A Morning Touring The French Countryside

Touring the French countryside from Rouen, we stopped at Chateau du Breuil, known for a variety of wines shipped to over 50 countries around the world. But on this trip, we were more interested in the history behind the buildings and grounds that have graced the 40-acre estate since the 17th century.

Classified as a French national monument, Chateau du Breuil hosts structures, orchards and parks that are alive with today’s vegetation. It’s a stark contrast to buildings that house wine-making facilities dating back hundreds of years as we see in this photo gallery.

%Gallery-161899%Today, Chateau du Breuil is one of most prestigious distilleries in France, boasting labels that have won a variety of awards. Complimentary tours of Chateau du Breuil are available every day (except for Christmas and New Year’s day) from 9 a.m. until 12 a.m. and from 2 p.m. until 6 p.m. and include a tasting of several labels.

Not far from the Chateau, in Livarot, France is the E.Graindorge cheese factory where Livarot cheeses have been made since 1910, also offering a complimentary tour and tasting.

A unique way to discover the process of making fine French cheeses, the walk-through tour is a self-paced, interactive combination of films, panels and windows into the actual cheese factory that produces brands shipped around the world.

Spending just a few hours in the area, we explored two products commonly thought of when considering the French, gaining up close and personal experience with both. Not bad for a half-day’s work.

[Photos: Chris Owen]