Visitors' Comments
We have been closed since the start of the COVID pandemic, only now opening for 2023 - so the datelines of our Visitors' Comments reflect this.
We know how important visitors' comments are in enabling other people to make decisions. But we are also concerned about the way in which comments are managed on some
'Advisor Sites'. So, our policy is to:
- Quote comments in full.
- Check with our visitors that they are prepared to provide contact details on request to verify their comments.
We hope that you find these helpful in deciding whether or not to stay with us at 'Nichoir':
July 2020
Lucky enough to stay at ‘Le Nichoir’ for the third time, in the stylish Garden Studio, high quality self-catering holiday accommodation – we opted for the B&B formula. Strengthened by lovely breakfasts we journeyed out, this year concentrating on day hikes; and when tired from walking, we did less energetic activities like picnics and reading in the shady garden beside the lake. Evenings ended with delicious suppers, with vegetables and herbs from the garden, and nice conversations under a starry sky. We had a great time again with our ever attentive hosts and five relaxing days just flew by.
(Marc, Deerlijk)
August 2019:
"If there was one word to sum up 'Nichoir' it would be ' a sanctuary'. I could not think of a more idyllic setting, the garden is a series of stunning rooms, each with some magical element-a beautiful pool and shaded pergola- flower beds filled with colour and butterflies. A lake to stroll around, taking in the breath-taking rolling hills behind, a croquet lawn, and petanque -just to name a few. The house is a stunning farmhouse beautifully decorated. The family room we stayed in was luxurious. I love a 'good pillow' and they were in endless supply! At first, I was nervous that we would disturb the peace, but our children adapted quite quickly to the calm serenity that oozed from every corner and there was so much for them to do. Oska, the owners' Newfoundland had to be another highlight to our stay. Noella and Simon could not have been more attentive and after a very long drive to their home, we were met with smiley faces, delicious food and wine and fascinating conversation. Great tips were given on places to visit nearby and they even got up to give us breakfast and wave us off when we left for the airport, at the crack of dawn. It was the perfect end to a perfect holiday. What a perfect place to relax, reflect and refuel!"
(Emily and family, West Berkshire)
August, 2019
We spent a wonderful two weeks at Nichoir in August with our two young children. Simon and Noella were beyond helpful, suggesting activities that would suit us (visiting local rivers, lakes, restaurants and markets), as well as providing really lovely accommodation. The house itself has been beautifully restored, while you can easily while away your time in the garden. Meals were provided for us, as and when we fancied which really added to our time at Nichoir, and resulted in us getting to know Simon and Noella very well. We'd love to return to Nichoir one day, Ailsa especially to see Oscar!
(Frances, London)
July 2019:
"We made our nest for 5 days, staying in the cool, nicely decorated Garden Studio - so, in the near-tropical heat could fly out to taste the Tarn’s rich history, enjoying the magnificent scenery of the region; and on return, before having delicious suppers, the pool invited us for a refreshing swim. We experienced and enjoyed the real spirit of what ‘une chambre d’hôte’ should be: where you feel relaxed with friendly, attentive hosts who like meeting with their guests, sharing information and having interesting discussions.
We came as guests, we left as friends. Frequent travellers in France, we cannot recommend ‘Le Nichoir’ too highly. But don't run there all at once, so that next year there is still room for us!"
(Marc and Annie, Belgium)
July 2019:
"An absolutely fabulous retreat in this beautiful Homes & Garden house. The exceptional hosts make this a wonderfully relaxing escape. The company, food and accommodation along with a super swimming pool within a tranquil garden, made our stay here glorious."
(Suzanne, West Sussex)
July 2019:
"A wonderful couple of days at Nichoir - this is a very special, relaxing and beautiful home with gorgeous gardens and abundant wildlife. The pool was perfect for our kids who also enjoyed the lily pond, spotting lots of frogs and carp. Our little boy, 7, was especially impressed with the bat machine, with lovely memories of bat searching around the grounds and in the old barn. Oska the Newfoundland dog was a big attraction. The food was top-notch and we enjoyed two lovely evenings of delicious meals, with super breakfasts. There was plenty do and see and we definitely recommend to friends."
(The Coyle Clan, Ireland)
September 2018:
" Nichoir is an attractive large old country house in a delightful country setting. Simon and Nollie are friendly and attentive hosts who clearly enjoy meeting and spending time with their guests. They cooked dinner for us and ate with us on two evenings of our three days stay. They showed great interest in our plans and provided helpful advice on where to visit in the area. We have stayed at a number of 'Sawday -recommended' chambres d'hote. This was definitely the best."
