Views from some of our guests

2008 – La Source

We all enjoyed the comforts and extras of your beautiful home. Wonderful weather and introduction to Burgundy. Enormous thanks. Luke and Rosie MacDonald (Whepstead, Suffolk, UK)

You have made an extraordinarily comfortable house. Everything has been thought about so carefully and it has been decorated so stylishly. We also had wonderful weather and got a good four hours walking in nearly every day. Fontenay was fantastic to visit and had great walking in its woods. Vezelay was worth the extra miles and we parked about an hour and a half away and walked towards it as the pilgrims must have done. On the last day we walked all around the hill of Flavigny, stopping for lunch prepared by the local farmers in the square. The valleys to the west of the house are very pretty especially with all the spring flowers. Anne and Julian Maples (East Sussex, UK)

A fantastic week. The weather allowed us to make full use of your lovely courtyard garden and a walk to Chanceaux. Kevin and Jackie (Broxbourne, Hertfordshire, UK)

We loved every minute of it and could not have found a better resting place or lovelier countryside for our first proper holiday in nearly 2 years! You really excelled yourselves with all of the little touches about the house not to mention laying on all of that wall-to-wall sunshine. David and Sally Weeks, Eloise and Letitia (Farnham, Surrey, UK)

We have had a wonderful return to Burgundy – so beautiful still and quiet – even during the harvest. The house is lovely and very comfortable and we have enjoyed visits to all the local sights especially Flavigny, Fontenay and the Auberge de Cheval Blanc. Many thanks for all your little touches. Alan and Christine Nairn (Walsham Le Willows, Suffolk, UK)

Great insight into rural France, a relaxing week: very hot and BBQ’s at the end of the day became a nightly event. We loved the gîte and enjoyed visits to Fontenay, Chateauneuf, Dijon, Beaune and Flavigny held a special romance after watching “Chocolat”. Thank you Annie and Shaun. Phil and Lorna Shackleton (Sandbach, Cheshire, UK)

We’ve had a great holiday. House was lovely and weather was generally good. We enjoyed exploring the Burgundy area, especially the beautiful Chateaux. Thanks for a fantastic time. Rosemary, Don, Kate and Amy Yelf (West Sussex, UK)

It has been an amazing experience spending time in a 17th Century French Farm House. Our daily trips into the Burgundy area have been fantastic, but we have always looked forward to coming “home” to St. Germain-Source-Seine. We have enjoyed shopping for food in the area and cooking in our kitchen. Thank you for La Poste recommendation and making our stay so pleasant. Kel and Beth Thrush, Jerry and Claudia Bodine (Louisville, Kentucky, USA)

2008 – La Petite Maison

Many thanks for making the arrangements so smooth. The gîte has all the comforts of home, and all-in-all we had a wonderful stay. Lily and Sym Wolski (Melbourne, Australia)

At once we seem to be at home – the expectations were more than fulfilled – just great. We liked staying here for nine days Easter ’08. The weather like in April – Cold, sunny, stormy, snowfall, lots of rain. Many experiences – landscapes, villages, towns, castles – history – wine....... Thanks a lot Annie and Shaun, not only for your kind welcome. We’d like to come back one day. Klaus and Sabine (Germany)

After 9-months of travelling with a backpack, through countless hotels, hostels, apartments and bungalow, I will long remember my 1st night in this gîte – wine (in a “real” wine glass) nibbles, armchair, footstall, book, log fire – and me, fast asleep. Mmmmmm........ Thank you Annie and Shaun. I could not have hoped for a lovely place, or people who run it. Suggestions for improvements? Not possible. Sincere regards. Jenenne Stiles (Melbourne, Australia)

Lovely spacious gîte with everything we could possibly need – including a couple of days of glorious weather! Very well furnished – one suggestion: perhaps a rug next to the bed as the flooring is prickly on bare feet! Cheers and thanks for the help with the Internet Shaun. Jacqui and Iain Stirling (Edinburgh, Scotland)

A very enjoyable holiday in this region of France. Countryside beautiful! Gîte very comfortable. Suggestion: maybe a little outside grill (BBQ). Thanks you Annie. Tom and Maureen (USA and Ireland)

Dear Anne and Shaun, We spent a wonderful week here in Burgundy. It’s a nice charming house and so quiet and dark at night. We learnt that heavy clouds can turn into wonderful sunshine. So we had no rain and wish all of our fellows that the sun will also shine on you. Thanks for all. Anike, Hans, and Franzi (baby). (Bad Homburg, Germany)

Thanks for our “home away from home” the gîte really made the trip for us despite the disappointing weather we enjoyed our time in the French countryside. Returning to a “house” each night made it that much better. Thanks again. Cath and Mick (Australia)
Gîte is beautiful in a lovely setting. We will miss the sheep. A great area, with lots to do. Vezelay, and Semur-en-Auxois have captured our hearts. Thank you for providing everything for our comfort and we will hope to return one day (weather could have been better). Thank you both once again. Mike and Linda Turner (Rustington, West Sussex, UK)

