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SOME COMMENTS RECEIVED FROM GUESTS"We adored the house. It had the most wonderful character, ambience and feel and we could not have wished for a more joyful and fun weekend. The kitchen – its layout and accoutrements – were a happy cook’s dream. The nearby field of peas an added bonus to our market supplies!!! Gorgeous for walks, so peaceful, yet so near to main Champagne sites. We now hope to plan an insider’s Paris tour in conjunction with some days in the Champagne Region – certainly incorporating the house." - Marieke Brugman, Director, Howqua Dale Gourmet Tours of Australia "We had a wonderful stay at Oyes. The house and garden were magnificent. The beds were wonderfully comfortable and the view from the kitchen window onto the old Abbey with the swallows flying around it was very beautiful. What more do you need …..oh yes, (Oyes!) to savour the welcoming bottle of champagne!! We enjoyed picking and eating the cherries which were abundant on the trees in the back garden. We also enjoyed lots of long country walks and drives through the champagne district and some superb cooking of the local produce. We loved meeting our elderly neighbours early in our stay, and ended up having many conversations, using our school day French. I must admit we fibbed a bit, nodding or shaking our heads in agreement as it seemed appropriate, but often not quite sure what or what not we were agreeing with, however, we had a lot of fun trying and pretending we understood. They were very friendly. Getting there went smoothly. We decided to take the train to Epernay and hired a car from there. Unfortunately we slept in and missed the first train from Paris, which meant we arrived much later than intended and or course the Hertze agency was closed until 2.30 p.m. (a note to be weary of to unsuspecting players – most places close down over the lunch break). Fortunately we managed to contact Helen (our contact), so she didn’t have to wait around for us. She was very helpful and arranged to leave the key for us and meet us the next day instead, to show us around and help with any queries." - Jacklin Fisher - Sydney Australia "Wonderful time in the month of February. Staying in Oyes over the winter months is a gorgeous time to be there, with the snow falling outside, snug and warm inside. Enjoying a brisk walk around the neighbouring village, returning all refreshed and ready to settle in by the fire for a nice glass of the local bubbly followed by a very nice warming glass of red. Divine, what more do you need, but a good book and some good company." - Ngarie Stevens – Masterton New Zealand "At the end of winter in March we had a couple
of wonderful weeks, chez “Aupres de A lovely homestead which had an air of history and elegance. It felt like a home away from home, appointed and decorated in French Country Style, comfortable and welcoming. The air was cool, but glorious days, and it was fun watching the whole district come alive. The change was dramatic, in such a short space of time. Deciduous and bare on arrival, but by the time we left, shooting buds, spring bulbs appearing, crops romping away, creating a fresh hue of green everywhere. It was a fun time to be driving around the region,
seeing all the grape vines being pruned, ready for the oncoming
season. The sides of hills had their gang of men chopping away and
burning off, little fires everywhere, not to mention the typical
white van that seemed to be customary to the event. We drove from
village to village frequenting the local market days for fresh produce.
A hive of activity and frivolity A wonderful relaxing and interesting sojourn, thankyou." -Yvonne Bennison – Wellington New Zealand "“Farewell to France” by Noel Barber,
set in this area during the 2nd world war – worth a read. |
