We can’t praise this delightful cottage enough. First, there’s the location: because it’s not on the coast, you’re not immersed in crowds and tacky, touristic atmosphere. At the same time, you’re only a short drive (in all directions) from wonderful sights. It’s a half-hour (or less) to some of the most remarkable of the parish closes (Guimiliau, Lampaul-Guimiliau, St Thégonec, La Martyre, Pleyben). An hour’s drive will get you to Locronan, a uniquely and perfectly preserved medieval town; to Landerneau, a historic town with many finely preserved houses, one of the last inhabited bridges in Europe, and a new arts center (currently with a large and important Chagall exhibition), and to Perros-Guirec, where you can explore the Cote de Granit Rose or take a boat to Sept Iles to see puffins and seals.

The cottage itself is a dream. It’s tastefully decorated, and fully equipped with modern appliances. Yet it’s a romantic old stone house, surrounded by flowers. There’s a lovely conservatoire for meals, with a view over a large lawn (and a herd of cows just beyond a border of tall trees). The bed was great, and we slept really well because it’s so quiet—aside from the occasional mooing of a cow or the bleating of a baby goat, you don’t hear a thing. You’re really out in the country here, with few neighbors. We cooked all our meals in the cottage, both because the kitchen was so comfortable to use and because the local shopping and markets were so good.

Annick and Yves were also a pleasure to work with. They’re friendly and professional. They helped us get oriented over email before we arrived, and they accommodated us in many ways while we were there.

We wish it were possible to give this rental a higher score than 5. My wife and I have rented many European apartments and cottages through VRBO, but this may have been the very best.