Champagne Disneyland Paris Walking Cycling Fishing Hot Air Balloon Wildlife Valmy Forest Lakes Horse Riding Romantic Break
Why Choose Us?
Home Cooked Food
Fascinating History
Harlem Hellfighters The Lost Battalion
Champagne & Reception
Bicycle Hire
Interesting Links
Our Book and Toy Store Latest BBC News Property Owners
Booking & Prices
Travelling With Pets
Live Photo Gallery
A Year in Champagne
January February March April May June July August September October November December
Guest Testimonials
Contact Us
Travel by TGV
Our Green Eco-Policy
Offset Your CO2 Footprint
Our Tariff
Guest Reviews From Our Guest
Book, Our Booking System & TripAdvisor
Michael Mcintyre talks
about holiday reviews and
tripadvisor
We make every
effort to ensure everyone has a great stay.
Here are some reviews from
on-line testimonials and our guest book, our booking system and live feedback
on
tripadvisor.com. You'll see all feedback good and
sometimes not so good but sadly some reviewers choose to only find negatives
rather than the positives of their holiday! Clients have said ....
Gite Mirabelle "For my
husband and I, the priority for booking this year's holiday was to find a place
where we could relax as much as possible with our young daughter who would be15
months old at the time. As most parents know, a holiday with young children has
the potential to be quite stressful unless you choose your accomodation and
location wisely.....and rest assured that if you choose the Manoir de
Maffrecourt, you will not be disappointed.
On arrival we were welcomed
by both Grant and Sandra who instantly came across as very friendly, yet
unobtrusive hosts. The Mirabelle apartment was very nicely furnished with
everything you could need for a couple with children. The kitchen has all the
bits and pieces you would need, from childrens’ plates and cutlery to
thoughtful touches like tea bags and olive oil etc....
There were even
toys and childrens’ books for our daughter which were very welcome. The
main bedroom was very nicely decorated and well above the standard you would
normally expect to find.
I shall concentrate on the two main points
that make this property outstanding for parents looking to relax whilst still
keeping an eye on their adventurous youngsters!
1) The Garden. This is
absolutely perfect for those with toddlers. Our daughter had only been walking
about a month or so by the time we went and she had an absolute ball toddling
up and down the garden, going in and out the trees and enjoying the freedom of
having a vast expanse to run around in. It was great for us and we could let
her run without worrying too much about her bumping into/falling over anything
and the two hammocks were a God send when we she had a snooze in her pram, as
we got the chance to have a snooze at the same time! The swimming pool is a
welcome addition.
2) The offer of home cooked food and the honesty bar.
These two things are what really set this property apart from most other
properties in the Gite category. I don't know of any other Gites where you have
this kind of facility. It is like having hotel facilities alongside the freedom
of self catering and for parents this is absolutely ideal. Obviously, having
toddlers of a certain age limits you somewhat with regard to going out for
meals in the evening, so the opportunity to have a lovely, French inspired,
home cooked meal served up to you outside in the garden is perfect. Only made
better by the fact that you can help yourself to something cold and fizzy from
the honesty bar to accompany it!
To be honest, if I could have given
Sandra and Grant more than 5 stars for service, I would have done because they
go out of their way to make sure that you have a good stay with them. Nothing
is too much trouble and they have managed to get the right balance where you
know that you will find them for help/advice if you need them, but you never at
any time have the impression that they are 'in your way' so to speak. On the
contrary, we enjoyed a lovely Champagne tasting with them one evening during
our stay and they were great, interesting company.
You need to understand what Sandra
and Grant are trying to achieve here. If you are looking for somewhere where
you can chill out and relax, the freedom of self catering with the best bits of
hotel facilities (especially if you have got a young family), I'd say that the
Manoir has all you would need. Sandra and Grant are generous and understanding
hosts, making sure that you don't feel self conscious if your child is making
noise or running about daft.....as Grant said, "that's just what kids
do!"
If you understand what the place is all about, you will enjoy your
stay and we sincerely hope to go back." Mr & Mrs J McKie from
Stirling, UK - July 2010 rated 5 out of 5 for Value, Rooms, Location,
Cleanliness, Service & Sleep Quality Via
TripAdvisor
---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Gite Mirabelle "Lovely, picturesque, quiet, clean, comfortable,
friendly.....many many ways to describe it Grant and Sandra were wonderful
hosts and looked after us immaculately. As a party of 10 including children we
tested them to the full and they catered for our every need and more!
Defintiely worth a visit." Katie from Tring, UK - May 2010 rated 4
out of 5 for Value, Rooms, Location, Cleanliness, 5 out of 5 for Service &
Sleep Quality Via
TripAdvisor ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Gite Mirabelle "What a great place ! Some of the most welcoming hosts
we have ever come across - they just couldnt do enough for us. Food was
wonderful, champagne tasting to die for and a rural french village setting that
you just didnt want to leave.
After a great dinner on the Saturday
night which went on into the early hours, breakfast in the garden while the
kids made the most of the chance to run wild in the orchards was a great way to
start the day.
The home cooked food, home made apple juice and local
fire spirirt were great additions to the weekend and all exceeded
expectations.
