Some comments from our guestbook...

"We have been 'gîte-ing' in France for 30+ years and La Bribonnière is definitely one of the best we have had. We made a trip to Le Mans as it was on the previous weekend. The museum at Le Mans has been updated and is worth a visit as is a drive round most of the circuit (for our petrol heads!). We did various wine tastings in the area but our favourites were Langlois-Château and Ackerman in St Hilaire St Florent. We only had a week here so had to limit our châteaux to Chinon and Ussé (Sleeping Beauty's castle). The old shops museum in Doué la Fontaine is worth a trip if only for the nostalgia for the over 50s! The crêperie is within walking distance and is good value - they serve good Breton cider. We hope to come back for another stay sometime in the future."
Pamela, John, Alison and Bob, Devon

"We have enjoyed a most delightful stay in this splendid gîte. Thank you for all the information you gave us on the surrounding district which was of enormous help to us. We have had our holidays in France for 40 years and are particularly fond of the Loire. We hope to be able to return again at a later date. Alan and Lesley were perfect hosts and we are very impressed by your work on this beautiful house."
Dot and John, East Sussex

"La Bribonnière was the perfect setting for three generations of our family to come together. We have spent two wonderful weeks here: filled with wine, châteaux, boats, scrabble championships, fishing, troglodytes and sun .... But most importantly, pain au chocolat, tea and laughter for breakfast! Lesley and Alan are welcoming, discrete and generous hosts. Everything we wanted was right on the doorstep. On the last night at the local crêperie we toasted - 'A l'annéé prochaine!'
The Burgess family, Gloucestershire

"Congratulations to Lesley and Alan for making a comfortabla and well-equipped gîte. La Bribonnière provided an excellent base for our return to the Loire Valley after about 15 years, and allowing us to find some 'new' places to see like Langeais and Brissac and to renew acquaintance with some old 'friends' like Saumur and Chinon. Thanks also to Lesley for arranging two weeks of wonderful weather for us, so that we could have more barbecues in two weeks than we have had all year back home!"
Neville, Christine, Roger and Patricia, Winchester

"We have been coming to France for more than 35 years and first visited the Loire Valley 17 years ago. This is the first gîte we have had in this area and we were delighted to arrive at this lovely gîte in rural countryside - everything we needed for a very comfortable holiday. We loved the châteaux, the river and the gîte's location. The house has been beautifully restored by Alan and Lesley who are great hosts."
Ann, Gerald, June and Frank, Gloucester

"Thank you so much for another wonderful holiday in your lovely gîte. It rained as we drove here and it's raining as we leave, but what fantastic weather in-between! We had a really great break."
Elaine, Dave, Debs and Adam, Kent

"What a lovely and charming place to see in the new decade. We have visited the Loire regularly for 20 years and this is the nicest gîte we have had the pleasure of staying in. Cosy, warm, inviting and full of all the things you could possibly need. This renovation is a perfect mix of the traditional and modern - old beams and open fire but with modern kitchen appliances. Thank you to our hosts - Lesley and Alan - we loved seeing the photos of how La Bribonnière and the main house have developed. Best wishes for 2010."
Wendy, Steve, Aaron and Keiran, Cheltenham

"Wir haben uns in diesem wunderschönen Haus sehr wohl gefühlt. Es fehlt an nichts, die Ausstattung, der Komfort und die Dekoration sind perfekt. Ein großes Dankeschön an Lesley imd Alan, die sich jederzeit sehr freundlich und hilfsbereit um uns gekümmert haben. Wir werden das Haus sehr gerne weiterempfehlen."
Christina und Dieter, Rödermark, Deutschland

"We have spent a very happy week in this comfortable gîte. Visits to Villandry and l'Abbaye de Fontevraud are recommended as is the swimming pool at Longué. The local area is perfect for cycling and we have enjoyed exploring the countryside."
The Kitt Family, Dorset

"We have stayed in a lot of different self-catering accommodation in France and in the UK and we were extremely impressed with La Bribonnière. The website and email contact beforehand really helped us have a clear idea of what the gîte and the area would be like and we weren't disappointed. The gîte itself is lovely and has everything you could need, as well as being beautifully finished. We've found the area perfect for the sort of holiday we enjoy - a mixture of sight-seeing and sitting about doing very little!"
Elaine and Scot, Glasgow

"An excellent house that is well-thought-out, well-equipped, clean and tidy. We loved the peace and quiet and enjoyed strolling on the tracks alongside the river. Saumur is worth a visit for the château, shops and cafés. One café in particular ( le 30 février) caters well for vegetarians. Thank you for a relaxing holiday.
Mark, Rosemary, Paul and Teresa, Shropshire