(Ian & Jan Sumner, United Kingdom)
August 2018:
"We only stayed one night at "Nichoir" but we had a wonderful time! We enjoyed a delicious comforting home made meal on arrival and were delighted to spend the rest of the evening sipping wine with our hosts. The house is beautifully organised and decorated with great taste. Lots of teddies and curiosities that the children kept playing with! The garden is equally pleasing with more games, lovely plants and a swimming pool . Massive Thank you to Simon and Noella who were incredibly welcoming and caring making our stay unforgettable! and Oska..!"
(Laure & Les Woods and family)
August 2018:
"We spent a lovely 2 days at Nichoir enjoying the beautiful house, gardens and countryside. Our rooms were super comfortable, spacious and just perfect for our family: 2 adults and 3 busy boys aged 10, 6 and 4. Simon and Noella were the perfect hosts: they made us feel totally at home, evening meals were delicious and it was a pleasure to relax around the table together. Nothing was too much trouble: from joining in with card games to occupy the boys over dinner to rescuing the football from the middle of the lake - by canoe! - above and beyond the call of duty! Our boys adored gravitating from trampoline to pool and back again whilst we soaked up the sun and watched butterflies flit through the beautiful garden. There were tears when the boys had to say goodbye to gentle giant Newfoundland Oska and to all the cuddly toys. We hope to be back soon and next time might try out the gorgeous looking new conversion that was nearing completion."
(Elly and Jon and family, UK)
August 2018:
"We had a marvellous few days at Nichoir. The whole family (both parents & 3 children) were very well looked after by Simon & Nollie who opened their home to us. We swam in the lovely pool, relaxed in the garden & ate delicious food. Nothing was too much trouble & they even provided a different supper of spaghetti bolognaise at short notice to our youngest child who says it was the best she has ever eaten. As we drove away the children asked when we could go back, I hope it’s not too long before we do."
(Emily and Peter, Ellie, William and Martha, UK)
July 2018:
"Simon und Noella bieten nicht nur eine Unterkunft an, sie leben Gastfreundschaft. Mit viel Liebe zum Detail haben sie das große Haus und die Gästezimmer eingerichtet, und der riesige Garten ist mehr ein Park, mit Schwimmbad, Blumen, Wiesen, sogar einem kleinen Teich. Jeder kann dort eine Ecke für sich finden, oder man sitzt mit Simon und Nollie zusammen und kann sich über Gott und die Welt austauschen. Das fängt schon mit einem kleinen gemeinsamen Willkommens-Aperitif an und kann, wenn der Gast es wünscht, abends beim gemeinsamen Essen fortgesetzt werden. Beide kochen auch hervorragend; auf Wunsch stellen sie auch ein Lunchpaket, das man ebenfalls zusätzlich buchen kann, zusammen. So ist man für Wanderungen in der Umgebung gut versorgt. Simon und Noella geben dazu gute Tipps und beraten auch zu Ausflügen in die Umgebung, z.B. nach Albi. Wir haben dort eine erholsame und wunderschöne Zeit verbracht und können das 'Nichoir' unbedingt empfehlen."
"Simon and Noella not only offer accommodation, they also offer hospitality. They have furnished the big house and guest rooms with great attention to detail, and the huge garden is more a park, with swimming pool, flowers, meadows, even a small lake. Anyone can find a corner there for themselves, or sit together with Simon and Nollie and talk about the way of the world, over a welcome drink and, if the guest wishes, dinner. The food is excellent and, in addition to dinners, on request, you can have a packed lunch - so you are well supplied for exploring in the area! Simon and Noella give good advice about excursions in the area, for example to Albi. We have a relaxing and wonderful time spent there and can highly recommend 'Nichoir'.
(Horst and Sybille, Germany)
October 2017:
"We had an utterly quiet, spacious airy room with sunset views. Simon & Nollie are friendly hosts, present & helpful without ever being intrusive. By day we explored Albi and autumn countryside, returning for a swim, subtly cooked & composed meals & wine, wood-stove, warm company & conversation. The house & garden are beautiful, full of interesting and pretty spots to sit and be, read or play. We felt really well looked-after, with everywhere such attention to detail: a truly relaxing and refreshing time, so that we came away seeing more of a sparkle in life."
(Anne and Jeremy, UK)
August 2017:
"What can we say, but a massive thank you for giving us such a wonderful stay, and for all your generosity with the food and drink. We all had such a wonderful time at your beautiful place".
(Emma, Ed and Thomas, UK)
August 2017:
"Simon and Noella are extremely accommodating hosts and did everything to ensure our stay was as comfortable as possible. The house is extremely charming and is set in beautiful grounds - a great place to relax and a real home from home. The food was excellent and always well presented."
(Jacqui, Mark and Joeb, UK)
June 2017:
"Thank you for a lovely 2 nights at 'Nichoir' - you have a lovely home and you looked after us really well, with especially good food."
