Over the years, we’ve come to realise that when you walk through the gates of Artagnan, there’s no option but to relax and have a wonderful time. The boys have loved their days cooking, eating, playing games and swimming. We’ve unwound bathed in the peace and quiet and forgotten about the real world. Perfect. Thank you, as always for your kindness, friendship and help. We love it here.

Thank you for another fantastic week at Artagnan. We have loved our time here, as always. To experience the excitement of the Tour de France (stage 18 started in Trie!) was an added bonus. Henry & Steffi have had a fabulous time at the barn – cooking, collecting eggs and the many games of Croque – Carotte! Thanks again from us all xxxx

It has been so lovely to return to Artagnan. We can’t really describe how wonderful it has been – Thank you all so, so much. Our sadness at leaving is tempered by knowing we will be back! Thank you for your kindness, eggs, hospitality and for being so brilliant with the girls who have loved every minute. Thank you from all of us

Razia, Tim, Louis, Eva, George & Abbie. Thank you all for your great welcome and huge kindness – SO very much appreciated xxxxx

We had another wonderful time making memories that we will treasure. You couldn’t be kinder more helpful hosts – our girls absolutely LOVED their time in the barn with all of the “young dudes” HUGE thanks for another incredible holiday

Another unforgettable and magical year – Artagnan just gets better and better. The boys have loved every moment. Razia & Tim thank you doesn’t really cover it! You have given us all the most wonderful, happy holiday. Endless fun, games, tractor rides, Top Trumps, baking and the stomp rocket! We feel so lucky to have found this amazing place. Thank you for such a restorative and fabulous holiday XX

This is our second beautiful stay in this fabulous retreat. The children (and baby) were smiling from ear to ear. As were we. As ever Tim & Razia were wonderful hosts. Thank you again for our stay.

Fantastic place, fantastic people, fantastic experience. Every detail and need thought of. Every eventuality catered for. Our time here has been way more than a holiday. Thank you for your expertise and warmth. Look forward to seeing you again

You could easily be wowed by the warm as a bath pool, the fine food or the grand home and views but in truth it’s the people that make Artagnan truly special.

Soon I will revisit the emotional and logistical chaos of the last few weeks that saw us arrive at the door of this fine French home mildly hungover, after an emotional goodbye to friends, and with our underwear and crockery falling out of the car as we opened the doors. But right now I am too content, relaxed and full to talk about anything other than the positive experience we have had here.
It’s hard to fully portray the effort and energy that has gone into making this a relaxing holiday for parents in one blog. Every detail from bath toys, cupboard locks, play pens and toys is in place to distract children and reassure parents. Even the pantry is stocked full of wet wipes, calpol and cutlery for toddlers. My two year old wasn’t even interested in the mountain of tractors he was too interested in feeding the chickens and tormenting the sheep. Travel cots and play pens were strategically placed so my 6 month old could be safely with us when playing outside and in the pool.
On our first night we accepted an invitation to have a drink with the owners Razia, Tim and their son George, who was terrorised by my two year old until the teenager had to retire to bed for a rest. The cheese was good, the trout tasty, the foie gras surprisingly edible and the wine even better. My eldest could get where water couldn’t. He is an escape artist but here he is fenced in by animals and fields of sunflowers, slides and a lily pond (behind a fence). The garden is extensive and safe. Which meant we could relax. My husband and I actually ate, drank and talked to each other.
We thought it was just a pleasant evening but in truth it served as the ice breaker that meant my two year old, the child who has never had a baby sitter and screamed so much at a creche he and I were both asked to leave, actually ran out of the door the following day to play with Tim and Razia. They looked after the children for two hours, singing, baking and playing with them. We felt guilty for handing them over on our family holiday, …… Listen to me trying to justify it! We felt guilty for five minutes, then we actually talked, and drank our coffee hot! We haven’t been on our own for months, we have no babysitters or family on hand in France, we share our bed every night with the children, we go everywhere with the kids and it was nice to have two hours to do whatever we wanted. I forgot I quite like his company. Granted we sat in the garden meters from them and able to hear them most of the time, we could even see them. But that’s not the point. They went somewhere without us and they were fine! They loved it.
When they came back we were even keener to play dinosaurs than when they left. Recharged. That’s how we will feel leaving this place. A few days of family time, playing in the garden and the pool until bed time. Using the local cook who provided meals, reading seven books to the children because we have no time pressure to be anywhere. Making precious memories before in the blink of an eye they turn into teenagers who don’t want to talk to me.
Full marks and appreciation to the Coleman family who have turned their home into luxurious haven. Thanks for having us.

Thank you Tim and Razia for a restful and special family holiday. Artagnan has a great reputation but our experience surpassed all of our expectations – everything had been planned and thought of down to the minor details and this eliminated the stress and strains that go with with usual holidays. The location is quiet and peaceful and Henry & Emily loved playing with all the toys, feeding the chickens and visiting you next door. Thank you for your hospitality and generosity.

Artagnan lives up to and exceeds its reputation; we were told we would love it and we do. Thank you so much for a magical 10 days; you have created a unique holiday for families. The idyllic and tranquil setting is wonderfully peaceful and you have thought of everything to make it a totally stress free break, from all of your incredible hospitality, to the endless tractor rides, the animal feeding, the baking, the craft activities it has been a very special holiday. The children would happily stay forever (without us!).