After deciding to go on a last minute trip to the Loire valley this Easter, we set about searching for somewhere with character, warmth and charm and within an easy drive from both the vinyards and Chateaux. The Chateau de Beaulieu was featured in an old Alistair Sawday guide so I checked on the web and the photos of the house and the rooms looking very appealing but what really enticed me to book was the warmth, friendliness and helpfulness of the hostess Mary when I phoned for more details. On arrival, both she and her husband Conor both from Dublin, and their wonderful home far exceeded all expectations. There was a roaring log fire in the drawing room and a bottle of the local Cremant awaiting us along with a wonderful account of the local vinyards, restaurants and places of interest. The first floor rooms are wonderfully appointed overlooking the lovely front gardens, are all individully furnished with antiques, some with cannopied beds and have lovely ensuite bathrooms. I had the Medicis room and felt like the princess on the pea in my huge comfortable bed with french windows overlooking a magnificent cedar tree. The sitting room and dining room have lovely high ceilings and tall windows and stripped floorboards and wonderful furnishings and one feels part of a bygone age whilst reclining on the sofa sipping the delicious Cremant de Loire. I can't reccomend this Chateau enough and Mary and Conor are real "cherries". It is also situated within an easy drive of as many Chateaux, churches, caves, restaurants and quaint towns as one can handle and only a few minute from the delightfull old town of Saumur.

My husband and I stayed at the Chateau de Beaulieu (about 3 minutes from Saumur in the Loire) in November of 2004. This "small" chateau (about 8 rooms) is very charming, the grounds are lovely, the rooms are perfect - clean and spacious, but the nicest thing about it are the incredibly hospitable hosts - an Irish couple, Mary and Conor. They truly welcomed us into their home - as soon as we arrived, Mary immediately offered us homemade cookies, local sparkling wine, and we enjoyed the fireplace as we chatted about the area. She booked our reservations at the nearby Le Prieure restautrant, and gave us directions to Fontevraud, the abbey which is about a 15 minute drive.

Although we only stayed one night, we wished we could have stayed more! It was a wonderful and romantic escape and truly one of our most memorable stops in our 2 weeks in France. My husband and I had never really done the small B&B thing, but after this trip, we will not go back to large and impersonal hotels unless we have to. There is nothing like local "hosts" who enjoy pampering their guests and showering them with yummy goodies and great travel tips.

The location is easy to find, right on the road that leads along the Loire River, and a good point from which to explore the western Loire.