"La Bribonnière is a wonderful place to stay - comfortable and peaceful, a good place to relax. An ideal location with plenty of places to visit only a short drive away."
The Ferris Family, Lancashire

"A wonderful gîte and a lovely place to just relax. There is so much to do in the surrounding area. Unfortunately a week is just not long enough so we'll have to return! Thank you, Lesley, for the trip to the winery, an interesting and worthwhile visit."
Tina, Glyn, Josh and Abbi, Kent

"We have relaxed, laughed, had fun and enjoyed the surrounding area. The local people have been hospitable, welcoming and friendly. The area has history, beauty and stunning views and on top of all this there is La Bribonnière, fully-equipped comfort."
Dave, Elaine, Martin and José, Kent

"Enjoyed our stay so much - lots to see and do, wish we had longer! The visit to the winery was very fruitful! The whole area is beautiful and the local people are very friendly."
Helen, Dave and Helen, Nairn

"We loved staying in this wonderful gîte - every amenity was included. The location was fairly central to all the places we wanted to visit and it was lovely to return back to homely comfort. Were most impressed by Châteaux Brissac, Montsoreau and Amboise. We recommend the Val de Loire resaurant in Les Rosiers and the Brussels Café restaurant in Saumur."
The Fords, Kent

"We've had a fantastic week's holiday, enjoying the peace and quietness of the area in a beautifully equipped gîte, which was warm and cosy in sub-zero conditions! Lesley had tastefully decorated the gîte for Christmas and the log burner was easy to use. Despite it being winter and cold, there was still loads to do and see. Lots of attractions are open over the Christmas holidays so we got to visit Château Brézé (excellent), Abbaye Fontevraud (super), Chinon Château (full of history) as well as loads of other churches and monuments, as well as visiting the wine caves in Saumur - a must! It will be difficult to leave and return to work on Monday."
Sarah and Simon, Lincolnshire

"Having stayed in numerous gîtes throughout France, La Bribonnière is undoubtedly our No. 1! Idyllic, peaceful surroundings and an extremely well-equipped gîte."
Marion and Graham, Somerset.

"The recommended restaurants were brilliant and we mixed this with our own BBQing. This has been a week to remember - for a long time!"
Gwen, Arthur, Pauline and Terry, Warwick

"Your hard work and vision have created a really first class gîte, everything so well thought-out and of the highest standard. It has really made our week."
Keith and Carol, Berkshire

"We've had a fantastic time staying at La Bribonnière - just need another week to recover, having had such a busy time visiting places."
Liz, Anthony, Lucy and Phoebe, Chippenham

"Nous avons beaucoup apprécié votre charmante maison au bord de l'Authion."
La famille Augier, Paris

"We would love to wake up here every morning! What a wonderful place for a relaxing holiday - so many places to see that we shall just have to come back again."
John and Jill, Aberdour

"A thoroughly enjoyable experience for our first visit to rural France. We lay claim to being the first Australian guests and we will pass on this experience over many BBQs and the odd glass of wine, and hopefully start a trend on the Aussie front."
Sue and John, Melbourne

"A very lovely house. Very warm and inviting, even in winter. Lovely area with lots to see and do."
Paul and Michelle, Guernsey

"Sorry to be leaving. 2 weeks not enough in this wonderful gîte. It certainly lived up to expectations"
Alan and Morag, Kirkcaldy

"Our favourite visit was to the Abbey at Fontevraud but the icing on the cake for us has been the people of the region. Without exception they have been helpful, considerate and friendly."
Catherine and Alan, North Yorkshire

"It has been a delight to stay here and it has been an excellent centre for exploring this beautiful area of France"
Bob and Penny, Gloucestershire

"La Bribonnière was our first experience of a gîte holiday and will not be our last. Alan and Lesley were marvellous hosts and full of local knowledge"
Bob and Sharon, John and Ann, Luton

"What a lovely gîte. This is exactly what we hoped for. From this place you can make very nice day trips. The landscape and the villages are very picturesque"
Michiel, Hilde and Arne (11 months), the Netherlands

"What a beautiful, comfortable house, and what a lovely setting it has provided for us to meet up with our family"
Wendy and David, La Rouvière, France

"A wonderful place to spend a birthday and catch up with family. We are all going back well-rested and hope to return in the future"
Paul, Hen and Guy(aged 10), London

"We arrived feeling truly exhausted but we leave rested and refreshed. Our stay in La Bribonnière has been lovely"
Brian and Lesley, Lincolnshire

"We enjoyed our stay so much we booked an extra day! Our only fear is that the gîte's success and popularity may hinder our future intentions to return"
Calum and Angela, Buckinghamshire

Some comments from our guestbook...

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