The Moonlit Chateau: A Story For Sleep

Fall asleep and unwind on this moonlit journey to the Loire Valley in France. "The Valley of Kings" blends heritage and nature with verdant hills, lavender fields, and over 300 chateaus. Explore starlit vineyards and secret river trails before settling into a luxurious suite in a centuries-old chateau that looms above the fertile river. It's time to dream away.

Transcript

Luxury and pastoral beauty welcome you in tonight's cozy bedtime story for grown-ups.

You are listening to The Moonlit Chateau,

A sensory escape to the Loire Valley in France.

Home of lavender fields,

Over 300 centuries-old chateaus and fortresses,

Vineyards,

UNESCO villages,

And ancient woodlands.

Enjoy a sunset walk through rows of grapevines,

An evening bite on a terrace with panoramic views of rolling hills where goats frolic,

And a starlit walk along the Loire River as the chateau glistens behind you.

Return to an elegant chamber,

Enjoying a bath overlooking lavender fields before settling into a Renaissance-era bed.

Falling asleep,

It's time to dream away.

Welcome to Michelle's Sanctuary.

I am Michelle,

Your encouraging fellow traveler on this nightly journey to imaginative dreamscapes.

Settle into the comforts of your room,

Recognizing that everything in this moment supports your right to rest and sleep.

As you listen to this story,

Let it take on the fluidity of a dream where anything is possible.

Don't limit yourself by ways of old thinking,

And feel free to modify anything you like to enhance your experience.

There are no rules.

Celebrate that you have made it through another day that culminates in this special time for a mental holiday.

Know you may fall asleep at any time.

Turn your attention to your breath,

A function of the body you regulate or relinquish control of whenever you want,

With one breath you may transform your inner landscape.

Embrace the delicate softness of night as you revel in conscious breathing at a rhythm that feels right to you,

Going as deep as you like.

Begin with a sigh and make a sound if you want.

Let everything go.

Feel your belly collapse as you sink into the comforting support of your bed.

When you've exhaled all you can,

Slowly breathe in the night air through your nose as you take up all the space you want.

Welcome a feeling of lightness as if you could float to any dreamy landscape you desire.

After each breath in,

You may hold your breath at the top for a few seconds or entertain a yawn before another sigh follows.

Continue this pattern three more times as my voice helps you to relax.

Pretend the air in your room becomes cooler,

Filled with the heady,

Aromatic notes of the Loire Valley.

The flinty river scent mingles with the soothing notes of lavender,

Evoking the serene beauty of the storied region in France.

Imagine your body and room are cast in pearly lunar light.

As your breath merges with these calming essences,

It brings the promise of castle adventures.

As you continue to inhale,

Going deeper each time,

Perhaps yawn and sigh.

Your body becomes heavier and your muscles soften.

You imagine the safety of stone chateau walls protecting you from the outside world,

So you may safely explore your inner world.

Surrender to the feeling of peace within and the connection to the world your imagination creates around you.

Your heart slows to meet the tempo of an easy,

Blissful night.

As your breath returns to its natural pace,

You relinquish control.

More relaxed and serene than moments ago,

It's time for tonight's story to begin.

The Loire Valley is a rich,

Fertile land of rolling green hills along the longest river in France.

From its source in the Massif Central,

Near the Cervin Mountains to its mouth at the Atlantic Ocean,

The river has influenced the development of this cherished location.

Monarchies ruled from this picturesque region for centuries,

Giving it the name the Valley of the Kings.

The history of the Loire Valley is as flush and varied as its scenery.

During the Renaissance,

French royalty and nobility flocked to the area,

Drawn by its fertile lands and mild climate.

During this golden age,

The most iconic landmarks were erected,

With over 300 French chateaus featuring manicured gardens,

Moats and bridges,

Elegant turrets,

And intricate facades.

New culinary staples were born here,

From ash-ripened goat cheese,

To Sancerre and Vouvray,

And Tarte Tatin made from local apples.

The romantic Loire Valley is a haven for those seeking peace and relaxation along the riverbanks,

Where nature and sophistication merge.

One can escape the modern frenzy in this timeless region The allure of nature and its heritage offers a perfect backdrop for reflection,

Inspiration,

And rejuvenation.

Wandering through the Loire Valley is like wafting through a dream or a watercolor painting,

Where greens and blues blend seamlessly.

But for the chateau,

The edges of everything around you appear soft,

Softened by time.

They're simply born with softness.

The valley's natural splendor evokes tranquility and the promise that simplicity truly is the ultimate sophistication.

The gentle flow of the Loire River invites you to slow down as you arrive in the area on a holiday,

Mesmerized by its silky ripples.