We have been comfortable in this (not so petite) maison (Thank goodness for a wood burning stove on cold June days). Our interest is medieval art and architecture so we came with an agenda which has been well rewarded. Our thanks to Annie for her comprehensive collection of leaflets of local information, which have introduced us to additional fascinating sites. We have also thoroughly enjoyed the varied wildlife spotted whilst driving around the (blissfully) deserted country lanes as well as the fledgling black-red starts around the barn and house. Thanks also for the recommendation of the Cheval Blanc – Fab! Jane and Ted Hartley (Rotherham, South Yorkshire, UK)

We stay in France several times before, but we never dispose such a charming little gîte. We thank Annie and Shaun, that they had built such a lovely point of retreat in Fresnes. From this point we could start to enquire Burgundy, and every day, we enjoy to come back. Detlef and Ulrike (Germany)

Really lovely gîte - just what we had hoped for and actually even better – the photos on the website don’t do it justice! We’ve been lucky with the weather, and have made the most of it exhausting the supply of leaflets and other information about the area provided. So many beautiful places to see – picture postcard perfect villages of Flavigny, Noyers are an absolute must. Beaune – Dijon also well worth visiting. Enjoyed a day sampling the wines in the Tonnerre area – would recommend the whites from Chateau Clos de Vaulicheres from the village of the same name just North East of the town. Many thanks to Annie and Shaun for their advice on the wines and for accommodating us so helpfully and kindly – much appreciated. We hope the sun continues to shine for you all............ Sue and John Roughton (York, UK)

What an idyllic setting and a most lovely gîte to spend a week! We have enjoyed good weather to explore some of the delightful towns and villages nearby and have made the most of eating outside to the sounds of the surrounding countryside. We love the donkey and the sheep! Thank you Annie and Shaun for providing such a welcoming and homely place to stay. With best wishes. Sally and Mark Brock (Somerset, UK)

Long cycles and walks, and great rock climbing at Hauteroche, all fuelled by plenty of “pain au chocolat” and bathed in glorious sunshine! A beautiful and peaceful place to stay. Many thanks for everything. Anthony and Megan Hagger (Glasgow, Scotland)

We have enjoyed our 2 weeks in Burgundy, a region new to us. We have enjoyed the walks from Fontenay, but they take a bit of negotiating! I have cycled about 200 miles, and really enjoyed the quiet roads. Have seen many fine churches and buildings, we think Troyes is the best town, but really, they are all lovely. Weather on the whole good, we didn’t need the stove (just!). Many thanks David and Janet (Wigan, UK)

Annie and Shaun we have had a fantastic relaxing week in Burgundy! We have done 3 wine tours and now consider ourselves Pinot Noir experts! The cottage is perfect – a great getaway! Steve, Caz, and Toby (3 months). UK

A very brief stay – right at the end of a successful house hunting trip. We would have loved to have stayed longer – in such a comfortable gîte. Enjoyed a visit to Fontenay Abbaye and the weather was perfect for autumn – warm and sunny by day. Many thanks. Hilary and John Hart (Dorset, UK)

2007 – La Source

Staying in your home was “storybook”: Visiting medieval villages (the castles, the moat, stepping through wooden church doors, walking along narrow cobblestone streets) was a walk in history. At Alesia we fought with Gauls and Romans. We met Getafix, we saw Asterix and Obelix running through the woods at Parc Morvan. The boys hunted chocolate eggs in your beautiful courtyard Easter morning. Thanks for the “goodie basket” we truly enjoyed our step back in time. The Betts family (New York, USA)

Your house was great, but the courtyard was the best place for my brother and I to play! Thank you. Henry and Sidney Betts (New York ,USA)

Every corner, every room had its own charm. With the beauty of the Middle Ages and the convenience of the 21st century. This was a great place to stay. Joe Betts (New York, USA)

We had a great time, lovely house, hope to come back soon. Marc, Jacqueline & family.

Not looking forward to getting back to the rat-race, such a peaceful and relaxing week in this lovely cottage. Looking forward to return in the not too distant future! Thanks very much for everything Annie and Shaun. Geoff & Andrea Chandler (Witham, Essex, UK)

With a little more time in our 2nd stay we have been able to really enjoy the features of the house. Your work at decorating has given us many ideas for our new life in Burgundy. Colin and Diana Rigg (Burgundy, France)

Thank you, you have perfected everything, no complaints, and wonderful holiday. We will definitely recommend your gîte to all our friends. Irene and Mike Donnelly (Vancouver Island, Canada)

Thank you for the warm welcome. Had a lovely stay enjoying the peace and quiet of the village and touring around this beautiful part of France. We’ll recommend your home to friends, thank you. Pam and Boyd Taylor (Manchester, England)

Thank you so much, your house exceeded all our expectations; it was a delight to return to after a day’s exploring the beautiful surrounding villages. The children especially enjoyed the Lego – apologies for any bits we failed to find! We would definitely recommend to friends and family and hope to return ourselves in the not too distant future. Jamie, Louise, Emily and William (Warwickshire, UK)