A great selection of wines and champagnes over dinner
with virtually no mark-up combined with great local cooking makes dinner a
great value experience. We will be back !." Will from London, UK - May
2010 rated 5 out of 5 for Value, Rooms, Location, Cleanliness, Service &
Sleep Quality Via
TripAdvisor ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Gite Mirabelle "We stayed at Gite Mirabelle on the way back from skiing
in the French Alps with our three young boys - we arrived late but Grant and
Sandra waited to welcome us. The Manoir is easy to find but is set in peaceful
surroundings away from the motorway hustle - the furnishings are beautiful and
the Gite is spotless. The wine 'cellar' is a great idea and it would've been
rude not to sample a bottle! We woke up to the birds singing and were treated
to a delicious breakfast. Our boys loved the freedom to run around the orchard
and would've brought home Hector the dog given the chance." Matt, Trudi,
Oliver and Tom. Birmingham, UK - April 2010 rated 5 out of 5 for Value,
Rooms, Location, Cleanliness, Service & Sleep Quality Via
TripAdvisor ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Gite Mirabelle "very pleasant people. very good facilities for the
children. nothing too much trouble. food menu excellent although we were too
tired to order anything to sample on the main menu we ordered from the
breakfast menu which was very varied." Ann from Hyde, UK - March
2010 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Gite Cerise
Cottage ""Our stay for a weekend in
January was splendid! Arrival was easy, even without SatNav. Given the
winter Grant had been so nice to keep the retro stove lit all day so it was
nice and warm. We quickly asked for our pre-order meal, the Boeuf Bourginion,
which was delightful! the Dampierre champagne tasted fantastic after a long 5
hour drive! Slept like babies afterward. Breakfast was getting fresh
croissants from the local bakery that visits the property by car. Then we
inquired about a champagne tour. Due to the season, Dampierre was closed but
the alternative (Pommery in Reims) is highly recommended too! Upon return, the
two couples staying at the property had a local tasting. Hosted by Grant and
Sandra, we had a fantastic afternoon and evening! Great stories! Great
tastings! Great company! We must return in Spring/Summer for a tasting outside,
on the grass and under the tress. It must be magic! Facilities in the apt
were fully in order. Good kitchen. TV/music fine. Cozy couch. Wonderful shower!
And for travelers: I recommend using the A26/A4 route even when coming from
BeNeLux. It's much easier and comfortable. " Christian from Netherlands
- January
2010 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Gite Cerise
Cottage "We recently stayed here for
a few nights. Sandra and Grant are very friendly and welcoming, but also gave
us plenty of space. They had some good tips and seemed to have thought of
everything. We arrived early and they still let us check in. Drinks being
available around the clock was a fabulous bonus and Sandra's meals were
excellent. Its a good base for checking out the champagne houses and wandering
around their garden and local area was very relaxing. A lovely, relaxing stay!.
" Andrew from London, UK - October 2009 rated 5 out of 5 for Value,
Rooms & Service Via
TripAdvisor ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Gite Mirabelle "This is the second time we've visited the Manoir de
Maffrecourt and this time we stayed in Mirabelle gite - we'd gained a child
since last time! We had a 6 month old and a 2 yr old and they both loved it -
as did both myself and my husband. The gite is great - it's modern, had plenty
of space for the 4 of us, and although the stairs were steep (as mentioned on
the Manoir's website) my 2yr old could negotiate them and of course we carried
the baby. This was mixed with a real genuine rural Frenchness, particularly in
the welcoming reception area and the amazing garden to expore and enjoy. The
really handy thing was that everything was provided (even toys, steriliser,
childrens' plates, cups cutlery etc.) which when travelling with a baby and a
toddler was ideal. Sandra's home cooking was just fantastic (and much
appreciated!), the drinks available 24 hrs were great, and the swimming pool
was a real bonus - both our children loved it and it was exactly as we expected
it to be, given the photos and the measurements on the Manoir's website.
Finally, Grant and Sandra's welcome and personal touch was fantastic - they
really had thought of everything we could possibly need. They also couldn't do
enough to make our break perfect and were there whenever we needed them, but
also gave us the space and privacy we needed to have a fantastic family
holiday. There's no doubt we shall we back for a 3rd time - and we've already
recommended this place to 2 other friends with children!" Louise from
London, UK - September 2009 rated 5 out of 5 for Value, Rooms, Location,
Cleanliness & Service Via
TripAdvisor ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gite Cerise
Cottage "Just what you'd want from a
break in the French countryside, Grant and Sandra were great hosts, attentive
and sharing all they could to help us enjoy our stay - from the fruit trees in
the extensive orchards to the lines of wonderful herbs outside the gite, we
just loved the place. A lovely atmosphere was provided too which had obviously
taken a lot of thought and preparation. " Christian from Devon, UK -
August 2009 rated 5 out of 5 for Rooms, Location, Cleanliness & Service
Via
TripAdvisor ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Gite Cerise
Cottage "A lovely end to a our two
week trip in France and we would've loved to have stayed longer. Great
location, lovely cottage, wonderful home cooked food, perfect grounds and
excellent facilities for a toddler. " Sarah from London, UK - August
2009 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Gite Mirabelle "On our trip back home to the Netherlands we had our
last stay in France here. A beautiful place with very nice views. Sandra and
Grant gave us the feeling that we just begun a second holiday, it was a pitty
that it only lasted for one day. We are determined to plan a longer stay in the
autumn or winter!!!" Mrs Eggink, Lemmer, Netherlands - July 2009 rated
5 out of 5 for Value, Rooms, Location, Cleanliness & Service Via
TripAdvisor ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Gite Mirabelle "Grant and Sandra have created a wonderful retreat in
the middle of a beautiful region. They could just rely on the location, but
they go out of their way to make sure that you really get the most of your
stay. They really think of everything! This was our first trip with our baby,
who turned 1 during our stay. The gite (Mirabelle) was perfectly arranged for
her - she had tons of toys to play with, and thanks to the double gate on the
barn stairs leading up to the appartment, as well as plenty of child safety
plugs, she could play safely. The place was also very well equiped with a bath
ring, steriliser, changing mat, etc and Sandra even made her a delicious meal
with fresh veggies from her garden. Best of all, the beautiful grounds amidst
the fruit orchard (with short grass thanks to Grants frequent mowing) meant she
could crawl around to her hearts content - she even went crawling on all fours
for the first time! But mother and father also enjoyed themselves - from the
beautiful walks in the orchard, to the lovely and quaint Mirabelle appartment,
to the chilled champaign and apple juice from their own trees, to Sandras
delicious home-cooked meals (including a special curry night!), to the
beautiful countryside and towns. It was the getaway we needed and were looking
for and more. And all in a quick days drive. Thank you Sandra and Grant - we
will surely be back and have already recruited our friends to stay with you!".
