Cote d'Or holiday cottage: Villars et Villenotte

This secluded cottage is a beautiful place to relax and from which to explore the area. It was a quiet, comfortable and very well presented cottage with all the amenities you might expect to have. The private garden and the small terrace were delightful and many hours were spent reading or watching the birds. The cottage (and garden) is within the garden of the main house and the owner is always available for advice on sightseeing and walks. We would have no hesitation in recommending this cottage.

We very much enjoyed our stay in this charming house. It was clean and well maintained and the thoughtful touches like the flowers made us feel welcome. The owner Mary was there when we needed her, and really helped us sort out a problem with the car. It is certainly quiet round about so you can't expect a lot in the way of entertainment but the walks were beautiful and the nearby town an easy distance. We enjoyed eating at the Interact, and a restaurant - I think it was called au douze - both on the hill down from the church. We were lucky enough to eat outside with the floodlit church as a magnificent backdrop. We also ate in the Grange at Flavigny. This is a cooperative run by a group of local people and using ingredients grown in the nearby fields. It was excellent food and very reasonable despite what the euro was doing! We found the memorials and museum of the resistance most interesting and would have liked more time to pursue that. Things weren't always very well signposted and we would take a more detailed map in future. All in all this was an ideal spot from which to explore the Cote d'Or and enjoy the delicious products of that region.

We were delighted with this cottage and its surroundings. The main room and kitchen are well equiped and cosy. A single rainy evening encouraged us to light the Godin wood-burner which worked perfectly and led us to plan an Autumn return. The mezzanine bedroom is fun and the other bedroom allows for an additional couple. Best of all perhaps, is the private terrace with its stunning view - being straight off the kitchen made serving evening meals there easy and very special. Previously we had only driven through this area on our way south, so the opportunity to explore it more fully was welcome. We were surprised at just how much there is to do and see. Guided by the helpful owner of the cottage, we found some of the less obvious attractions as well as the well trodden paths to the 'Chocolat' village, Veseley and Dijon. Semur itself has lovely places to eat and we enjoyed swimming in the lake. Returning to our own little hidaway was never a disappointment, as the evening skies from the hillside were spectacular. Not previously 'twitchers' we shall bring binoculars and a guide to birds next time - what a variety! Thank you for a truly restful but interesting week.