You explore the grounds of Chateau Lumière.

As you arrive,

You notice how effortlessly your heart rate slowed and your breaths became deeper.

You inhale the air,

And its crisp dampness feels like a purifying tonic.

The vitality of the valley comes across in every intake of air.

And each time you recognize a different scent that's carried in this healing elixir.

Fresh grass and wet river stones,

Lavender,

Honeysuckle,

And the fertile earth.

The subtle sweetness of ripe grapes and fermenting must.

The nearby ancient woodlands and their perfume of cedar,

Moss,

And pine.

As the late afternoon sun pours over you,

The river breeze causes your lightweight attire to billow.

The emerald grass beneath your feet is radiant in the sun.

Sunrays resemble sparkling gold dust in the misty air,

Creating tiny prisms on the dewy blades of grass.

Your arms stretch toward the sun as you take in its warmth,

A contrast to the tepid air and cool river.

Chateau Lumiere extends over the river like a bridge in a succession of three passageways,

Where riverboats would travel beneath its magnificent arches.

Supplies would be delivered to a platform in the center of the waterway,

And then carried by staff to the kitchen above.

The castle looms before you,

Its creamy tofu limestone reflecting the opulent golden light.

It would take hours to fully explore the many suites and wings of the renaissance castle.

And your heart and mind fill with warm feelings at the thought of all the cozy nooks and secret passageways.

Memories contained within the towering stone walls seem to permeate the air when twilight encroaches upon the valley,

Inspiring dreams of those who sleep away within the dozens of chambers.

You walk by the curated garden that showcases a fountain and shallow pool,

The length of an Olympic-sized pool.

Lily pads leisurely float on the glistening silvery water,

And you understand how the entire valley was once considered France's garden.

Birds sing out overhead,

Dipping into the pool for a sip or two of water.

But everyone awaits the songs of nightingales who fill the air with their melodic call at sundown.

Their full serenade welcomes the night when the palace walls come to life in the tender kiss of moonlight.

But now the sun begins its gradual descent as you step beneath a trellis dripping in honeysuckle,

Leading you to the sprawling vineyards.

As you stand amidst the rows of vines overlooking Chateau Lumière,

The world around you seems to come alive with warm,

Dreamy hues of cantaloupe,

Blush,

And lavender blue.

The romantic colors are almost unreal,

Each stroke blending seamlessly into the next,

Creating lush gradients and a scene of ethereal beauty.

The air circulates,

Rustling the grass and blossoms as the gentle warmth from the last moments of sunlight caresses your skin before the temperature drops with the approaching twilight.

Your senses are heightened in this moment of tranquility.

The air carries the earthy scent of the vineyard,

Mingling with the sweet aroma of fallen grapes that decay on the grass.

A part of you longs for the afternoon to carry on forever,

Yet you are curious about nightfall and its transformative powers.

Core memories stir within you as you become as perceptive to the natural world around you as you were as a young child,

Led by curiosity without a schedule or tasks or a wandering mind to interfere with simply existing.

As the sun dips lower,

Casting a rich amber glow across the landscape,

You find yourself drawn to a limestone bench perched at the edge of the vineyard.

From this vantage point,

You watch the clouds above transform into a canvas of shifting colors and shapes,

Their expressions ever-changing as they reflect the lush palette of pinks,

Oranges,

Golds,

And reds.

Your fingers grace the fine grains of the bench,

To discover even the limestone offers a velvety touch.

You exist in the heart of this unfolding beauty,

The perfect vantage point to take in the river,

The chateau,

The vineyard,

And the distant garden.

As the last rays of sunlight fade to darkness,

The magical transformation continues.

The chateau,

Once gilded in sunlight,

Now takes on the feathery blues of night,

Its silhouette standing out against the darkening sky.

The sparkling glints of gold that reflected on the river become undulating,

Satiny sapphire blue ribbons.

The mystical hues of night conjure thoughts of fairytale settings,

Of magical spells and romantic dalliances throughout the grounds,

Throughout history.

You rise slowly,

Listening for the change in the breeze as you welcome the nightingale serenade.

A sigh escapes your lips.

Your body slows down,

And you leisurely make your gradual return to the chateau.

You find your way to the stone terrace,

Overlooking the sprawling woodlands to the west of the chateau.

Your imagination conjures stories of horse-drawn carriages,

Making their way through the shadowy cedar and pine forest to arrive at the chateau,

Sometimes for secret evening trysts,

And other times for grand galas and balls.

Settling into the plush floral cushions of a teal wrought iron seat and the sweeping limestone veranda,

You appreciate the modern touches to the centuries-old chateau.

