When you don't plan in advance, things tend not to go as planned.
After Paris we thought we'd head up to Normandy for some history - my strong suit. Enter yet another French long weekend, add a nation of drivers and train catchers that wouldn't dare stay put when one could enjoy themselves in Normandy. Who would have thought it!
Expedia search showed 0 hotels available from 190 they list in Normandy.
Following a similar method to Fontainebleau - we looked at Google Maps, then Images - then hotel availability. Chantilly! Famous for its lace, and whipped cream .... at least that's what first came to mind.
Leaving Paris was interesting... a 45 minute return journey to collect the car that I had parked far away to save us over 250€ in parking charges, our GPS must have recognised that as tourists, we'd like to drive up the Champs Élysées and around the mighty Arc de Triomphe.
Not quite a Chevy Chase moment, but not far from it. There is no logic to this. None.
When you drive through the thick forest and into the town of Chantilly the sight is amazing, a beautiful Chateau just sitting there, roadside, literally surrounded by forest.
The Chateau was a treat, occupied by folk through the generations that had a passion for all things outdoors. Lots of forest for hunting, fields for games, gardens and the famous race track, the Chantilly Hippodrome, just a stones throw away.
Something cool about the place knowing it was the Chateau they'd go to just for fun.
Every year the town explodes when the horse races are on, as you'd expect we missed that. We thought to visit the Grand Stables, their horse museum, 2 steps into the place and I could feel things closing that shouldn't, my eyes involuntarily, nose, most concerning was the throat.
Good to know the horse allergy is still strong, it just saved us 11€ per person.
Beautiful Chateau, race course and hotel. We didn't try the cream, sadly.
It was a Sunday and almost everything was closed. C'est la vie!
Scott
No Comments Yet, Leave Yours!
Post a Comment