We stayed at Chateau de Balsac from April 28 - May 4, 2023. I loved gazing up into the inner architecture of this enchanting chateau, with its winding staircases, secret doors, and towering beams. It was fun to imagine its previous inhabitants, the lords and ladies, the builders, the royal guests, and the invaders. Echoes of history touch each of the large, tastefully restored rooms. Roland and Malana, proprietors, enthusiastically and knowledgeably indulge your curiosity if you want to know more about the story behind this historic monument. This is our second visit to the chateau. The first visit used it more as a comfortable retreat and the hub of a wheel, with each of the spokes leading to a cultural and historical foray into exceptional nearby French villages. Roland and Malana are well-connected and can help with setting up museum tours and dining reservations. During this stay, we focussed on the workings of the chateau, the emerging herb and vegetable gardens, foraging in the environs for local greens to make soup, collecting (with permission) fresh eggs in the hen house, watching their gentle border collie Maya herd the personality-laden brood of goats and sheep, spying on the baby bunnies and searching for wild orchids on the estate. It was a lovely, calm place to relax, read, draw, or just think. read more