After 92 degree heat in Provence (in May) we were enfolded in the cool, gentle, green arms of spring when we arrived (a day early) at Chateau des Sablons. Our hosts were welcoming, understanding, and invited us to collapse in our apartment a day early. And what a lovely apartment it was! The living area was flooded with light from two tall windows complete withworking shutters. The ceilings were high, and the wood floors were old. But pehaps not as old as the wonderful circular stairs leading up to our door. The staircase center pillar was carved from a large treetrunk after the stairs were installed many years ago. Much more recently the walls of the apartment were skillfully covered with a lovely fabric that softened the sounds and surfaces of the rooms. The kitchen of the apartment was new with all the expected and hoped for appliances – even a small freezer in the refrigerator. A vase of mauve peonies and a bottle of local wine were awaiting us after our first day. The king-sized bed was firm, and the bath had a blissful soaking tub. We would throw the window shutters open in the morning to radiant sunshine and the birdsong of a warbler, and the cooing of doves.
Besides all of this, the garden was postcard perfect with a gleaming swimming pool and clusters of tables and chairs set around the park-like grounds. The chateau itself is a perfect example of the exquisite, small country manors of French history. Not a huge castle, but a real and beautiful home. The local village, a 10 minute walk away, would have taken many weeks to get to know, but we were also in the center of the great chateau-wine-mushroom-troglodyte-Tufa cave-middle age village-Loire River-fabulous restaurants country. We could only scratch the surface and must return to continue our studies.
I would also like to mention how helpful, knowledgeable, and gracious our hosts were!
Thank you both so much.
Anita & Mike M.
Oregon, USA