Sara from Amsterdam, Netherlands - July 2009 -
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gite
Cerise "My husband and I just got back from 5 blissful days at
the Manoir where we stayed in the Gite Cerise, which had a huge garden and all
the modern amenities you could ever need. The Manoir exceeded our expectations
in many regards. Grant and Sandra stayed up late to personally welcome us and
walk us around the grounds, which are immaculate and filled with apple, pear
and cherry trees. The hammock and the pool were a real treat too! We took many
long walks down the path from the Manoir across the stretches of fields
(poppies, lavender, nothing but untouched greenery for miles). You feel like
you have the whole place to yourself.
Our gite was very well equipped
with a clean modern oven, microwave, washing machine, coffee machine, DVD
player, TV, iron, hairdryer, kettle, many pots and pans, a variety of dishes
(even a tart pan and mini creme brule pots! excellent!) and utensils you can
think of, and most importantly – lots of champagne glasses! The bedroom
was a decent size with a large armoire and a huge, gorgeous arch-shaped window
that looks on the front garden, filled with flowers and has a very
French-country charm feel that we loved. The many small touches are what made
it even more special: a rain-fall shower head, comfortable beds, nice quality
towels, books to read, DVDs to rent, cupboards stocked with olive oil, coffee,
sugar and other necessities.
And the food! Croissants, pain au
chocolate, breakfast crepes filled the most delicious mushrooms and ham you
have ever tasted are delivered right to your door in the morning so you can
relax from the time you get up and not worry about rushing about to make
breakfast home-made apple juice (which we drank several large bottles of!) was
chilled and ready for us when we arrived we were delighted to see Hagen Daz ice
cream in a dozen flavors available in the freezer, which was a perfect treat
after a sunny day as we watched the sunset and sipped champagne at night…
speaking of champagne – there are bottles of local champagne and wine
stocked for convenience.
We spent our mornings drinking coffee in the
sun at the table outside our gite, or lounging on the lounge chairs, and then
walked around out into the fields with our dog off-leash or drove to a nearby
village to visit the Champagne caves. There are many supermarkets to choose
from, and we bought excellent cheeses, charcuterie and salmon to enjoy at
dinner with Champagnes we collected during the day. The Manoir is in a tiny
village but close to many other larger towns, which was exactly what we were
looking for. The total calm and beauty of the countryside did our souls good!
Yet, we spent no more than 30 minutes driving before we were able to see great
wine houses. A bread truck comes by every day so you can take advantage of
fresh goodies without having to drive anywhere.
Sandra and Grant are
true professionals and excellent hosts! We will be back (the sooner, the
better), and are thrilled to have found a piece of country paradise in
Champagne to temporarily escape from our hectic Parisian life." Sarah
from Paris, France - June 2009
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gite
Cerise "This is the 3rd year that we
have stayed in gite Cerise at the Manoir de Maffrecourt and we didn't think
that it could get any better but once again Grant & Sandra exceled
themselves by ensuring that our stay was perfect. This year a new larger pool
in a fantastic location was perfect for cooling off in the glorious weather
with views over fields and the orchard. As always, the champagne was chilled
nicely for us to help ourselves with a larger selection of wine and Haagen Daz
ice cream also available for self service. Sandra offers a fantastic new
breakfast menu and more dishes for a selection of French favourties so if you
don't want to cook or eat out, you can pre-order your meal and it's delivered
to your door!
Another lovely touch was each evening at dusk, Grant
delivered an oil lamp to us so we could continue to sit outside and enjoy the
long evenings and sunsets. We enjoyed the beautiful surroundings each day and
even went to Disneyland for the day (it only takes 90 mins to get there) which
was an added surprise. The stunning surroundings and the very helpful owners
make this a holiday that we couldn't match which is why we intend to book again
next year. Everything you need is on hand including bike hire, TV and DVD and
wi-fi and there is a new direct dial telephone system which is cheaper than
using our mobiles. A superb relaxig holiday. " Louise & Cliff -
London, UK - June 2009 -
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gite
Cerise "We spent 3 nights and 4 days
at the Manoir as an adult antidote to 3 nights and 4 days at Eurodisney. We
were a little concerned that our children, aged 12 and 9, would become bored
after the full on action of Disney but they loved it. They lapped up the
freedom to go and explore, climb trees, to be independent. We had a fantastic
relaxing time.
The Gite we stayed in was clean and bright, had all the
facilities you could need, including a full kitchen. The Gite opens onto a
magnificent lawn with the orchard beyond, ideal for laying on the provided
sunbeds in the sun or under the trees in the dappled shade. The grounds extend
to some 6 acres and then onto a farm track with fields all around. It was so
nice to be able to walk to the end of the garden, onto the farm track and then
wander among the fields. We had a couple of great walks spotting numerous
butterflies, birds of prey and a couple of hares. Didn't manage to get up early
enough to see the deer but the kids had fun following the tracks.
We
booked dinner for our first night, very nice and good value after the
extortionate prices at Disney. We also had a lovely breakfast delivered in the
morning. The town is about 5 minutes away in the car and has a couple of
supermarkets, restaurants, banking facilities etc. The Manoir itself is a
charming building and the owners are doing a magnificent job of refurbishment,
you get a real feel that it is an organic living thing and yes I am jealous.
The owners were always happy to stop for a chat and answer questions
about the Manoir that I'm sure they must have heard a thousand times. And
finally my youngest daughter asked as we left for home "can we do this holiday
again next year" ? " I think we have had enough theme parks for a while" I
replied. " No not the Disney bit, the bit in the cottage, in the woods , with
the dog" she retorted
I think Walt could take a lesson in how to really
appeal to kids and adults! Kevin from Kent, UK - May 2009 - Via
TripAdvisor ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gite
Cerise "It was our first trip (we
were 3 single friends) to the Champagne country and we could not have been any
happier with this lucky find! Grant and Sandra were incredibly gracious &
personable hosts, the home cooked meals were amazing, and the on-site
champagne/wine/beer/apple juice bar was just perfect. The Manior is very
charming – you can buy fresh bread from a delivery truck every morning!
