La Gaillarde Bed and Breakfast
Montluçon, France

Nestled in the secret heart of central France in the ancient dukedom of Berry, on the edge of the bourg of Preveranges, in the green basin of the Loire; the Gaillarde offers you peace and quiet and a rare chance to experience a little piece of unspoilt rural France in the warm and friendly atmosphere of a French longere (longhouse), where English and French are spoken. Whether you are looking for an overnight stop on your way down south or a longer stay the Gaillarde is ideally situated for you.

Sylvie, French from the Midi region of France (Castres 81100), born in 1958, she will cook classic French dishes for you and you will be able to practice your French with her. Sylvie prepares regional dishes from the Berry as well as her native “Meridional” cooking, which she learned from her grandmother – need we say more?
Jean-Baptiste, Dutch from Breda near the Belgian border, born in 1948. An amateur restorer of Solex and other classic motorbikes and cars. He is proud of his library, in which you will find history books in four languages, including English, and where the “Napoleon Collection” takes pride of place. He speaks excellent English and will be pleased to share his treasures with you.

Our “longère” (old longhouse farm from 1820), has a separate annex in which we have made two comfortable modern bedrooms, each with a full size double bed ( not the sagging small double bed you may remember from older french hotels !).
There is a bathroom (with shower and washbasin), separate toilet, kitchenette (with coffee maker, microwave and fridge), private sitting room/library and your own private parking at the entrance.
You will find a dressing-gown waiting for you, so that you can have a leisurely breakfast at our garden-terrace.

There are many interesting places to visit in our region far from the tourist trail and therefore offering a true glimpse of the history and traditions of France without the hustle, bustle and mass produced attractions of the popular tourist areas. The chateaux in this area are not financed, as they often are in Britain, by institutions like the National Trust or English Heritage, but are restored, maintained and run by the families who own them and whose ancestors in some cases built them. They are often excellent unspoilt examples of the medieval craft.
Visit our website for extensive information on all things to see, do and visit in the surroundings.