"A fabulous chalet in a beautiful scenic location. We benefited from a delicious meal from Sarah on our first night; 3 wonderful courses cooked with local ingredients, and of course wine! The house was clean, well decorated and well stocked. Its original design was impressive as was the extensive library. The children revelled in the stream at the end of the garden, and despite the cool temperatures, were paddling straightaway. We shall certainly return as a very happy week was spent by all."

Hayley - London, United Kingdom

"All the reviews we had read were not an exaggeration. The burbling brook , afternoon teas on the sunny patio, forested mountains for energetic hikes, picturesque country lanes for more leisurely walks and Sarah Gill' s delicious Cordon Bleu dinners all contributed to a perfect week . Le Petit Nid was much larger than the images had suggested and beautifully furnished and equipped. Thank you to Sarah and Sebastion for our lovely sojourn."

mary798 - Sydney, Australia

"We had a wonderful week here in the late autumn. The weather and the scenery were superb. We walked every day without ever having to leave the valley. The cottage was delightful and comfortable. We enjoyed the wood-burning stove, foraging for walnuts and exploring this peaceful and beautiful region. Sarah was welcoming and gave us lots of useful information. She had even found out about Halloween activities in the area for our kids. We hope to return."

 

Tim - Manchester, United Kingdom

"This is a lovely gite. Clean, comfortable and cosy. It has a well resourced kitchen, including really sharp knives! Sarah proved to be an excellent host. Friendly and very welcoming, helpful when needed, but otherwise unobtrusive. We sampled Sarah's cuisine on two evenings. A truly excellent experience, by far the best food we ate anywhere during our entire stay. We would recommend Le Petit Nid without reservation!"

Daisydoo_11 - Derby, United Kingdom

"The perfect holiday house: well appointed, supremely comfortable and stunning views out of every window. Our holiday was accompanied by the sound of the mountain stream that rushes through the garden and Le Petit Nid is perfectly placed for exploring accessible Alpine terrain. Sarah is a terrific host who knows just how much space, and care, self-caterers need on holiday."

Ed

A perfect spot for relaxing, walking and cycling

"We stayed for one week at the end of July, and we were delighted with all aspects of the property. The owner, Sarah, was a most helpful, welcoming and friendly host, and she clearly takes great pride in her property. The house was spotlessly clean, very well-equipped, and in a very quiet location. It was spacious and comfortable, and a lot bigger than it looked in the photos. The garden was a lovely place in which to sit-out and enjoy the peace and quiet, and the views of the Alps from just up the road in the little village were stunning. Sarah is also an excellent chef, and we took the opportunity to have a lovely evening meal, with many of the ingredients supplied from her own garden. A most enjoyable and memorable evening! The main reason we chose to stay there was for the cycling, and in terms of location, it doesn't get much better than this. The house is virtually on the col de Cucheron, and it's a 10 minute drive (or easy ride) to La Chambre, where the col de Madeleine and col de Glandon start. The col de Chaussy and Lacets are also there, and another 10 minutes gets you to the Croix de Fer and Toussuire. The Telegraph and Galibier are not much further. There was secured storage for the bikes, and it really was a perfect spot. People often write in visitor books that 'they will be back', but in this case, it's true, and we have already booked a fortnight's stay next year. It was a very easy decision to make."

Simon H - Huddersfield, United Kingdom

 