The fabric of the cushions captures a meadow of lower valley wildflowers with an impressionistic hand.

Many gatherings were hosted by royalty here,

And many important conversations were had over glasses of Cremant de Loire.

But tonight,

You revel in solitude and in your own pleasant company.

And in this quietude,

From a vantage point once used as a lookout,

You enjoy the panoramic view of the Loire River below,

Its gentle waters shimmering in the moonlight like millions of mirrors.

The ripples applaud the night with their constant motion,

Their melody faintly heard as the moon casts its mesmerizing glow across the landscape.

Local delicacies await you,

Their allure heightened by the enchanting glow of the moonlight.

Medallions of goat cheese bathe in an opal glow,

Their creamy centers illuminated by the evening light.

Though our valley honey cascades around the cloud-like edges of ash-ripened pyramids of Valençay,

Glistening like a river of gold in the night.

Beside the cheese,

A crusty baguette stretches as long as your arm,

Its golden exterior giving way to downy tufts of ivory bread inside.

Still warm from the oven,

Steam rises as you tear off a piece,

Filling the night with its intoxicating aroma.

You savor every texture and nuanced flavor of this terroir,

Slowly making your way through the assortment of delights.

A hand-woven basket overflows with fruit,

With vibrant colors and shiny exteriors.

The glisten in the moonlight,

Ripe berries,

Juicy peaches,

And plump grapes pile high.

To the right of the basket,

A beaded seafoam green cake stand hosts an apple tart tatin.

Its rich amber caramelized crust shines as it fills the air with notes of brown sugar and tart-cooked apples.

Flickering candles and glass lanterns scattered about the veranda on bistro tables bring an intimacy to the night.

You get lost in the gentle movements of light around you,

Lost in the mesmerizing dance of firelight and moonlight reflections.

As the moon rises higher over the Loire River,

Brings the feeling of a magical storybook coming to life.

Its silvery beams bathe the landscape in an ethereal glow,

Casting long shadows that stretch to the dark,

Blue-black horizon.

You breathe in the enchanting air of a place that only now feels real,

Existing beyond the make-believe tales of castles and princes and princesses.

Once told to you,

The wind changes direction,

Sharply and a bit unexpectedly,

To bring a pleasantly cool breeze,

Carrying with it the scent of distant fires and wood smoke.

The faint bleeding of goats travels on the breeze as these rambunctious beings settle for the night.

The pastoral charm of the Loire Valley does not escape you,

Even from the regal veranda of the Chateau.

A staff member comes to the veranda to clear the table,

Offering a bit of tea to help you transition into the sleepy embrace of the night.

As the warm liquid settles in your stomach,

You stand slowly,

Venturing out to explore a different path along the river before retiring for the night.

As you walk,

You take in the Chateau from a new vantage point,

As the golden glow of its exterior lights becomes faint against the silver luster of vibrant moonlight.

Everything around you is awash in its iridescent gleam,

And you notice how even your hands reflect the luminous light.

It all suddenly makes sense how the Chateau got its name.

Your feet slowly lead you along a winding stone path beside the glistening river.

As you take in the enormity of the Chateau,

And consider all the hundreds of Chateaus in the region,

You are overcome by gratitude and awe.

The amount of love and labor that went into erecting these otherworldly fortresses is quite unfathomable.

You pass beneath the arches of the Chateau bridge to merge on the other side,

Where a staircase of three dozen smooth stone steps lead to the west wing.

You ascend,

Counting each one as you go,

Becoming more and more tired with each step.

The silky river laps against the stones below,

Its soundtrack becoming fainter the higher you climb.

You arrive at a side door entrance,

One of dozens of entrances into the Chateau,

That brings you to the main corridor of the west wing.

Oil paintings and watercolors,

Created over hundreds of years,

Are contained in ornate antique frames.

To hang on the wall,

They depict the most blissful seasons in the Loire Valley,

To capture its verdant hills,

Winding grapevines,

Fields of wildflowers,

And majestic Chateaus.

Antique bronze sconces,

Bejeweled with dangling teardrop crystals,

Illuminate the way.

The crystals refract the light and small prisms dance on the long lavender and ivory rug that runs down the hall.

You notice new smells in the Chateau,

A sweet mustiness mingling with the scent of burning candle wax.

The floor feels so much more solid than the earth beneath your shoes.

Each step echoes softly in the silence of the corridor.

As you walk,

You cannot help but admire the intricate details of the interior.

The ornate moldings,

The beautiful carvings,

The graceful curves of doorways that lead to parlors and chambers and a library.

You approach towering double doors with ornate brass doorknobs,

Etched with the designs of lavender blossoms.

