Domaine Val Bruant

We only booked one night in the dog-friendly apartment on our way from Calais to Chamonix, and ended up wishing we could stay longer. Our dog loved exploring all the new smells in the garden, and settled in much faster than she usually does. She seemed to enjoy it as much as we did. The conservatory, or lean-to, was our favourite spot: we watched the deer all evening. The apartment had a lounge and dining room, bedroom, bathroom, and great cooking facilities. Fantastic value for such a special place.

Dinner beside the deer was a special experience, and the meal was nicely prepared with local produce. It's a real labour of love, welcoming to both kids and dogs, and a lovely place to walk or cycle. This is a great example of agri-tourism, and the price was very reasonable.

There are all kinds of animals here, including some you don't normally get to see so close. It's a beautiful retreat, and I'd definitely recommend stopping in for dinner beside the deer.

We only had time for one night, which was a pity. It's a lovely historic building, and the hostess made us feel very welcome. She and her husband prepared both supper and breakfast themselves, and both meals were superb.