[CH] OT, but nevertheless interesting.

Rob Solarion (solarion@1starnet.com)
Mon, 15 Jul 2002 15:32:53 -0500 

The Dallas Morning News, By Mary Ellen Botter, Travel Editor, 14 July 2002

BEAULIEU-SUR-DORDOGNE, France -- There's a little bit of Texas in the
river-laced and history-heaped Dordogne region of southern France [about
100 miles or 160 kilometers east of Bordeaux].

One of Sam Houston's descendants and his wife run a classy
bed-and-breakfast on a wooded hillside above the Dordogne River, and
Tex-Mex is the hottest cuisine at a favorite restaurant nearby.  (Tacos and
red wine ... très bien!)

Dane Earnheart is a grandson (five "greats" distant) of the brother of
General Houston's grandfather.  He and Terry have presided since 1999 at
Château de Chauvac, a stone manor perched on a forested hillside near
Beaulieu-sur-Dordogne.  The château, begun in 1260, has seen centuries of
life and change, but it may be at its best in this millennium.

Each of the five rooms in the main house -- private baths in all -- has
something to recommend it, but the most requested is the Gerard Room,
occupying the corner of the château and offering a window that opens
directly (without inset) onto the river valley.

The very private Nave's Tower is attached to the main house but has its own
outside entrance.  The apple-red kitchen is fully equipped, and a rustic
staircase connects it to a bedroom and bath.  A sitting room is crowned by
the toast-colored beams of a magnificent peaked roof.

Terry, a gifted cook, prepares creative dinners on request that can be
served in the great hall or by the large swimming pool.  But many guests
save at least one or two evenings for a meal at La Brasserie des Tilleuls.

The restaurant is 15 minutes south of the château in Biars-sur-Céré.
Affable owner Fred Bouzou is a trained chef; little wonder that such dishes
as quesadillas, huevos rancheros and fajitas sprout creative touches.  But
it's the guacamole that demands repeat visits.  In such generous portions
that one order satisfies two persons, it's creamy, flavorful and served
with enough lettuce and tomatoes to qualify it as a dinner salad.

Tex-Mex is the rage in France, Fred says, opining that internationalization
has opened Europe to previously unknown cuisines.  And proof that he's
broadminded about it, Fred also serves Chinese and French dishes.  Plus,
the menu is decorated with dramatic drawings of American Indians by
Jean-Marie Arnon.

Rooms at Château de Chauvac are $115 a night from May through September and
$100 October through April.  Rates include continental breakfast and
champagne at sunset overlooking the river.  The tower is $1,050 per week in
high season, $840 at other times.  Contact: 011-33-5-55-91-50-58.

http://www.chateauchauvac.com/

La Brasserie des Tilleuls (1 Place des Tilleuls) is open Monday through
Saturday.  Lunch is noon to 1:30 PM, dinner 7:30 to 9.
Contact: 011-33-5-65-38-59-19.

The region has many attractions.  Among them: medieval Sarlat with adjacent
castles of Beynac and Castelnaud; the pilgrim town of Rocamadour;
underground caverns at Padirac; and prehistoric cave paintings at
Font-de-Gaume, among the last original sites open to the public.

Information: French Government Tourist Office
http://www.francetourism.com/