– and the garden on a nice, sunny day is particularly wonderful. The
tranquil setting and stunning views at Manior Maffrecourt could not be beat.
And if you want a break from the champagne, there are other very interesting
sites nearby, like the largest WWI American Cemetery in Europe. Just make sure
you have a GPS or a really good map because those little country roads can be
quite confusing. " Andrea from Amsterdam, The Netherlands - May 2009 -
---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Gite Mirabelle " Superb accommodation in a beautiful, tranquil setting
within easy reach of all major destinations within Champagne. Grant and Sandra
could not have been more helpful, and we look forward to booking our next trip
to the Manoir." Craig from London (UK) - May 2009 -
---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Gite Cerise Wonderful
welcome from the owners who couldn't have been more helpful. The cottage was
charming, well equipped and with a very comfortable bed. Our dogs loved being
able to have a good run in the grounds. Delicious evening meal and breakfast.
Wish we could have stayed longer! Mark Rowsell, Pershore (UK) - March
2009 - rated 10/10 for service, staff, cleanliness, comfort &
value - via
booking.com ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gite Mirabelle Complete peace and quiet was what we were looking for
and that is exactly what we got. We had the most lovely relaxing holiday.
Sandras cooking was a godsend - delicious and meant very little time spent in
the kitchen which is always welcome on holiday! Both Grant and Sandra were
wonderfully welcoming and charming hosts. We also brought our dog, who had the
best holiday ever and was happily exhausted every day after running around with
Hector. I would definitely recommend to anyone who wants to get away from it
all. Lucy from the Hague - March
2009 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Gite Mirabelle and Gite Cerise "Fantastic setting with fantastic owners
who really made all of us feel at home." Katy from Amsterdam - November
2008
---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Gite Cerise "Very peaceful, our gite
was overlooking the gardens with fruit trees and sounds of a nature. Gite was
very clean and had all the essentials that we required. Owners are very
friendly and helpfull, they have organized our trips to local champagne houses
and a wonderfull trip to Disneyland Resort Paris. The location is perfect to do
as much as you want or as little as you wish to. When visiting the Manoir dont
forget to sample a wonderfull jams and fruit juices that , the owners are
making from the own fruit trees. You can also order your breakfast or dinner
which, Sandra prepares for you with passion.Highly recomended, good value for
money, friendly and relaxing athmosphire. We will be back." Beata and
Adrian from London, UK - October 2008
---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Gite Mirabelle "The Gite Mirabelle
was clean and very comfortable. Grant and Sandra are excellent hosts, and
Sandra's mastery of French cooking has to be tried to be believed! There were
four of us and we all enjoyed our stay immensely. The location provided an
ideal base for us to travel to Reims and Epernay, and also to Verdun. Well
recommended." Peter from Canberra, Australia - October 2008
---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Gite Cerise "We have had such a wonderful holiday, the welcome has been
warm and you have given us great tips and advice which has made our travels
easy and stress-free!
Jack has loved the gardens and never wants to
leave and Hector is now his new best friend! The Gite has been beautiful
and our evenings of B-B-Q and the most wonderful sunsets have been fantastic.
The Champagne Tasting was a truly lovely evening and "Madame Cliquot"
has been given a run for her money by the Count de Dampierre and we are looking
forward to drinking more at home. Thank you so much for a wonderful week and we
hope to return soon." Heather, Simon & Chrissie & Jack (King of
the Bathroom Boudoir) from UK - August 2008
---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Gite Mirabelle "A beautifully appointed gite set in lovely gardens and
surrounded by attractive countryside. The Manoir de Maffrecourt provided us
with an ideal "chill-out" place. It is picturesque and peaceful and the
tranquility is contagious. Even the kids caught the bug and forgot about their
Nintedo games for some time. And to top it all Grant and Sandra are both
excellent hosts and enthusiastic proponents of their new home patch. It is
really nice to have their local knowledge to find the best places to shop, eat
or visit. Finally there is Hector the dog. Everybody loves
Hector!" Gareth from Stourbridge UK - August 2008
---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Gite Cerise "Grant and Sandra have thought of everything a family could
want or need for relaxation and fun in the Champagne countryside. And, judging
from our fellow guests (a group of friends) they've nailed it for non-families
as well!
Gite Cerise was absolutely charming and perfect with views
onto both the formal garden and expansive orchard. We loved having our own
outdoor seating area where we enjoyed delicious home-cooked meals by Sandra and
later an endless supply of tasty local beer, gorgeous Dampierre champagne and
stars.
Our toddler had a treasure trove of stimulation and fun. From
the toy chest full of toys to the swing in the orchard to the push toys, bike
ride, gardens and the world's best dog and friend, Hector.
The
gorgeous location, daily boulangerie delivery and attentive & gracious
hosts made the perfect weekend complete. We simply can't think of anything
they've not covered. It's the perfect place for a weekend and ideally longer!
We'll definitely be visiting again! Thank you! ("Bon jour, Hector!")
" Amy & Sean - USA - May 2008
---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Gite Cerise "We were unsure of where to stay when we went to France, but
I stumbled across the Web Site for Manoir De Maffrecourt and pleased I did. On
arrival Grant and Sandra were very helpful gave us a full tour around of the
gite and gardens. Never having been to the Champagne Region, they were very
helpful and gave us lots of tips of where to visit and what to do. We would
definitely go again when the opportunity arises" James from Worcester UK
- February 2008
---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Gite Mirabelle "Thank you so much for your knowledge & hospitality.
