Le domaine de barbizon

We stayed in the stand alone cabin just beside the main house, for a second time as had been there at the end of Covid a few years ago. It’s great, bit like camping but with comforts. Expect a bit rickety and knocked around - but sort of charming with it? Breakfast delivered promptly on a heaving tray every morning by the excellent Jean who manages the whole place brilliantly and with real concern for your comfort. Outside chairs for when it’s warm. Early morning birdsong to wake to. Lots of horses just in earshot clippering about. Totally silent overnight. We have previously stayed in the main house too, and plan to again. Cannot believe how reasonably priced b&b is there? Magnificent house, huge rooms, high ceilings, very open handed approach to how you enjoy it. Breakfast served on a terrace on private tables overlooking sweeping grounds. Generous portions, lots of food, Excellent bread and croissants. Some might be disappointed they do not have a restaurant so no evening meals, but short drive from Barbizon where plenty of places. And I think they recommend a delivery service for pizza if you want to slump on your terrace to relax (communal fridge for cooling your wine in main lounge). I think the spirit of the place and Jean deserves 10 out of 10, only marked down a little as the cabin is a bit tired and cranky. We rather liked that but others might be less amused.

These are not things “we didn’t like”, more tips. If you come to the cabin when it’s cold you’ll benefit from hot water bottles. We travel everywhere with our own pillows (!) and they were very useful. There is a two ring electric table top cooker which works well, but no saucepans other than a decent frying pan. Microwave. Full size fridge (no ice tray, we bought one in Carrefour for a euro and had plentiful ice then.). Actually we loved the catering for ourselves semi-camping approach so also bought plates, bowls, wine glasses etc. The massive Carrefour is a 15 minute drive away and a treat in itself. Plenty of hot water, scalding so use mixer taps! Jean mentioned the hotel pack of four small cute dogs might visit us, sadly they had better things to do. You park right beside the cabin, which is close to the main house but so tucked away and sheltered that you have to know it’s there to know it’s there. My only tiny suggestion is that the gate code (big gate on main road you need to enter to the grounds) could be sent in advance? The system seems to be you ring Jean when you arrive and he tells you the code. Whilst there we rescued bewildered arriving guests who couldn’t get in, which was exactly what we were on our first trip. Easy solution, it creates an unnecessary poor impression on arrival.

The setting was fantastic and the views from our room were lovely. Jean the host was very pleasant and couldn't have been more friendly and helpful. Breakfast was served on the terrace and there was plenty of it. Plenty of restaurants near by.

Nothing it was all lovely

The location and authenticity of the house were great. The staff was very friendly and helpful. Definitely great when passing through or staying for a weekend.

The beds weren't very comfortable and the showers, although very fitting for the house, were impractical (water everywhere). A large light in the bedroom would also be a nice addition.

Horrendous DO NOT STAY greeted with fly spray I have no idea when the photos on the booking.com we sight were staged and taken, probably back in the 1980s or before, because the place looks NOTHING like them, the place is dilapidated. Paint crumbling off, scruffy unkept grounds, dirty garden chairs. The rooms are no better, hard uncomfortable beds, no atmosphere, more like a down trodden youth hostel. The bathroom we had,was the large pink one that looks nice in the photos, but more like a potential death trap. On the double sink unit only one of the two taps worked and that tap only had cold water. There was no plugs, just gaping holes, so don’t put anything near the sink you’ll loose it. The grout is thick with mold. There was a very deep bath with a shower above it, ridiculous to climb in and out of, the bath floor is slippy and with no shower curtain and a tiny bath mat water spilled onto the floor, it was so hard climbing out of the death hole of a bath then onto a sloppy floor, with only your tiny towel to mop up the excess water. The hostess Natalie is rude, we attempted some French, she was not interested in even attempting English, despite the site claiming the language was spoken. Also don’t expect internet, despite what they say, there is none! If there was we’d have found somewhere else to stay. There is none in the area, it is a horrendous place to find, as you cannot use google maps and the car satellite doesn’t recognize the place. When you do arrive you have to call at the expense of international call rates to be allowed in. We had to ring 3 times and leave phone messsges. It took 45 minutes to be let in. On a plus we’d were told we could have tea or coffee in the lounge anytime, we were shown a kettle, but no milk, so only if you like black tea or coffee. There is no one around at all to ask anything. You’re literally in an old crumbling place, with no one around, in a hard bed with cold water.

