Delightful. Still great. Plaudits in 2001/2 for this stately white 18th-century chateau by the Loire west of Tours. Talleyrand gave it to the Duchess of Dino; today it is the home of Gerard and Emmanuelle Pasquier, with the atmosphere of a big family gathering, complete with cats and a friendly dog, a magical place, with caring hosts'. The situation is outstanding, the views are superb. A gracious old building, but with some amateur paintings. One couple thought their room poorly decorated and service offhand, but renovations have just taken place. Others wrote: Our annexe room was attractive, bright, with pretty fabrics. Our vast room had a beautiful old fireplace. Dinners were splendidly gastronomic. These are served by cheerful young staff in an elegant room, with flowers, candles, soft classical music. The fish courses especially are excellent, if rather rich. Food beautifully presented, almost too pretty to eat: but choice was limited, and the usual French vegetable famine prevailed. Breakfast was runof-the-mill. The common areas are warm and spacious. The landscaped Italian terrace/pergola, floodlit at night, has a lily pond full of goldfish, and a private chapel. A very pretty swimming pool is some distance from the house. Around are acres of forest, rich with birds and wildlife. We enjoyed waking to the song of a cuckoo in the woods. One day, two coachloads of Japanese tourists were led into the lounge where a guide gave a loud ten-minute lecture.