(Marie, John, Anne and Joe, UK)
June 2017:
"We had a marvellous time with you, and both my daughter and son-in-law were enthusing about just about everything; the house, the food, the countryside, Oska, and - not least - you two. They found everything to be perfect, and had a thoroughly enjoyable time, as did we two. I think that you might be hearing from them in the future, about another visit, without the aged ones".
(John and Rachel, UK)
June 2017:
"We visited for a long weekend and our only complaint was that we didn't stay for the whole week! Simon and Nollie are the most welcoming and accommodating hosts. We stayed with our temperamental 2 year old and nothing was too much trouble (my particular favourite was being greeted by a different soft toy at the breakfast table each morning- our daughter loved it!). The house is incredible, the grounds are absolutely beautiful, the food is to die for, and Oska the dog is the definition of a gentle giant- I would have happily taken him home with me. Thank you Simon and Nollie!"
(Anna, Dave and Freya Griffiths, UK)
November 2016:
"Thank you so much for making our stay so memorable. Everything was much more than we expected; your home is out of this world, the area is beautiful and interesting, and it will take me a full week to recover my original diet weight after eating so much wonderful food!
So, once again, thank you so much for a delightful weekend. It was just what we needed, and you made us feel relaxed and welcome all the time we were with you."
(John and Rachel, Highcliffe, UK)
September 2016:
"An amazing place to stay with a wonderful welcome from Simon & Nollie and Oska (their Newfoundland dog). We had had a 7 hour drive, but the fatigue fell away as we were sat down and supplied with cold drinks. Our room was really comfortable and well decorated. The next day we simply lounged by the pool before starting our sight-seeing. Nothing was too much trouble for our hosts. There are tea & coffee facilities available all the time and the meals we had were tasty and nutritious. All in all a very special place to stay and thoroughly recommended."
(Michael, Westcliff-on-Sea, UK)
August 2016:
"Our stay was a wonderful experience. When you get to this house you cannot believe how beautiful it is. Every corner of the house and garden reminds you of those dream homes that appear in stories or films.The rooms are magnificent, large and comfortable, and generously equipped. Breakfasts are delicious, with lots of choice and full of little tasty details. Our dinners were delicious, served in the garden surrounded by flowers where we were able to enjoy the sunset and the pleasant company.
Simon and Nollie who have created this paradise are perfect hosts - it is somewhere that invites contemplation, reading and conversation.
When you think of ‘Nichoir’ you're thinking when can you return?"
(Andoni, Amaia and Nahia, Bilbao, Spain)
August 2016:
"My small family had a wonderful time at Nichoir. Our only regret was not being able to stay longer. Simon and Nollie were the perfect hosts: patient, charming, amusing, accomplished, and helpful. Nichoir is a gorgeous property, inside and out. We were delighted with our superbly comfortable and attractive room, our delicious meals, and our easygoing, good-natured hosts (this means you, too, Oska and Snuffkin). My family rarely revisits accommodations -- since there are so many nice places to go in the world -- but we are already trying to work out how soon we can return to Nichoir. Loved it!"
(Anne - Greenville, North Carolina USA)
July 2016:
"We really, really liked our stay with you for the following reasons:
- you are a very warm, hospitable couple (even after a rough 16 hour drive and giving you a big delay for supper we felt very welcome at your place)
- we liked our conversations when we had dinner/breakfast (during our stay we had so much to talk about...)
- you gave us so much advice on exploring the area
- we really liked your house - the room we stayed in, the garden, the swimming pool with the frogs, the pond with the fish and the frogs (!) … (if you saw someone waving into to the wildlife camera near the pond it was us!!)
- you are very lovely cooks!!!!!!!!!!!!
Anyway, if we could have our holiday time again , we would do it over all again!"
(Frank and Dagmara, Belgium)
July 2016:
"We spent three splendid days at le Nichoir, where Simon and Nolly made us feel like visiting friends. Simon showed us the garden, designed to be wildlife-friendly. The swimming pool is a salt-water one. The pond is full of frogs and water-lilies. The house is filled with unusual and beautiful objects. Everything is the highest standard, yet the feeling overall is of homeliness and friendliness. The best of England in the best of France. I cannot recommend le Nichoir too highly."
(Lindsey - Kings Langley, UK)
July 2016:
Simon and Noella are wonderful hosts, they couldn't have done any more to make our stay delightful. The evening meal in the garden was delicious. The room is extremely comfortable, everything was lovely, I can't recommend it highly enough. We'll be back next year to spend longer exploring the beautiful area and enjoy the house and garden. Thank-you !"
(Sarah-Hythe, UK)
July 2016:
Delightful house beautifully decorated; a very welcoming and thoughtful host and hostess - nothing was too much trouble. Well-selected menu for our evening meal with accompanying wines and a delicious breakfast completed the enjoyment of our stay. We would be happy to recommend Le Bruel to anyone visiting this part of France. Our host went far beyond the call of duty in recovering mislaid documents and forwarding them to us. Five stars.