Your palm grasps the cool textured knobs as you turn them simultaneously and open the heavy doors into your chambers.

Like many parts of the Chateau,

The lofty ceilings bring out the height of the protective stone walls of this fortress.

Amid the strong,

Towering features of the room,

The space remains a sanctuary of timeless comfort and feminine elegance.

Softened by velvet and silk textiles and sheer curtains that dance on the valley breeze.

You feel at home.

The bedroom doors close softly behind you.

As you approach the French doors that open onto a balcony,

You peer out at moonlit rows of lavender ribbling in the breeze like the distant,

Glittery ebb and flow of the river.

You stand still for a moment,

Once more inhaling the perfume of the night,

Feeling the river air on your skin as you bathe in the moonlight.

You walk farther down the balcony to enter stained glass doors that lead into the bathroom.

You approach the clawfoot tub,

Turning the gold faucets,

Adjusting for the perfect temperature for a soak.

The gold feet of the tub rest on a stone platform,

Decorated with a dozen candles in varying sizes and holders.

You light each wick and small flames come to life,

Casting a soft flickering light that dances on the water's surface.

Steamy water fills the porcelain basin to remove your clothes and sink beneath its hot embrace.

All tension melts away from your muscles as you close your eyes and surrender to the soothing warmth.

For a moment,

You imagine you are floating down the Loire River,

Taking in the magnificent sights along the way to the Atlantic.

Your body hovers just below the surface of the misty water as the cool night air flows through the open windows.

The smell of burning candles now buried beneath the aromatic notes of the Loire River and lavender fields.

You cannot remember a time you felt so serene.

Resting your head on the thick,

Round sill of the ivory tub,

You open your eyes to discover crystal sun catchers dangling from the top of the window.

Only now,

They capture the moonlight,

Scattering prisms of color across the dark room.

In a dreamy state,

You can no longer differentiate the distant soundtrack of the river from the soft,

Splashing sound of the bathwater as you slowly rise and towel off,

Peering out onto the nocturnal canvas of dark purple,

Indigo,

And marine blue.

You feel a sense of gratitude for the beauty of the world around you and the tranquility of this moment.

It's not always easy to feel this much at home in a faraway place.

And yet,

For the second time on this beautiful evening,

You truly do.

Surrounded by the timeless elegance of the chateau and the natural splendor of the Loire Valley,

There is a familiarity that comforts you.

And expected as it is,

It connects you to the gentle voice that once read you stories about places like this.

You put on a thick terrycloth robe,

Cinching the belt neatly and tightly around your waist.

You blow out the candles one by one,

Casting your wishes for the night as tiny black smoke spirals are left in the wake of your breath.

Your bare feet touch upon the cool stone floor that leads you back to the bedroom.

Moonlight showers the renaissance-era four-poster bed with beams that rise to mere inches beneath the high ceilings.

Thick bed curtains made of ruby,

Amethyst,

Emerald,

And sapphire patches sewn together with gold threads like angel hair drape elegantly around the bed.

When drawn shut,

They create a cocoon-like haven for sleep.

But you keep them open,

Grateful for the sensual touch of the night breeze on your face.

Inspired by crown jewels,

The antiques in the room gleam softly in the moonlight,

Each piece showcasing pops of purple,

Garnet,

Cobalt,

Gold topaz,

And sea green.

As you change out of the robe into silky pajamas and hoist yourself onto the high bed,

You sink into the plush mattress.

The frame may be a relic,

But the mattress is as new and luxurious as those found in the finest hotels.

Your head sinks into a half-dozen pillows piled around you.

And you gaze out at the sparkling river winding around the pastoral landscape of lavender fields and grapevines cast in a silver aura.

As much as you long to watch the night unfold until the sun rises once more,

The tiredness of the day begins to weigh heavily upon you.

Closing your eyes,

You feel the soft whispering breeze and gentle river fill the air with its sleepy soundtrack.

Slowly,

You float down,

Down,

Down,

Like a riverboat through time,

Making its way through the Loire Valley,

Until you cross through the portal to sleep.

Without pause or hesitation,

You allow this journey to slumber,

To unfold.

Finding ease,

Finding grace,

Finding serenity,

Finding sleep.

It's time to dream away.

Reviews

What a beautiful setting & the story made me feel so peaceful & content. Then I fell asleep. Thank you, Michelle, for another wonderful journey.

Michelle, this bedtime story put me to sleep right away and I will have to listen again as I missed all the best parts! Thank you kind for another creative & adventurous story! 🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🤗🤗🤗🤗🤗
Awesome idea to immerse yourself in the countryside and relax! Soak up the customs, food, and explore historic sights!

Very soothing and relaxing I soon fell asleep . Thank you x