The remaining drive to the north is easy driving to reach our small town destination, Vouvray. This small town is along the river Loire and about 15 minutes drive away from the larger city of Tours (don’t pronouce the “s” in Tours). We are staying for five nights in a guesthouse called Le Gaimont. We find the parking place across from the guesthouse door set in a stone wall that runs the length of the property alongside the little, narrow road. 

At this point, we do not realize what a special stay is in store for us here at Le Gaimont. 

Shortly after we ring the buzzer at the door, we are greeted by Mathieu. What a warm and friendly welcome as we are greeted and shown around the estate (yes, it only can be described as an estate ... it’s not just any old guesthouse or B & B). We are amazed and stunned by the beauty of this place we get to call home for five nights. We immediately feel relaxed and comfortable. Mathieu mixes up some delicious peach cocktails which we enjoy in one of the living rooms in the manor house. We sit with our host for some conversation. We find Mathieu very witty and sarcastic in a very good way. His joking has us laughing often. He is also very knowledgeable and helpful as we settle in here in Vouvray. Mathieu tends to our every need during our stay so we feel very pampered - we might never leave! 

After our drinks, we wander around the estate exploring. Mathieu told us about a cave up on one of the higher terraces where he said Holly could sleep to get over her fears. This estate is set on multiple levels leading up to the vineyards at the top. The buildings are partially set inside the caves. Before Mathieu and his wife bought Le Gaimont it was a part of a winery. Wine was made inside the caves right here. The vineyard was sold separately. Mathieu and his wife decided to change professions and start a guesthouse here at Le Gaimont. This year in January they opened up Le Gaimont to guests. We are very lucky to have found this rare gem right in Vouvray, France!

For dinner, Mathieu made some suggestions so we picked La Table Joseph in the neighboring town of Rochecobon which is under a 10 minute drive from Le Gaimont. He called us in reservations for 7:00 PM when the restaurant opens. We have to park in a little sliver of parking across the road. Only a few tables are seated during our time here as we are very early for dinner in France. However, we are treated very well here and provided a delicious meal. The chef prepares the fish in a special gluten-free way for Cindy even coming out of the kitchen herself for a second. Holly & Cindy share a lovely bottle of a local Rose wine that I have a small taste being the driver on this leg of the trip. The starters of buratta cheese & tomatoes and grilled foie gras that Holly and I shared were delicious. I think I will dream about that buratta cheese dish. I also had the fish which was very good. The standout for dessert was Holly’s bruleed custard with raspberry sorbet. The setting for dinner was back in the garden which was also very lovely. 

Did I tell you that Le Gaimont has a pool ?? After dinner we suited up and went for a dip. Holly and Cindy went swimming full force but it had gotten quite chilly so I was happy to get half-way in for awhile before sitting on the lounger by the pool under my towel. The rest of the evening was a relaxed time at the pool with conversation and some drinks provided by our wonderful host. What a wonderful welcome and beginning to our stay at Le Gaimont.