Chateaubriand

Chateaubriand steak,a recipe of a particular thick cut from the tenderloin, that was created by personal chef, Montmireil, for François-René de Chateaubriand, the author and diplomat who served Napoleon as an ambassador and Louis XVIII as Secretary of State for two years.

At the time of the Vicomte, the steak was cut from the more tasty but less tender sirloin and served with a reduced sauce made from white wine and shallots moistened with demi-glace and mixed with butter, tarragon, and lemon juice. The term refers to the quality of the cattle bred around the town of Châteaubriant in the Loire-Atlantique, France. Châteaubriand was traditionally served with château potatoes (peeled potatoes cut into the shape of large olives, parboiled, and cooked in butter on top of the stove or in a medium oven), and sauce châteaubriand. For the last hundred years or so, the few people that prepare châteaubriand have opted for the more mainstream béarnaise sauce instead.

1. The inhabitants of Châteaubriant are called Castelbriantais and Castelbriantaises.

The Loire (is the longest river in France). With a length of 1,012 kilometres, it drains an area of 117,054 km2 (45,195 sq mi), which represents more than a fifth of France's land area. It is the 170th longest river in the world. . Its main tributaries include the Maine, Nièvre and the Erdre rivers on its right bank, and the Allier, Cher, Indre, Vienne, and the Sèvre Nantaise rivers from the left bank. The central part of the Loire Valley was added to the World Heritage Sites list of UNESCO on December 2, 2000.

The Loire Valley has been called the "Garden of France" and is studded with over a thousand chateaux. They were originally created as feudal strongholds, over centuries past, in the strategic divide between southern and northern France; now many are privately owned.

41 trails to ramble, to trek or to cycle.

Plenty of opportunities for fishing in the beautiful lakes and rivers.

4 Horse riding centres nearby.

Open air swimming pool at Nozay.

Swin golf at Rouge.

Mini Golf at Chateaubriant.

9 Restaurants in Chateaubriant.

12 more restaurants within a 30 minute drive of town.

Wonderful beaches on the Atlantic coast within an hour's drive.

Clearly from its famous beef dish, Chateaubriant is France's heart of cattle with hundreds of cows feeding on the most fertile alluvial soil in the country! Agricultural shows are even held several times a year!

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