Personally recommended B and Bs / Chambres d'Hôtes:

As we have only recently discovered the fun of staying in Chambres d’Hôtes this list is much shorter than we would like it to be.  So please let us know if you have stayed in any Chambres d’Hôtes that you can personally recommend so we can extend this list.

Normandy Chambres d'Hôtes

La Vigne - Pat and Karen Donegan,  La Vigne, 50660 Trelly, Manche, France.  Tel No: (0)2 33 45 89 64.

Chambres d’hôte near Coutances on the western side of the Cotentin Peninsula. A recent holiday saw us staying overnight in a newly renovated Chambres d’hôte just south of Coutances. Two family rooms (both with en-suite bathrooms) are available as well as evening meals if booked in advance. You will be assured of a really warm welcome from the mother and daughter team – Pat and Karen who run La Vigne, for whom nothing is too much trouble.

Le Broc Fontaine - Deborah and Olivier Pivain, 36 rue Saint Fiacre. 27930 Brosville. Normandy.  Tel No: 0(2) 32 34 61 78.

A long day's travelling brought us to this wonderful chambre d’hôte, where we were immediately made to feel at home and all the stresses of the day simply melted away. The location is in a quiet corner of Normandy only a few kilometres off the main N154 route from Rouen to Chartres, so is perfectly sited for a stopover stay - or longer as we were very tempted to do. The chambre d’hôte is owned by a Franco-American couple – Deborah is the American half, having settled in France many years ago after marrying Olivier. The setting is a 300 year old Norman, half-timbered, former farm nestled in 12 hectares. Deborah is passionate about gardening and a stroll around her ‘potager fleuri’ should not be missed. Each bed is planted in a different colour so the effect is like an artists palette. Our family of six were well catered for in a suite of four rooms (which included a bathroom with a huge claw-footed free-standing bath). There are other rooms available either in the main house or one of the other buildings in the grounds. Take the opportunity to partake of the table d’hôte in the evening (pre-booking essential). We had no complaints from the children who happily ate in their own room and cleared their plates – homemade chocolate mousse was a great hit - while we dined with the other ‘grown-ups’ next door. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!

La Mare Chappey - Recommended by a France For Families' visitor - Norman Manoir set in 5 acres with cottages, fantastic facilities, swimming pool & bistro.  Fishing/cycling routes 4 mins, beaches 15mins, Cherbourg 25mins.

La Mare Chappey, Nehou, Manche, France.  Tel No: 00 33 (0)2 33 41 29 76. Website.

Loire Chambres d’Hôtes

Les Basses Fontaines - Marie and Jean Bouillard, 7 rue des Courances, 49700 Les Verchers-sur-Loire.

Tel No: 0(2) 41 50 56 80.  Website.  E-mail: mariebouillard@loire-fontaines.com.

Location: This chambre d’hôte in the Loire region makes an excellent stopover for those holidaying in SW France. It is located just S of Doue-la-Fontaine (near Saumur) in departement 49 (Maine-et-Loire).

Staying at Les Basses Fontaines is a truly memorable experience. The Bouillard family make you feel so welcome and their home, in a small hamlet set among vineyards is a real haven after a day spent travelling. The garden is fully enclosed by tall brick walls and offers a relaxing spot to unwind before dinner – whether that be in a local restaurant or ‘chez famille’. – the choice is yours. Both Marie (who speaks excellent English) and Jean are very knowledgeable about the local area and can offer advice on places to visit and things to do. The four bedrooms are beautifully appointed with en-suite bathrooms and are located in their own part of the property. In fact why not make a special trip and stay here for a few days as part of a touring holiday.

Le Moulin de Montresor - Sophie and Alain Willems de Ladersous, 37460 Montresor, Indre-et-Loire.

Tel No: 0(2) 47 92 68 20.  E-mail: alain.willems@wanadoo.fr.

Location: Situated on the edge of Montresor in the eastern Loire region, about 25km E of Loches and ideal for those heading for the Dordogne/Lot/Languedoc-Roussillon on the main A20 autoroute. Travelling time from Calais is 8½ -9 hours, with stops.

 A converted watermill - located in one of France's most beautiful villages and offering a warm welcome from Sophie, the charming hostess.  This all makes for a winning combination - you will be very reluctant to leave. The mill has been sympathetically converted by the owners and  furnished with antiques. In the dining room, where a lavish breakfast is served, it is even possible to watch the water from the mill-race through glass panels in the floor as it flows beneath the property. The four bedrooms are all en suite and have been stylishly decorated, each one based around a different colour theme. Outside in the large gardens there is a swimming pool in which to cool off after a day spent in the car or out sightseeing. Don’t forget to pack towels for use by the pool as these are not provided. It is not possible to have an evening meal at Le Moulin but Madame will reserve a table for you at a restaurant in the village if you ask in advance. This is within easy walking distance.