We wouldn't have seen half as much if it wasn't for your willing assistance. We
loved your Champagne tasting and learning all that you taught. We loved your
enthusiasm!!! Thanks especially from Elly who loved all the toys!! Fantastic
Gite, wonderful hosts. We will be back" Families Higgins & Perkins,
Australia - January 2008
---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Gite Mirabelle "The standard of accommodation was exceptional. Lovely
setting in a quiet location, with easy access to the autoroute. We were well
catered for - a family extending from grandchildren through to grandmother, and
all had a wonderful time." Loretta from London, UK - December 2007
---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Gite Mirabelle "Thoroughly enjoyed our stay - the champagne tasting
evening was a great fun. Grant and Sandra are excellent hosts (Grant even acted
as chauffeur into the nearest town when we were celebrating a birthday!). We
would hope to go back one day." Peter from Cheltenham, England - October
2007
---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Gite Mirabelle “we booked a two bedroom gite over the internet for
our 3 day visit to the champagne region; we were expecting something basic for
the price but were pleasantly surprised to find a lovely 2 bed flat you would
be happy to live in full time (maybe with a few less kids) packed with
ammenities. Our daughter Natasha also got over her fear of Dogs too! Whilst the
weather was inclement the welcome was warm and friendly and we can not
recommend staying at the Manoir high enough” Robert & Caroline
Lamden and 4 children, Berkshire - August 2007
---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Gite Cerise "A very beautiful house and gite. The rural setting and
gardens are picture postcard. We have now fallen in love with this part of
France. Excellent value for money. We couldnt have been looked after any better
- Grant and his wife were friendly and always there to offer advice on where to
go and things to do when the weather was not particularly brilliant. We enjoyed
the gardens and helping to pick the mirabelle plums!! We would return again and
would recommend it. Anyone who always travels to the coast should try this part
odf france - its like bring in derbyshire without the traffic and on a much
larger scale!! - lovely!!" Mary from UK - August 2007
---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Gite Cerise "Super holiday and again consistent with other reviewers we
experienced first class hospitality from the proprietors. We took our young
family and they loved playing in the orchard and running around with
Hector. Even on wet days there are things to do with lots of advice from
Grant and Sandra. Disney is only 90 mins away and again we had lots of help and
advice on how to best use our time at the park. A very peaceful place. We
stayed in Gite Cerise which enters onto the garden - great to relax in and sit
and sip the champagne that is on hand. You feel that you are in rural France
but with the comfort of having British hosts to guide you." David from
Barham, UK - August 2007
---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Gite Cerise "I can't remember having a better holiday. The
area, atmosphere, accommodation, welcome and peace were beyond compare and much
needed. We are already planning our return. Looking forward to seeing you soon
" Jill from Llandudno - July 2007
---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Gite Cerise "It's been just over 3 weeks since we got back
from our holiday and we are already planning the next one! From the moment we
arrived, Grant & Sandra made us feel welcome and relaxed and the beautiful
setting of the Manoir de Maffrecourt was out of this world. Gite Cerise has
been beautifully decorated and the whole setting far exceeded our expectations.
We had the most fantastic holiday ever and Grant & Sandra's hospitality and
knowledge of the champagne region was superb. The champagne tasting evening is
not to be missed - what a great way to spend a warm summers evening! We have
made a great friendship with Grant & Sandra (and we miss Hector!).
This was a holiday that we will never forget and have already recommended it to
many friends." Louise & Cliff Meen - July 2007
---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Gite Cerise "Our hopes & dreams for an "extra-special"
holiday to celebrate our 50th birthdays were totally surpassed by the fabulous
gite, friendly, helpful & welcoming hosts, an ambience of peace &
relaxation and an oasis in which to unwind! Thankyou for all you have done to
make our stay "the holiday of holidays"!!" Linda and Simon -
Leicestershire - June 2007
---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Gite Cerise "We had a fantastic time at the Manoir. The gite
itself was lovely with great pesonal touches and very baby friendly. Grant and
Sandra were very welcoming and couldn't do enough to make our holiday
fantastic. Have already recommended the gite to friends and am sure we'll be
back again soon!" Louise and Mathew - London - May 2007
---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Gite Cerise "We have stayed at a few Gites and this one is
deffinately the best! It was very clean and the attention to detail was
excellent and made our stay a home from home experience. The bed was so comfy
and the big white fluffy towels are 'to die for'! The kitchen was very well
equipped and the owners had 'thought of everything' that one might need, when
staying away from home in another country. Grant and Sandra were so welcoming
and friendly and made you feel that you could call on them and ask for
anything. Lastly but not least...... Hector was an added bonus!"
Rob and Shirley Sowray - York - May 2007
---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Gite
Mirabelle "I do not believe I have ever seen France in any other season as
in winter. I find France to be more at peace in this particular season. Our
visit to Champagne in January was an experience as all my experiences were in
Burgundy, Alsace and Paris, how to say it simply "Fantastic". Our stay
at the Manoir De Maffrecourt was greeted with a warm welcome from Sandra and
Grant. They ensured that our stay would be comfortable and their hospitality
was terrific. As there was three in our party Grant graciously upgraded us all
to the larger suite. The greatest detail of all is the well stocked
refrigerator and easy access of Champagne in case you were low on supply or
just plain out. Well done Grant. The Manoir De Maffrecourt sits perched on a
small hill looking over vast amounts of rolling hills. This makes for great
walking and exploring for hours with the family pet . It must be just beautiful
in the summer. Our gite was comfortable and allowed us to prepare our own meals
and sit back to ponder the idea on which Champagne to pop. The one thing we did
miss was the fireplace. But Grant mentioned he was working on this detail.
Being a vacationer in Winter this is a must. I would definately return, but I
think this time I would like to give it a go in Spring. Sandra and Grant, I
would like to thank you once again. I hope you enjoyed the Blackforest Honey
and I apologize for the lateness of this review. All the very best to both of
you and a big hello to your dog (I forgot his name) sorry. " Patrick
from Berlin, Germany - review May 2007 for a stay in January
2007 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Gite Cerise "An excellent gite in the beautiful countryside.
