A chateau is a manor house, a large country house or mansion, usually located in the countryside. Typically, the chateau or manor house was the main house for the lord of the manor.

Architecturally, these chateaus commonly included stone walls that served that served as fortifications in defense against robbers, along with watchtowers. Often, these manor houses or chateaus were owned by gentry--well bred and well born people of high social class, the artistocracy, encompassing ranks of nobility.

In France, the terms chateau and manor are used synomously to describe a French manor house.

Throughout Europe, but specifically in France, commonly in the northwestern region known as Lower Normandy and which includes towns like Bayeux and Picauville and Normandy, many of these chateaus can been seen dotting the landscape of the French countryside.

For visitors to France, especially American visitors who are hungry for history, there are many options. Some of these include the opportunity to stay in a french castle, a french chateau, a french bed and breakfast, a gite, or even reside in one of the many holiday homes some which include their own self catering apartments. These self catering apartments include their own kitchens, enabling families and couples to save money by preparing and cooking their own food, and to participate like a local by purchasing the food at nearby towns or villages.

Of the small luxury hotels and french chateaus that line the hamlets (village or settlement) or villages of the French countryside, one chateau that also serves as a luxury bed that stands heads and shoulders above the rest is a must visit for any traveler to Europe, particularly for those visiting Normandy, France. This chateau, chateau Isle Marie, is worth visiting.

To begin with, Chateau Isle Marie, also known as Chateau de L'Isle-Marie, consists of the main chateau, which features luxury rooms, and the guest chateau, which features self catering apartments--apartments with their own kitchens. In the main chateau, guests are treated to elegant rooms with high ceilings, decorated with luxurious antiques, featuring large windows for beautiful views of the yard and bathrooms with clawfoot bathtubs, all of which serve to incorporate the elegance of a bygone era. The guest chateau features similar characteristics of the main chateau, along with the added benefit of a kitchen, allowing guests to prepare and cook their own meals. The guest chateau consists of a stone building, 2 stories, that is attached to a chapel on one end.

The rich history of this guest chateau allows visitors to stay in a French castle while experiencing the modern conveniences of home, combining the best of the old world and the modern world.

Both parties--the guest of the main chateau and the guests of the guest chateau are offered complimentary breakfast at the main chateau. This French styled complimentary breakfast consists of locally made croissants, along with jam, jelly, butter, ham, yogurt, Museli, a popular European cereal, tea, coffee, and orange juice.

The prestigious American travel magazine "Travel & Leisure" chose Chateau de L'Isle-Marie as "of the top 50 romantic getaways worldwide".

Whether you call the Chateau L'Isle-Marie a romantic getaway, a holiday vacation hideaway, or a luxury bed and breakfast in the French countryside, you can be sure of one thing, the Chateau Isle Marie is an unforgettable experience, a unique and significant opportunity to experience a luxury hotel that cannot even begin to be compared with others.

Experience Chateau de L'Isle-Marie for yourself, by visiting http://www.IsleMarie.com and booking a reservation to this French European castle hideaway by contacting Simon or Dorothea, the chateau caretakers, directly.

Be cautioned, however: Once you stay at this French castle your idea of luxury bed and breakfast will never be the same.