(David - Lochgilphead, Argyll, UK)
August 2015:
Wonderful place for a relaxing break!!
Ça vaut le détour! This well-known French phrase certainly applies to ‘Nichoir' which is tucked away in the small hamlet of Le Bruel, near Lacapelle Pinet (see website www.lebruel.net for full details of how to find the house). One of the many great things about this B&B is that you really can spend a day relaxing by the pool, if you so wish. This provided a very welcome break for us after 5 days of driving and serious sightseeing. However, there is so much to see and do in the area that you will be spoilt for choice with beautiful places such as Albi, Ambialet, Cordes sur Ciel, Brousse le Château Sauveterre de Rouergue and many others, all within an hour's drive. You then return to 5* accommodation where every detail has been taken care of or, in the unlikely event that anything is missing, you only have to ask and your hosts Simon and Noella will provide. Breakfast, evening snacks and meals are all delicious and beautifully presented. Of course, no review would be complete without a mention of Oska, the very loveable Newfoundland.
(Wendy & Andrew, Wiltshire)
August 2015:
Revez au 'Nichoir'
Séjour exceptionnel à tous les points de vue : maison so lovely ; Noëlla et Simon Mauger sont très raffinés tant pour la décoration que pour la cuisine. L'accueil est parfait, Noella et Simon sont comme des amis attentifs et discrets... iIs parlent très bien le français ; que de belles soirées où nous avons échangé avec plaisir : une adresse à conseiller dans ce lieu magique et si confortable!
(Astrid & Jean-Jacques, Normandie)
July 2015:
We spent 3 days at Le Bruel and had a truly wonderful time. The house and gardens are beautiful and Nollie and Simon are perfect hosts. This is an ideal place to stay if you enjoy lovely surroundings, first rate accommodation with sumptuous bed linen and exceptional home grown and home cooked food. On a warm summer evening you can relax by the pool enjoying a glass of wine and on cooler evenings the visitor lounge is very inviting. We highly recommend that you stay at this wonderful chambre d'hôte - we certainly will return.
(Diane & Ian, Berkshire)
June 2015:
'Nichoir' in June was lovely - perfect weather and a fine location with far reaching views. Simon and Noella are the perfect hosts, serving delicious meals in their beautiful garden. So many memorable places to visit just a short drive away - a trip to Albi is a must - don't miss the cathedral and the Toulouse-Lautrec museum.
(Gill & Richard, Vendee)
March 2015:
We spent a lovely week at Le Nichoir, in mid-March when weather can be almost anything. The luck was on our side: we enjoyed sun almost every day, temperatures rising to 20 degrees Celsius during daytime. Nichoir is situated in the Tarn, a region not so well known by tourists but worth the visit. Landscapes vary between hills and forests, fields and old villages, mountains and canyons. It is a perfect region for long walks, along small roads between the villages or well indicated walking paths. We enjoyed all of that, in addition to visiting medieval towns such as Albi. It is highly recommended to have a car, as there is so much to see.
Nichoir is an old house renovated with excellent taste. It is a combination of a French farm and an English country house in perfect harmony. We had at our disposal a large bedroom, a bathroom with a bath and shower, as well as a large sitting room where we sat by the fireplace in the evenings.
The house is surrounded by a huge garden the size of three football fields, with a swimming pool and a pond where we could hear the amazing frogs of southern France that sound like a motorway at times. We enjoyed our apéritifs in the garden, watching the sun setting beyond the hills.
Food was first class: local produce, fine dining, beautifully served. We chose to have lunch most of the time in the nearby villages and a light supper at le Nichoir. It was not always a good choice: the dinners we had at le Nichoir were far better than local restaurants.
Last but not least, our hosts Noella and Simon have succeeded in creating an atmosphere where we felt welcome and at ease, with privacy and presence well balanced. We could feel that they love this place, and so did we. We are frequent travelers especially in France. Nichoir will stay on top of our list for a long time.
(Elina & Paul, Finland)
February 2015:
A really lovely and relaxing stay - what a brilliant place for a wedding anniversary! Even the weather was outstanding. You are such welcoming hosts, even Oska and Snufkin. Surrounding countryside and Albi were also outstanding. Thank you.
(Jacky & Paul, UK)
May 2014:
Un grand merci
Une belle vacances tranquilles et reposantes - avec une cuisine délicieuse et très confortable.
(Janet & John, UK)
May 2014:
Our first visit to the Tarn
Thank you both for your friendship and for sharing your beautiful home. This is our first visit to the Tarn – stunning scenery and great weather. We had a remarkable meal in the restaurant at Ambialet. We must also mention the delicious meals chez Simon and Noella at Nichoir.
