If you don't know who Josephine Baker is before you enter Château des Milandes, you will have her image ingrained in your head afterward. The 15th century château located in Castelnaud-la-Chapelle, is a grand memorial to the famous African-American entertainer of the 1920's. Don't expect antique Renaissance décor everywhere, expect a drag queen's dream come true.

Château de Cadillac is most definitely a place I would sprint away from at night. It ultimately creeps me out, but it may just be the story behind it. This isn't the happy, jolly castle with royal objects all around. I mean, yes partially, but was also a women's prison from 1818 until 1890.

I feel a little less than intelligent that I had no idea who Montesquieu was, being that all of France (and I'm sure most of Europe) is fully aware of his famous books. He was an 18th century writer and philosopher of who's oh-so-vintage castle I toured this week. We're far more acquainted now.
The castle was constructed in the 14th century, however additions were made until the 19th century. It's so massive yet it looks so small on the property. And By property I mean 370 acre park.
The final owner passed away at the age of 91 in 2004 with no children, but still kept the castle private. It has been passed to the Foundation Jacqueline de Chabannes

Montesquieu's Bedroom

The famous Montesquieu was a traveler like myself. Many of the pieces in the house are from his 4-year journey between several countries in Europe. Although not the best lookin' guy (there are several paintings of him inside) he seemed like a solid catch for the single ladies of the 1700's.

Jeanne de Lartigue's Bedroom

Secretary's Bedroom

It's said that he went through thirty secretaries. He was one of those crazy up-all-night thinkers so they were forced to be woken up at all hours and listen to his newest ideas. Their bedroom was right next to his!

17th Century Living Room

Montesquieu was brilliant. He spoke 5 languages: English, Italian, Greek, French, and Latin. I feel so lame struggling to be bilingual, and there he was multi-lingual, no problem.

Montesquieu's Library

It would only make sense that the library is the biggest room in the castle. None of the books are left as most were either sold or donated but the tour guide mentioned that he had around 4800 at one time.
You won't get to see all of the château. Mathieu and I noticed an entire tower and wing of the castle that we had not entered. It only makes sense being that we never saw a kitchen or a bathroom..and I'm pretty sure they still ate back then.

The tour was not too bad. Our guide was very insightful, and I was given a packet in English in order to follow along. Unfortunately I'm not multi-lingual like Montesquieu.

I worship the ground that this Château de Chenonceau was built on. It is, by far, in all of France, my favorite favorite favorite castle ever. I've even done my research if I can get married here one day. So far it's a go, now I just need the ring, the dress, and about 100k.

My visit was back during the Christmas season of 2012. They go ALL OUT decorating this place, it is stunning. Not only is it physically beautiful, but the history behind it kills me. I'll give you the 411.
First off, this is technically the 2nd Château de Chenonceau. The original was set on fire back in 1412 because the owner spoke against the government. So let's just skip over that history and go to the juicy stuff after it was rebuilt around 1515.

Bedroom of Diane de Poitiers

Here's where it gets really 16th century high school. Henry II built the castle for his mistress, Diane de Poitiers. She absolutely loved this place, building expensive additions, exquisite gardens, and a large, beautiful bridge. Being that she was the other woman, Henry's wife, Catherine de Medici was not a happy-camper, and waited out the day when she could get rid of her.

Study room of Catherine de Medici

Henry died in 1559 and Catherine physically kicked Diane out of there. Not only did she do so, she made it her new favorite castle. Karma will bite ya eh?

Bedroom of Louis de Lorraine

After she died her daughter-in-law Louis de Lorraine inherited it. This is her bedroom, by far the most depressing thing ever. She made it all black to mourn the death of her husband Henry III. Given the skulls all over her curtains, it was the creepiest room I've seen in any castle

The Gallery

The Gallery is my favorite and I will walk the aisle here one day. It's basically where all the royals got a load on and passed out on the floor. Potentially the end to my future wedding.

Dedication room to Louis XIV

Another gorgeous room is the one dedicated to Louis XIV, who really had nothing to do with the château, but his one time visit apparently won him a nice room.