If time permits do take a walk around the town of Montresor – there is an excellent waymarked route along the river with information panels in English as well as French. Starting at the rear of Le Moulin the complete circular route takes about 1½ hours.

A6 Chambres d’Hôtes

Le Calounier - Corinne & Pascal Collin, 5 rue de la Fontaine-Arton, 89310 Molay, Yonne.

Tel No: 0(3) 86 82 67 81.   Website.  E-mail: info@lecalounier.fr

Location: Situated 30km E of Auxerre, about 9km north of junction 21 off the A6 autoroute, making it an ideal stopover for those travelling to or returning from the South of France.

This real gem of a chambre d’hôte is very much off the beaten track but yet near enough to Chablis and the Chablis wine region to go and do some wine sampling (dégustation) and buying. The young couple, whose home this is,  have converted the old buildings brilliantly to create a home full of light and space, with bedroom combinations to suit most families. They both make you feel very welcome. There is also an upstairs sitting area reserved for guests with comfy chairs and books for those quiet moments! You can also enjoy the numerous original paintings that are dotted throughout.

Enjoy a full evening meal, lovingly prepared by Corinne, with fresh produce from her garden. Both the evening meal and breakfast are copious affairs to set you up for the day ahead, and if you have young children she will prepare their evening meal slightly earlier so they can have that early night!!

Le Moulin de Poilly sur Serein - Yvette and Robert Gilles, 1 rue des Fossés, 89310 Poilly sur Serein.

Tel No: 0(3) 86 75 92 46.  Website.  E-mail info@lemoulindepoilly.com.

Location: The Moulin is situated about 25km east of Auxerre about 14 kms north of junction 21 of the A6 autoroute.

This Chambre d’hote is a vast former mill on the gently flowing Serein River and is the fairly new home of Dutch couple Yvette and Robert and their young daughter. The delightful couple are fluent in Dutch, German, French and English making the mill a good choice as a stopover for many nationalities. In fact, why not stay for a weekend break or even longer, as many guests seem to do. This way you can really enjoy the beautifully restored mill, its simply decorated rooms and hire bikes from the owners to explore the local countryside. From next year the Gilles hope to have a swimming pool built to further pamper their guests.

Don’t forget to reserve an evening meal which is available every night except Sunday and Wednesday, and Yvette is more than happy for children to eat early with her daughter – a bonus if you need the children in bed early or simply fancy an adult only dinner! Your hosts will eat with you and you will have the opportunity to sample the mill’s own estate bottled Chablis – highly recommended. If like me you enjoyed the wine, why not buy some to bring home.

This was a real find and the children are already asking when they can go back!

Le Meix Chapeau - 13 rue basse, 21220 Levernois.  Tel: 0(3) 80 24 15 63.  Website.
 

This beautifully renovated chambre d’hôte (4 ears of corn) epitomises all that France For Families is about – first class accommodation geared around ‘families’, particularly if you are travelling with younger children. In fact if you only opt to stay a night then you may find that the children won’t want to leave. The accommodation is all self-contained in its own building, separate to the owners home and you have a small kitchenette, dining and living areas at your disposal as well as a huge toy room downstairs, full of every imaginable toy your little ones could wish for. There is also a swimming pool. Catherine and Olivier, your aimiable hosts bring breakfast across in the morning – a wonderfully copious affair. This was a gem of a find!

B and B near Lisieux: In the heart of beautiful Normandy, amidst the cider orchards, racehorse studs and cheese-making towns of the Pays D'Auge, we offer hospitality in our 19th Century red brick farmhouse. A relaxing break in stunning countryside with easy access to travel links. Double room from 55Euros, Family room from 75Euros or for a party of 6 you can book the Family Suite for 130Euros. Note: This B and B is not really suitable for toddlers as it is located on a working farm.  It is warmly recommended by a France For Families' website visitor!

Alençon B&B  Beautiful XVIII century Normandy farmhouse situated in the village of Ancinnes near Alençon.  Three en-suite bedrooms with a three star Gites de France rating; two rooms can form a family suite. Cot and changing facilities available.  The house is in a peaceful, quiet setting surrounded by wooded and planted gardens with views of the Forest of Perseigne.  Village shops, restaurant and bar are within a couple of minutes walk.  At Ancinnes you will find a wooded fishing lake and tennis courts, mountain bike trails and walking routes. Close by there are riding stables, golf, miniature golf, bowling, canoe-kayak, an aquatic centre, medieval towns and villages, a treetop adventure park, chateaux and gardens.

The B&B is just 10 minutes from the A28 motorway at Alençon.  Le Mans is half an hour away, Rouen an hour, Caen an hour and a half.

La Roseraie - Elegant Town & Country Chambres d'Hotes with large pool and extensive, tranquil parkland, in Poitou Charentes.

