The pattern of our long jaunts in Europe for the past few years has been to spend a week travelling and staying in hotels (we did try camping a few times, but have reverted back to hotels now!), two or three weeks in a self-catering villa or apartment and then another week travelling home staying in hotels.
I am always responsible for booking the self-catering accommodation, as I have exacting requirements regarding the kitchen and swimming pool. Paul plans our routes using the Atlases and Google maps, so he books the ferries and hotel accommodation. He always books a range of hotels, some of which are very cheap and some of which are mid-range or upmarket. Booking several months ahead means he can find some excellent deals and discounts. He has been in the habit of booking somewhere really special and more upmarket for our last night. For instance, last year we stayed in a Parador in Spain, which was an incredible experience!
We arrived at Maison Ailleurs late afternoon on Friday 25th August. We could tell immediately that this was going to be a completely different kind of experience. Yes it was our treat, our posh hotel, but this was not a hotel with a restaurant or bar or grand public areas. There was no pool or spa. This was truly a home-from-home, although nothing like our modest cottage! Madame Valerie Genique came out to meet us, and we were able to park the car very conveniently in the courtyard. She explained to me the next day that they do not believe that it is good practice in a small hotel to have reception staff sitting at a desk, rather that the greeting process should be more personal.
The Staircase at Maison Ailleurs
Valerie showed us our suite, which is one of three in the hotel, Chambre Le Jardin. As you can see in the photos, the decor is beautiful, and the colours happen to be my very favourite, a blue/turquoise reminiscent of the sea. The suite comprises a large bedroom, a walk-in wardrobe, a separate toilet, a dressing room/shower room and a kitchenette. The ceilings are very high and the beautiful turquoise curtains are floor-to-ceiling- maybe about 15′ high. As we live in a cottage in which we can touch the ceilings without standing on a ladder, this was a bit of a novelty. There are such beautiful, personal touches everywhere: proper glasses and a welcome bottle of water by the bed; large towels, dressing gowns, a choice of seating and a writing table and beautifully wrapped soap. In the kitchenette you could make yourself a decent cup of coffee with the machine provided, or even prepare some simple snacks before going out for dinner. I do welcome fridges in hotel rooms. It amazes me how many hotels in the mediterranean provide extra blankets, but no fridge. What I really want after a hot journey is a long, cold drink and the facility to chill more drinks.
The Dressing Room in Chambre Le Jardin at Maison Ailleurs
The Bedroom at Maison Ailleurs
Valerie explained to us that breakfast would be served either in the room or out in the garden if the weather was fine. She also told us that in Chartres throughout the summer season there is an amazing festival of lights around the city, and pointed out on the local map the best place to look for restaurants.
We had a wonderful night’s sleep, and were pleased to make use of the excellent shower twice; many hotel rooms have really inadequate showers, and many a time have I flooded floors or stood under a freezing or too-hot jet of water. By the morning Paul had persuaded me that I should interview Valerie for my blog piece. I was feeling more confident about my French speaking skills, as always happens when we stay in the country. In fact the owner of the previous hotel had complimented me on my language skills.
We had a delicious breakfast; yoghurt, granola, a superior strawberry smoothie, a small, delicious cake, croissants and plenty of good quality bread with butter and jam. We turned down the offer of eggs. Oh, and not forgetting a generous cafetiere – I do love my coffee! This was all served by Monsieur and Madame in the garden.
Paul enjoying his Petit Dejeuner dans le Jardin de Maison Ailleurs
I chatted to Valerie in French for about 20 minutes after breakfast. We sat in the beautiful garden. What is most appealing about the garden is that it is divided into little rooms, rather than having an expanse of lawn with beds. It was a great compliment to me that it emerged from the conversation that her husband is in fact English! He made some coffee and left us to it, and she did not speak in English at all. Maison Ailleurs has featured in magazines and guides, including some of the Alastair Sawday guides (excellent source of high-quality hotels and B and Bs).
The couple have four young children; we did not see them at all. They obviously take up a lot of time, but Valerie still has time to run an amazing establishment with her husband. They bought the house in 2012, and started living there in 2013. They completed many renovations and redecoration of the house and have three rooms for paying guests. Chambre Le Jardin, the suite we stayed in, is in fact the smallest. There are two other suites, Chambre L’Eveche on the same floor as ours, and a family suite, Chambre Charles V. This suite apparently occupies most of the second floor and is very extensive and ideal for a couple with a baby.
Maison Ailleurs is open all year round, but there is a quiet period from November to May. Usually the family takes a holiday for one week in July and one week in August.
Valerie and Sarah in the Garden of Maison Ailleurs
During the conversation, the other English couple who were staying came over to say good-bye, and I had a friendly conversation with them. I felt I had to tell them that I had photographed their car, as for us it was a rare event over our 4 week holiday to see another GB registered car!
Obviously the Geniques employ a housekeeper and gardener, but it is clear that they are very hands-on and that this is what makes the hotel so personal and unique.
By the way, we did go to the Lumieres show, which was spectacular. See the pictures below.
Chartres Cathedral – Les Lumieres
Les Lumieres by the water in Chartres
If you travelling through Chartres or even plan to stay for longer, I cannot reccommend this hotel highly enough. It is a little bit of luxury that I think we all need from time to time! Have a look at the website to make a booking: http://www.maisonailleurs.com/index.html
