Driving on to La Baule, a seaside resort with 12km of sandy beach and a long tradition. A glamorous place called the Atlantic riviera. At low tide it becomes a paradise for shell collectors, as so many places in Brittany. La Baule is close to the peninsula Guerande, well known for its seasalt and the fleur de sel production. Also just a few km away, the National Park La Grande Briere, the largest peatland area in France. We rented a boat with ‘driver’ to get around in the channels and lakes. How should one envisage this ? A small wooden boat and a guy using a long strong woodenstick ( punt ) to move the boat, very interesting and special.
We stayed 1 night at Castel Marie-Louise, www.castel marie-louise.com, La Baule, 50m off the beach, lovely room with terrace facing the sea but no time to use it. Compared with the previous Hotels it was the most expensive one but La Baule is more expensive and yes, it was worth it, great service and unique place for one night. On our way from the coastline of Brittany back to Switzerland we planned a few stops in the countryside. Leaving La Baule and driving close to Poitiers we stopped at the Hotel/Restaurant Chateau de Curzay www.chateau-curzay.com. For a one night romantic package. My husband rolled his eyes but at the end he was more then content.
A big park with old trees, meadows, horses and a lovely terrasse overlooking it. Hortensias were along the Chateau and delivered the color to the setting. High ceiling rooms with stuck and antique furniture, being send back to the past.
Our room, a suite, with a salon in blue and the bedroom with 2 big windows facing the park, not to forget the Champagne, strawberries and nibbles at arrival delivered to our room. A very attentative and personalized service. The Restaurant, we had a set menu which came with our package and as start we had our personalized menu list with our names, what a charming idea. The sommelier advised on the wine and we commenced to enjoy a superb dinner which was focussed on the fresh seasonal ingrediences as oysters, artischoke, asparages etc
a great experience and very good value, our romantic package. and yes, it did inspire my husband.
Going south in the direction to Limoges and continue into the real countryside, off the beaten track but we shouldn’t get lucky this time. The Hotel is in a great location in regards of view, on top of a little hill overlooking fields and vineyards. The disappointment was the service, we had a romantic package as well, but we missed the romance. The Hotel was not sold out but they forgot to deliver the apero drink in the garden, we did choose our wine for the set menu in advance, when we got to the Restaurant we got a tiny table in the sun and it was hot !! they had forgotten that we are guest of the hotel, they forgot the pre-ordered wine , I had a dirty glas, etc… all in itself small but it added up. Would not go back. www.castelnovel.com
Crossing France towards the Rhone valley and Lyon for the last stop. Roanne, the town is not very interesting but the Hotel and Restaurant are! Hopefully this make up for the last one before we drive home via Geneva
I always wanted to have dinner at the Restaurant Troisgros and it was worth it. Across from the train station and not much to see in the town, it is still worth the stop just for the Hotel, www.troisgros.fr and Restaurant.
We did not have a set menu and had chosen a starter, main course and dessert, thinking the protion will be rather smaller. The food was excellent, for me: warm oysters, duck and hazelnut souffle, it had its price and for us more to the up-side but as a real kick it was -worth it ! One whole duck for 2 persons gives you a feel for the portion size. I struggled a bit. Wine selection was impressive, with good vintages and fair prices. Go and taste. This was a food journey, I can feel it and possible see it. But it was fun !

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