(Bernice & Richard, France)
We have been closed since the start of the COVID pandemic, only now opening for 2023 - so the datelines of our Visitors' Comments reflect this.
We know how important visitors' comments are in enabling other people to make decisions. But we are also concerned about the way in which comments are managed on some
'Advisor Sites'. So, our policy is to:
- Quote comments in full.
- Check with our visitors that they are prepared to provide contact details on request to verify their comments.
We hope that you find these helpful in deciding whether or not to stay with us at 'Nichoir':
July 2020
Lucky enough to stay at ‘Le Nichoir’ for the third time, in the stylish Garden Studio, high quality self-catering holiday accommodation – we opted for the B&B formula. Strengthened by lovely breakfasts we journeyed out, this year concentrating on day hikes; and when tired from walking, we did less energetic activities like picnics and reading in the shady garden beside the lake. Evenings ended with delicious suppers, with vegetables and herbs from the garden, and nice conversations under a starry sky. We had a great time again with our ever attentive hosts and five relaxing days just flew by.
(Marc, Deerlijk)
August 2019:
"If there was one word to sum up 'Nichoir' it would be ' a sanctuary'. I could not think of a more idyllic setting, the garden is a series of stunning rooms, each with some magical element-a beautiful pool and shaded pergola- flower beds filled with colour and butterflies. A lake to stroll around, taking in the breath-taking rolling hills behind, a croquet lawn, and petanque -just to name a few. The house is a stunning farmhouse beautifully decorated. The family room we stayed in was luxurious. I love a 'good pillow' and they were in endless supply! At first, I was nervous that we would disturb the peace, but our children adapted quite quickly to the calm serenity that oozed from every corner and there was so much for them to do. Oska, the owners' Newfoundland had to be another highlight to our stay. Noella and Simon could not have been more attentive and after a very long drive to their home, we were met with smiley faces, delicious food and wine and fascinating conversation. Great tips were given on places to visit nearby and they even got up to give us breakfast and wave us off when we left for the airport, at the crack of dawn. It was the perfect end to a perfect holiday. What a perfect place to relax, reflect and refuel!"
(Emily and family, West Berkshire)
August, 2019
We spent a wonderful two weeks at Nichoir in August with our two young children. Simon and Noella were beyond helpful, suggesting activities that would suit us (visiting local rivers, lakes, restaurants and markets), as well as providing really lovely accommodation. The house itself has been beautifully restored, while you can easily while away your time in the garden. Meals were provided for us, as and when we fancied which really added to our time at Nichoir, and resulted in us getting to know Simon and Noella very well. We'd love to return to Nichoir one day, Ailsa especially to see Oscar!
(Frances, London)
July 2019:
"We made our nest for 5 days, staying in the cool, nicely decorated Garden Studio - so, in the near-tropical heat could fly out to taste the Tarn’s rich history, enjoying the magnificent scenery of the region; and on return, before having delicious suppers, the pool invited us for a refreshing swim. We experienced and enjoyed the real spirit of what ‘une chambre d’hôte’ should be: where you feel relaxed with friendly, attentive hosts who like meeting with their guests, sharing information and having interesting discussions.
We came as guests, we left as friends. Frequent travellers in France, we cannot recommend ‘Le Nichoir’ too highly. But don't run there all at once, so that next year there is still room for us!"
(Marc and Annie, Belgium)
July 2019:
"An absolutely fabulous retreat in this beautiful Homes & Garden house. The exceptional hosts make this a wonderfully relaxing escape. The company, food and accommodation along with a super swimming pool within a tranquil garden, made our stay here glorious."
(Suzanne, West Sussex)
July 2019:
"A wonderful couple of days at Nichoir - this is a very special, relaxing and beautiful home with gorgeous gardens and abundant wildlife. The pool was perfect for our kids who also enjoyed the lily pond, spotting lots of frogs and carp. Our little boy, 7, was especially impressed with the bat machine, with lovely memories of bat searching around the grounds and in the old barn. Oska the Newfoundland dog was a big attraction. The food was top-notch and we enjoyed two lovely evenings of delicious meals, with super breakfasts. There was plenty do and see and we definitely recommend to friends."
(The Coyle Clan, Ireland)
September 2018:
" Nichoir is an attractive large old country house in a delightful country setting. Simon and Nollie are friendly and attentive hosts who clearly enjoy meeting and spending time with their guests. They cooked dinner for us and ate with us on two evenings of our three days stay. They showed great interest in our plans and provided helpful advice on where to visit in the area. We have stayed at a number of 'Sawday -recommended' chambres d'hote. This was definitely the best."
