Here are extracts of a few of the entries we found in the Visitors book over the last few years.
‘Felt very privileged to see deer, a mountain hare and chamois at quite close quarters.
We have really enjoyed our stay here. The whole area is beautiful, but this particular end of the valley, and the wonderful view across the mountains from the front of the house, especially so. We are delighted that we have not seen a single British number plate all week, and that the region is so unspoilt by tourism. It could not be more of a tonic to London life.
Thank you for your generous attitude towards letting out your home and all the invaluable advice about the house and the area. We have had a wonderful week, and hope to return to Cantal another time’.
GB&TP
May
‘Here we are back for the umpteenth time, but it continues to offer us what we need when we come here – peace, quiet and tranquillity. The spring flowers have been wonderful.
We have enjoyed suppers on the terrace, our usual trip to Le Falgoux for a pastis in the hotel there, and J-P Ladonne’s sublime cheeses. Apart from that we have said it all before!’
EH
May
‘It has been a great privilege to stay here and we certainly hope to return in the future’.
J&IW
May
‘Walking up towards Puy Mary were great banks of yellow orchids, deep purple orchids and violets of at least four different varieties. A single gentian plant of such penetrating blue that all other blues are somehow too pale, too dark or too purple by comparison. Sun out all day, brilliant light.
A great holiday again in a wonderfully developed regional house’
R&S R-J
May
‘All the Puys, all the flowers, the sheets of orchids wonderful wonderful. Fromage de Salers good of course! On the way to Salers lots of little gems of villages’.
P&P B
May
‘The cottage is delightful-a perfect blend of antique charm and modern comfort and practicalities.
Now I sit at the ancient table-the door wide open to the hills, bells chiming evocatively and accentuating the sense of peace. It has been a perfect holiday and thank you for sharing with us your enchanting cottage in the Auvergne’.
S&P M
June
‘Simply lovely to be here again and to enjoy the valley and the mountains-as good as ever, which is saying a lot’.
J&P H
June
‘We would echo all the previous comments on the lovely scenery, lots of walks, wonderful flowers and birds. I only wish I could identify them all.’
J&K W
June
‘We have thoroughly enjoyed our holiday-our first visit to this area. ‘The wondrous mountain views will flash upon that inward eye, that is the bliss of solitude’’
M&D C
June
‘We came for R&R and got it in spades. What an enchanting place and house-we shall return if we may’.
R&M B
July
‘Here at the Col de Legal the buzzards were circling, heralded by their cries, an elongated mew, and they were joined by a black kite which once in a thermal even high-powered binoculars could hardly make him out. The wild flowers were in their usual profusion and varied colours and it is here you can see the magnificent Martignan lily, a protected rare species. On our return to the cottage we were greeted by a variety of birds: goldfinches, warblers, yellowhammers and black redstarts. One exciting of bird life was a stone nuthatch, which sat on the wall at the front door of the cottage for several minutes.
The walk from the cottage to Mandailles via Liadouze will enable the sharp-eyed to see water voles, dippers and yellow, grey and pied wagtails. It is possible in the evening or early morning to see red deer, chamois and roebuck on the slopes opposite the cottage. However, the brave of heart may like to get up at 5.30am and drive to the Col de Legal where doe, buzzards, hares and much more can be seen in the quiet before too many vehicles disturb them.
We have seen many birds of prey; buzzards, hawks, one eagle, black kites and red kites. The red were adult with wing spans of 5½ feet but very graceful and a treat to watch’
C&AM
July
‘The house is in the best valley of the region and in the best location for walking-a double whammy really. We find it very comfortable, and the new part is a great asset. Lovely spacious bedroom and a terrace to spend the early evenings on. The real bonus for us was the many walks that can be done from the doorstep-no car needed.
We have thoroughly enjoyed our stay here, and the countryside around. Many thanks for the opportunity to stay in your delightful cottage’.
IP
July
‘It is such a beautiful valley, the scenery is breathtaking and the villages a delight. My favourite drives were over the mountain passes where the wild flowers were marvellous! I have never seen such a display’.
