Next Stop Cressensac and the Farmhouse

 The Farmhouse

We left Clermont-Ferrand in a heavy fog around 11AM. That meant skipping taking the train up to Le Puy de Dome.  We drove on to our  accommodation, a farmhouse Thomas recommended. Along the way we stopped at a rest stop for lunch and gasoline before making our way to Cressensac and the Farmhouse. Marilyn met us when we arrived, and although she speaks little English and Marie's French is rusty, we had a good conversation about how we came to find this place. We never would have, but Thomas stayed her last year and thought we'd like it, too. We love this 700-1400 year old farmhouse. It has an elegant and old world charm. Ever thought about living in a French countryside villa? Stay here and find out what it's like.

We were really impressed by the toll

roads; smooth and nearly traffic-free.

Aire du Chavanon bridge considered
an aesthetic and technical masterpiece.

The Aire du Chavanon rest stop offers a store, 
full-on restaurant, showers and gasoline.

This was our first stop for gas. Marie cleans the 
windows of our little Fiat.

A salad bar of cheeses just outside the 

restaurant. We're in cheese country.

The breakfast room at the Farmhouse.

The Farmhouse living room, where I'm writing
this post now.

Breakfast room fireplace.

Wider view of the Farmhouse breakfast room.

Farmhouse taken from the pig pen.

The Farmhouse was built in stages over the years.

The turret to the left dates back 1400 years and

the rest of the house is only 700 years old.

But in the newer 700 year old section
we have all the modern amenities.

View from our room.

Our room has tons of charm.

Another look at our room. Pretty elegant, eh?

Back of the Farmhouse. Taken from the lap pool.

The Farmhouse drive up.

Main guest entrance.

Another look at the living room where I'm writing
this blog, because the wifi doesn't penetrate the 
thick walls up to our bedroom.

Another view of the living room from the other side.

Just more of the bucolic Farmhouse grounds.

A really friendly, and large, pig!

Even though it's been humid, it's still
a tad chilly to swim laps when the
pool isn't heated.

Stair landing outside our room.

Looking down the center stairwell to the first floor.

This is Poopie. She greeted us and
is always close for some attention.

 

Tomorrow we are driving around the Dordogne, doing our best to get lost in some spectacular canyon locations.