Le Bignon Chambres et Table d'Hôtes is a small 18C Loire manor house in the countryside 25 minutes drive east of Angers.  There are 3 elegant ensuite bedrooms, 2 of which can be arranged as super-kingsize or twins.  There is also a cosy guests' Sitting Room, with books, magazines and an honesty bar.  An extensive breakfast buffet is included and a 4 course Table D'Hôte, cooked by Peter and served by Wendy, is offered 5 evenings a week.  The 5 acres of grounds include a heated swimming pool and a large terrace with views over the gardens.

Le Phenix Chambres et Table d'Hôtes is a beautifully renovated Maison de Maitre (manor house) in the Tarn Valley.  Deep in the country yet only 25 minutes from Toulouse and Albi.  Tim and Ally Hewett assure you of a very warm welcome.  There are 6 ensuite bedrooms one of which is a family suite.  There is a client reception room with open fireplace, huge dining room (dinner on request) and a large heated swimming pool with slide!!  Gardens and grounds of 35 acres. 

Les Ruisseaux - near Cauterets in the Midi Pyrenees.  A delightfully situated Chambre d'hôte, midway between Lourdes and Cauterets the location provides easy access to the main tourist destinations in the area.  Although we didn't have the optional dinner when we stayed there, if the breakfast is anything to go by then we would judge the catering as excellent!  Paul was very helpful to give us advice on the best walking in the area and we weren't disappointed by the beautiful scenery we were able to enjoy. Stop Press: Under new ownership and re-opening from spring 2006.

Okalani - Chambres d'hôtes South France Bed and Breakfast (pictured right) providing table d'hôte and beautiful accommodation for holiday breaks in France, relax in a peaceful countryside setting.  Located in the southern Tarn region, 1 hours drive from Toulouse.  Clearly set up to receive families, with good feedback from guests.

A typical Aveyronnaise farmhouse renovated to a high standard to give three double rooms, two with en suite shower rooms and the third with an adjacent bathroom. A perfect base to explore the stunning area known as the Hundred Valleys in the Segala region of Aveyron.  Evening meals available on request using local produce from the garden and nearby farms..  We are waiting to welcome you to Le Contoures.

L'Olivier in Matha has been recommended to us as an excellent Chambre d'Hôte run by an English couple. It is well situated a short drive from the coast (40mins),1 hour from La Rochelle, Cognac and Jarnac are both approximately 20mins away. The area known as Green Venice is only an hour away. The B&B itself is wonderful - an old town manor house with large patio and garden, The local (walk to) restaurant Pinocchio's is a good place for reasonable food at very reasonable cost. Matha is a fine sleepy town where little English is spoken.

In the Dordogne - Ferme de Mouline B&B is easy to find on the « Bis » road D 672 . Half way between Saint Emilion and Sauternes, at Sainte Foy la Longue. Surrounded by vineyards this completely renovated farmhouse has 4 very original rooms each with bathroom and toilet en suite. This farm has many original features and offers many things to do ; historic sites, abbeys, medieval bastides, Châteaux, cycling tracks, treks and walks, beaches 1 hour away.

The breakfast/dining room leads onto a fully equipped kitchen for self catering .  A patio and garden overlooking the vineyards and woods, ideal for a stroll after breakfast or in the evening. The only neighbours are wild deer !  Come and appreciate the quality of life from the south-west region « la douceur de vivre ».

Take time out in the beautiful Pays d'Auge to discover breathtaking countryside, historic towns, sleepy villages and delicious local cuisine. La Pognandière is a striking red-brick maison bourgeoise set in rolling countryside close to the peaceful hamlet of Aubry-le-Panthou. The small and friendly B&B has been tastefully decorated and has three spacious, well-equipped and supremely comfortable rooms, with lots of thoughtful extras to help guests feel at home."

Looking for a Family Friendly B&B in the Vendee? Come & join us at La Jolie Maison guesthouse, and let us give you and your family a holiday to remember.  We have 4 Rooms, all with en-suites, and can provide a family suite, which is 2 rooms with connecting door, for 2 adults & up to 3 children up to the age of 13.  Our Pool, sun beds, terrace & garden are at your disposal. Packed Lunches & Evening Meals are available, please ask for details.  We are situated in a very popular tourist area of the Vendee, benefiting from a warm, sunny microclimate, driven by the Gulf Stream. It's only forty minutes drive from the Atlantic Coast, where the wonderful sandy beaches await you. Whether you are looking for a French Holiday full of activities & outdoor life, or a quiet, relaxing, stress-free time, La Jolie Maison Bed and Breakfast can offer you both.

La Vieille Cure in Couhe in the Poitou Charente's department of the Vienne - this chambres d'hôte was recommended as "an excellent b&b, run by extremely friendly english couple" by one of France For Families' visitors.  Have a look at their web information for further details on this  beautiful historic 17th century vicarage nestled to the rear of the pretty market town of Couhe, offering family suites, walled garden, pool, summer kitchen, short walk to restaurants/bars...