateau de la Barre

In October, on my recent visit to France, I had the great good fortune to stay with the Count and Countess ( Marni and Guy, if you please) at their palatial chateau in the Loir valley ( just 1 hour north of the Loire valley). Hidden away in the midst of the idyllic wooded hills of the Perche, between Chartres and Tours, at the entrance to the Loire Valley, Château de la Barre progressively unfolds its history. For centuries, its parkland has protected it from noise and disturbance, and it now emerges as an historical haven, close to the small Loir Valley and the famous Loire Valley Chateaux. Although having born witness to the Hundred Years War, the Religious Wars, and the vicissitudes of the French Revolution, Chateau de la Barre could tell countless tales, and delights most in joyfully extolling a preserved way of life. Today, the Count and Countess de Vanssay (she is Anglo-American, he is the twentieth generation at his family chateau), welcome you to their home, where the rooms combine elegance and authenticity with all the important modern comforts. The living rooms, with portraits of various family ancestors, rival in grandeur with the immense dining room, a veritable chef d'oeuvre of the 18th century, complete with its monumental buffet displaying an exquisite collection of china:
Just driving into the property, you take a long road through lovely pastoral land replete with grazing sheep and somehow, you feel transported back the 17th Century, The Sun King and all that. The chateau looms on the horizon and then the magic really begins.....

There are 5 bedrooms (very cozy) and each one is different. It's like sleeping in a museum, everything is original and in the Counts family for hundreds of years. Note: There is no TV, phones, internet (to speak of), its living in a true home, albeit a royal one. A perfect getaway from the madding world!
Guy and Marni are the most wonderful hosts and nicest people you’ll every meet. They make the stay perfect!

La Maison d’Elise – A restaurant to Satisfy Both the Spiritual and Secular ( Le Mans)

On my recent visit to France, I stayed in the Loir Valley (not to be confused with the Loire Valley – although they are only 1 hour apart and easily visited) during my stay at a 400 year old Chateaux hosted by owners the Count and Countess Vassay ( Guy and Marni to their guests, please!), Marni suggested ( as she knows I live for great food) to spend the day in nearby Le Mans, visiting this famous Plantagenet city and then having lunch at the charming La Maison d’Elise.

The outlaying area of this large city, is somewhat grey , dull and modern, but at it’s center is the old city and here ( where Henri II of England was born and Richard the Lionhearted lived) one finds oneself entering a time tunnel with a myriad of streets each with houses with magnificent stone or wood carvings. This Plantagenet city serves as a stage set for numerous films such as the Man In The Iron Mask, The Three Musketeers and basically any film taking place in Paris of the XIVth to XVIII centuries. Walking the streets, makes you want to don a cape and sword. It’s quite magical. At its center is the Cathedral St Julien with the oldest stain glass window of the Ascension. Although I must admit that Churches and Cathedrals are not a major sightseeing activity for me, I must also admit that St Julien is quite over-powering. After spending a couple of hours it this remarkable and captivating old city and Yes, even its churches, I was ready to have an over-the-top lunch and what better place, that a cozy restaurant right next door to the cathedral.

The restaurant is La Maison d’Elise is housed in a former 18th-century mansion. Hosted by chef, Jean-Yves HERMAN, you are in for a treat. I had a lunch based on fish alone, in many courses and each course topped the previous one. I love a cozy restaurant, with tables spaced nicely apart, of starched table cloths and heavy silverware and sparking glasses and fresh cut fresh flowers on the table and of course- perfect service.
And may I add, a fantastic Lunch for only Euro 29!!

                                                                            My table- #11