(Ian & Jan Sumner, United Kingdom)
August 2018:
"We only stayed one night at "Nichoir" but we had a wonderful time! We enjoyed a delicious comforting home made meal on arrival and were delighted to spend the rest of the evening sipping wine with our hosts. The house is beautifully organised and decorated with great taste. Lots of teddies and curiosities that the children kept playing with! The garden is equally pleasing with more games, lovely plants and a swimming pool . Massive Thank you to Simon and Noella who were incredibly welcoming and caring making our stay unforgettable! and Oska..!"
(Laure & Les Woods and family)
August 2018:
"We spent a lovely 2 days at Nichoir enjoying the beautiful house, gardens and countryside. Our rooms were super comfortable, spacious and just perfect for our family: 2 adults and 3 busy boys aged 10, 6 and 4. Simon and Noella were the perfect hosts: they made us feel totally at home, evening meals were delicious and it was a pleasure to relax around the table together. Nothing was too much trouble: from joining in with card games to occupy the boys over dinner to rescuing the football from the middle of the lake - by canoe! - above and beyond the call of duty! Our boys adored gravitating from trampoline to pool and back again whilst we soaked up the sun and watched butterflies flit through the beautiful garden. There were tears when the boys had to say goodbye to gentle giant Newfoundland Oska and to all the cuddly toys. We hope to be back soon and next time might try out the gorgeous looking new conversion that was nearing completion."
(Elly and Jon and family, UK)
August 2018:
"We had a marvellous few days at Nichoir. The whole family (both parents & 3 children) were very well looked after by Simon & Nollie who opened their home to us. We swam in the lovely pool, relaxed in the garden & ate delicious food. Nothing was too much trouble & they even provided a different supper of spaghetti bolognaise at short notice to our youngest child who says it was the best she has ever eaten. As we drove away the children asked when we could go back, I hope it’s not too long before we do."
(Emily and Peter, Ellie, William and Martha, UK)
July 2018:
"Simon und Noella bieten nicht nur eine Unterkunft an, sie leben Gastfreundschaft. Mit viel Liebe zum Detail haben sie das große Haus und die Gästezimmer eingerichtet, und der riesige Garten ist mehr ein Park, mit Schwimmbad, Blumen, Wiesen, sogar einem kleinen Teich. Jeder kann dort eine Ecke für sich finden, oder man sitzt mit Simon und Nollie zusammen und kann sich über Gott und die Welt austauschen. Das fängt schon mit einem kleinen gemeinsamen Willkommens-Aperitif an und kann, wenn der Gast es wünscht, abends beim gemeinsamen Essen fortgesetzt werden. Beide kochen auch hervorragend; auf Wunsch stellen sie auch ein Lunchpaket, das man ebenfalls zusätzlich buchen kann, zusammen. So ist man für Wanderungen in der Umgebung gut versorgt. Simon und Noella geben dazu gute Tipps und beraten auch zu Ausflügen in die Umgebung, z.B. nach Albi. Wir haben dort eine erholsame und wunderschöne Zeit verbracht und können das 'Nichoir' unbedingt empfehlen."
"Simon and Noella not only offer accommodation, they also offer hospitality. They have furnished the big house and guest rooms with great attention to detail, and the huge garden is more a park, with swimming pool, flowers, meadows, even a small lake. Anyone can find a corner there for themselves, or sit together with Simon and Nollie and talk about the way of the world, over a welcome drink and, if the guest wishes, dinner. The food is excellent and, in addition to dinners, on request, you can have a packed lunch - so you are well supplied for exploring in the area! Simon and Noella give good advice about excursions in the area, for example to Albi. We have a relaxing and wonderful time spent there and can highly recommend 'Nichoir'.
(Horst and Sybille, Germany)
October 2017:
"We had an utterly quiet, spacious airy room with sunset views. Simon & Nollie are friendly hosts, present & helpful without ever being intrusive. By day we explored Albi and autumn countryside, returning for a swim, subtly cooked & composed meals & wine, wood-stove, warm company & conversation. The house & garden are beautiful, full of interesting and pretty spots to sit and be, read or play. We felt really well looked-after, with everywhere such attention to detail: a truly relaxing and refreshing time, so that we came away seeing more of a sparkle in life."
(Anne and Jeremy, UK)
August 2017:
"What can we say, but a massive thank you for giving us such a wonderful stay, and for all your generosity with the food and drink. We all had such a wonderful time at your beautiful place".
(Emma, Ed and Thomas, UK)
August 2017:
"Simon and Noella are extremely accommodating hosts and did everything to ensure our stay was as comfortable as possible. The house is extremely charming and is set in beautiful grounds - a great place to relax and a real home from home. The food was excellent and always well presented."
(Jacqui, Mark and Joeb, UK)
June 2017:
"Thank you for a lovely 2 nights at 'Nichoir' - you have a lovely home and you looked after us really well, with especially good food."
