Domaine de La Brugere

Fabulous Domaine and hosts. Suite 21 is a lovely room with a decorated salle de bain. Patrick and Raphael are superb hosts who do everything to ensure that their guests are relaxed and happy. Raphael prepared a lovely meal to celebrate an anniversary. We loved the whole experience!

This beautiful historic home is run by charming hosts who go out of their way to share their magical property with you. Friendly and welcoming, their hospitality is most certainly worth a detour. We had the wonderful Suite 21 with a four poster bed (with excellent modern matress!) and the delightfully painted bathroom in all it's 19th century glory - but with all 21st century conveniences. The other bedrooms were equally stunning, if slightly smaller. We were given a truly delicious continental breakfast on the vast dining table and there is a huge sitting room, if rain keeps you inside. The house is set in a steeply wooded valley that opens up to parkland complete with noble ancient trees, calm hideaways for peaceful moments overlooking the river that flows through. At the end of the garden is a gentle babbling weir and the view of the slim, tall, chimney that once was needed for luxury paper made there. In an amazing, peaceful setting, this beautiful house and grounds are close to many of the local sights and excellent restaurants.

I'm not sure where to begin! I was sure Domaine De La Brugere would be nice, but I was not prepared for the lovely experience awaiting us! we arrived on a rainy Saturday evening, to be met at the door by Patrick with an umbrella, helping us in with our bags. Our room was amazing, complete with hand painted bathroom and a lovely bottle of wine waiting for us in our room. A little rest to freshen up, after aperitif, in the lounge, chatting with Patrick and Raphael, in front of a roaring fire, we were treated to the most amazing meal cooked by Raphael, (and more wine!) It is so silent and without light pollution here, we slept better than in years. The gardens by the river, are such a tranquil spot. There is a swimming pool, but April is a little early for us! I am sure we will be back! Thank you boys for a lovely break!

I thought the best review to give is what the owners wrote to us after asking us to leave after one night. We booked for 2 nights. I include my comments in brackets. This is direct from the owner with no alteration; "I consider that you exhibited inappropriate behavior on several occasions between Friday evening and Saturday morning. I didn't say anything on Friday night so as not to ruin your birthday. I said nothing Saturday morning before breakfast so as not to spoil this moment. Since 4 p.m. on Friday, we have only served you alcohol. (The drink bill was 71 € in total which included a botttle of champagne at 50 €). You wanted to dine out. Then you wanted to dine inside. (The weather changed and it started to rain). You asked for a fire in June! (It was the 1st June and evenings are still chilly. They said no). As soon as the meal was over, you left the dining room with the plates, the glasses, the dessert dish to go and lie down on the sofa under the blanket in our living room without warning (we had just eaten dessert) or asking politely (I was not aware of the custom of asking the cook's permission to leave the table when paying for the meal. It is the living room advertised for use by guests. We thought it might be nice to finish our drinks in the lounge and perhaps enjoy another portion of pudding). Saturday morning before 8:00 a.m. Patrick meets Lindsay wanting to come into our kitchen for hot drinks when you know that breakfasts are served from 8:30 a.m. and there are no of room service. (We asked the night before if any possibilty of getting a hot drink before breakfast and we were told if we came down at 8am they would make us one. There were no facilities to make drinks in the room or common areas). You had rented a room at €140 with breakfast, not an entire house with staff at your disposal 24 hours a day or the services of a palace or a 5-star hotel the price would not be the same !. This is the first time in 11 years that we have had to deal with such a situation. (I have no comment to this statement. Just disbelief). We were baffled by the comments from the owners and only feel it is fair for people to read his comments and have an insight into their host before they make their own decision to stay.

An excellent stay at the Domaine De La Brugere. Starting with the welcome from our hosts, Patrick and Raphael, to the best risotto we have ever had; the time we spent there was perfect. The location is superb, with beautiful gardens running alongside the river and completely surround by hundreds of acres of mature, ancient forests. The surrounding area is full of small, beautiful villages, and Chateau's well worth visiting. Staying at De La Brugere is like visiting a friends house, as the atmosphere is so relaxed, yet your privacy is respected at all times. The rooms are large and comfortable and with only 3 rooms, a maximum of 6 visitors, conversations over a good glass of wine flow easily. Breakfast on the terrace is a great start to the day, with fresh croissant's and bread, topped with homemade jams by Raphael, and honey from their own hives. Along with fresh fruit, local cheeses you are set for a day visiting places or relaxing by the pool. We ate in the property on two evenings and the food prepared by Rapael, all with local, seasonable ingredients, put the local restaurant's to shame. Overall a great break, beautiful countryside and great people. Can not recommend the Domaine De La Brugere highly enough.

Absolutely fantastic place and friendly hosts! We’ve spent couple of days in May 2022 with my husband. The garden, piscine, every interior detail hold so much love and exquisite taste of the hosts. Refreshing welcoming drink, gorgeous room and then dinner made of fresh market products of the region: perfect!