My brother and sister-in-law are very generous. Every year they go on a chartered catamaran cruise and always invite us along as their guests. We’ve never taken them up on their offer until this year but it wasn’t on the water. In what you might call a “land cruise” we were being treated to an all-inclusive—accommodation, meals, drinks, and excursions—five days at the 17th century Château Alizés at Le Chaufourg in the Périgord area of southwestern France. Although Bill and I have been lucky enough to have vacationed with friends in three other châteaux around this country and Ireland, on those vacations we all had to do our own cooking, bartending, driving and tour guiding. Now that was all about to change. 

Getting there from Carcassonne was easy since we could take a direct train to Bordeaux and then change for a connection to Mussidan where a car and driver were waiting to take us the 6 minutes to the château. We arrived in time for a short look around before lunch was served. That was an easy transition into the daily routine of …

8:00 AM Continental breakfast

9:00 AM Hot breakfast

10:00 AM Excursion

1:00 PM Lunch

Afternoon Free

6:00 PM Cocktails and snacks

7:30 PM Dinner

Accomodation: This 17th century château had 9 bedroom suites, 3 of which were occupied by our group so we had a chance to meet others who have traveled around the world. The decorations were classic and elegant French with the public areas, that included the billiard room, library, fireplace lounge, and piano room, featuring original flagstone flooring and impressive chandeliers. There were stone, open fireplaces and windows or French doors with views onto the main garden. 

Meals: The resident chef and staff prepared almost everything themselves that started the day with croissants, pain au chocolat, baguettes, fresh fruit, and yoghurt followed by eggs, bacon, and sausages. Lunch, with your choice to sit indoors or out, might be salads, meats, cheeses, and fruits while dinner was always a 5-course affair in the dining hall accompanied by wines to fit the occasion. A wide selection of beverages, including an open bar, were available all day long. I forgot to mention “Happy Hour” that also came with freshly-made snacks.

Excursions: Just in case we didn’t get enough to eat and drink at the château, each day we made a short trip away to observe, taste, and/or participate in the production of a different treat. On the first day it was to a watermill that the same family has been using since 1857 to crush walnuts, hazelnuts, and almonds for their oil and to make flour. A visit to the nearby city of Périgueux on market day meant fresh displays of meats, cheeses, fruits and vegetables. Naturally, in St-Émilion, one of the key districts within the Bordeaux wine region, we had an extensive wine tasting. On our last day it was Caviar de Neuvic, a sturgeon farm that included donning waders to join the fish in their tank. 

Free-time activities: The river L’Isle that flows beside the château provided ample opportunity for kayaking, canoeing, and stand-up paddling plus fishing, with all of the equipment provided. For cycling and walking there were waterside paths that led into the countryside and to the nearest town, 5 km. away. On the estate grounds there was a 50-foot saltwater swimming pool, stone steps and pathways, and a viewing platform from which to survey the seven surrounding acres of gardens, forests, and even a natural spring.

Here’s an excerpt from the travel club’s website, “On behalf of the TradeWinds team, Craig and Barbara: Château Alizés at Le Chaufourg is a very special place indeed. Originally the family home of the famous French photographer, Georges Dambier. Georges said many times in his life, that while Paris was his favorite city, he was always happiest at Le Chaufourg. We hope it’s the same for you.” Yes, thank you, it was indeed!