Evening Rose at le Moulin du Chemin
In a rural paradise far removed from the stress and pollution of city life is le Moulin du Chemin, a small private 'auberge' where these totally agreeable holidays are based. Guests claim the ‘auberge’ has marvellous restorative properties and these have a lot to do with tranquillity and idyllic surroundings, with birdsong, a clear stream and tumbling water, with butterflies and wild flowers, with freedom from pollution and lack of unwanted noise and with the banishment of stress. The site of the le Moulin is also said to be ‘very auspicious’, promoting a harmonious and healthy environment for the wellbeing of residents and guests, according to the classical principles of Feng Shui.
A state of wellbeing is promoted by le Moulin’s wholesome cuisine, based mainly on fresh, whole and organic ingredients. Processed and pre-prepared components are avoided so that the food preservatives, artificial flavourings, texture and appearance enhancers that are almost an inevitable part of many daily diets are rare or nonexistent at le Moulin. For many years delightful vegetarian cuisine has also been a feature at the ‘auberge’ as well as superb non-vegetarian fare. Other special diets which can also be provided.
The pure soft drinking water piped to le Moulin comes from a natural source and, except by nature, has not been recycled. Consequently it is free of the noxious chemical residues (that we prefer not think about) that we are told are present in most city water supplies. Rigorous testing of the wines served at le Moulin has proved that personal wellbeing is not at all adversely affected by occasional lapses into excess. The wines are chosen for their interesting personalities and agreeable natures.
Le Moulin is celebrated for its exceptional hospitality which is based on superb cuisine, plenty of good wine and a convivial atmosphere. The holiday 'auberge' was established in 1993 in an enchanting watermill dating from 1643. The guestrooms are pleasingly restored and comfortable, each with own shower- or bathroom, tea and coffee facilities, hair dryers, etc. The garden and terrace have pleasant areas to sit or lounge, in full sunlight as well as in shade. The pool is heated to 29°C.
The 'auberge' is situated in the remote, but accessible, Pays de Gâtine, in the French region of Poitou-Charentes. It is a fabulous rural paradise with hundreds of miles of little-used paths, tracks and country lanes in an unspoiled and changing landscape. The gently rolling countryside, known as ‘le bocage’, is characterised by timeless pastures, majestic forests, cool woods, attractive ponds and pleasant orchards criss-crossed by ancient hedgerows and crystal streams. While out on a walk or a ride, there is hardly another soul to be seen, while the glorious countryside abounds with wild flowers, birds, butterflies and (harmless) wild creatures.
Le Moulin specialises in walking, cycling and simply relaxing holidays. Walkers and cyclists are provided with personalised dossiers including professional route-notes and high-lighted maps together with friendly advice, information and support. The walking routes are moderate with plenty of longer options and there are introductory and moderate cycling routes as well as longer 'road-bike' routes. The itineraries are varied covering different sectors each day. Cyclists are also supplied with well-maintained, fully-equipped touring cycles.
In any one year, up to one third of guests have been before – this fact in itself is clearly a worthy recommendation. While idyllic surroundings, exceptional hospitality and the genial atmosphere are undoubtedly compelling attractions, so is the fact that the maximum number of guests is limited to ten – so each guest is just that, a guest and not ‘just another client’. Each evening guests and hosts get together for aperitifs-at-
The normal season is mid-March to October. March is agreeable with the sheen of new buds on the trees and blackthorn and wild cherry in eye-catching blossom. April, May and June have glorious spring weather when the verges are full of wild flowers and the countryside abounds with new life. In summer, July, August and September are ideal, and the weather generally is not too hot. October is very pretty with mostly clement weather and brilliant autumn colours.
Reading between the lines of websites and brochures, comparable, seemingly similarly priced holidays can actually cost significantly more than Moulin holidays because of extras that are not immediately evident from the blurb. Le Moulin’s all-inclusive price is truly all-inclusive. After the holiday is booked, there is nothing more to pay – and the superb cuisine is certainly ample, the wine is free flowing and excellent quality, coffee, teas and tisanes are included and even the postcards are free. Tea and coffee are also provided in the rooms and a well stocked drinks fridge (beer, wine, cider, soft drinks and fruit juices) is available 24/7 without extra charge. Moulin holidays don’t cost as much because it is less expensive to operate a small family-run ‘auberge’ compared with a regulation-burdened hotel and because margins have been reduced to ensure that Moulin holidays are readily affordable in an economic crisis.
In spite of the reasonable price Moulin holidays remain environmentally friendly. Le Moulin's rural idyll has no need for a significant carbon emitting infrastructure. Food and beverage miles are relatively low, minimising transportation pollution. The generous quantities of wines served at le Moulin (and included in the price) are local, from Anjou, Val de Loire, Fiefs Vendéen and other wine producing areas within France. Fresh vegetables are supplied from the neighbouring garden of Pierrot (he is aware of this). Other ingredients are local as far as possible. Non-local produce comes from other parts of France and unavoidably imported food is generally from not too distant Spain and Morocco.
Apart from the skiing places – the Alps, the Pyrenees and the Massif Central – France is mainly a vast cereal plateau with some other less well known exceptions. One of these exceptions is the hills of the Pays de Gâtine. The wild irregular coastlines of Kerry and Cork in Ireland, Dorset in England and of Brittany in France are part of the same geological formation – the Armorican Massif – that gives the Pays de Gâtine its particular character. After dipping below the Celtic sea, the English Channel and the Loire Valley, the southernmost extremity of the Armorican Massif emerges to form the Gâtine Hills. Eons of weathering, deposition of topsoil and erosion have produced a splendid gently undulating landscape. And being south of the Loire means that the Pays de Gâtine has clement weather in contrast to northern France, Britain and Ireland, with an annual average of 2250 hours of sunshine.
The wellbeing instilled by the le Moulin's restorative properties, blended with idyllic surroundings, superb cuisine, plenty of good wine and a congenial atmosphere, and not forgetting the readily affordable price, together create a complete and totally agreeable holiday experience.
Le Moulin is in western France, near the Atlantic coast, 100km/60 miles northeast of la Rochelle, 130km/80 miles south of the Loire and 400km/240 miles southwest of Paris.
All categories of Moulin holidays can be booked direct at http://www.moulinholidays.com
Moulin walking holidays can also be booked though Headwater Holidays at http://www.headwater.com
Moulin holidays have been accredited by Responsible Travel at http://responsibletravel.com
Images are available on request.
Photo:
http://www.prlog.org/
