We were looking for somewhere with charm and no noise, from where we could discover the region. It was exactly that ! Adrian and Shamsiah were very welcoming and always available for recommending places to visit, things to do and where to eat. We had a great week, discovering the beautiful Bocage Bourbonnais !
Alles wat je maar nodig hebt ineen vakantieverblijf is aanwezig! Het landgoed is in een woord geweldig! Lieve aardige mensen en een prachtige parkachtige entourage! Het huis is ruim bemeten in een deel van een oude boerenschuur, sfeervol ingericht en van alle gemakken voorzien! Leuke omgeving voor uitstapjes naar middeleeuwse stadjes ed . Ook prima voor wandelingen in de buurt! In een woord geweldig!
Very comfortably furnished with a lot of personal touches and attention to detail. Kitchen extremely well equipped. Lovely grounds and gardens - a pond with waterlilies such a pleasure in comparison with an ugly swimming-pool. Flowers everywhere outside and in every room. Delightful.
A superb self-contained conversion of part of a rural barn set in a huge garden in mid-France. We had the ultimate week of relaxation in this rural idyll. The owners, Adrian and Shamsiah, live on the site, but their house is well separated from the Gite, and they don't interfere in any way - whilst being delighted to help, and really informative, with queries about the locality. The only noise at night is from the pond, which is absolutely full of vocal green frogs. We also had a superb day canoeing down the Allier; just one direction, because Adrian came to collect us and the canoe from a village many miles downstream.
This well equipped gite is situated in a quiet corner of deepest rural France. As a barn conversion it provides very spacious generous accommodation and lovely gardens to stroll around and sit in late into the night watching the stars appear in a coal-black sky, uncorrupted by light pollution. Hosts Adrian and Shamsiah are attentive and helpful without being intrusive, they manage to get the balance just right. The beautiful medieval villages and towns, the intriguing history of the region and the proximity of rivers and volcanic landscape (a day out to Puy de DĂŽmes is a must) make this undiscovered area a gem awaiting the wave of commercialisation that tourism will, one day, surely bring. Paddle down the Allier in the C2 canoe to Apremont, it's well worth it! The only criticism I would make is nothing to do with the gite. If you're an angler and you read the tourist rhetoric, you'll think that this area is great for fishing- it's not! Most of the lakes are private and the Allier is very hard fishing. Fly fishing on the Sioule is the best option in the South of the region.
If you like your French experience unsullied, calm, traditional and tranquil, this gite is for you!
France is a long way from our home in Australia. We dreamed of leisurely touring the French country-side, visiting small villages, markets and historic places, while living in an old cottage in a tranquil setting. This cottage delivered all of this and more. Located on a beautiful small farm the old cottage (converted barn) was a treasured home for a week, from which we daily roamed and explored this beautiful region. The accommodations were all we imagined and our hosts quickly became friends, offering a welcome tourist service and as much as they could possibly do to help us fulfill the dream.
Seeing is really believing with this property! The photos do not do it justice. Large, airy rooms, with high, beamed ceilings full of everything you could possibly need. All spotless, top quality furnishings, bedding, kitchen appliances and utensils etc.
Outside, a choice of seating areas for meals/ relaxing in a most beautiful garden, which is private, huge and pretty, including a pond full of delightfully musical frogs!! Wildlife all around to enjoy, bikes to ride, and a canoe trip beyond compare. Plenty of interesting and photogenic places to visit nearby, and handy shops, banks and petrol stations.
We cannot recommend this property and it's wonderful owners highly enough. We are booking for next year!!! Look out lovely Adrian and Shamsiah, - we're coming back!
Seeing is believing - an absolute gem of a property
After reading the description of this property prior to booking, I was expecting somewhere a little bit special, set in a quiet and peaceful location - and I was not disappointed in any way. In fact, if anything, I believe the description is a little understated!
Right from the start of the booking, the owners Adrian and Shamsiah were more than helpful - providing detailed directions from the main French ferry terminals, which was a good job as the property is off the main road up a very small lane that would be very easy to miss.
There is a refundable deposit, as well as a reasonable cleaning charge - which means you don't have to worry excessively about cleaning the property at the end of your stay.
On arrival, Adrian and Shamsiah were friendly and helpful, giving me tips on places to go and things to do. A bonus for me was the range of bicycles they have available for you to use at no extra charge. The property itself was very clean and tidy, well appointed and spacious comprising of an ample kitchen, dining and lounge area whilst the bedroom on the first floor was
Our week's holiday was very relaxing and enjoyable. Adrian and Shamsiah were perfect hosts. They have put a huge amount of effort into making sure that the cottage is homely and very well maintained with everything you need. The surrounding countryside is beautiful and offers some wonderful walking routes. We wouldn't hesitate to return.
We really had an enormously lovely time, the location is marvellous, Adrian & Shamsiah became friends rather than landlord/lady. It is excellent value & extremely spacious, the kitchen is very well equipped and you have your own corner of lovely tranquility to wander around too. There is either lots to do or nothing at all, each equally enjoyable. Our highlights included the river trip which shouldn't be missed, the frogs & fish, the patio (with grill) at night & the occasional visit from the local inquisitive cows. We shall certainly return. Highly recommended.
We had the most wonderful and relaxing stay in rural Allier. The cottage was beautiful, spacious and so comfortable, clean and charmingly decorated. Our hosts, Adrian and Shamsiah, were so welcoming and ready to advise on any aspect of our stay. Heaven is a slow lazy morning enjoying the peace of the patio and garden, a gentle cycle ride (bikes included) to a recommended local farmhouse restaurant (superb food) then an afternoon cycling around the area on quiet lanes where meeting a car is an unusual event. Alternatively let Adrian take you down to the river Allier where you can drift down the river and picnic on the banks in complete tranquility watching the kingfishers fly by. It should be possible to prescribe a week at Les Houllins on the NHS - no better way to relieve stress!
Quiet, peaceful location - just what we were looking for! Owners were lovely - so helpful and approachable. Photographs on website do not do this property justice - it's nicer than photographs. Perfect place to relax & forget about everything. Personally, we were looking for someplace to completely chill and found it!!! Would return tomorrow if we could! Had a beautiful week.