The directions to Chateau Truilhas read “The road to Truilhas is lined with olive trees and vineyards beyond. Take the next right turning to Domaine de Truilhas along a gravel track. Pass through the gates and continue past the vintage cars collection! Take the next right through another large gate to find the entrance to the chateau.” With instructions like this, our expections were high for a character filled evening. We were not disappointed.
Through the tall wrought iron gates Chateau Truilhas had immediate charm and faded glory. The owner welcomed us from an upstairs window. As we subsequently discovered, he and his wife had made a tree change from Paris and were now unfading the glory, runnning a guest house, gite, reception rooms and looking after their three kids. We were invited to appertifs at 8:00 then join them for a family dinner.
A large courtyard in front of the chateau gave you a feeling that Zorro could ride in at any moment. There was walled yard to one side which housed the guest gites and a granny gite. The other side a formal circular garden. At the hub of the garden was a non working fountain with spokes of hedged pathways radiating out into a perimeter of weeds. Our room in the main part ot the Chateau was basic but charming. It overlooked one of the outbuildings which now housed the kids swimming pool.
The family meal turned out to be a four course barbecue in the front courtyard with some old family friends who were on their way home from a holiday in Provence. We felt most welcome and delighted to be inlcududed in the gathering,
