Friday, May 30, 2025

Paris to the Chateau Du Theil in Ussel

We packed our bags and went down to breakfast which was quite a choice so no complains and left the Hotel around 1015 with an approx. 4.5 hours journey to the Correze area of France where the chateau is located.

After leaving the Hotel and not knowing the roads to well we made one small slip and headed on the the wrong direction on the A86 but soon was able to recover and turn around to go on the correct direction.


We new we were approaching a tunnel with height restriction of 2 metres and our  car is 1.640  but it seemed a lot lower but this motorway tunnel went on for 10 kilometres  and was quite interesting to drive through. So we took motorways all the way using our Bip and Go which enables you to use the Tele at the Peage (Toll Station)and saves a lot of hassle. The weather was quite warm but we stopped for some petrol which was bloody expensive and some baguettes for lunch and then carried on with Jennifer enjoying the driving for a while until we finally stopped for lunch in an Aire with the temperature around 31 Centigrade.

It was quite clear that the Dutch are now on holiday as the amount of Dutch registered cars heading south on the motorway was staggering

We carried on up the motorways and eventually joined the A89   (Lyon to Bordeaux) which we used in the past when leaving our caravan site in Ebruil and heading for the Lot Valley but mostly it was raining and so never enjoyed the magnificent views of the three Volcanos and also other mountains with the road climbing to 1000 metres and with views over the rivers , well worth driving down.


We eventually arrived at the Chateau which is finished (almost) on the inside but will still some clearing up to do on car parks and roads to those parking areas. We checked in and had a brief rest and then went down for an evening beer prior to dinner.

With Noels food restrictions I had previously advised the Hotel Chef so it was not a last minute issues but they had it well covered and being only a smallish restaurant and when we entered it was nearly empty so we could discuss everything. 


The restaurant by 9pm was virtually full and it also looked most of the bedroom , only 12, were all taken.

After dinner we went on the balcony and finished off the bottle of Fleury as the sun went down and then off to bed around 10 pm. A nice day was had by all.