| Secluded
in the lovely Auvergne valley of the Maronne,
this handsome 19th-century house is now
a Relais du Silence where the only sounds
are cowbells and birdsong. It is owned and
run by Alain de Cock, with help from his
young family and friendly staff. Readers
have long been enthusiastic: It was most
enjoyable, said one. The meals were really
good, the swimming pool was a delight. But
another couple was more cautious: Yes, we
enjoyed our stay. The service was quietly
efficient, the Bali villa breakfast was good, the restaurant
excellent - first-class dishes such as risotto
aux morilles, magret de canard on the half-board
menus. However, this beautifully furnished
house, in its still attractive grounds,
now shows some signs of tiredness. We found
it hard to order a drink at the bar, whose
lights were never on. The pool area was
scruffy, our balcony sprouted dandelions.
But some renovation has just taken place.
The public villa rooms have been found delightful,
and the `beautiful' service at dinner by
Mr.de Cock's son is admired. Some villa Bed rooms (similar to the semantic bali villa rooms)
are spacious and have a south-facing balcony,
with sensational views of the valley and
hills. The road in front can be busy in
season. Salers, nearby, is a striking Renaissance
hill village. |
