The French are notoriously strict about closing down for a proper holiday in August, so a family holiday in Lalande de Pomerol did not include any formal visits of the great chateaux just across the Brabanne stream – also arguably not the ideal environment for a nine-year old, however well behaved…
However the view from the terrace across to Gazin, Evangile, La Conseillante and Petrus was too tempting, so I jumped on a bike for a ride through the vines. I was moving a lot slower than the many lycra-clad serious cyclists who whizzed past me, but I might just have been having more fun.
And finally the lovely Chateau Tournefeuille, where the Petit family are charming hosts – a great base from which to visit the region. Bordeaux is an easy drive, Arcachon a little further, Libourne has a wonderful market on Tuesdays, Fridays and Sundays, St Emilion itself is gorgeous and there is something very special about opening the curtains and looking out at row after row of beautifully tended vines.
A few addresses:
Restaurant L’Huitrier-Pie, St Emilion https://www.lhuitrier-pie.net/
La Table de Catusseau, near Pomerol https://www.latabledecatusseau.fr/en/
L’Envers du Decor, St Emilion https://www.envers-dudecor.com/
La Terrasse Rouge, Chateau La Dominique St Emilion https://www.laterrasserouge.com/
Matthieu Moulierac, superb macarons in St Emilion https://macaron-saint-emilion.com/
Chateau Tournefeuille, Neac, Lalande de Pomerol https://www.chateau-tournefeuille.com/en