La Grande Maison

I left after just an hour and didn’t stay the night. The garden was overgrown with nettles and weeds, and the seating was dirty or broken. Two rusty cars outside were covered in bird droppings, and the decking was rotten, with boards that gave way as I walked on them. The photos looked very out of date, and the place felt neglected. I booked directly after Ben offered me the jardin apartment, which sounded ideal, but the room was cold, poorly kept, and had other people’s hair, including pubic hair, on the linen. The bed was tiny for someone who’s 6ft 4, and the apartment also had a side facing a busy, fast road, so it was very noisy. I expected a bad night’s sleep, and, based on the breakfast reviews, thought I’d leave tired, hungry, and cold. That wasn’t what I needed on a road trip. Sorry, Ben et al, but the room and grounds need a lot of work. I ended up 50km farther north at a four-star place for less, 102 euros, and they accepted card. I honestly got the impression Ben didn’t care whether he rented the place or not.

The location and buildings have plenty of history, charm, and nature to explore. We originally booked five days, then added two more because we were enjoying ourselves so much. Billie and Ben were genuine, welcoming hosts and made us feel at home from beginning to end. The rooms and breakfast were good, as were the value and company. I’d highly recommend it for a family stop in either the tasteful B&B or the Gites accommodation.

The kids had a great evening with the kitchen and games room to use, and we all loved the delicious breakfast. We were on our way down to Bordeaux and wished we’d booked an extra night. The gardens were lovely, and it made for a great stop. We’ll definitely come back.

Lovely grounds, and everyone was friendly and helpful. It’s an excellent place to stay. I’ll return.