That Petite Maison in Pont Aven

It’s hard to say adieu to the sweet little houses that become your home for a week or two. Much more than hotels, B&Bs, agriturismi or apartments, little rental houses minister comfort and care to the weary traveller. The little house in Pont Aven, with its ancient and thick stone walls, stayed an even temperature all day and welcomed us home each afternoon after our wanderings through the Cornouille district of Bretagne.

Winding wooden stairs lead to two bedrooms and bathrooms on two floors above.

The following photo collage is a media file for those who enjoy travelling vicariously and who asked to peep inside this little French houses. ‘La Petite Tourte’ was filled with luxurious linens, crisply ironed and sweet-smelling, two modern bathrooms, large leather sofas in the sitting room, a spiral staircase leading to the upper levels, a light filled kitchen, tasteful art and no Ikea. The house is advertised through VRBO, a part of Home Away, which provides holiday rentals by owners, similar in many ways to Air B&B.

Antiques and art. Sideboard filled with games. No time for games.
Light filled spot on top level. View over chimneys in the village.
Bedroom on level three. Note, the beds roll togther to make a double. Sort of- double bed with crack.
Back yard by the bubbling creek. Stone walls and wine.
kitchen corner
Light filled room on top level bedroom
Good linen, ironed, sweet smelling
Plenty of quality tableware.
bedroom on level two.
Modest front entrance down a little lane.
Stone hearth with ample wood. Wall heaters in every room.

At the end of my travels, I intend to summarise the differences between renting through Airb&b, and VRBO and also take a look at the rise of bookings.com, traditional hotels and B&Bs. Each one has its place.

 

26 thoughts on “That Petite Maison in Pont Aven”

  1. Found this place through Home Away after your IMK post. I loved your description of it so much that I’ve bookmarked it for potential future use. It looks like the perfect place from which to explore the area. Looking forward to your review. We use AirBNB quite often, but it is good to have an alternative.

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    1. Our rentals are split evenly between the two. VRBO takes a damages deposit up front, but not payment for the house at time of booking. AirB&B locks up your payment from the time of booking. We booked well in advance to get these treasures, but that’s how Airb&b makes money through hanging on to that cash for months. Mr T is working on the financial comparisons, I’m working on the quality side of things as we go. Bookings.com doesn’t take cash until you turn up so is great for transiting. I never rent a house under a week and all the ‘quality’ places insist on a Saturday to Saturday rental, and a minimum of a week. Three more rentals to go Debi. Two in France and one in Pavia, Italy and one house on Lake Como, owned by friends who also rent it out privately.

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  3. Already looking forwards to your planned summary. Would you believe I had never heard of VRBO until a dear US friend gave me a link last week for accommodation booked for Italy come next spring – I understood money had exchanged hands: have to ask . . . interesting for me as travelling mostly alone these days I am still somehow a trad hotel gal . . . Oh, lucky, lucky you – another four ‘Petite Maison’s to call home for a week . . .

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    1. Hotels are perfect if you are travelling alone and also great for those in transit ( under five days in a place). Nice to have a buffet breakfast so you can get on with your day. Five months travel, for us, requires some homey places. Time to do some cooking, washing clothes, and doing SFA.

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  4. Good comparisons, I only rent thru Booking apts appart hotels and directly with rural houses not gîtes with owners, but I live in Bretagne/Brittany/Breizh and Pont Aven is a nice little town with a nice renovated museum of painters ::) Cheers

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