The chateau is more like a manor house and is surrounded by woods and lakes and luscious greenery. A truly beautiful setting. We have been living in the neighbourhood for about 6 years and had never heard of it.
The occasion for visiting Chateau Montautre was our friend John's 60th birthday party. There were about 12 of us in the party.
There are two wrought iron gates at the beginning of the drive up to the Chateau which could easily be missed. When we got to the end of the drive to park our cars there were sheep grazing nearby. They seemed very tame as they were not at all concerned about us and carried on regardless.
On arrival, we were shown into the kitchen by a young man who helps out at the chateau. The kitchen is large and welcoming with baskets of cats warming themselves in front of the fire, along with a friendly sheepdog.
Norma and Rini are the owners. They have been renovating the chateau over the last 9 years.
Once we had all introduced ourselves Norma gave us a quick tour of the Chateau and its rooms etc. We couldn't help ourselves exclaiming delighted Oohs, Ahs and Wows, when we saw each bedroom with its ensuite bathroom. All the rooms are decorated with antiques and lovely bits n'pieces which Norma has lovingly collected from numerous vide greniers, brocantes etc over the years. Once we were shown around the chateau we each picked a bedroom. Dave and I took the one on the ground floor which was decorated in white and dark blue. It is a large bedroom with a large double bed along with a smaller bed for a child or third adult. There is a fireplace in the bedroom and easy chairs to relax in should one so wish. The bathroom was lovely with a (original?) wooden floor, a roll top bath, huge shower, and wooden fireplace along with a washbasin which had been set into a 19th century wardrobe. Very ingenious. There are also French windows which give directly onto the back garden (see second photo below).
Once we were settled in we went outside to explore the outbuildings and grounds. On the opposite side of the main house is another building which houses a museum of sorts. There is a wall full of glass vitrines which exhibit all the items found in the chateau by Norma and Rini. In this same room there is a bar. At the back of this room are some stairs leading upwards and on the first floor there is a large function room with a very long table. This is for weddings and receptions as well as perhaps business meetings. At the back of that room, is a small professional kitchen to cope with food preparation etc. There is also a gite on the estate but we didn't go and see that.
There are other buildings and I noticed a small swimming pool on the way, but we decided to look around the gardens and then walked down a grassy track which led to two lakes. One is very near the house and the other is perhaps 1/2 mile further down the track. As we started our walk a big ginger tom cat decided he would accompany us. He was very friendly. As it turned out, he went all the way to the lake and back to the house with us. A very charming companion. The chateau keeps horses as well as sheep.
At 7.30pm we went down to the dining room where the meal was going to be eaten. Rini had got a fire going and it was very warm and toasty. We all sat around the fire while John opened his (collective) present which turned out to be a large telescope, which is what he's always wanted. Cocktails were served along with some little appetizers.
We were shown to the table sometime around 8pm. The table was long and we sat down at the one table along with other people who were staying at the chateau and of course Norma, Rini and their helpers. It was a great evening with good food. John and his wife Marilyn are vegetarians and they too were well catered for. For dessert John was presented with a huge chocolate cake, made by Norma, which turned out to be absolutely delicious. You certainly don't go hungry at the chateau.
We finally went to our beds at around 12.00 midnight, feeling very contented and happy with our evening.
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VISIT TO A NEARBY KNIGHTS TEMPLAR CHAPEL
Next morning we got up at a reasonable time for breakfast. Full continental breakfast with croissants, toast, cereals, homemade jams,and homemade cake along with fruit juices, coffee or tea.
John had mentioned previously to us that Rini was in the process of restoring a 11th/12th century Knights Templar chapel not far from the Chateau and Rini had said he was would be happy to show it to us. Once we were all packed and ready we followed them in the car to the small chapel set off the country road. It is still in a fairly ramshackle condition but Rini has already done loads of work to it and it was extremely interesting. While clearing the site, they had found 3 ancient gravestones in the orchard and these had now been left outside the chapel. I presume they were also of c.11th/12th century.
Rini, who is among other things, a gifted carpenter, has already installed a new stairway. He intends that eventually the chapel will be turned into around a 300 m/2 accommodation.
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