Submitted by Name: Outi Peltoniemi From: Finland E-mail: Contact
Comments: Dear Joanna,
Thank you, our holiday at your Chateau [Cardou] was absolutely fantastic!
Everybody enjoyed every single moment during our visit. Especially I want to thank you about safety regarding small children (the fenced pool etc.). This was the first time for us to stay in the house with so many possibilities, our teens enjoyed playing tennis, table tennis and swimming. This kind of holiday was first time for my brothers' families and they also send you the greatest thanks for unforgettable holiday!
We will definitely recommend your chateau for our Finnish friends!
with best regards,
Outi
Added: July 21, 2012
Submitted by Name: Nicholas Dudley From: Dorchester E-mail: Contact
Comments: Dear Joanna, Ch.Cardou ticked all the boxes with distinction. As my wife indicated our family enjoyed the venue enormously and we congratulate you on providing everything one could possibly need to keep 10 grandchildren and their parents and grandparents happy.The weather was a bonus. A memorable celebration Sunday lunch was provided at Le Vert and thank you for that recommendation. I wonder if you are the artist who painted several of the attractive pictures in the house - J.Villiers ? Responding to your request I did a quick sketch of Ch.Bonaguil in the visitors book but it doesn`t bear comparison with the artistry of the Cardou watercolourist!! Very best wishes and thanks. Sincerely Nicholas Dudley
Added: September 9, 2011
Submitted by Name: Kate Abbott From: Cambridge UK E-mail: Contact
Comments: Dear Joanna,
I just wanted to let you know what a wonderful time we had at Cardou!! The rooms were beautifully kept and had everything we might need. The children (I have 3 boys) spent nearly all their time in the pool or on the tennis court. We had near perfect weather too. A relaxing holiday.
We had a glorious visit in your beautiful Chateau Lamonstonie. There were 4 days and nights that we were 17 and I must admit it was busy. Having 7 grandchildren under one roof was a bit hectic but it certainly was wonderful to have them all together.
We visited St Cirq Lapopie on 2 occasions, Rocamadour, Padirac, Cahors a few times, Gourdon and many more. As the temperature reached 39 degrees for 3 days we were so thankful to have a swimming pool and of course the Chateau stayed reasonably cool.
All in all we had a fabulous visit and thank you for letting us rent your house. Frederique and Jean Claude are extremely helpful along with Rose, Chris (Frederique’s sister) and Jean Claude’s wife. A great team.
Kindest regards
Liisa Britnell
Added: September 1, 2011
Submitted by Name: Eve Fletcher From: USA E-mail: Contact
Comments: The holiday at Chateau Lamostonie was absolutely marvellous! The chateau itself is much the best we have stayed in (this was our 5th chateau group holiday), and believe me, I have to do a LOT of research each time we go before I settle on one that fits the bill.
Just a few things that made the stay so wonderful:
The super, spacious, well-equipped kitchen, and lovely bedrooms and salons... of course! The pool (we used it almost every day). The tennis court: in use every single day, including an ongoing "round robin" tournament. We placed two tables and lots of chairs under the apple trees and had cocktails there every evening. What a glorious spot! The pianos! Several of our group play piano, and they provided a lot of enjoyment. The room next to the kitchen was more for modern music, and jazz, and the Salon was in use on our "20's/30's/40's evening".... although we could have used Mr James Stuart-Bruges to accompany myself and friend in "Tit Willow"! I'm glad there isn't a video of that!
Frederique was lovely, and I hope she felt that we left things in good order, despite some of us having to rush off very early!!
My son, James, and girlfriend LOVED the Pigeonnier, and enjoyed having their own little place.
Chef Jean-Marc Lafon and his wife prepared a lovely dinner, and they were both very friendly and gracious.
We had planned a day out, using a bus, but there was a mix-up over the timing, and we had to jump in our own cars at the last minute to make an appointment at LaRoque-Gageac.
We booked a boat trip with Gabares Norbert from LaR-G, and had to be there by 10.15. We arrived a bit late, but they were very accommodating, and had actually arranged a private boat for us. Well worth a recommendation to your guests at Lamostonie.
Lunch at Les Vieilles Tours at Lafage (v. near Rocamadour) was also very special. Once again, we were a "private party" on their lovely terrace. The weather was perfect, the view magnificent, and Laurent (good English) was a fabulous host. Great food, and lovely wines. Lunch was 35 E... which is a little more than some places we visited, but well worth it. We felt very special indeed.