Your fabulous Gîte provided the perfect base to explore beautiful Burgundy. We immediately felt at home and knowing that we had such a charming home away from home to return to each evening helped make for a magical holiday. Thank you so much. Mal and Carolyn Hay (Dunstable, UK)

Great Gîte! Real home from home. Thoroughly enjoyed our stay and will recommend to friends! Thanks for making our special occasion Special! Eleanor and Leon Hay, and Granny Fraser (Elgin Moray, Scotland)

We really appreciated all the comforts of this beautiful house, especially as the weather reminded us more of Scotland than France! Didn’t expect to make much use of the wood-burner or tumble dryer, but we made the most of them. Recommend swimming pool at Montbard, Restaurant La Poste @ St. Seine L’Abbaye, and horse riding at Thenissey. Paul and Clare Hoskins (London, UK)

What a wonderful house! You have certainly set the level high on any future Gîtes we may stay in. Do we have to leave? Thoroughly enjoyed our stay in your house – would be interested in the history of the house and village. We’ll be back! Jefferson Family (London, UK)

Thank you for everything – it has been a fantastic week! You’re the perfect hosts! We have had such a relaxing time and it has been great to see you both again. We will be back.........thank you again. Helen and Andrew (Lackford, UK)

Thanks for the loan of your house it was wonderful and relaxing, especially sitting in front of the fire with a glass of Red! Hans and Julie-Anne Olsen (Sevenoaks, Kent, UK)

2007 – La Petite Maison

A wonderful introduction to life in rural France – friendly people, verdant pastures – wonderful wildlife, especially the birds. The gîte is so much bigger than we expected from the website descriptions, and so very comfortable, even after we filled it with so much luggage as we sorted out our new home. Furnished and decorated with taste – we will be copying ideas from you. Annie and Shaun thank you for making us so welcome – we look forward to seeing you again, here or when we have settled in France. Colin and Diana Rigg (Chatillon-sur-Seine, Burgundy, France)

We could not have picked a better spot for our long weekend away in Burgundy. Your cottage has huge rural character, with a contemporary touch to the interior. We have had a fantastic holiday and we look forward to returning soon. Kevin and Jackie (Broxbourne, Hertfordshire, UK)

A lovely warm welcome to a fantastic little gîte, very comfortable, in a smashing small, truly rural French village. Surrounding countryside and villages are well kept secrets, as is the city of Troyes for a day visit. We enjoyed our visit, hope you enjoy yours!! Karen and Neil (Northumberland, UK)

An absolutely beautiful gîte with wonderful people who welcomed, and made our stay very enjoyable. Easily accessible location, close to many exquisite sites and places. We have thoroughly enjoyed our stay in a spacious and tastefully furnished apartment. It has provided all we have wanted for our relaxing 1st holiday in France, despite the rain! Will definitely be recommending to friends and family, and hopefully a return journey in the future. Many thanks. Alan and Josephine (Somerset, UK)

An exquisite little home-from-home in delightful surroundings. Many thanks Annie and Shaun, for the kind welcome and letting us share this corner of Burgundy. Martin and Sue Drew (Bruxelles, Belgium)

This fantastic gîte has provided us with a super base for our 3-week stay in Burgundy. We have enjoyed the local walks and exploring the many villages both sides of the valley. The local pool in Montbard is a great facility, if a little busy at times. The area provides a great opportunity for plenty of sightseeing. Many thanks to you Annie and Shaun for your help during our stay, and we look forward to seeing you next year. Dave and Barbara Coram (Kirkbymoorside, North Yorkshire)

It would be hard to find a place as still and quiet as this. So good for the soul!! Many thanks to the gîte, and to Annie and Shaun. We have only been here a week, but it feels as if we have found a home in Burgundy. Mary and Brian Smith (Penrith, Cumbria, UK)

This has been a wonderfully restful week in “La Petite Maison”. Our thanks to Annie and Shaun for the wine, their wine tips (the co-operative Chablisienne is a friendly and inviting place if you like Chablis!) and for all the homely touches that made us feel welcome. This includes the incredibly useful local OS Map!! Next time we’ll remember the compass – some great walks either straight from the house, or between Touillon and L’Abbaye de Fontenay (where we needed the compass!!). We are no strangers to France, but this has been our 1st time in Burgundy, and it has been a thoroughly enjoyable experience. Alison and Paul Crow (Henfield, West Sussex, UK)

Thanks for a wonderful week in your cosy cottage. What a great location for sightseeing in Burgundy! Graham and Gudrun Dynes (Richmond, Virginia, USA)

The gits is a perfect base from which to explore the unbelievable villages, the unending, unspoilt countryside and the vineyards of Burgundy; and so welcoming and comfortable to return to. The perfect place. Many thanks to Annie and Shaun for everything. Mike and Sue (Hertfordshire, UK)