The terrace under the oak tree is now finished. Yesterday was the inauguration with a delicious ‘déjeuner’. Overlooking the river, we dined for hours with our new French friends. Socialising, swapping stories and a sumptuous three-course dinner by chef ‘Toni’.

Today is Sunday and we fancy an outing. I nose around on google maps. Hey, a castle icon near the village of Campagne, we've never been there before. My curiosity is piqued, let's go. After a pleasant 15 min drive through the rolling countryside, we arrive and are immediately charmed by this little hamlet. We spot a couple of romantic restaurants. We will definitely come back here again to have a French-style Sunday afternoon dinner with our family. The castle turns out to be nestled in some well kept trees, so we walk through the large gates into the park like we own the place.

Turns out we have arrived in one of the ‘jardins remarquables de France’. Thick cedars and huge sequoias at least a hundred years old adorn the carefully landscaped gardens. Several families are picnicking on the grass and honestly I think it is a fantastic alternative to the Sunday afternoon family ‘dejeuner’. Another beautiful thing to share with our family. The castle itself looks beautiful. I think of how lovely it would be to take wedding photos here. Inside in the large downstairs hall is an inspiring exhibition, even Enton gets in the mood to get artsy. You notice we are surprised by all the beauty of a carefully landscaped park, art, and castle. I always start viewing everything through those touristy rose tinted glasses when I am with my sweetheart.

I won’t spoil much else, as it is far too much fun to discover for yourself and I hope you will take a stroll there sometime. I know that you will enjoy it as much as we did. In case you like hiking: the park is adjacent to a huge 337-hectare forest that is home to rare species such as the genet cat, the snake eagle, the peregrine falcon. Either way, spotting a castle icon on google maps and going on a bon voyage with no prior knowledge was an excellent idea!

PS 1. Dining at Le Restaurant du Château, for example? Unfortunately, this is not possible on spec in high season: so make a reservation. Or settle down in the park with your own picnic basket and rug.

PS 2. Apparently you can eat the most delicious ice cream in the region at another restaurant in Campagne. We will go back again to test this out.

PS 3. The park is free to enter and open between March and October and during all holidays. Apart from an exhibition, the rest of the castle inside cannot be visited.