Private Home in a Medieval Village Near Paris and Champange

Bucolic bliss! Gently sloping hills of pastures green, studded with copses enveloped by forests of times forgotten. A silence only broken by the duclet tones of the church chimes. A picture postcard perfect hamlet of 'maisons anciennes en pierre' (old stone houses), narrow lanes that wind through the countryside, beckoning the intrepid traveler into the heart of Picardy. The medieval spires of Laon cathedral perched atop a hill radiate their presence throughout the region, a reminder of the permanence, and lure of the superlative French way of life. Reims, the centre of the champagne region and a magnet for the 'bon viveur, offers champagne tasting, a unique experience since most labels of this effervescent grandiosity never reach the parched shelves of retailers around the world. Overall, a discreet and charming respite for the well-traveled who yearn for the subtle and discerning travel experience.

We travelled by car from Lille and stayed in September 2012 -pleasantly cool. Eric was very friendly and helpful booking on-line. His directions and suggestions are very good.
You arrive in a gravelled courtyard, parking right near the door. In a big car you might find turning in off the lane a little tight. There’s a wonderfully planted up garden that will get better with time - fresh rosemary, raspberries, grapes…
The finished areas downstairs are wonderful – excellent modern kitchen, very comfortable lounge and dining furniture, the bathroom/toilet/laundry aren’t quite finished but are very clean and functional. Cutlery and appliances are all you need for a lengthy stay. Don't bother to stock up with salt, pepper, vinegarettes, spices etc - there's heaps in the cupboard for the next year or so. All the linen you might need is there.
I’m not a great fan of what seem to be standard internal European stairs, narrow and steep, take them slowly. Upstairs isn’t quite finished yet, mostly painting and bits of trim but there’s all you need with comfortable beds in the three bedrooms. Some of the electrical power points weren’t working in some rooms yet so we adapted the furniture to suit. The upstairs bathroom still needs work done, but the toilet (a bit rickety) and basin are very clean and usable. There’s an iron and ironing board too.
Montchalons village is charming and the people are super friendly. Veronique who looks after the place for Eric is a delight. There are no shops but the baker comes around 10.30 most mornings including Sunday. Laon isn’t far and the drive is very pleasant through other little villages. It is full of history and there are also many other towns and cities within easy drive that we found fascinating. We made a day trip visiting the Champagne area and then Reims where we witnessed a stunning light and sound nightime spectacle that told the story of the Cathedral’s history and construction projected onto the front façade. A fabulous feed at the cosy restaurant in nearby Cheret – La Petite Campagne.
A minor disappointment that we knew about from Eric before we arrived - the fireplace and wood-fired oven shown on the website don't work but he did explain that the house is a "work in Progress".
We might have given this a lesser rating because of the unfinished state of the house but overall we had a fantastic time, would return again, and recommend it to everyone looking for a memorable stay in the French countryside.