Advantages: Elegant, strong, keeps getting better
Disadvantages: None

...to the strongest of cheeses and main courses, though perhaps is better attended by mild cheeses or moderate (rather than heavy) main courses. Margaux can be a confusing name. This is a commune (regional) name; thus there are several types of Margaux, including the primary and famous Chateau Margaux, and the Chateau's secondary, Pavillon Rouge. Other wines that come from the communal region of Margaux do not use the words Chateau Margaux, but will often be of another Chateau; my wine rack currently boasts, in addition to the original Chateau Margaux, Chateau de Clairefont, Chateau Prieure-Lichine, Chateau Durfort-Vivens, Chateau D'Issan, Chateau du Tertre, and Chateau Cantenac Brown, Margaux varieties all -- they all have aspects of the Margaux, but vary in quality, consistency, and longevity. After all, any wine that impressed Ernest Hemmingway... Read review

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Advantages: A calm day out with loads to take in.
Disadvantages: None.

...The chateau of Treverez has become part of my life, in that it is situated not far from where I live, and I visit regularly. First let's tell you something about it's checkered history, though to me, the importance of Treverez lies in today and the way in which it enriches the visitor at various times of the year. The idea of the chateau was conceived in 1894, and the ideals and visions of the owner was to integrate many of the architectural features that were commonplace at the turn of the century, and he achieved that, although it is difficult to say which countries his ideas were taken from. Looking at the chateau and comparing with other buildings of a similar time frame, it is actually unusual for brick to have been used and although many of the styles used are typically french, the use of brick in this area of France is not... Read review

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Advantages: Inexpensive, amazing sea views, walking distance into town
Disadvantages: Scruffy and run down, little atmosphere, very quiet

...on the home page did indeed show a very elegant, almost southern American style house, right on the sea front, flanked by palm trees. There aren't any pictures of the rooms, or other parts of the hotel, although these are described in glowing terms on the website. The hotel also described itself as having a renowned restaurant. As something of a foodie this appealed to me and certainly had a baring on me booking there. We went into the online booking section on the Chateau website, and looked up the dates that we hoped to stay. We decided on what they called a double room, which was $89 a night for the flat room rate. Breakfast would be extra. After we sent our booking, an automatic email came back saying that they'd be in touch to confirm our booking shortly. Sure enough the next day we received said email, they didn't take a deposit... Read review

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Advantages: Beautiful setting, lots of restaurants
Disadvantages: Very large and busy hotel and expensive

...A chateau conjures up all sorts of pictures in my mind and Fairmont Chateau at Lake Louise looked stunning on the website, with the Lake right on its doorstep. The history of this hotel is fascinating, starting with a two bedroomed cabin, but far too long for my review, if you want to read all about it the look at http://www.fairmont.com/ENFA/Property/CLL/AboutUs/HotelHistory.htm because this explains why a Canadian hotel has a Swiss flavour! We arrived at midday and had already been informed that it was unlikely that our rooms would be ready until later, one of the staff came onto the coach and told us a few details, including that the hotel was extremely busy with over 1100 guests so we would be advised to reserve a table for dinner as soon as possible. We were directed into a large area away from the main reception and were... Read review

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Advantages: Beautiful building, beautiful setting
Disadvantages: None

...I've always found the phrase "Châteaux de la Loire" a bit of a misnomer. You could pick any stretch of tens of miles between Orléans and Saumur, tool along by car or in a boat, and be forgiven for saying at the end of it, "So where are all the châteaux?". The Loire at this stage of its journey is wide and shallow - sand and mudbanks appear in summer - and the banks are low; not ideal territory for building an imposing château to impress your peers. Many of the most famous ones are actually on tributaries, the Cher, the Indre, the Vienne. Then again, the châteaux are not a homogeneous collection of pleasure palaces. Many were built as, and remained, châteaux-forts (what we would call a proper castle, for defence), some started as châteaux-forts and were converted, and some were constructed in the renaissance style we associate... Read review

