La Bertonnerie en Champagne

There’s a lovely garden, and this chambre d’hotes could work as a base for visiting the champagne houses. Verzenay is only about 10 minutes away. For a stopover, parking is easy and feels safe, and the hostess is very welcoming and speaks good English. Our room in the main house was comfortable but quite small, especially the bathroom, and there was just one socket with a multi-way adapter. The rooms seem to vary. Breakfast was included, served around a communal table, and there was quite a lot of it. It was nice to have a kettle for boiling water and making tea. There aren’t any restaurants within walking distance, so you’ll need a car.

Sophie and her family are welcoming, and breakfast in the former kitchen is relaxed and friendly, with cereals, bread, and good coffee. Our room was clean and had air conditioning, and the beds were comfortable. Some rooms have a small terrace over the gardens, and there’s plenty of parking. This former hunting lodge is a scenic, restful place to stay, whether you’re exploring the Champagne region or stopping on the way to or from a ski break. I’d recommend it to anyone travelling through France.

The owner gave us a warm welcome during an unexpected night in a quiet lodge. If you're road tripping in France and want somewhere a bit different to stay, give it a try.

The open shower and toilet area in the bedroom wasn’t ideal for us, since we were mum, dad, and our 18-year-old son. Still, there’s nothing to fault with the facilities. It’s a lovely place to stay, and we’d definitely come back.