Some years ago now, while on a long-overdue holiday in the deep south of France, Don & Kay Baumhefner unexpectedly discovered the plus beau village of Lagrasse and a riverside medieval balcony gîte they immediately recognized as home.
Read Our Story
A preface to the Balcony Gîte discovery,
Kay and Don’s food and wine biographies, plus both the Come Home to Cooking story and retained articles that share an ongoing French connection.
Tour Our Gîte
A guided photo tour through every room in the Balcony Gîte, so you can see for yourself what all it includes.
Rent Our Gîte
Particular information about rental inquiries with Amélie Dekker, our professional booking agent and property manager, as well as a descriptive list of Balcony Gîte specifics to help answer all your immediate questions.
Kay’s Corner
Autumn 2025
We absolutely love and feel so grateful for our extended family life here where we live in California, while also always looking forward to reveling in our Balcony Gite stays, surrounded by the natural beauty, both living and indelible history, and la joie de vivre French culture all around. We remain amazed at all there is to discover and reflect upon there.
So, welcome to the truly peaceful and quiet location of our Balcony Gite, tucked away at the back of this original Medieval wall building, both so beautifully right along the river below, and then just outside our main front door to the central Place de la Halle. This historic market place not only keeps providing a weekly market full of fresh local produce, food and flowers, but also houses a wide variety of other joyful and life-supporting events on a regular basis. And now our neighbor at the front of the building, who is the chef-owner of the MOKSI Café there, offers fun fusion cuisine to eat both inside and out, at tables placed around the market place as well. Perfect! And so conveniently located, especially for those of us fortunate enough to get to stay there where we do right next door.
And as I keep thinking and saying… In spite of all the possible challenges and limitations that can so unexpectedly keep showing up along the way in life, may we continue to focus on what actually matters most, to make the best of each precious moment and feel thankful for all we still do have. To realize and celebrate the joy of living, as we both move forward and reflect back.
Here’s to harmony, health and happiness for us all!
Kay
Kay Baumhefner is a professional chef, teacher, and culinary consultant, who has played a main role in a number of Sonoma County restaurants as well as her own Come Home to Cooking culinary classes. Although cooking remains core to both her essential being and doing, a natural appetite for life in France, and her expanded fresh adventures there in recent years, now compel her to shift her focus to inviting you along to share the experience and find ways to make it your own as well. Read Our Story for more information.
Definitions
A “plus beau village” is officially declared by the French government as one of the Most Beautiful Villages in France.
A “gîte” is a furnished house, cottage, or apartment for rent in the French countryside.
Balcony Gîte in the South of France 