(Marie, John, Anne and Joe, UK)
June 2017:
"We had a marvellous time with you, and both my daughter and son-in-law were enthusing about just about everything; the house, the food, the countryside, Oska, and - not least - you two. They found everything to be perfect, and had a thoroughly enjoyable time, as did we two. I think that you might be hearing from them in the future, about another visit, without the aged ones".
(John and Rachel, UK)
June 2017:
"We visited for a long weekend and our only complaint was that we didn't stay for the whole week! Simon and Nollie are the most welcoming and accommodating hosts. We stayed with our temperamental 2 year old and nothing was too much trouble (my particular favourite was being greeted by a different soft toy at the breakfast table each morning- our daughter loved it!). The house is incredible, the grounds are absolutely beautiful, the food is to die for, and Oska the dog is the definition of a gentle giant- I would have happily taken him home with me. Thank you Simon and Nollie!"
(Anna, Dave and Freya Griffiths, UK)
November 2016:
"Thank you so much for making our stay so memorable. Everything was much more than we expected; your home is out of this world, the area is beautiful and interesting, and it will take me a full week to recover my original diet weight after eating so much wonderful food!
So, once again, thank you so much for a delightful weekend. It was just what we needed, and you made us feel relaxed and welcome all the time we were with you."
(John and Rachel, Highcliffe, UK)
September 2016:
"An amazing place to stay with a wonderful welcome from Simon & Nollie and Oska (their Newfoundland dog). We had had a 7 hour drive, but the fatigue fell away as we were sat down and supplied with cold drinks. Our room was really comfortable and well decorated. The next day we simply lounged by the pool before starting our sight-seeing. Nothing was too much trouble for our hosts. There are tea & coffee facilities available all the time and the meals we had were tasty and nutritious. All in all a very special place to stay and thoroughly recommended."
(Michael, Westcliff-on-Sea, UK)
August 2016:
"Our stay was a wonderful experience. When you get to this house you cannot believe how beautiful it is. Every corner of the house and garden reminds you of those dream homes that appear in stories or films.The rooms are magnificent, large and comfortable, and generously equipped. Breakfasts are delicious, with lots of choice and full of little tasty details. Our dinners were delicious, served in the garden surrounded by flowers where we were able to enjoy the sunset and the pleasant company.
Simon and Nollie who have created this paradise are perfect hosts - it is somewhere that invites contemplation, reading and conversation.
When you think of ‘Nichoir’ you're thinking when can you return?"
(Andoni, Amaia and Nahia, Bilbao, Spain)
August 2016:
"My small family had a wonderful time at Nichoir. Our only regret was not being able to stay longer. Simon and Nollie were the perfect hosts: patient, charming, amusing, accomplished, and helpful. Nichoir is a gorgeous property, inside and out. We were delighted with our superbly comfortable and attractive room, our delicious meals, and our easygoing, good-natured hosts (this means you, too, Oska and Snuffkin). My family rarely revisits accommodations -- since there are so many nice places to go in the world -- but we are already trying to work out how soon we can return to Nichoir. Loved it!"
(Anne - Greenville, North Carolina USA)
July 2016:
"We really, really liked our stay with you for the following reasons:
- you are a very warm, hospitable couple (even after a rough 16 hour drive and giving you a big delay for supper we felt very welcome at your place)
- we liked our conversations when we had dinner/breakfast (during our stay we had so much to talk about...)
- you gave us so much advice on exploring the area
- we really liked your house - the room we stayed in, the garden, the swimming pool with the frogs, the pond with the fish and the frogs (!) … (if you saw someone waving into to the wildlife camera near the pond it was us!!)
- you are very lovely cooks!!!!!!!!!!!!
Anyway, if we could have our holiday time again , we would do it over all again!"
(Frank and Dagmara, Belgium)
July 2016:
"We spent three splendid days at le Nichoir, where Simon and Nolly made us feel like visiting friends. Simon showed us the garden, designed to be wildlife-friendly. The swimming pool is a salt-water one. The pond is full of frogs and water-lilies. The house is filled with unusual and beautiful objects. Everything is the highest standard, yet the feeling overall is of homeliness and friendliness. The best of England in the best of France. I cannot recommend le Nichoir too highly."
(Lindsey - Kings Langley, UK)
July 2016:
Simon and Noella are wonderful hosts, they couldn't have done any more to make our stay delightful. The evening meal in the garden was delicious. The room is extremely comfortable, everything was lovely, I can't recommend it highly enough. We'll be back next year to spend longer exploring the beautiful area and enjoy the house and garden. Thank-you !"
(Sarah-Hythe, UK)
July 2016:
Delightful house beautifully decorated; a very welcoming and thoughtful host and hostess - nothing was too much trouble. Well-selected menu for our evening meal with accompanying wines and a delicious breakfast completed the enjoyment of our stay. We would be happy to recommend Le Bruel to anyone visiting this part of France. Our host went far beyond the call of duty in recovering mislaid documents and forwarding them to us. Five stars.
