All included in the price
At Le Petit Moulin we pride ourselves on providing our guests with a wide range of indoor and outdoor activities. And they are all included in the price of your stay. Whether guests stay for one night in a bed and breakfast room, or for two weeks in our family gite. The activities are all included and they’re all free. If you don’t believe us, check out some of our lovely guests reviews!
Indoors
The Barn
This is a huge communal area that all of our gite and B&B guests can use whenever the weather is bad, and when it’s just too hot. There are separate games areas with table tennis, table football and a pool table. For the toddlers and younger children there is another play area with lots of toys, puzzles and games to keep them happy for hours.
There are dining tables and chairs set up if you want to seat family and friends together for a meal. But we do ask that the area is kept clean and tidy, and that you do not disturb or inconvenience our other guests.
The barn is also used for our monthly dining events, weddings and private parties. So occasionally we have to close it off to guests for a few hours. However, we will always give our guests advance notice so that they can plan other activities.
Outdoors
We are lucky to be situated in an area of natural beauty, and our guests can take advantage of this beautiful location with our extensive range of outdoor activities. There are acres of space for children of all ages to walk, run, play and explore. We even have a small woodland area which is perfect for a short stroll, or for staying in the shade on a hot day. If you are very lucky you might even spot a red squirrel, or hear a woodpecker.
Why not release some energy with a run around the football pitch? Or go for a family bike ride around the quiet country lanes? Our football pitch can also be used to play badminton, cricket or rounders. We have all the equipment available for the whole family to take part. Alternatively you could play a more sedate game of French boules, on the petanque court under the trees. Or just relax at one of the picnic tables, take in the scenery and watch the kids having lots of fun.
We also have archery. This is available for all the guests to use during their stay, but only when supervised by Simon, the proprietor of Le Petit Moulin. He will teach you how to use the crossbows safely, and aim and shoot at the target. He also ensures that all the archery equipment is returned and securely stored away after use.
Large outdoor pool
The rear garden is where you will find the large outdoor swimming pool, and children’s play area. There are swings, slides, play house and a trampoline, suitable for children under 12 years.
For rest and relaxation, (and to keep an eye on the kids) we have hammocks dotted around the garden. They are great for spending an hour or two reading a book, or just listening to the mesmerising sound of the river tinkling by.
Old water mill
Le Petit Moulin translates to ‘the small mill’. The old mill was driven by the waterwheel that you can see from the conservatory, or from the side of the river. If you ask Simon nicely, then he will gladly show you all the renovation work he did to get the wheel working again. The down-stream part of the river is only between 2 and 6 inches deep, so it is ideal for paddling in, with a small net and bucket. Kids (and grown-ups!) love seeing and catching all kinds of water creatures here. We have a few nets and buckets available, and will happily get stuck in and help educate the children with their findings.
Alongside the old water mill there is a small mill pool where you can try your hand at fishing. There are numerous carp, roach, rudd, tench and perch. We can supply the rods, but anything you catch must be carefully handled and put back into the water. No eating the occupants!
Fishy business
There is plenty of shade here in this pretty area. You can sit around the mill pool in different areas to either fish, or just watch them gently going about their business, without a care in the world.
Upstream from the mill is pristine river which you can explore from one of our canoes. You can paddle for at least 20 minutes upstream before the river gets too shallow to navigate any further. So just turn round and meander back down stream to the mill. There is so much to see on the river, even on this short trip. There are purple herons, egrets, golden oriels, peregrine falcons, and king fishers. You might even see the occasional coypu. One thing is for certain – you will make some fantastic family memories here at Le Petit Moulin.
Bike rides
We have a large selection of bikes ranging from adult to toddler size. There is also a little chariot for toddlers that cannot ride. All our bikes are free for all our guests to use. There are plenty of paths and trail around the area where you can take a picnic and enjoy the scenery. Or just a short ride down the lane is the ‘plan d’eau’ or fishing lake at Sainte Soline. At weekends the small lake-side bar is open where you can enjoy a glass or two of vino, and experience the French way of life. La joie de vivre.
Responsible adults
It is the responsibility of the parents to ensure that their children are supervised at all times when they are playing in, or near the river or pool. We also recommend that there is at least one responsible adult accompanying the children on bike rides outside of Le Petit Moulin’s boundaries.