mikey k

As some of you may know I like a good euro trip
It was the wifes "special" birthday in November so I booked a rather unusual chateau for a week.

To avoid Paris we used the usual Reims route


DSC02402 by Mikey K 650S, on Flickr

Stopped in this place on the way down to break it up, we love it and have used it several times.
The rooms are themed really well and the food is excellent.

→ Homepage | Hotel inn the Beursaudiere | Official website

We met up with some friends from Paris for an autumnal blast along the back roads to Vichy


DSC02424 by Mikey K 650S, on Flickr


DSC02408 by Mikey K 650S, on Flickr

I had booked this place for 8 days.

Château de Balazuc

Luc and Florence are the best hosts we have had in many years and the location was spectacular!
Being autumn and out of season we had the place to ourselves most the week.

The approach road to the village is amazing, especially with the setting sun. You can just see a white car ahead of us on the road.


DSC02865 by Mikey K 650S, on Flickr

The chateau is the very tall building on the far left


DSC02878 by Mikey K 650S, on Flickr


DSC02563 by Mikey K 650S, on Flickr

The shared living room dates back to 11th century but has a really nice modern twist to it


DSC02746 by Mikey K 650S, on Flickr


DSC02749 by Mikey K 650S, on Flickr

We spent the week exploring the local area and eating where the locals go.
The gorge itself is spectacular with so much to do and see.
I'm sure many know the Pont d'Arc but I doubt you've seen this empty


DSC02524 by Mikey K 650S, on Flickr


DSC02526 by Mikey K 650S, on Flickr

This is the Ardeche river as it goes through the village we stayed in


DSC02469 by Mikey K 650S, on Flickr

The roads are EPIC and were empty, there are loads of excellent view points with great parking


DSC02498 by Mikey K 650S, on Flickr

There's a video here if you like that sort of thing

(I've just switched off youtubes compression as it ruined the picture )


DSC02539 by Mikey K 650S, on Flickr

We spent a day here

Home

It was the last day of the season and empty. Our own tour guide in English for nearly 2 hours
I loved the car park!


DSC02494 by Mikey K 650S, on Flickr

Its not too far from another staple of the area especially if you can get there via the Tarn Gorge


DSC02567 by Mikey K 650S, on Flickr


DSC02580 by Mikey K 650S, on Flickr


DSC02646 by Mikey K 650S, on Flickr


DSC02693 by Mikey K 650S, on Flickr

It was a long day but well worth it!


DSC02721 by Mikey K 650S, on Flickr

On the last day we had an amble down to a village called Aigueze which sits on top of the cliffs at the end of the gorge.


DSC02778 by Mikey K 650S, on Flickr

Over the one way bridge to get there


DSC02816 by Mikey K 650S, on Flickr


DSC02830 by Mikey K 650S, on Flickr


DSC02838 by Mikey K 650S, on Flickr


DSC02843 by Mikey K 650S, on Flickr

We also spent a day here

The Chauvet Cave, France

HIGHLY recommended!

One of the best holidays we've had. Highly recommend the area and the Chateau!
The car was superb and coped perfectly with the roads and mileage
We've booked for a bit earlier next year, lets hope its just a quiet

LTB

Awesome trip and great photos Mikey.

I think it was the first Eurohoon trip where we did the Ardeche.

One of the best 'unknown' regions of France. I spent several weeks convalescing there 20 odd years ago when I had my appendix whipped out and know those roads very well.

I have quite a lot of old university friends in and around the Gard/Ardeche/Drome region, brings back good memories.

Nottm_S2

Awesome pics, looks fun

did you hold your breath with oncoming traffic? Looks tight in the vid

mikey k

Lee - you know I think you're right, I did remember a couple of the roads.
Stopped in that excellent place in Nitry.
We stopped at the place where Bernie went drift mad round a bend half way up a cliff.
Also drove past the little bar we all stopped at and had lunch with the mad gun totting Gendarme guy!
Great area and easy to get to other places.
Very very tempted to look at buying a holiday let down there

E4RTH WORM JIM

That video was speeded up right

Nice pictures!

unclefester

Grand - this is what those cars are for, btw looks even better on a 4k screen

gaddafi

Great write up Mikey.

Good to hear the car is standing up to proper use too.

Bargain hard if you buy. Asking prices are really little more than high hopes in France atm (away from established hotspots).

I would counsel caution though. Think what you can rent for the same money over the next 15 years, plus the variety, versus 'having' to go back to the same place year on year and the maintenance.

You can almost always rent places far nicer than you could ever afford.

Nick Graves

Stunning...

mikey k

By 10% in some sections to try and cram it in to a shorter period

mikey k

Must try that out!