(David - Lochgilphead, Argyll, UK)
August 2015:
Wonderful place for a relaxing break!!
Ça vaut le détour! This well-known French phrase certainly applies to ‘Nichoir' which is tucked away in the small hamlet of Le Bruel, near Lacapelle Pinet (see website www.lebruel.net for full details of how to find the house). One of the many great things about this B&B is that you really can spend a day relaxing by the pool, if you so wish. This provided a very welcome break for us after 5 days of driving and serious sightseeing. However, there is so much to see and do in the area that you will be spoilt for choice with beautiful places such as Albi, Ambialet, Cordes sur Ciel, Brousse le Château Sauveterre de Rouergue and many others, all within an hour's drive. You then return to 5* accommodation where every detail has been taken care of or, in the unlikely event that anything is missing, you only have to ask and your hosts Simon and Noella will provide. Breakfast, evening snacks and meals are all delicious and beautifully presented. Of course, no review would be complete without a mention of Oska, the very loveable Newfoundland.
(Wendy & Andrew, Wiltshire)
August 2015:
Revez au 'Nichoir'
Séjour exceptionnel à tous les points de vue : maison so lovely ; Noëlla et Simon Mauger sont très raffinés tant pour la décoration que pour la cuisine. L'accueil est parfait, Noella et Simon sont comme des amis attentifs et discrets... iIs parlent très bien le français ; que de belles soirées où nous avons échangé avec plaisir : une adresse à conseiller dans ce lieu magique et si confortable!
(Astrid & Jean-Jacques, Normandie)
July 2015:
We spent 3 days at Le Bruel and had a truly wonderful time. The house and gardens are beautiful and Nollie and Simon are perfect hosts. This is an ideal place to stay if you enjoy lovely surroundings, first rate accommodation with sumptuous bed linen and exceptional home grown and home cooked food. On a warm summer evening you can relax by the pool enjoying a glass of wine and on cooler evenings the visitor lounge is very inviting. We highly recommend that you stay at this wonderful chambre d'hôte - we certainly will return.
(Diane & Ian, Berkshire)
June 2015:
'Nichoir' in June was lovely - perfect weather and a fine location with far reaching views. Simon and Noella are the perfect hosts, serving delicious meals in their beautiful garden. So many memorable places to visit just a short drive away - a trip to Albi is a must - don't miss the cathedral and the Toulouse-Lautrec museum.
(Gill & Richard, Vendee)
March 2015:
We spent a lovely week at Le Nichoir, in mid-March when weather can be almost anything. The luck was on our side: we enjoyed sun almost every day, temperatures rising to 20 degrees Celsius during daytime. Nichoir is situated in the Tarn, a region not so well known by tourists but worth the visit. Landscapes vary between hills and forests, fields and old villages, mountains and canyons. It is a perfect region for long walks, along small roads between the villages or well indicated walking paths. We enjoyed all of that, in addition to visiting medieval towns such as Albi. It is highly recommended to have a car, as there is so much to see.
Nichoir is an old house renovated with excellent taste. It is a combination of a French farm and an English country house in perfect harmony. We had at our disposal a large bedroom, a bathroom with a bath and shower, as well as a large sitting room where we sat by the fireplace in the evenings.
The house is surrounded by a huge garden the size of three football fields, with a swimming pool and a pond where we could hear the amazing frogs of southern France that sound like a motorway at times. We enjoyed our apéritifs in the garden, watching the sun setting beyond the hills.
Food was first class: local produce, fine dining, beautifully served. We chose to have lunch most of the time in the nearby villages and a light supper at le Nichoir. It was not always a good choice: the dinners we had at le Nichoir were far better than local restaurants.
Last but not least, our hosts Noella and Simon have succeeded in creating an atmosphere where we felt welcome and at ease, with privacy and presence well balanced. We could feel that they love this place, and so did we. We are frequent travelers especially in France. Nichoir will stay on top of our list for a long time.
(Elina & Paul, Finland)
February 2015:
A really lovely and relaxing stay - what a brilliant place for a wedding anniversary! Even the weather was outstanding. You are such welcoming hosts, even Oska and Snufkin. Surrounding countryside and Albi were also outstanding. Thank you.
(Jacky & Paul, UK)
May 2014:
Un grand merci
Une belle vacances tranquilles et reposantes - avec une cuisine délicieuse et très confortable.
(Janet & John, UK)
May 2014:
Our first visit to the Tarn
Thank you both for your friendship and for sharing your beautiful home. This is our first visit to the Tarn – stunning scenery and great weather. We had a remarkable meal in the restaurant at Ambialet. We must also mention the delicious meals chez Simon and Noella at Nichoir.
(Bernice & Richard, France)