So, following on from my last post, A Summer Wedding in Bordeaux, I thought I’d show you around our own accommodation, where Mikey, I and a couple of friends stayed in for the long weekend.
To say the Chateau De Lavaud was beautiful, was an understatement.
At first we found it rather tricky to find, and certainly did a tour of a fair few gites, farm buildings and the odd old style industrial estate, but in the end, good old Sally Satnav found just where we were meant to be.
Having seen the pictures of the chateau on their website or via Google images, I was so excited to see it for real. And it didn’t disappoint.
As we drove through the main gates and along the driveway, the dense trees became sparser to unveil the most exquisitely perfect and typically French chateaux. Nestled slightly higher up on a hill and complete with turrets, it was like something out a fairytale.
We had arrived a little early, which although was fine, normally is not suggested as they are only a small, family run B&B who strive to offer their guests the best service possible and would therefore not normally have rooms ready whilst they were adding all the final finishing touches. But in this instance, and luckily for us, they were ready.
Mikey and I were shown up the old wood and iron, winding staircase to our room on the first floor, which unusually lucky for us was the suite. It was a large room. Grand, though not overtly opulent with period features such as dark wood furniture with ornate handles, original floorboards and beautiful wall coverings, tapestries and chandeliers.
Our room looked out through large, floor to ceiling sash windows of the front of the chateau and down across the lawns to the lush green countryside beyond. It even had a study – in the turret!
I felt like Rapunzel.
My girls would absolutely have loved this.
Our friends were also shown over to their room, to the rear of the chateau, though it was still attached to the main property. Their room was smaller, but was equally as beautifully decorated, accessorised and faultless.
The chateau owners I think had met or spent time in Tunisia a long time ago, he from the USA and her from France, so they had decorated the rooms with hints of their past and as such an eclectic mix of French/Tunisian décor has been achieved in a really very tasteful way.
And, located just outside of these rooms was the swimming pool. It was of a really good size, and was just perfect to laze around, with a drink in hand, a good book in the other and not a care in the world.
At least for a day or two anyway.
The boys (well, our husbands to be precise though ‘boys’ still sums them up) were acting like big kids and playing pool games, whilst my friend and I just chatted and soaked up the suns rays on our loungers.
We were so lucky with the weather too – it was scorching. So the cool, unheated water of the pool was a rather welcomed part of our stay.
One of the main things I noticed whilst there (other than the two idiots in the pool) was the stillness and undisturbed quiet of the countryside. With no children asking and nagging at us every second for a snack, for us to entertain them or to announce that their sister just pushed them over it felt pretty bizarre and totally peculiar to me.
I actually had time to flick through the pages of a magazine, only stopping for the odd loo break, because I actually wanted to go myself! It was such a treat!
The gardens were sublime too. Not manicured to within an inch of life, the lawns were natural, with slightly overgrown bushes and shrubs bordering the grounds and old walls of the outbuildings. Dotted amongst these were strikingly bright flowers housed in timeworn urns and ornamental hanging baskets, and a trail of green ivy climbed the turret walls.
It was like a secret garden. 
Each morning, sat under an early but warm sun, an exquisite fresh breakfast was served to us on the terrace beside the pool. Consisting of hot buttered croissants, freshly baked breads, homemade jams and preserves and even a different cake made each day from fruits collected and gathered from the chateau grounds.
It was so perfect and relaxing to just sit there, waking up slowly from a lovely long and uninterrupted nights sleep. Steadily coming around with an uplifting cup of fresh tea, listening to the birds and chatting with fabulous friends about what we could do for the rest of the day.
It was just fabulous.
And completely and utterly what we all needed.
Steph it looks absolutely gorgeous. What a treat for you both after the last few months. That chateau looks amazing and fantastic to have some time without the kids for total relaxation #pocolo
Author
Oh Karen – yes it really was fabulous and exactly what we need. Mikey especially. xxxx
Oh my goodness, it looks amazing! You lucky thing. I bet you didn’t want to leave. Also, I call my husband and his friends ‘the boys’ too. We were all at school together so they will always be ‘boys’ to me 🙂
Author
Hahaha – fabulous. I got in trouble for calling them ‘the boys’ – actually no, they were actually miffed about when I called them ‘idiots playing silly games in the pool’! It really was a lovely place to stay in though. Just what the doctor ordered. S xxxx
Oh wow! That looks a stunning place to stay! It does look like something from a fairytale x
Author
I really did feel like Rapunzel Kim!! Hahaha S xxxxx
The place is so perfect and stunning. Fairy tale indeed! #pocolo
Author
Oh it really was – as I think I said – I pretty much felt like Rapunzel!! Hehehe, S xxx
OMG that looks absolutely amazing. What a gorgeous hotel and a stunning setting. Slightly jealous!! #thisweekiveloved
Author
It really was fabulous. If we’re ever over that way again, we would definitely revisit. Steph xxx
What a beautiful place. Your pics are amazing I especially like the one of the spiral staircase looks like you had a fantastic time! #ThisWeekIveLoved
Author
We really did have fabulous time thank you. And thanks for the compliment on the pictures – I’m trying to take more in order to improve! Hehehe. Steph xxx
looks amazeballs! stunning photos and sounds like a fab break. Ali @ Mum in a Nutshell guest hosting for #PoCoLo
How fabulous ! I love the look of that chair and the tower is amazing #PoCoLo
Author
It was absolutely wonderful. We don’t get to do things like this often at all – so this was a true treat. Steph xxx
That looks beautiful! I’m totally sold. What a perfect place to go. Love the look of the swimming pool. #pocolo
Author
It really was fab. So peaceful and quiet – completely different to all the noise and mess of home!! Hehehe. Steph xxx
That looks and sounds like a fairytale! I bet you had an absolutely amazing time! Thanks for hosting #ThisWeekIveLoved
Author
It was fab Emma. Something we don’t get to do much – have a weekend away to ourselves – which just made kit all the more special. Steph xxx
Oh that is just magnificent. Look at that staircase!
Sound like a grwat break was had.
#Thisweekiveloved
Fionnuala from http://www.threesonslater.blogspot.com
Author
It really was lovely to get away and stay somewhere together that was so beautiful. Steph xxx
Wow wow wow Steph! It looks absolutely beautiful and no wonder you had the most amazing time – how lovely. Love the naughty boys in the pool – why not eh? And that staircase!!!! Total wowsers!
Thanks for co-hosting #ThisWeekIveLoved
Sammy xxx
Author
It was so brilliant to get away just the two of us again. And it was such a stunning place to stay in too. Steph xxx
What a totally stunning, fairytale place this is – just so beautiful.
#PoCoLo
Author
It really was a fairytale castle. I felt like Rapunzel! Just need longer hair now! Steph xxx
That ini’shtgs just what I’ve been looking for. Thanks!
What a simply stunning place to stay. That staircase, wow! And the secret garden, so beautiful. You were so lucky with the weather, I bet the pool was just perfect. Xx
Author
It really couldn’t have been more perfect. Such a lovely treat to get away for a weekend just the two of us too. Steph xxx
Wow it really does look like something out of a fairytale and so glad you enjoyed it there! I can imagine your girls would have though it was a princess castle and all that yummy food 🙂 xx
Author
Yes – the girls really would have loved it – they’d probably have argued all the time though as to which princess they were going to be!! It really was fab though. S xxx
What a beautiful place to stay and an amazing part of the world to get married in! Will definitely be keeping the details of this place for when we next visit this part of France xx
big kids?! Idiots?! I am offended!