P&T E
July
‘We can only add to the many effusive tributes to the house and the area. The house has been immensely more comfortable than we’d expected, with so many homely touches. We’re full of admiration for all that you’ve done to blend old and new so effectively-it’s clearly been a labour of love and we feel very fortunate to have enjoyed the fruits of your labour! The region too has exceeded our expectations and, like many of our predecessors, we’ve completely fallen for it. In short, a week we shall remember fondly for a VERY LONG TIME.’
A&A WB
July
‘We did some [not too strenuous] walking, sighting chamois and deer [4 times] as well as rabbit, intriguing bird life and the usual wonderful wild flowers. Otherwise we just mooched about enjoying French life and had a lovely restful holiday [the food appeals particularly]. Loved it!’
R&M B
July
‘We reckon this is the best gite we have ever stayed in, lovely cottage, cosy log fire, spacious bedroom and all those ‘secret’ rooms upstairs on the old part that we didn’t use but occasionally visited.
We have been warmed by the friendliness of the neighbours’.
C&N M
July
‘Wow! What an amazing region-the mountains are so beautiful and the people really friendly. Aurillac is lovely, with some great shops. Unsurprisingly there are many brilliant walks but if you enjoy stunning views then walking up to Puy Chavaroche on the GR400 is definitely worth it.
Ultimately a very relaxing stay in a stunning place’
H
July
‘A splendid holiday in a lovely well-equipped house, spectacularly situated. We have enjoyed the house, particularly good lighting everywhere, plenty of sharp knives, excellent fridge and freezer space and above all, the superb terrace with those marvellous chairs. The weather has been very pleasant with one exciting midnight storm-thunder, lightening and hailstones-and we have found good food well cooked and moderately priced, a great success!’
A&Y R
July
‘We are very sorry to be leaving after seven restorative days and nights in R. The cottage is stunning and continues to surprise and fascinate, homely and impressive by turns The pleasures of our stay here are too numerous to mention but we remember particularly the bats of Salers at sunset, the endless beech forests; the medieval style kitchen fire; candle-lit meals on the terrace; a night-time lightening storm [although the weather for most part has been beautiful]’
D&G H
August
‘It is amazing that in this one valley, one can find numerous walks of all types from ‘facile’ to ‘difficile’. We are leaving frustrated because there is still more that we would like to do.
The cottage is so very comfortable to be in, and due too the sunny weather we had the benefit of the balcony and the terrace to sit and enjoy a glass of wine, paint a picture, do a crossword, read a book or just do nothing other than look out at the stunning scenery. This has been one of our best holidays ever, and we feel it a privilege that Mr and Mrs H have allowed us the use of the cottage.’
JW
September
‘Eight days of fabulous weather. Strolling the byways and tracks of the valley, have decided to rename this district the ‘Golden Valley’ or better still….’Paradise Found’ as we came here completely by chance – and knowing little or nothing of what to expect. [We came, we saw, we were conquered!] There is only one major problem for us------leaving’.
JC
September
‘We have come for our 4th holiday in the Auvergne [over 7 years] and this is the best location for us as walkers and lovers of the mountains.
The gite itself is great. Very well equipped and everything works. Loved the log fire in the old house. We loved Mme Ladonne’s goat’s cheese [toasted], milk and yoghurts. The contrast between the old and new house really works and we loved the artwork.
Weather was neatly divided. Excellent the first week, then not all that excellent in the second week. Still, that’s the mountains in September for you.
Overall, a memorable holiday. Thanks’.
J&B D
September
‘As mentioned by all the previous writers the hotels/eating establishments are excellent for both value and quality
All in all a marvellous holiday, even when the mist is down and it is raining the hills are beautiful’
SM
October
‘An exhilarating holiday enjoyed by all the group in a lovely comfortable warm house.’
S,G,M,A&I
October
‘The Vallee de la Jordanne is quite simply the utter best. We are by now well and truly smitten and can’t wait for our return.
PS I read all the previous entries being extremely impressed by how much people had written and thinking ‘no way’ when it comes to myself. 4 pages later! Just goes to show what it says about the place’.
CC
October