Domaine de l'Etanchet

We had a very good family weekend at Domaine de l’Etanchet, despite quite a few issues. The park and pond are charming, the marquee was useful, and Magali was warm and helpful. The beds in the main accommodation were very comfortable, and the site can be secured for children and dogs. Still, I’d advise visiting before signing, especially for an event involving different couples and children. We had already signed and paid a deposit before seeing the place, and after the visit we weren’t sure we’d have held our family gathering there. The contract is binding, with the balance due if you cancel, except by mutual agreement or because of COVID. We did manage to sort out marquee heating without trouble, even though the contract was out of date and listed old furniture prices. For instance, the boat was priced at €500, but its faulty bottom leaked. The sofa bed was listed at €200, yet at least one was unusable, with a badly rusted, broken frame that people fell through. They weren’t young, either. The accommodations might suit young people looking to party better than other kinds of events. The buildings were in poor shape, particularly the chalets. Their warped wood let water in, which made it hard to keep things clean. Some appliances were dated or broken: the dishwasher timer still wasn’t working, as it had already been broken a few weeks earlier, so we washed the dishes by hand. At least we cleaned them properly, unlike the previous guests. The oven door came off in our hands. We screwed it back on, but it remained wobbly. The electrical setup also felt unsafe, with radiant heaters sitting on the floor instead of being fixed to walls, and cables running through rainwater gutters. In general, the place seemed hastily built with salvaged or discount materials. Some baseboards still had their original store labels stuck on after years.

A great spot for groups. It's practical, and everything you need is there!

We held our wedding at Domaine de l'Etanchet and had around a hundred friends and family there. It became one of the best moments of our lives, along with the birth of our children. The whole celebration was full of joy and energy, and guests kept saying renting this place was a brilliant idea. They needed an idyllic place to recharge, especially at this time of year. The grounds are beautiful and well cared for. Gilles and Joël do a remarkable job looking after them, and the pond is meticulously maintained. It made a lovely backdrop for photos at sunrise and sunset. Our friends loved the outdoor showers, and the bedrooms felt inviting with comfortable bathrooms. The huge marquee can easily fit a good hundred people, and the kitchen is roomy and functional. Magali, the manager, was welcoming, attentive, and always available. Charles, the owner, was just as kind and available. Thank you, Charles, for creating this place, and thanks again to you, Magali, Joëlle, and Gilles. We left even happier than when we arrived. I highly recommend it to anyone who loves nature and the countryside.

Our room was number 1, with its own shower, and the bed was new and comfortable. There’s also another shower and a toilet down the corridor. The electric radiator gave off gentle heat, controlled by a pilot wire, with the temperature lowered at night. We first stopped here on our way from Bordeaux to Mont Saint-Michel, then came back on the return trip. We were happy we did. Charles, the owner, is friendly and likes a good chat, and Magali is just as welcoming as she is good at cooking. Dinner had a relaxed, homey feel around a lovely table. The set meal began with scallops, then turkey stew, followed by cheese and flan, with wine to help yourself to. There was so much food that we didn’t even get to the cheese! 😉 The B&B worked perfectly for us. It’s on a quiet country road, away from the village and about a 15-minute drive from the motorway. When we arrived at night, we spotted the outside light and a small parking sign. There are two parking areas. We enjoyed the little pond and the animals living there, then went inside to a warm, welcoming room heated by a wood-burning stove. The living and dining room is spacious, and there’s a nice open kitchen where Magali prepares delicious meals. The place is being renovated, and only the sections that are finished are open. I highly recommend it.