Well equipped and comfortable. Excellent hosts. Ideal for relaxing and
exploring the Champagne region" Janet and Ian - Kent - April 2007
---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Gite Mirabelle "Beautifully located, this pristine gite was
perfect. Exceptional in every way" Nicky and Tony - Cheshire - April 2007
---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Gite Mirabelle "Mirabelle is one of the best Gites we have
stayed in. Grant and Sandra are fabulous hosts and the gite was brilliant for
our toddler - everything you could possibly need. We would definitely visit
again. Oh - the champagne tasting was not to be missed either" Louise
Harry - Berkshire - November 2006
----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Gite Cerise "Loved the gite, great hosts and
location." Sarah Hill - Wiltshire - November 2006
----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Gite Mirabelle Manoir de Maffrecourt exceeded all of our expectations.
My wife, 18 month old son, and I visited the Gite in April, 2006. Grant and
Sandra looked after all of our needs. I was particularly impressed by the
preparations they made for our son's visit (crib, stuffed animals, toys, etc.).
Plus, Grant and Sandra's children were absolutely delightful and our son,
Patrick continues to speak about them fondly (apparently 18 month olds have a
great memory!). The accomodations are superb ...... Ted Barry -
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA - April
2006 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Gite Cerise "It's got to be good - this was our THIRD visit,
and what Sandra and Grant have set up provides us with a great mix of calm,
exploration, friendliness, great local food and wine (hunt out the small and
totally unadvertised lunchtime cafes in the middle of nowhere!) and the best
reception you'll find anywhere. Meet the local Mayor, see the WWI trenches,
taste Sandra's scrummy jam, grab a case or two of local wine or champagne, view
the nesting Mirabelle Swallows (who've been returning to this site for
generations) or just sit staring at the landscape as the sun goes down... Oh,
and the Gites are wonderful, naturally. Lovely, as ever. See you soon!"
Steve, Pam & Charlie from London - August 2006
----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Gite Cerise Very quiet and relaxing with very friendly
hosts, the grounds that are available to you are outstanding, the addition of a
splash pool was a pleasant surprise, will definately revisit in a couple of
years. David Corbett - Wales - August 2006
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gite Mirabelle Our gite exceeded our
expectations because we were looking for up-market accommodation in typical
French countryside in a typical French village - with no commercialisation. The
gite was furnished very stylishly and the crisp linen and white cotton towels
contributed to the luxurious feel. The Manoir was very old and the children
were fascinated with an escape tunnel built under the house where British
airmen made their way to freedom in the First World War. We loved the three
windows opening onto a beautiful rose garden, the orchard of fruit trees and
the field of wild grasses and flowers. We also appreciated its proximity to
Verdun and the Argonne Forest, site of First World War and Second World War
battles. The champagne area of Epernay is an hour's drive from Maffrecourt and
the area is famous for the apprehension of Louis XXVI when he fled from Paris
during the French Revolution. Grant and Sandra were the perfect hosts and one
really couldn't ask for more to make a perfect holiday." Margot and
Patrick Glyn -South Africa - July 2006
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gite Cerise "We had a lovely
week in Manoir de Maffrecourt in a wounderful gite and in the serene country
setting of eastern Champagne. Being our first visit to Champagne and with a
somewhat broken French we where delighted with all the help and advice we got
from Grant and Sandra, a British couple who found a new home here some years
ago. Setting up visits to Champagne houses, small and large was a breeze and we
could focus on enjoying those visits. Epernay & Reims are both within
comfortable reach while far away enough to avoid almost all other tourists. If
you prefer, great Champagne can even be bought at the Manoir together with an
assortment of local delis, bread being delivered to your front door!"
Anastasia & Peter from Sweden - July 2006 -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gite Mirabelle "Manoir de Maffrecourt exceeded all of our expectations.
My wife, 18 month old son, and I visited the Gite in April, 2006. Grant and
Sandra looked after all of our needs. I was particularly impressed by the
preparations they made for our son's visit (crib, stuffed animals, toys, etc.).
Plus, Grant and Sandra's children were absolutely delightful and our son,
Patrick continues to speak about them fondly (apparently 18 month olds have a
great memory!). The accommodations are superb. Our gite was on the second
floor. The furnishings and appliances were first class. The kitchen is very
cozy and well equipped. The bathroom is stupendous. We certainly felt like we
had our own country estate, not a room in someone else's house. The grounds
provide excellent walking, lounging, and relaxation opportunities. The
surrounding farmland is stunning and the nearby town of Saint Menehould
contains cute shops and an excellent supermarket called "Super-U". We actually
cooked all of our meals in the gite. The selection at Super-U is as good, if
not better, than the finest markets in the USA. The location is rural, although
there is obviously much to do for the history buff (World War One sites are
everywhere - we enjoyed Verdun) and the wine lover (Reims and Epernay - we
preferred Epernay, Moet et Chandon specifically). The drive from Charles de
Gaulle airport is about three hours. We had no problem finding the Gite. One
day we drove to Euro Disney for the sole purpose of visiting Paris by train.
