I have just spent 8 days at this gem of a B&B and travelled on the Real South of France tour with Kay and Mark, my hosts, at Sainte-Helen Chambres d’Hotes. I was traveling alone but my room was large, as was the bed and the modern ensuite bathroom. They have done an incredible job of restoring and decorating this lovely house right down to the finest linen and towels. Actually, it felt more like a home to me for 8 days. With Kay and Mark, myself, and two couples we were wined and dined to the nth degree; with instruction on the wines of the Languedoc-Rousillon region and scrumptious appetizers from Wendy and on other occasions being cooked for by chef Petra with wine pairings by sommelier, Marcel. The French cooking class with Heather and David and the subsequent picnic on the Canal du Midi was a lot of fun. Of course, I use the term “picnic” in its fullest sense as the table had been lade with beautiful linens, china and glassware! Carlos, in LaGrasse, invited us into his home and prepared a wonderful lunch for us. But it wasn’t all dining and wining! I walked on the first Roman road built in the region. I strolled along a canal, with locks, built by hand in the 17th century. I stood in awe in Fontfroide Abbey, a former Cistercian monastery built in the 12th century. And I touched...I have just spent 8 days at this gem of a B&B and travelled on the Real South of France tour with Kay and Mark, my hosts, at Sainte-Helen Chambres d’Hotes. I was traveling alone but my room was large, as was the bed and the modern ensuite bathroom. They have done an incredible job of restoring and decorating this lovely house right down to the finest linen and towels. Actually, it felt more like a home to me for 8 days.
With Kay and Mark, myself, and two couples we were wined and dined to the nth degree; with instruction on the wines of the Languedoc-Rousillon region and scrumptious appetizers from Wendy and on other occasions being cooked for by chef Petra with wine pairings by sommelier, Marcel. The French cooking class with Heather and David and the subsequent picnic on the Canal du Midi was a lot of fun. Of course, I use the term “picnic” in its fullest sense as the table had been lade with beautiful linens, china and glassware! Carlos, in LaGrasse, invited us into his home and prepared a wonderful lunch for us.
But it wasn’t all dining and wining! I walked on the first Roman road built in the region. I strolled along a canal, with locks, built by hand in the 17th century. I stood in awe in Fontfroide Abbey, a former Cistercian monastery built in the 12th century. And I touched the stones of a Megalithic tomb constructed more than 5000 years ago.
Among others, we visited the cities of Narbonne, Minerve, La Clape and Carassonne and the wineries of the region, where we sampled their products and were introduced to the owners. And, of course, the town of Gruissan where we cast our eyes on the pink salt pans and ate a fabulous sea food feast, overlooking the pink lake. And there was more .....
Kay’s thoughtfulness and organizational skills and Mark’s history lessons and boulangerie-patisserie acquiring skills combined to make this a week I will never forget.More