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Review 1731: Owner, Cottage

Recommended
Review by gracejoan from NC

1bed/1bath cottage near St. Cyr-sur-Morin, outside Paris, Ile-de-France

When

Sept 17 - Oct 1, 2005, 2 weeks

Location

It was on a private estate. They have 2 guest rooms in their house that they rent on a B&B basis with a 3 night minimum. They also have the cottage that I rented. Outside patios and umbrella tables and chairs ... BBQ area. Lovely grounds and flowers. Gated entry and very secure, in every way for parking.

Nearby Amenities

You could not walk to any stores or restaurants. Boulangerie was in nearby village, larger shopping areas 10 minutes away, restaurants were 10 - 15 minutes away.

The House/Apartment

The cottage is self contained, 2 storey, skylights in bedroom and bathroom, with high ceilings, approx 500 sq. ft. Maid service daily, robes, hairdryer, heated towel racks. Kitchen had all necessary items. A new LCD TV with CNN International and other English speaking channels.

Garden

No pool. Very nice and extensive grounds, with all the privacy that you want.

Furnishings/Cleanliness/Living Areas

It was very clean and comfortable - French country living!

Bedrooms/Bathrooms

Bed was comfortable, double bed, bath tub with hand held fixture, plenty of hot water!!

Kitchen

You could do all the cooking that you could want to do. I don't cook. Microwave, coffee maker, refrigerator, dishwasher, fan over countertop burners, dishes, silver, pots and pans.

Problems or Bonuses

Martine and Jean-Paul are absolutely lovely people. They both speak English fluently. He has extensive knowledge of history and of the area. He can help you with planning your days in every way.

Agency and Representatives (and price)

Booking is with the owners. All the rental information is on the website. They are adding the convenience of using a credit card if you wish. He will only add the cost charged to him for doing so.

The availability of the new place in Alsace will be on his website ASAP. All the re-doing needs to be done. It will have 2 B/R and 2 baths, it may be able to block off 1 B/R and bath.

Do you recommend this vacation rental to others?

It is for peace and quiet with easy availability by train into Paris (45 min) for a day in the city. It is not for the Paris first timer, but for those who want to add the rental car and driving to oulying areas. A bit of driving to restaurants.

Things to do in this area

An hour to Reims and Ch. les Crayeres for excellent Michelin starred restaurant. Val d'Europe outlet mall shopping near Disney; you can also have free, secure parking there to take RER into Paris. Sunday market in nearby village and Provins for all it has to offer. The Champagne villages are so plentiful. I was there at the tail end of harvest. Champagne grapes can only be hand picked; no machines.

US has now legally lost the use of Champagne on all the bottles. It is a region, not a wine, so not legal to use. The labels will have to be called a sparkling wine!

This review is the opinion of a Slow Travel member and not of slowtrav.com.

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