The Chateau Grignan

tToday was one of the windiest and coldest days since we arrived in Provence. While the temperature gauge showed an already coldish 2degC, the winds gusted at 20-30kph and the wind chill factor gave an apparent temperature of -5degC. Brrr! However, not ones to waste a sunny day - even a freezing one, we set off late morning for another food and cultural excursion, this time, to Grignan.

Lunch was at Le Poeme de Grignan, which has pretty high ratings on Trip Advisor and in our opinion - deservedly so. The restaurant is very small with only six or seven tables of various sizes in what is essentially a front room. The menu is limited to 3 each of starters and main courses (one was off!). The stand out for me was the venison, whch was tender and delicious. Perhaps we are becoming a little French, because usually, I would be a little irritated to be spending two and a half hours on a three course lunch plus two amuse bouches, but the proprietress never slacked serving each table in turn and we were quite chilled.

Fortified with lunch and a little wine, we wended our way up through the wind-tunnel like Medieval Village streets to the Chateau at the top. The Chateau started life as small watch-tower castle and was transformed into an imposing Chateau with the addition an impressive facade by the Adhémar family as a country residence. Then came the French Revolution, when the building was left runined for one and half centuries. In 1912, it was acquired by a lady called Marie Fountaine, who had been married to a Marine Commissioner. He was later left a fortune in inheritance, but then passed away. As any bored rich widow might do, she rebuilt and rennovated the property to its current glory. In 1937, she bequeathed it to the Drone Regional government, who are now left with its upkeep.