It Just Gets Better

"Everyone has heard the expression/idea that, " You can never go back", meaning that once you have visited a place and gained fond memories you should not go back for fear of ruining those memories with a lesser experience. Well, with the Watermill House, you can throw out that idea, because here each visit will just get better as you discover more of the details which make this property such a special, unique and delightful experience. Without going into the general observations I made in my first review in June of 2014 regarding the spacious and comfortable nature of this 4 bedroom, 3 bath chateau located conveniently close to charming villages and smack in the middle of the glorious French Alps, I would like to point out some of the smaller details which set this apart from and above similar vacation rentals in the area, or for that matter, the world. The first detail is sound. No traffic or road noise. No barking dogs. No crying babies. No arguing neighbours. Instead, when you step into the house you find the space filled with the delightfully soothing sound of the burbling trout stream which flows by meters from the windows. That sound defines the essence of living in The Watermill House-- a calm, soothing , restful, rural experience. Right along with that comes the fantastic views from the large opening windows which provide 360 degree views of the surrounding country and the spectacular mountains. The large bookcase is filled with many English language books, and there is a complete " Renters Manual" with all the details about the house systems. No need to go to the Tourist Office, the local guidebooks and maps are right here. The kitchen is full of every imaginably needed accessory and tool, and, wonder of wonders, the knives are all very sharp! When is the last time you found that in a vacation rental-- never, I'll wager. There is a clever system which automatically opens the under-sink trash bin lid when you open the door, eliminating the need to reach down and open the lid. Wonderful. Everything-- every latch, switch, door, appliance, etc., works properly. Attention to detail and maintenance are obviously a priority with the owner. Very important. The wood heater, like everything else, works and wood is furnished. The barbecue area down next to the stream, in its own stone structure, is great. Most importantly, the owner, Sarah. is a trained and experienced cordon blue chef who furnishes unbelievably delicious and diverse meals at a very reasonable price. Do not miss the opportunity to sample her cuisine. I could go on and on, but you get the message--- this place is very special."

Andrea L, Zurich, Switzerland

"This is a delightful place to stay. Le Petit Nid is attractive, comfortable, simply furnished in local style and it has a well equipped kitchen. We loved the sound of the fast flowing stream which runs beside the house and around the garden. We enjoyed pleasant local walks, looking at flowers, birds and butterflies. Le Petit Nid was a great base for venturing up to the high meadows of the alpine cols, for which this part of France is famous. Best of all Sarah Gill is a delightful and thoughtful owner, who cooks truly amazing Cordon Bleu food, which she serves beautifully. All good memories!"

"This is a lovely Alpine valley characterised by rural views and the sound of a stream. Le Nid is well placed for finding high alpine meadows of flowers and golden eagles.. Sarah Gill is a fabulous cook and is happy to provide meals. Thoroughly recommended."

"Nestling in a tranquil location a few hundred metres from the small village of Le Reame. Easily accessible with ample parking. The welcome from Sarah is enthusiastic and leaves you in no doubt you are valued guests. Le Petite Nid is exactly that with the addition of a bubbling stream and facilities for barbecues second to none. Should you require evening meals and we strongly recommend that you do then it will be noted that the Cordon bleu qualification for the culinary delights prepared by Sarah was well deserved. Sarah sources her ingredients locally including from the adjacent forest."

Barkley family, England

"Tucked away in a quiet hamlet but so close to major ski resorts or wonderful summer walking and cycling. We stayed in the B&B and were so warmly welcomed. Sarah's cooking is totally superb. Extremely high quality, wonderful caring service and altogether a great way to spend the first two days of our holiday. Can't recommend highly enough. A gem in the Alps."

N. Kippax, England

Idyllic Nest & Amazing Chef!

"It is with great pleasure that I write a review for this wonderful holiday nest, where I got to experience THE BEST MEAL I HAVE EVER HAD!

After reading all the amazing reviews, my husband and I decided to stay at Le Petit Nid for 5 nights in March 2015 (with dog and baby in tow), and it did not disappoint in the slightest. The setting is warm, peaceful, and idyllic, providing the perfect get-away-from-it-all experience. Sarah is also such a gracious host, and her cooking is absolutely not to be missed! And it is a pleasure to see all the small details that have gone not only into her mill, but also into her delicious cooking.

As a first-time mother travelling with a baby that was sick for the first time (stressful!), knowing that we would be experiencing Sarah's thoughtfully planned, heart-warming meals at the end of the day was something that always lifted our spirits; it was like having family taking care of us!

Having previously worked on customer strategy for the one of the largest Tour Operators in both Switzerland and France, I must say that Le Petit Nid exemplifies the traveller experience. C'est magnifique!"