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Advantages: A stunning wine
Disadvantages: -

...You know that a wine is a good one when you have to watch carefully for the label, as others are 'borrowing' the name. There are many wines from France (and, increasingly, elsewhere) that have the word Latour or words La Tour on them, in combination with other words. But, do not be deceived -- there is only one true great wine to the name Chateau Latour, the one with the tower on the label (La Tour - get it?) - Grand Vin de Chateau Latour. This is a premier grand cru classe, the highest of the best designations. Chateau Latour has been so designated as a great wine since the grand classification system in France was implemented in 1855, and share the spotlight with the likes of Chateau Margaux, Chateau Lafite and Chateau Mouton Rothschild. The vineyards of Chateau Latour are in the Pauillac commune (the home of several... Read review

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Advantages: Beautiful and calm
Disadvantages: None to my knowledge

.... (Carvallo's family still own the chateau.) The gardens are organised on three seperate terraces: Le Potager, (vegetable garden), Le Jardin d'Ornement, (ornamental garden), and Le Jardin d'Eau, (water garden). All of these are impressive in their own rights, so I will not recommend one more than the others. I will, however, suggest that you try to see all the gardens in the summertime, and preferably about two hours before sun-down, as the light adds that certain 'Je-ne-sais-quoi'. Villandry is well worth the visit; Without to much pomp and ceremony you can witness a chateau that lives in harmony with nature, and the remarkable beauty of these gardens.... Read review

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Advantages: Its stunning, suberb etc etc.
Disadvantages: You can't see it all in one day

...is the Temple of love – a nice place for a picnic. Finally, there is the main chateau itself. I only took a quick visit here – really only to escape the poring rain. It is, as is to be expected very spectacular. Highlights include the Hall of mirrors where the famous treaty of Versailles was signed ending the war. The 17 mirrors were the height of extravagance at a time when mirrors were rare and expensive. These mirrors face matching windows which overlook the gardens and the website says this room looks best in the afternoon when the sun gleams through the windows and is reflected everywhere – I can imagine that it does. Anyway I think I’d better stop now - my typing finger is tired and I’m sure you’ve got the gist of what I’m saying by now which is that this place is simply superb – do visit... Read review

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Advantages: Grand chateau in the French countryside, excellent dining
Disadvantages: Expensive, slightly remote, ask for the main house

...Other French country houses may claim to be the storybook chateaux of your dreams, but the Château d'Esclimont is the genuine article. Just 60 kilometers from Paris, not far from Chartres, the Chateau d'Esclimont has the distinctive profile of the classic Chateau in your mind's eye. Its warm red and gray facade fairly bristles with the dappled light reflected from the lake and the great lawns on all sides. Come here for the weekend or a week, and you will be transported, at least for a short while, into a storybook of your own. A Very Brief History The great house was built in 1543 by the Bishop of Tours, later passing into the hands of the Counts of Cheverny, Henry IV's Counsellor to Parliament, Claude de Bullion, and later still to the Duke of Laval. Eventually, it passed into the hands of the Rochefoucauld-Doudeauville family... Read review

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Advantages: Absolutely beautiful
Disadvantages: Too much to take in.

...The palace of the 'Roi Soleil', Louis XIV, is a thing of splendour, majesty and pomp, definitely not to be omitted from your tour of France. The work at Versailles began when the young king visited Nicholas Fouquet at his chateau, Vaux-Le-Vicomte; Overcome with jealousy, Louis set about the realisation of his own dream. Building commenced in 1661, as Louis consecrated his status of 'absolute' king with a palace that reflected his greatness. He brought together the finest architects, artists and gardeners from across Europe to fabricate this monument 'A tous les Gloires de la France'. Now this venue has a wonderful history for me, as my grandmother and grandfather met and fell in love while walking around Versailles, (just at the end of the war) and romance is prevalent in the corridors, the appartements and the grounds... Read review

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