Auberge de la Petite Fadette — Restaurant in La Châtre

This small 8-room hotel is one of several buildings that is part of a compound dating back hundreds of years, including a small centuries-old Catholic Church. Its web site (http://www.aubergepetitefadette.com/) does not do it justice and could include more information about it as well as better photos. The complex is part of the area that was home, and burial, to George Sands (1804 - 1876), a major feminist writer of her time. Our room (#4, on the second level) had a small foyer that separated the bedroom from the large bath. Off the bedroom was a large, private roof terrace. The bedroom contained period furniture, including a large armoire. The bath was large and very modern. While we would have preferred softer towels, I learned from visiting friends who lived nearby that these rather stiff and scratchy towels are common to the area. The towels worked well and, in fact, were rather stimulating--perhaps their intended purpose. The bed "pillows" were more like sheets wrapped up in another small sheet; they didn't provide much support, but they didn't prevent us from getting a good sleep, either. Perhaps it's a cultural difference that I embraced rather than groused about.|| ||The morning meal (petit-déjeuner) was very French: breads, jams, butter, coffee and juice. It was charming and it was served in a casual, yet refined, area of the hotel at a table-clothed table with flowers. In the evening, one can eat in the main restaurant. We, along with several friends who joined us, ate there one evening. Everyone thoroughly enjoyed their meals and wine.|| ||French is not commonly spoken, nor was it expected, here in this rural area many miles south of Paris (approximately 1 hour by train from Paris). But through a few basic French words and gestures, we were able to communicate with the young woman who was responsible for the hotel. Should I find myself in this area again, I would not hesitate a second...

This small 8-room hotel is one of several buildings that is part of a compound dating back hundreds of years, including a small centuries-old Catholic Church. Its web site (http://www.aubergepetitefadette.com/) does not do it justice and could include more information about it as well as better photos. The complex is part of the area that was home, and burial, to George Sands (1804 - 1876), a major feminist writer of her time. Our room (#4, on the second level) had a small foyer that separated the bedroom from the large bath. Off the bedroom was a large, private roof terrace. The bedroom contained period furniture, including a large armoire. The bath was large and very modern. While we would have preferred softer towels, I learned from visiting friends who lived nearby that these rather stiff and scratchy towels are common to the area. The towels worked well and, in fact, were rather stimulating--perhaps their intended purpose. The bed "pillows" were more like sheets wrapped up in another small sheet; they didn't provide much support, but they didn't prevent us from getting a good sleep, either. Perhaps it's a cultural difference that I embraced rather than groused about.|| ||The morning meal (petit-déjeuner) was very French: breads, jams, butter, coffee and juice. It was charming and it was served in a casual, yet refined, area of the hotel at a table-clothed table with flowers. In the evening, one can eat in the main restaurant. We, along with several friends who joined us, ate there one evening. Everyone thoroughly enjoyed their meals and wine.|| ||French is not commonly spoken, nor was it expected, here in this rural area many miles south of Paris (approximately 1 hour by train from Paris). But through a few basic French words and gestures, we were able to communicate with the young woman who was responsible for the hotel. Should I find myself in this area again, I would not hesitate a second...

This little hotel is located in the grounds of the old home of French writer Georges Sand, and is thus the perfect place for any Sand enthusiasts! It also means the buildings are old, and have been tastefully decorated to fit its place as a rural, old-fashioned hotel. The rooms are comfortable, with antique furniture, writing desks, and modern bathrooms. The restaurant is beautiful with all the beams, tapestries, candles etc, and the service is reminiscent of old French service, for example taster dishes and crumb sweeping. The set menus are the best value, with 4 courses for €35 you get excellent food. The breakfast is limited in choice for €12; you get lots of coffee, orange juice, croissants, bread and pastries, but not much else. There is no wifi. ||||It is a very sleepy village/area in general, but very relaxing for a day or two, and there are old churches to potter around, and cycling to do in the area, as well as the Georges Sand chateaux and chapel literally 100m from the door of the hotel. Madam of the hotel speaks no English, but a couple of the waiters do, but even then miming and a little French can get you by. If you're looking for modern, don't come here, because it's old-fashioned, a little ridiculous and imitating a bygone age, but that is all part of its great charm if you like that sort of thing. The rooms are fairly expensive (over €100 p/night), but it is a nice...