l'Aparté Péniche Orphée

The canal-side path made for a pleasant walk into the city centre, and the train station was about a 15-minute walk away. I spent three nights in the houseboat studio, which felt cozy and had charming vintage decor. Sleeping with the gentle movement of the water was lovely. It's a good choice if you like a more unusual place to stay, though anyone wanting something traditional might prefer a regular hotel.

The cold was the one real problem for us. Even with two heaters, I woke at 1:30 am chilled and wishing I could get back to the warmth of home. I made it through until 6:30 am, and we were given a loaf of bread for breakfast as a nice gesture, which we appreciated. Beforehand, with the forecast at 0°C, I had asked the owner whether it would be warm inside the boat, and she said it would be very warm. The cabin itself hadn't worried me until I felt how cold it got. It was certainly an unusual boat stay.

Breakfast on the deck terrace was a treat, especially the delicious homemade cake and the coots, swans, and heron nearby. We also took walks along the water using the bicycles kindly provided for us. The cottage feels cozy and welcoming, tucked away but still close to town, and made for a stay quite removed from the everyday. Claire, the charming hostess, looked after everyone's comfort while staying very discreet. Highly recommended.

Peace and quiet, yet only a short walk from the city centre, made the location superb. My partner and I had a very pleasant stay aboard Claire's houseboat. Claire was extremely welcoming, the decor was lovely, and the price was quite reasonable. Go for it!