First night in Chalabre

NOVEMBER 2005

We spent several enjoyable holidays in South West France, looking for the right property and eventually we found what we were looking for in Chalabre, one of the prettiest villages in the area.  There was a school for Abi, a bank, a doctor, several cafes, two butchers, two boulangeries and several other shops. One hour from Carcassonne and not much further from Toulouse. We agreed a price and set a date for completion around three months later.
In November we flew out to Carcassone and collected our rental car. As we reached the other side of Montreal, (a hill top village 15 minutes from Carcassonne) there it was. The view of the Pyrenees – in all its splendour. Snow clad mountains with the winter sun dancing off the peaks.
Soon we were in Chalabre and pulled up outside the Hotel de France. We introduced ourselves to the owners – Marielle and Didier. That was the start of our friendship which has lasted for more than ten years and is still as strong as ever today.
We told them that we had booked a room for three nights but Marielle looked confused as she didn’t speak any English. My French was good, so I explained and showed them the email.

Marielle said it wasn’t possible as they didn’t open on Sunday evenings – it was their one day off each week. There must have been a mix up with the bookings.

We were both surprised, as generally we were pretty efficient with our travel arrangements. We discussed it and decided that we would have to either go back to Carcassonne or find a local hotel. It all seemed a bit daunting as we were tired and hungry and didn’t know enough about the area to find a hotel easily.

Marielle was talking very rapidly to her husband. Then she turned to me and said in French.

“Ok, Mme Wood – please, we can give you a room. We won’t be here tonight but you can have the key”

“To the room?” I asked.

” Yes of course – I will give you a key to the hotel AND to your room.” Said Marielle.

“Really?” I was astounded.

“Of course, Madame. I’m sorry the restaurant isn’t open, but I can leave you some food and you can just write down any drinks you wish to have.”
We were flabbergasted and could hardly believe our ears. Just imagine that happening in UK – unthinkable. We looked at each other and smiled. Abi asked us if we were going to stay in Chalabre for the night. We hugged her and said yes, and probably for many more nights to come – very soon.

Marielle and Didier’s Hotel de France

May 2016

We had a great trip down to our house in Chalabre.  We stopped overnight at the Chalet Du Foret in Vierzon, always a pleasant stay and dog friendly!

We arrived at the house with the sun shining and threw open all the windows and doors and stood looking at the snow capped Pyrenees glistening in the distance.

We walked over to the Hotel De France and were greeted with a huge welcome, kisses all round and a drink at the bar.  Good to be back.  We spent the evening catching up with their news about the village, their son Julien and  French life in general.  The meal was excellent with Didier’s usual attention to detail. Cassoulet for Ed and Steak for me.

 

cropped-cropped-wordpress-background.jpg

Next the story of the first night we spent in Chalabre and just how accommodating the French can be ……

 

The Good Life

August 2002

We have travelled and lived all over the world.  The Far East, the Middle East, US and Europe, but France was fast becoming our favourite destination and we have been visiting it now for many years.  We were both fascinated with French Culture and food, particularly because we had run a restaurant in the UK.  We found French society so different from the money orientated society which now seems to prevail in many parts of the UK.

Over dinner in France, the diners would discuss the provenance of the food, how it was cooked, the vintage of the wine and which region it was produced in.  No discussions over preposterously over-priced properties, or what private school they had managed to get their children in, or which latest model of car they drove.  No –  food, rather than property prices – was a much more desirable topic at the dinner table.

We discovered South West France about fourteen years ago.  We flew into Carcassonne and were immediately entranced with the magical site of the Medieval Cite, close to the airport.
We spent our anniversary eating at an incredible Restaurant, right in the middle of Le Cite.  It was August, a fabulously clear night and we sat outside, sipping  Blanquette from Limoux  (believed to have been the first sparkling wine and the recipe subsequently taken and used to make Champagne) and devouring huge Crevettes dripping in butter.  Our daughter was sitting with us, enjoying all the lovely food and staring with saucer eyes at the dogs sitting underneath the tables.  No canine bans here! “Mummy, look, all the doggies can eat too!” Yes, this was France at its best.  Hot sunny days, gloriously warm nights sitting outside, drinking wine and eating food to die for.

I think that was the night we decided we wanted to live there.