Le Clos Saint Paul

“A wonderful Bed and Breakfast in Normandy”

My group of ten persons from Trier in Germany, Southampton England, Glasgow Scotland, Dublin and Donegal Ireland were looking for a place to stay near a local wedding venue. As we were an eclectic group made up of our family, my wife and I plus our two daughters and respective boyfriends we were go… more

My group of ten persons from Trier in Germany, Southampton England, Glasgow Scotland, Dublin and Donegal Ireland were looking for a place to stay near a local wedding venue. As we were an eclectic group made up of our family, my wife and I plus our two daughters and respective boyfriends we were going to be hard to please. Then add two Germans whose daughter and her boyfriend joined us also. Not an easy task for the lovely landlady and her husband to complete but they did so with aplomb. It was a quirky place to say the least on first impressions, a "Marie Antoinette", type of place my wife said. It was very near the wedding venue and local restaurants in the next village. Each room was furnished differently which added to the charm. Some of us stayed in the main house and the "young crowd" stayed in the second building which also housed a spa. It wasn't open at the time we stayed but maybe some other time. Welcome drinks on arrival and self service breakfast each day. Wonderful, eggs also. The landlady was delayed on our arrival by a road traffic accident as she came to let us in. She booked the restaurant for us all and we just turned up there and were well looked after with lovely food and wine. The house is on the edge of a small village and is back in the countryside complete with woods, farmland and farm animals. The owner also had three dogs and wife walked one of their dogs as I had gone for a run. It was so homely we just became part of the family. Nothing was too much trouble directions, hair driers, ironing board etc. We were advised on the best routes to our function which was near Versailles and places to go to. Sadly we had no time as the wedding beckoned and it was on to the wedding venue from there. Finally it was time to go on our third morning to different parts some to Paris, Trier and us to Ever-aux to visit friends. I would highly recommend this Bed and Breakfast especially to anyone touring Normandy.

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“A slightly disappointing stay”

We chose Le Clos St Paul as it is situated in a pretty area of France, which is very rural yet handy for Monet's Garden. It was the last day of our holiday and we arrived hungry and tired after a long, rainy drive, looking forward to dinner (the reservation had been confirmed at an additional 28 Eu… more

We chose Le Clos St Paul as it is situated in a pretty area of France, which is very rural yet handy for Monet's Garden. It was the last day of our holiday and we arrived hungry and tired after a long, rainy drive, looking forward to dinner (the reservation had been confirmed at an additional 28 Euros per person by email) only to be told, unfortunately, owing to a work commitment, no meal was available for us that evening. No second email had been received by us to cancel our dinner reservation or we would have made alternative eating arrangements. Our hostess then told us that all the local restaurants were closed that night and she had no alternative suggestions to offer us, so we were left to find somewhere that was open for ourselves. Miscommunication can not be blamed for this mix up as my husband speaks fluent French. We were the only guests staying that night and were given a choice of the 2 upstairs rooms. Our chosen room was was ornately decorated and clean and the bed was comfortable. However, it was accessed via a narrow, steep, open staircase (almost like a ladder with a handrail) which proved rather difficult to negotiate with luggage. Great care was needed to get up the steps and it would be helpful if this was mentioned when taking bookings, as it would be unsuitable and indeed hazardous for those who are elderly or anyone not fit and agile. Breakfast was served in a separate building in the grounds. Fresh bread, a croissant, yoghurt, cereal, teas and coffee etc, were set out (no cold meats, cheese or anything cooked were offered that day). There is a pretty garden for use in good weather and there is secure parking for a couple of cars on site. Overall, we were slightly disappointed with our stay here, especially after after having a wonderful month travelling round France and experiencing several other really lovely B&B's. Not a great end to our holiday.

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