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- - Castle Hunting (https://www.fodors.com/community/europe/castle-hunting-271438/)

So; a long weekend in the south of France, castle hunting Left on the 26th September from a very chilly Aberdeen and arrived in a still sultry climate. To get to Toulouse- great price, incidentally at £200 return from Aberdeen- we had to be on the 3.40pm to Gatwick. Had a couple of hours to spare and spent them in the bar talking to a charming Frenchman from Marseilles who told us all the pitfalls to avoid. Arrived at Toulouse at 10.45pm. It really has the most awful ring road- as we found out again the following morning- but we eventually found the Ibis, recommended here. It did the business but was nothing to write home about. Next day, when we eventually found a way to get to the motorway exit, we drove up the motorway to Agen then went near to Bruch to see the first place.Headed south towards Pau, and had lunch in a pavement café somewhere or other. The agent we were meeting clearly didn’t want to show us the house, so we didn’t go. Went on into Pau and spent a bit of time looking at the town. Kept looking for, but failed to see Gennesea. Stayed at the Hotel le Commerce, which is right in the centre. Perfectly OK. Rooms overlooking the courtyard maybe needed to avoid noise, but that’s what we had so that was fine. Went for dinner at Le Majestic, which was first class. With my friend Martin, food is never secondary so the excellent meal was E150 including 2 bottles of wine. Saturday, after mooching on the Boulevard des Pyrenees which has the most magnificent views, we went down to Montrejeau. The house there was a total wreck. Since we had plenty of time to spare we drove down into the mountains to Arreau, where we sat by the side of the river in the blazing sunshine, having a perfectly nice E41 lunch. The price included heaps of wine, and M. had steak. We then headed up to Trie where we were to meet the next agent. We were still early so we went to the nearby mediaeval village of Mielan, where we sat on the terrace of the Sports bar and lolled away the afternoon (you do understand how hard we were working, don’t you?).

Scooted off south again to see the next house which was a huge disappointment. We had seen it on the web and it was beautiful to look at, but in the flesh was laid out like a railway carriage from a central hallway. In other words, to get into any room you had to go through at lease one other. Very sad. Lovely gardens, too. About now, we realized that the first hose was looking a better bet than we had intended and so we headed back up to Agen. Martin had had enough of the sorts of hovels I normally pick to stay in so we ended up at the Chateau St Marcel on the outskirts of the town. Absolutely gorgeous house, if a bit empty. I think we were the only people staying there (which can make one feel like a bit of a prat). Huge dining room, beautifully converted from the cellars, which we shared with 3 other parties. The rooms were $90 each, and the meal was excellent. Sunday morning we had a tour round the area. Fairly impressed with the town. Headed north west to Cordes, a stunning mediaeval town perched on the tip of a hill. We had a late lunch in a very busy place at La Halle. We drove on to Najac where we stayed the night at the Oustal del Barry (recommended here, thanks). Not stunning rooms but fine enough for E49 each. The weather was tremendous and we finished the afternoon sitting on the terrace in the sun drinking champagne (don’t tell my husband!!). Great view down the mediaeval street to the castle. Very nice meal. Falling chestnuts and train noises in the nightL Final day we walked down to the castle, and then went to see our last hose which turned out to be half finished and a bit agricultural.. Disappointed agin, we drove down to Albi, and had lunch in the Le Terroir- very nice and $47 for both (with wine, of course). Staggering cathedral. Zapped down the motorway to Toulouse (bad moment with lack of petrol on motorway) and home. Great weekend.

Out of interest, why do you never seem to go anywhere with your husband? It always seems to be solo trips or trips with 'friends'. I don't wish to pry but is that why you spend so much time on fodors.com? regards

Flaming Moe, "I don't wish to pry?" But you did, so if you don't wish to pry why did you do it? Problem with self-control? And by the way, mind you r own business.

oh no one of the hordes of sheila-lickers!!

Flaming Moe, that has got to be the stupidest post I've read lately. Who gives a crap who she travels with or why? Gimme a break.

Where does it say that Sheila did not go with her husband? She says "we"..must she name him so you might pick on that also? Sheila, THis is great! One of the things I imagine I would like to do if 1-I lived in Europe 2-something that I will do if I win the lottery...buy a castle and invite all my friends!And their husbands!LOL!

My dream "long weekend"..house/castle hunting in France! Do keep us up with developments. Maybe I will drop by and visit once you are settled. Will Winston be travelling also?

If it's any of your business, I spent 18 days in France with my husband in the summer, and I admit my culpability in not submitting a trip report. I also spent a week with him in Lesvos in April and I did submit a trip report. I've recently started to travel to Brussels on Euro business regularly and my husband will not be going with me very often if at all. Tonight, he's just back from a week in West Africa, and I've just spent a fairly dreadful week at work. We've been happily ammried for well over 20 years and I thank you deeply for your concern. And no, Tate, they have rabies on the continent and I would not expose my dog to the danger.

I never thought about that, Sheila. The rabies on the continent. I am always concerned about how to get our dog into the UK but never considered that dogs in Europe would be not so safe to be around. Our dogs in the US, at least in the NYC area, must have rabies vaccinations so I have taken it for granted that they do the same in Europe. Oh well, I guess we will have to wait until we take that trip to Scotland:) PS> it was kind of you to share your personal info with those who seem to consider it an essential aspect of a trip report.

Lesvos? How apt, Sheila.

Inky. So desperately impotent.

I'm sorry, what??!On the assumption you're asserting I'm lesbian (which, although I'm not, I don't consider to be an insult), how on earth could you arrive at that conclusion from anything I've written here.

Jeeez, isn't there some way to get rid of the Inky's on this site??? Trying to read something as innocuous (sorry Sheila) as a Castle Hunting thread and this jerk has to trash it with it's lame insults and crap. As if it had anything to say that was interesting!

Sheila, does this process take months? or is it possible, once you have found something you like, to be able to take possession right away? Is the paperwork, very intimidating? How many attorneys do you need? And last but not least, will photos be included in the next report :O)

It doesn't have to take months; we have a lot of preparatory budgetting and financing work before we complete a contract. I don't think there is a problem with the paperwork. I think there is alsmost none. The title is prepared by a Notary who acts on behalf of the state. Once completed it is guaranteed. You don't NEED another attorney; it's just that I would like to have the comfort of a lawyer telling me that what I've read in the self-help books is right. Finally, this site doesn't support photographs. We took thousands. Since I posted the original report, the deal fell through so we're back to the drawing board:(