Andrea L, Zurich, Switzerland

Fabulous stay and brilliant hosts

"We thoroughly enjoyed our stay at le petit nid. The gite was very clean and comfortable and after a long days skiing provided a "home from home" atmosphere. Sarah and Seb were friendly and very accommodating hosts. We enjoyed an exceptional meal cooked for us by Sarah and Seb kept our glasses topped up throughout the evening. We would definitely recommend one of Sarah's meals as it was truly delicious and their company was second to none. We wish you both every success in the future, you are lovely people and deserve it. We hope to be back."

Julie C, Nottingham, UK

"What a find! A gorgeous hidden place in a stunning valley. Truly a cosy nest. Sarah and Sebastian are delightful hosts. She is a Cordon bleu cook and the food is to die for so don't miss the chance of dinner or her homemade jams at breakfast."

K. Sinclair, England

A delightful French experience

"If you are looking for a great place to stay in the France Alps, the Maurienne Valley to be precise, then I would whole heartedly recommend, “The Petit Nid”. Everything was ideal. The location is very private, the house extremely comfortable, well equipped and spacious: perfect for a couple, large group or family. The hostess is a superb trained chef who will provide dinner and breakfast on request although the ‘Nid’s ‘ cosy French style kitchen is a delight to cook your own meals in. The best things about this Gite are the special touches Sarah does to make the stay extra special. Beautiful soaps, quality linen, fresh flowers in the house and an enchanting garden with a creek bubbling through it. All this is capped off by the view of charming countryside and surrounding snow capped peaks of the Alps. Thank you Sarah, I certainly will return."

Heloise B, Hobart, Australia

Wish we could stay longer

"This is the second year that we have stayed the night as a stopover en route to our skiing holiday in La Plagne. Both times it has struck me how I wish we could stay longer! (with two small children ski-to-door is much easier for us at the moment). Sarah is always welcoming and the food is very good and much appreciated after a day eating at motorway service stations. The accommodation is excellent too (spacious and comfortable). I have nothing to say by way of criticism. I very much hope that one day we will stay for more than a night as Le Petit Nid certainly deserves to be a holiday destination in its own right."

Helen R, Godalming, UK

Paradise in the Alps!

"We recently stayed at Le Petit Nid for a week - well it was meant to be 5 days but we loved it so much we extended for an extra 2! Our experience was wonderful - where to start - the house is well equipped, comfortable and spacious. We were a couple but could see us going back with friends easily as the house could accommodate 8 comfortably. Sarah is a fantastic host. She has the balance between being available if you need her but not imposing and the icing on the cake - she is an amazing cordon bleu chef. Sarah does everything she can to make your stay enjoyable. Highly recommend and just trying to work out dates for when we can return!"

Simon, Accra, Ghana

"We spent a fabulous week at Le Petit Nid with our two children in late October. As others have commented, the house is spacious yet cosy (great wood burner), and beautifully finished - love the parquet floors! Sarah was a really helpful host and is a superb cook - anyone staying should definitely sample her (restaurant quality; great value) delicious cooking. It was a great base for us for a week's hiking and we were lucky enough to have glorious sunshine as well, which made for a really memorable stay. We'll be back." 

The Williams, Paris

I would go back tomorrow if I could

We were only able to stay one night as on a road trip - but would happily go back again and again. It would be the perfect base to explore this beautiful area from. You can go out the door and just walk.

Sarah provided an excellent meal in the evening (with wine) - and again a lovely breakfast. The accommodation was extremley comfortable and well thought out to provide everything you might need either for a one night stay - or if you were going to be there for a week.

The company was excellent - with just the right amount of being friendly without being overly so.

Karen W, Ascot, England 

An unforgettable place to stay

Le Petit Nid is a VERY special place to stay. I came here with my husband and 7 month old baby for a 10 day holiday and we came home feeling as though we had been away for much longer. Such a stylish place in the most stunning mountain location. Ticks across the board... Great beds, bathrooms, linen, kitchen equipment, books... all the things you hope for and more! Stunning walks, with the local lake just at the bottom of the mountain. Luckily for us we arranged for Sarah to cook for us one night. Her food is made with so much care, passion and quality ingredients, we really were blown away. Sarah trained in Paris at Le Cordon Bleu and it really shows in her cooking. Sarah lives next door and is so discrete, but so welcoming if you need anything at all... She is a lovely person, and we would go back just to see her!