Affluent Cape Cod town of Chatham en francais

CHATHAM – In the affluent Cape Cod town of Chatham, visitors are drawn to the expansive and magnificent beaches, the lighthouse, wildlife, nature trails, bike path, and stunning views of the ocean. Chatham (www.chathaminfo.com) has a special blend of the past and present with quaint streets lined with historic sea captains’ homes, a fine selection of historic museums, and a walking downtown area with unique shops, galleries, and restaurants.

Lodging options range from a spectacular oceanfront resort like the Chatham Bars Inn, to lovely bed and breakfast inns tucked in throughout this picturesque seaside village. Chatham is located on the elbow of Cape Cod, halfway between Falmouth and Provincetown.

When I found out that the Chatham Bars Inn (www.chathambarsinn.com) had a French speaking managing director in Paul Zuest from Switzerland and marketing director Olivier Rabsch from France; I figured this is a story that had to be told to Montrealers. So I made a call and arranged a visit, spending the day at their private beach and enjoying lunch at their Beach House Grill.

Ransch, who enjoys visiting friends in Montreal, left France for Boston in 2001 when his wife was offered a research post at Harvard University. He quickly found work in the hotel industry, occupying sales and marketing posts at two other places before joining the Chatham Bars Inn two years ago.

The Chatham Bars Inn has been an idyllic Cape Cod family vacation retreat noted for its excellent service, fine cuisine and beautiful surroundings since 1914. The Inn is nestled near the heart of Chatham on 25 beautifully landscaped acres overlooking Pleasant Bay and the Atlantic Ocean.

In addition to popular Cape activities such as golf, tennis, fishing, water sports, and bird watching, guests also enjoy summer beachfront theme dinners, spa treatments, and an array of children’s programs and family activities: everything you need for a summer vacation in Cape Cod. Most important, the grand tradition of relaxing in casual, unhurried comfort continues year-round at this historic Cape Cod vacation resort. Their boutique is wonderful and attracts customers from all over Massachusetts.

In 2007, the Inn completed a $14 million upgrade to the resort, including guestrooms, landscaping, dining and public facilities. They also added the Japanese gardens and a year-round relaxation pool at The Spa at Chatham Bars Inn. A noted Historic Hotel of America and a member property of Leading Hotels of the World, there are 217 distinctively appointed guestrooms in the main building, including 68 suites. Nestled throughout the property’s grounds, bordered by meandering beaches, are 34 quaint Cape-style cottages offering guests an exceptional level of privacy and housing luxurious guestrooms and master suites.

A Visitor Information Center is located in the town-owned David T. Bassett House, 2377 Main Street; at the intersection of Routes 28 and 137 in South Chatham. The Information Booth is located at 533 Main Street, next to Town Hall. It is under the supervision of the Chatham Chamber of Commerce and maintained by the Town of Chatham.

Every Friday evening at 8 pm, from July 2 to September 3, all roads on the Cape lead to the band concert at Whit Tileston Band Stand – Kate Gould Park on Main Street in Chatham. As many as six thousand people attend these concerts!

Mike Cohen’s email address is [email protected].
Follow his travels at www.sandboxworld.com/travel and on twitter at www.twitter.com/mikecohencsl.