The trains run constantly, are very reasonably priced, and the drive from
Maffrecourt to the Euro Disney train station is about 90 minutes a vast
majority of which is on the highway. After all is said and done, door to door,
it took us about 2.5 hours to travel from the Manoir to Avenue de l'Opera in
Paris. We were sipping cafe de creme shortly thereafter. Overall, our fondest
memories of our trip involve the two days we spent doing absolutely "nothing"
at the Manoir! "Nothing" included sleeping in late, doing laundry (and hanging
it to dry!), eating (a lot), and getting to know Grant, Sandra, and their
neighbor, the late, great Guy Francart, over glasses of wine and glasses of eau
de vie. Watching the sunset with new friends, while our beautiful baby boy
frolicked with the Endersby children is a memory that seems right out of a
novel! I should also mention that we drove more than 700 miles during our
week-long visit to Maffrecourt. If you are willing to spend some time in the
car, you can visit many, many places in France. If you are considering the
Manoir, please do not limit yourself to a long weekend. It is an excellent and
reasonably priced base for a week's worth of adventures. To sum it up, a visit
to Manoir de Maffrecourt enabled our family from the USA to get a great
understanding of life in the Champagne region. If you are looking for a
relaxing holiday that includes fun people, sites, and experiences, then you
should try Manoir de Maffrecourt. Plus, if you have small children, please
consider a trip like our trip. While lugging a stroller and everything else to
France is a lot of effort, it is worth it, I assure you!" (note from Grant - Strollers now provided too!) Ted Barry - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA - April 2006
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gite Mirabelle Wonderful gite. Very helpful owners. We would certainly
come again Ilona, Delft, Holland
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gite Mirabelle Beautiful gite! The photos don't do it justice! Very
wonderful hosts too - above and beyond, thank you very much. We had a fantastic
time. Harvey and Sonya, Durban, South Africa
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gite Cerise The gîte was amazing, just the right size... excellent
view and all appl. were there (handy with a son of 14months) The owners were
most friendly! The surround system in the gîte and the dvd rental
service... made the stay fantastic We recommended this to a lot of our friends
and family. One of the best we had and just a 3hour drive AND champagne.. what
else do you want :-) Family De Bie- Adriaens, Antwerp, Belgium
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gite Cerise Gite Cerise is in very good decorative order, recently
restored. It retains character of the traditional building but has a light airy
modern feel. The bathroom and kitchen are newly fitted and the kitchen is big
enough to do a dinner party if you make efficient use of space. The Garden and
location are beautiful. The view is across rolling countryside but the gite is
still within easy striking distance of the town by car. This is proper rural
France and doesn't feel too colonialised by tourists. The second gite at the
Manoir de Maffrecourt is also beautifully decorated and Grant and Sandra are
really nice people. They gave us a warm welcome and even helped us unpack the
car. They had kindly put some bread butter, milk and other staple foods in the
fridge for us. Overall they are genuinely hospitable and are well connected in
the village so they can arrange excursions and recommend things to do. We
particularly enjoyed visits to World War I sites nearby and would recommend
visits to the Verdun memorials north of the town itself, the underground
citadel at Verdun (great tour) and Vauquois if that sort of thing is of
interest. Reims and Epernay are within driving distance (40 mins) for Champagne
house tours and the area around the Argonne forest is generally very
scenic." Charles and Charlotte, London, UK
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gite Mirabelle The property had been renovated to a high standard and we
had an extremely comfortable stay. Finishing touches such as large shower, 2
sinks in bathroom, tv & dvd player etc made a big difference. Ben and
Abbe, Fleet, Hampshire UK
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gite Mirabelle Sandra and Grant are perfect hosts - helpful, charming,
not at all intrusive, but there if you need anything. The house and gardens are
relaxed, spacious and elegant, and the accommodation is comfortable and well
organised. Though the village itself is wonderfully peaceful (apart from the
sometimes-accurate soft chimes of the old church bells) it is ideally situated
- head out in just about any direction for various day trips to take in
history, good food and, of course, great Champagne! We'll definitely be back -
thank you! Steve, London UK
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gite Mirabelle We had a lovely, relaxing time. The only problem was
that we weren't staying longer! We'll definately be coming back again and will
recommend to friends. Very warm welcome, lovely decor, great garden and just
perfect for switching off! Thanks! Hel and Christy, London,
UK
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gite Mirabelle We have had a very relaxing week at this wonderful
gite and have enjoyed all the comforts of home in a tranquil rural setting. It
has been a perfect place to return to at the end of busy days. We wish Sandra
and Grant all the very best and our sincere thanks for being such hospitable
hosts. Genevive and Wayne, Melbourne, Australia
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gite Cerise Thanks for all your hospitality and especially for
making Lachlan's (18 months old) stay so enjoyable. We look forward to seeing
Grant in his spandex firemens uniform in due course......This is a great place
to be and we'll be back as soon as we can.All the best, Stephen, Suzy
and Lachlan Antwerp (via Glasgow)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gite Mirabelle Lovely gite. Great setting. A very "French" part of
France. We hope things go from strength to strength in your french adventure
(Grant and Sandra).Best wishes Angela and David, East Yorkshire,
UK
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gite Mirabelle Le Manoir C'est Magnifique! We had a great week here
and will definately return.The surroundings are truly beautiful only surpassed
by the great welcome from sandra and Grant.Thank you both so much for a
wonderful time. We will recomend "le Manoir" to our friends and any who
ask.Once again many thanks for a great week James Suffolk, UK
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gite Mirabelle It was more like visiting friends,and we leave here
with warm memories, and plans to return soon.Thank you so much for your open
hospitality - we had a fabulous time. Steve, Pam and Charlie Day (London
UK)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gite Mirabelle It's wonderful indeed to spend a week in this
fantastic French country manor house. I had never imagined such a beautiful and
tranquil life in the french countryside. In the morning I enjoyed birds
singing. At night, oh, how fantastic all the sky was with millions of stars.
I'll never forget these days in French countryside.
Shukie Ishii
(Japan)
Thank you very much for your heart warming hospitality. We
fully enjoyed the beauty of this French country village and tasted wonderful
food. Miyuki Takino (Japan)
I especially liked the forest
because I caught small blue beetles. Thank you very much
Shunta
Takino (Japan)
Thank you for taking us in your house. It was really
nice and clean and very enjoyable. Thank you for all your explanations as well
in the forest. It must be very difficult to translate French into English.
Finally I would like to thank you for all your hard work to get the tennis
courts. I hope I can come back soon.
Mouri Takino (Japan)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
We've had a fantastic holiday. The gite was superb and contained everything
we could have wanted. You've been great hosts and we look forward to coming
back another time! Au Revoir Chris + Marie (Nottingham UK)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Had a lovely relaxing time. Gite was great, lakes fantastic for cooling
down in the warm weather.Look forward to seeing you again. Carole +
Grant
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Had a fantastic few days, very relaxing, superb weather and fabulous
gite.We will be back again! Amelie ( four month old baby) says a special thank
you for the shutters! Clare,Mark, Amelie (London UK)
Reviews with stars are from clients
providing feedback via our booking system. The rating is determined from the
degree of satisfaction expressed when answering four questions relating to the
quality and enjoyment of their stay. The questions are included in a "review"
email sent to guests a week after their holiday. This information is then
passed on to us.
