Maison Blanche

The house itself is very nice, with tasteful decor, comfortable beds that were functional enough, and a very good initial welcome. We still had a good time with our friends and children, but the host and guest relationship left a lot to be desired. This is the only gîte or house stay we've had that we unfortunately wouldn't recommend. The main issue was an electrical fault that lasted nearly our whole four-day stay, only being fixed the night before we left. The breaker tripped 20 to 30 times a day, including at night, and we had to reset it at the meter each time. The owners called EDF and an electrician, so I can’t fault them for responding to the problem. We could cook at their place when we needed to, though it wasn’t ideal. Given the rental price and four days of disruption, we were disappointed that no compensation was offered. What really shaped our rating was how the woman spoke to us about the problem. Whenever we called to say the breaker had tripped again, she came to inspect what we were using and blamed things like the kettle or stovetop for using too much energy. She told us to turn off the heating while cooking, even though the house was cold when we arrived and hadn’t been preheated, so heating it to 19 degrees was necessary. It wasn’t practical to bathe the children in a freezing bathroom either. She also came into a room and turned off the heating while someone was asleep, and entered the downstairs cottage when nobody was there. We found her annoyance and the way she spoke to us very unpleasant. There was also an issue with the towels. Of 21, one was missing because it had been left under a bed. We were spoken to in an accusatory way and told, “A group your age had taken some too, age doesn't mean anything.” Once the towel turned up, it felt as if we’d been called thieves as we were leaving. Even so, the owner asked us for five stars. The rating reflects both the unaddressed disruption and the unwelcoming way the electrical problem was handled. None of it was our fault, and the experience was very disappointing.

There’s plenty to do indoors when it rains, thanks to the great games room. The cottage also has a pool and sits in a very pleasant setting, with Aubenas town center within walking distance. We stayed as a group of 11 and had enough space without feeling cramped, though the indoor dining table was perhaps a little small. A wonderful stay!

We’ve already decided to return with our children, and would definitely recommend the place. The Monet gîte worked very well for our group of 13, with good equipment, quality bedding, a roomy bathroom, and a sheltered terrace. It was extremely comfortable, and we loved having both a pétanque court and a swimming pool. Isabelle and Daniel were charming and welcoming. The property is only 500 meters from the center of Aubenas, and we had a fabulous weekend.

Such a peaceful, beautiful property, and a lovely welcome. Highly recommend.