Horrendous DO NOT STAY greeted with fly spray I have no idea when the photos on the booking.com we sight were staged and taken, probably back in the 1980s or before, because the place looks NOTHING like them, the place is dilapidated. Paint crumbling off, scruffy unkept grounds, dirty garden chairs. The rooms are no better, hard uncomfortable beds, no atmosphere, more like a down trodden youth hostel. The bathroom we had,was the large pink one that looks nice in the photos, but more like a potential death trap. On the double sink unit only one of the two taps worked and that tap only had cold water. There was no plugs, just gaping holes, so don’t put anything near the sink you’ll loose it. The grout is thick with mold. There was a very deep bath with a shower above it, ridiculous to climb in and out of, the bath floor is slippy and with no shower curtain and a tiny bath mat water spilled onto the floor, it was so hard climbing out of the death hole of a bath then onto a sloppy floor, with only your tiny towel to mop up the excess water. The hostess Natalie is rude, we attempted some French, she was not interested in even attempting English, despite the site claiming the language was spoken. Also don’t expect internet, despite what they say, there is none! If there was we’d have found somewhere else to stay. There is none in the area, it is a horrendous place to find, as you cannot use google maps and the car satellite doesn’t recognize the place. When you do arrive you have to call at the expense of international call rates to be allowed in. We had to ring 3 times and leave phone messsges. It took 45 minutes to be let in. On a plus we’d were told we could have tea or coffee in the lounge anytime, we were shown a kettle, but no milk, so only if you like black tea or coffee. There is no one around at all to ask anything. You’re literally in an old crumbling place, with no one around, in a hard bed with cold water.

Very nice place. Very friendly welcoming by Geraldine.

Nothing all was very nice

Oh my god!!!! Best place to stay! Really kind host, perfect room and breakfast ❤️

We were in the separate challet in the garden and not in the main house. This was fine.

Not allowed to park by the main house and had to park under trees adjacent to the chalet. This was safe and secure but was at the mercy of the birds and droppings. When i asked if i could park in one of the several spaces by the main house i was told no as it was too busy,but i didnt see this.

Great location, staff very helpful but property a little tired.

we enjoyed our stay in the rustic chalet which is in a lovely, quiet location in the grounds superb, friendly and welcoming concierge who brought our breakfast to us on a tray

it was all good

lovely welcome from the owner amazing place and the breakfast was superb just wish the sun had come out and we could have enjoyed the patio and walks around the property

nothing

all was excellent, the breakfast,the room,the garden

The warm welcome from the host. The setting. the Ambience. The limitless free coffee and water … very welcome after a long trip and best of all the Breakfast. Beautiful fresh produce served by an attentive host.

ABSOLUTELY nothing

Beautiful place with charming atmosphere and tranquility. The breakfast was delicious and Jean our lovely host did his utmost to make us feel welcome and comfortable.

Nice team, nice breakfast, quite place for work, nice wifi.

the sitting room and bedroom were very comfortable the terrace, the beautiful garden

The outstanding memory of our stay will be of the extensive breakfast brought to our door every morning and the service received from Jean, who whose attentiveness rivalled that of Jeeves.

Despite the claim that there was WiFi, the signal did not reach the chalet in which we stayed. This is not a complaint, but there are no photos of the chalet on Booking.com, which also does not mention that the chalet incorporates a kitchenette, thereby actually underselling the property(!). This seems to stem from the assumption that guests will stay at the chateau, not the chalet.

Breakfast was very good. Atmosphere was very nice.

there was no shower curtain.

The Host was every welcoming The house is beautiful and cosy, the garden is huge and quiet The Breakfast is well served and nice

The Check-In at 17.00 is really too late The mattress is too soft (too old?) For such place and price we would expect more added value such as : local soap, local hand made fruit Jam....

This place is amazing, Jean (the Host) was a real Gent, A beautiful gem in a beautiful little Village. So delighted we stayed here. We had a tremendous evening in Barbizon, a great night sleep with a lovely breakfast in the garden the following morning.

We liked everything. You have to stay here if you get a chance,

Lacking slightly in decoration. This is difficult for me as I am an interior decorator!

The Chateaux is gorgeous. Not shiny and new, but very authentic and charming. Lovely rooms. Communal lounge with fridge for guests to use, lots of bottles of water provided. We had booked the sole Cabin, but arrived in a heatwave! It was not air conditioned and the thoughtful host Jean decided we should stay in the house rather than be uncomfortable. We had a lovely night there in a spacious comfortable ground floor room. Doors to private sitting area in the garden, overlooking sweeping grounds. Next day we moved to the Cabin. It is invisibly located in a cluster of trees v close to the main house. Great fun. Large bed, modest shower, little kitchen with microwave and two ring burner, full sized fridge. Lots of basics left in(salt, oil, coffee, teas). We ate at home both nights with great relish having shopped in the simply awesome Carrefour a few miles away. Sitting outside our cabin in the fantastic evening air. Private, surrounded by birdsong, clip clop of horses being exercised nearby. There are a couple of small shy dogs who wander around, they are completely silent and sweet. Breakfast was served each day at the Château, first morning inside as it rained, after that outside on the terrace. Entirely privately as the space is so generous you are a good distance from other guests. Wonderful fresh bread, delicious croissants, fresh individually cooked omelettes, lots more besides. Jean was an extremely friendly attentive welcoming host, beyond fault. Geraldine assisted and was a delight, she took great care to look after us well.

The arrival at the closed front gate a little awkward, but our inadequate French probably to blame. Involved having to phone Jean and get a code for the pad. A suggestion would be that guests who have firmly booked are emailed the code in advance?

The host Jean was wonderful. He makes the place.

More pillows please. A little bit more engerous with the toilet paper.

Very friendly lady who served breakfast.

Difficult to find. No local signposting. When we did eventually arrive we had to ring a number to be given the code to open the gates. For me this meant an expensive international phonecall. Would have appreciated code being sent by email as many other places do, an hour or so before arrival.