I have to mention Sam, the cat, because he made it feel so homely! There were several cat-lovers in our group, and Sam came and sat with us every evening, and was most welcome.
Well, that's all I can think of for now. I know that the group will want to go to Lamostonie again...! Once we all get back to normal, we will have a get-together to discuss it.
Once again, thank you, Joanna for all your help and advice.
Lamostonie is truly a magical place!
kind regards , Eve Fletcher
Added: October 20, 2010
Submitted by Name: Daniel Tieman From: USA E-mail: Contact
Comments: Dear Joanna,
Just to let you know that we have spend a wonderful time in Château Cardou. Everybody has enjoyed the facilities and the kindness and availability of Myriam Condé and her husband. The "chef à domicile" Nadine Fabre did a fantastic job. The food was superbe.
Also many thanks for the "liquid" presents for my birthday.
Kind regards,
Daniel Tieman
Added: September 21, 2010
Submitted by Name: Caroline From: UK E-mail: Contact
Comments: Dear Joanna & Bill,
We had a wonderful time in gorgeous weather. The chateau is amazing and we would be fascinated to know how you came to own it - the work you have clearly done has made it an idyllic holiday spot for all ages. As we had so many children we did not venture far but thoroughly enjoyed just being "at home". We ate delicious food and drank lovely wines. The kitchen was a delight to cook in - curiously the e mail you had sent before we left got blocked and I only just got your oven instructions! We worked it out for ourselves after a false start or two, all part of the holiday experience! We did as you suggested and did our first big shop in Cahors and thereafter in the village - thought the Monday market was a must. Jean-Claude and his wife were just lovely, so welcoming with everything just so, even flowers on the kitchen table. Frederique and (?)daughter arrived on Monday and we arranged for them to come in each day just to keep everything fresh.
So, completely brilliant holiday all round, made even better by discovering the weather here has been stinky!!
Thank you for returning the deposit so quickly - we cherished the place as if were our own - well, wish it was actually!
Kind regards Caroline
Added: August 16, 2009
Submitted by Name: Miranda Family From: France E-mail: Contact
Comments: The Miranda family made a music video of their stay. Search for Chateau Cardou on youtube... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3OUBNHGEh_E
Added: June 25, 2009
Submitted by Name: Adam Stephens From: UK E-mail: Contact
Comments: Dear Jo,
Thank you so much for the use of Lamostonie for the two weeks. It was such a wonderful place to spend my 40th party. We made use of the pool, the tennis court, had a masqued ball, sung around the piano, and still had time to visit Rocamadour, Sarlat and St Cirq Lapopie. I sort of dont want to recommend it to anyone as it's such a lovely place, and I want to keep it away from the masses; but I wont!
Can't thank you enough for making beautiful Lamostonie available to the hoi polloi. We had high hopes when we arrived, but even they were exceeded – I really don't think the photographs on the website do justice to the wonderful restoration you have obviously done. All week everyone was saying how much better it was in real life than in the pictures.
We had an absolutely magical time – everyone did their own thing during the day (whether it was lazing by the pool, playing tennis or shopping and sightseeing) and we all met up for dinner each evening to exchange our stories of the day and generally set the world to rights. I particularly loved your amazing pianos, which gave me more pleasure than you can imagine.
The staff were unfailingly kind and helpful and we would all like to thank Frederique and Christine and Jean-Claude and Mme Delpech, none of whom could have been more charming. Your cook, Rose, was an absolute delight and she and I had great fun choosing menus, both of us trying to communicate in languages we only had the briefest smattering of. The meals she made us were delicious – we were only disappointed that we had to leave a pot of mouthwatering Vichyssoise in the fridge when we left.
The week passed all too quickly and now we are home in the rain, warmed only by wonderful memories – and actually looking forward to the next big birthday. With the best of wishes to you and yours,
Name: Outi Peltoniemi
From: Finland
E-mail: Contact
Dear Joanna,
Thank you, our holiday at your Chateau [Cardou] was absolutely fantastic!
Everybody enjoyed every single moment during our visit. Especially I want to thank you about safety regarding small children (the fenced pool etc.). This was the first time for us to stay in the house with so many possibilities, our teens enjoyed playing tennis, table tennis and swimming. This kind of holiday was first time for my brothers' families and they also send you the greatest thanks for unforgettable holiday!
We will definitely recommend your chateau for our Finnish friends!
with best regards,
Outi