Gîte les 27

We’re writing after our wedding at the “Le Moulin” venue run by Domaine Équestre de la Bonde, held the weekend of July 20, 2024. This review is cut off because of the character limit. We first visited in September 2023 with Charlotte, who was managing events then. We were interested, but raised concerns about the vintage cars and foosball table on site, the venue’s general condition, and the construction materials and debris. Charlotte said everything would be cleared before the wedding. She also explained that the venue was being renovated, which was why workers were there. In January 2024 we found out Charlotte had left, but nobody had told us. Before February we got new contact details so we could arrange a technical visit with the DJ. When we arrived for it, the venue was locked. Our calls to the manager went unanswered, so we went to the equestrian center and learned a third team was now handling the event. Karine opened the gate, then left us with the DJ to do the visit alone. After an hour and a half, Cécile, the management manager, arrived. Maxence, the customer relations manager, called to apologize for not being there. We were once again told the debris, cars, and foosball table would be gone for the wedding. Scheduling a technical visit for the caterer was another struggle. We called Maxence through April and part of May and got no answer. His was the only number we had, so we called accounting instead. Forty-eight hours later Maxence got back to us and set a date. During the visit, the caterer noted that the room was still in the same condition, with uneven paving on the route to the kitchen. We saw the upstairs area had been redone. The day before the wedding, while putting up decorations, we found the cars were still there, though no longer inside, and the foosball table had just been moved to the restroom level. Half the rooms in the children's area were inaccessible, and there weren't as many refrigerators and high chairs as we'd requested. The room also hadn't been cleaned, so we cleaned it ourselves. Then around ten people showed up and went upstairs. They said they had offices there and hadn't been told that upstairs was included in our rental. Given the cost, we thought it was reasonable to expect the whole venue for the weekend. In the caretaker's cottage, the upstairs toilets were dirty and completely blocked. During the evening, a plumbing problem caused water to overflow in the kitchen and toilets. The caterer had to stop service to mop and keep people from falling. Karine was the only one who answered our calls; she contacted Maxence, apparently using another number that he would answer. He arrived with two others and insisted the pipes weren't blocked, until a guest came out of the toilet and water followed her. They then noticed the kitchen sink gasket was missing and accused the caterer of stealing it. Maxence and the others weren't doing anything, so the caterer said he would get back to work, but the venue would be responsible if anyone was hurt or anything was damaged. The manager and his two companions left. We left the next day without seeing anyone from the venue, and haven't heard from them since.

The Wi-Fi was a real problem for me, as it wasn't very strong. It would also help to have a sign at the entrance, especially since finding the place at night is tricky. A towel warmer in the bathroom and replacement windows would be welcome, and a TV would suit people who need one. Still, if you want a sterile hotel, this pony club probably isn't for you. The rooms are cozy without being fancy, the setting is peaceful, and the bedding is extra comfortable. I thought it was a lovely place that deserves more support and recognition.

I needed a room for a work trip and picked this place to sleep. The flies were great company, lots of them. I won't be back, and I can't recommend it.