Share
Designed &
Hosted by Easy-Pc.biz
News New 
Gite Mirabelle
Gite Mirabelle
Gite Cerise "Very peaceful, our gite
was overlooking the gardens with fruit trees and sounds of a nature. Gite was
very clean and had all the essentials that we required. Owners are very
friendly and helpfull, they have organized our trips to local champagne houses
and a wonderfull trip to Disneyland Resort Paris. The location is perfect to do
as much as you want or as little as you wish to. When visiting the Manoir dont
forget to sample a wonderfull jams and fruit juices that , the owners are
making from the own fruit trees. You can also order your breakfast or dinner
which, Sandra prepares for you with passion.Highly recomended, good value for
money, friendly and relaxing athmosphire. We will be back." 
Gite Cerise "Super holiday and again consistent with other reviewers we
experienced first class hospitality from the proprietors. We took our young
family and they loved playing in the orchard and running around with
Hector. Even on wet days there are things to do with lots of advice from
Grant and Sandra. Disney is only 90 mins away and again we had lots of help and
advice on how to best use our time at the park. A very peaceful place. We
stayed in Gite Cerise which enters onto the garden - great to relax in and sit
and sip the champagne that is on hand. You feel that you are in rural France
but with the comfort of having British hosts to guide you." 
Gite
Mirabelle "I do not believe I have ever seen France in any other season as
in winter. I find France to be more at peace in this particular season. Our
visit to Champagne in January was an experience as all my experiences were in
Burgundy, Alsace and Paris, how to say it simply "Fantastic". Our stay
at the Manoir De Maffrecourt was greeted with a warm welcome from Sandra and
Grant. They ensured that our stay would be comfortable and their hospitality
was terrific. As there was three in our party Grant graciously upgraded us all
to the larger suite. The greatest detail of all is the well stocked
refrigerator and easy access of Champagne in case you were low on supply or
just plain out. Well done Grant. The Manoir De Maffrecourt sits perched on a
small hill looking over vast amounts of rolling hills. This makes for great
walking and exploring for hours with the family pet . It must be just beautiful
in the summer. Our gite was comfortable and allowed us to prepare our own meals
and sit back to ponder the idea on which Champagne to pop. The one thing we did
miss was the fireplace. But Grant mentioned he was working on this detail.
Being a vacationer in Winter this is a must. I would definately return, but I
think this time I would like to give it a go in Spring. Sandra and Grant, I
would like to thank you once again. I hope you enjoyed the Blackforest Honey
and I apologize for the lateness of this review. All the very best to both of
you and a big hello to your dog (I forgot his name) sorry. " 
Gite Cerise "We had a lovely
week in Manoir de Maffrecourt in a wounderful gite and in the serene country
setting of eastern Champagne. Being our first visit to Champagne and with a
somewhat broken French we where delighted with all the help and advice we got
from Grant and Sandra, a British couple who found a new home here some years
ago. Setting up visits to Champagne houses, small and large was a breeze and we
could focus on enjoying those visits. Epernay & Reims are both within
comfortable reach while far away enough to avoid almost all other tourists. If
you prefer, great Champagne can even be bought at the Manoir together with an
assortment of local delis, bread being delivered to your front door!"
Gite Mirabelle "Manoir de Maffrecourt exceeded all of our expectations.
My wife, 18 month old son, and I visited the Gite in April, 2006. Grant and
Sandra looked after all of our needs. I was particularly impressed by the
preparations they made for our son's visit (crib, stuffed animals, toys, etc.).
Plus, Grant and Sandra's children were absolutely delightful and our son,
Patrick continues to speak about them fondly (apparently 18 month olds have a
great memory!). The accommodations are superb. Our gite was on the second
floor. The furnishings and appliances were first class. The kitchen is very
cozy and well equipped. The bathroom is stupendous. We certainly felt like we
had our own country estate, not a room in someone else's house. The grounds
provide excellent walking, lounging, and relaxation opportunities. The
surrounding farmland is stunning and the nearby town of Saint Menehould
contains cute shops and an excellent supermarket called "Super-U". We actually
cooked all of our meals in the gite. The selection at Super-U is as good, if
not better, than the finest markets in the USA. The location is rural, although
there is obviously much to do for the history buff (World War One sites are
everywhere - we enjoyed Verdun) and the wine lover (Reims and Epernay - we
preferred Epernay, Moet et Chandon specifically). The drive from Charles de
Gaulle airport is about three hours. We had no problem finding the Gite. One
day we drove to Euro Disney for the sole purpose of visiting Paris by train.
The trains run constantly, are very reasonably priced, and the drive from
Maffrecourt to the Euro Disney train station is about 90 minutes a vast
majority of which is on the highway. After all is said and done, door to door,
it took us about 2.5 hours to travel from the Manoir to Avenue de l'Opera in
Paris. We were sipping cafe de creme shortly thereafter. Overall, our fondest
memories of our trip involve the two days we spent doing absolutely "nothing"
at the Manoir! "Nothing" included sleeping in late, doing laundry (and hanging
it to dry!), eating (a lot), and getting to know Grant, Sandra, and their
neighbor, the late, great Guy Francart, over glasses of wine and glasses of eau
de vie. Watching the sunset with new friends, while our beautiful baby boy
frolicked with the Endersby children is a memory that seems right out of a
novel! I should also mention that we drove more than 700 miles during our
week-long visit to Maffrecourt. If you are willing to spend some time in the
car, you can visit many, many places in France. If you are considering the
Manoir, please do not limit yourself to a long weekend. It is an excellent and
reasonably priced base for a week's worth of adventures. To sum it up, a visit
to Manoir de Maffrecourt enabled our family from the USA to get a great
understanding of life in the Champagne region. If you are looking for a
relaxing holiday that includes fun people, sites, and experiences, then you
should try Manoir de Maffrecourt. Plus, if you have small children, please
consider a trip like our trip. While lugging a stroller and everything else to
France is a lot of effort, it is worth it, I assure you!" (note from Grant - Strollers now provided too!)
