Bienvenue. #season2024 April-October. #season2025 begins April
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About Us
Bienvenue
Bienvenue
Bienvenue
Maison De L’Orb has billed itself as a simple home with rooms from the outset. For the last ten years or so, customers worldwide have been flooding through the doors. We put this down to the good breakfast (obviously); the warm and friendly service (obviously); the reasonable prices (obviously); and, not so obviously, that intangible qual
Maison De L’Orb has billed itself as a simple home with rooms from the outset. For the last ten years or so, customers worldwide have been flooding through the doors. We put this down to the good breakfast (obviously); the warm and friendly service (obviously); the reasonable prices (obviously); and, not so obviously, that intangible quality of relaxed authenticity.
We tell you from the start what we can’t offer (we are not a hotel, there is no private parking, no children, no air-con, no WI-FI, dogs welcome but a small charge applies) and what we do offer (comfortable beds, private river side garden with secret bar, evening tapas and no up-your-a*** stuffiness that intimidates customers and produces an outrageous bill, a bill that often reassures the customer they must be in the right place – except they often aren’t.)
Molecular jiggery-pokery can make stunning theatre, but there are few homes that can do it right. We do, most of the time, sometimes we don’t, we are never prefect.
I have always hated smears, foams, and food demonstrably ill-suited for serving in a bowl. Likewise I despise grey carpets, clean clutter free white walls and pine furniture. Maison De L’Orb is not that. A house with rooms and a jungle garden overlooking a river is what we are, and the only reward we want are happy customers who know that.
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Us
Bienvenue
Bienvenue
I have no idea how I have ended up doing what I do, and have done for the past ten years.
I suppose it was because I have a preternaturally keen interest in people and their habits. But it also stems from family history, many of whom have been involved in the hotel, restaurant and public house trade. My Great Great Aunt (once removed, so
I have no idea how I have ended up doing what I do, and have done for the past ten years.
I suppose it was because I have a preternaturally keen interest in people and their habits. But it also stems from family history, many of whom have been involved in the hotel, restaurant and public house trade. My Great Great Aunt (once removed, something like that) was the oldest landlady ever. She knew a good thing. She kept it simple. Great Granny rented out rooms. Posh Nan had a hotel. So it’s there. Somewhere.
When it was suggested we transform our French home into Maison De L’Orb, a small bed and breakfast, I thought people were mad. It wasn’t something I wanted to do. But I was told me that if we don’t, it might be something I may regret. So I did. And I don’t. We then turned our attention to the outside derelict boat house which we transformed into a private bar and summer kitchen aptly named Jardin De L’Orb. It’s there we have music, parties and gatherings. By the river with a sunset as a backdrop.
I became a writer in the 1990s signing to Massive Management followed by stints at Kindlight and now I am with Fontana. I have been the subject of three books, assisted with a theatre workshop, recorded two dance records, done bits on film and theatre. Etc. People always ask me what I write so I try and be as honest as possible. Of the recent novels, I 'pretended to be an ageing actor' [Beautiful Deconstruction], 'wrote a zany obsessional one with everything and the kitchen sink in it' [Everything Could Be So Perfect] 'went into early retirement and wrote a book about being old' [Sunsets Etc] 'stepped back in the 1980s with sex, lies and secrets' [Sad Confetti] and 'returned to the French countryside with a key in search of a long lost brother' [Sleeps With Butterflies/The Living Return]
But during the summer months all of that ‘lifestyle’ gets pushed to one side. I am here. Welcoming guests from far and near into my home. Come and see.
The House
Bienvenue
The House
With plenty of character, Maison De L'Orb has captured the flavour of what a bed and breakfast should be.
Enchanting Moroccan tiles through to the intimate library of books and gorgeous garden and bar aptly named Jardin De L'Orb by the river.
During WW2, the house with its basements and cellars was used as a safe house as part of the S.
With plenty of character, Maison De L'Orb has captured the flavour of what a bed and breakfast should be.
Enchanting Moroccan tiles through to the intimate library of books and gorgeous garden and bar aptly named Jardin De L'Orb by the river.
During WW2, the house with its basements and cellars was used as a safe house as part of the S.O.E Wheelwright network and the famous Pat O'Leary line.
Each of our five bedrooms provides guests with good and simple accommodation and some bedrooms offer lovely views of the garden and river. All rooms have a touch of the modern with plasma televisions, English and French sockets and a full hospitality tray.
Beamed ceilings, old furniture, original stone walls, tiled flooring, books and original art.
Maison De L’Orb is situated opposite the famous Pont Vieux.
Arrivals and check-in normally happens in the afternoon between 13h00 and 18h00, but an alternative time can be arranged.
If you have bicycles, we have a place for you to park them inside. Please let us know if you have a dog. Only small leashed well behaved dogs can stay due to the size of our bedrooms which are located on the second floor. Those with mobility issues may wish to book elsewhere.
Please note we do have one dog and two cats in residence.
Free parking is available for our guests nearby. Parking is off street and not private. There is also a free car park at Pont Vieux.
All bedrooms are double only.
We have no facility to provide an extra bed in any of the rooms therefore we are more suited to the single/couple traveller. We are a non smoking building with smoking only permitted outside in our garden.
Our excellent breakfast range will give you a good start to the day. The price of your stay includes a lovely breakfast which changes daily. Fresh bread and pastries, a wide selection of preserves and spreads, cheeses, meats, fruits, yogurts, salad vegetables, a good selection of cereals, dried fruits and nuts, juices, cereal bars and of course a wide selection of hot drinks including infusions, chocolate, tea and coffee.
We do have a garden bar and small summer kitchen (June-Aug only) offering a wide selection of drinks and Tapas. Aptly named Jardin De L'Orb, the garden and bar is also available for private hire.
And just like that. #season24 ends.
We are now already advance booking for #season2025 for those who plan ahead. We look forward to your arrival and stay with us in our lovely home next year.
Please read who we are and what our terms are before you book. And it goes without saying, if air-con, WIFI, private parking and hotel luxury are your travel priorities then please book elsewhere. That way both parties won't be disappointed.
Jardin De L'Orb, our garden bar and summer kitchen will also be re-opening in 2025.