Bedroom of Catherine de Medici

I personally think Diane's bedroom was pretty ugly. It was probably for the best that Catherine took over, because her taste was far better if I do say so myself.
The best part of anything that you will see here are the gardens. Unfortunately for me I visited during winter, but I've seen several photos during the summer and they are unbelievable. This is  the 2nd most visited château in France (1st being Versailles).

Chapel de Chenonceau

This chapel made it out alive during the revolution. Had it not been disguised as a store to sell wood, we might not have a Château de Chenonceau. Bravo, bravo. Well done.

The Kitchens

Also, during the World War II the kitchens were entirely occupied with people escaping Nazi territory. Not a bad place to stay after a horrendous journey.

If you have the opportunity to be in Val de Loire, and you don't visit this castle, I will check you into a crazy home myself. It is just awesome, there's no better word for it.

I know there are some people in the world who say money isn't everything, but I'm almost positive that if you drop a box full of cash on their doorstep they'd gladly accept. I, for one, would like to receive the box that makes me wealthy enough to buy the ever-so-classy Château de la Rivière.

This visit was entirely a surprise. As you drive through Villandraut, the castle suddenly screams "Hey here I am!" out of no where. Now most castles sit atop a hill, or sometimes hidden deep in the forest, but no Château de Villandraut is just hangin' out right next to the road like it's just another house.

It is most definitely authentic. You can see as you walk by that there is absolutely nothing inside Château de Villandraut. This is probably why it only costs between 2-4 euros to enter.

Front entrance of the castle

Pope Clement V, originally Bertrand de Goth, had the castle constructed in 1305. It was finished by 1312, so if you're like me and can't do the math that quickly this means it is 702 years old as of 2014. You're welcome.

Back entrance of the castle

Most Middle Age castles are like this--massive stone ruins, an empty moat, and virtually nothing left. Kudos to the builders of this place though because during The Wars of Religion it took a hit of over 1200 canons, and it's still standing.
I've tried researching the exposition but I can't seem to get an answer. There are several random figures in and outside the castle. For instance, this yellow pair of legs...why?
Also, these red pair of feet just casually hanging off the top. It's like something bad out of The Wizard of Oz. Maybe if I had an explanation it wouldn't be so strange, maybe not.

My travel partner, Mathieu :)

As for visitors staying in the village, yes of course, go see it, I mean you really can't even avoid seeing it any who. However, if you're really around Bordeaux trying to get a feel for French history, you are better sitting this one out.

For more information visit http://www.chateaudevillandraut.fr. Adichat, the association who runs the events, does a great job of utilizing the property throughout the year.

I started off my first day as a 23-year-old tasting wine at Château Palmer...not too shabby if I do say so myself. It has been the one vineyard I have been head over heals for since day one in Bordeaux. Located in the Margaux appellation, and a classified as one of the Third Growths of wine here, it's some pretty fancy shmancy stuff.
The wine is great, actually it's fantastic. We tried a 2008 Alter Ego de Palmer, and 2004 Grand Cru Château Palmer vintage.The Alto Ego is the lesser of the too, but quite frankly I'm more on the fruity-lovin' side so I would much rather pay the 90 euros for that over 200 euros for the other.
What was cute about the vineyard was the little village they created. There are around five families living on the property that work for Château Palmer. Everyone was on a first name, cheek kissing basis.
If you're into the whole organic scene you might like the fact that starting in 2014 the vineyard went entirely bio, aka chemical-free. They have an on-site oenologist (scientist who works with wine) testing out all of the possibilities. This window at the end is his laboratory.
The woman who gave us the tour was extremely attentive, nice, and to my advantage, bilingual. She was just beaming with info and was even willing to do a little photo-shoot of Mathieu and I in front of the château. It was a breath of fresh air compared to some of the other vineyard tours in which they force-feed you facts like a robot and send you on your way.
The visit was overall really great. Mat, whom knows Bordeaux wine like the back of his hand, gave it a total thumbs up. Get ready all you Floridians, because when this handsome wine merchant comes to Tampa, Château Palmer will be your new bff.