Gîte des Forges

There’s a separate toilet, which is handy, and the cottage has been laid out pretty well after a recent renovation. But the furnishings and linens were in awful shape. The pans were dreadful, and the sheets and towels were worn through and full of holes, despite linens costing extra. The duvets didn’t fit the beds, either. Bedroom windows had no curtains, so there was no privacy, and car headlights came through at night. There was plenty of kitchen equipment, but the quality was terrible, and I couldn’t see the point of things like a bread machine. I’ve stayed in lots of cottages and B&Bs and haven’t seen anything like this. Sorry, but I can’t recommend it.

It’s a very peaceful place, with birdsong and just the occasional tractor passing by. The house is spacious and recently renovated, with two big upstairs bedrooms and useful appliances like a washer, dishwasher, and ceramic hob. There’s plenty of kitchenware, though I wish there were drawers to keep clothes in order. The owners speak only French.

Communication from the manager did take some effort. I also found the staircase unsafe, the bedding needs attention, and there’s no parking. If the other gîte is rented at the same time, there’s no privacy. I’d hoped for a more personal welcome.

The owner greeted us very warmly when we arrived, and the cottage had all the comforts. The trouble came after we left: the owner wasn’t there for the inventory check, then called 15 minutes later to say the cleaning wasn’t good enough and the €200 deposit wouldn’t be returned unless we came back. We did return to look at two or three marks on the floor. We also pointed out that, if cleanliness mattered so much, the pillows and duvet weren’t spotless either.