During my recent project in Geneva Switzerland, we had the great good fortune to take a 4 day side trip to Linières-Bouton, Pays De La Loire, in France. I wanted to visit my friend Jonathan, whom I initially met on FB and then in person in California. He told me about his small town and the historic water mill that he was restoring and I was intrigued…so, we went to see for ourselves…Words cannot begin to describe the magic…
Nestled deep in the Loire is an old 19th Century Water Mill (called a Moulin in French) that has been restored and renovated into a fabulous bed and breakfast. Owned by artist Jonathan Robinson, and run with his partners Pascal and Bernard, it is called Moulin Bregeon, and is one of the most tranquil, rejuvenating and uplifting places on earth.
Thanks to Jonathan Robinson and Friends of Moulin Bregeon for sharing this fab photo by Olivia Rae James
It is a sensual retreat for the spirit; and an ultimate treat for the senses at the same time, at one with the land around it and the part it plays in the local history. It feels like you are literally transported to another time and place. A place where you naturally slow down, breath and begin to live more consciously, with your Self and your environment.
We slept in the ultimate lap of luxury-cozy, comfy beds, covered  in 19th century embroidered French sheets, sun-dried, and so fresh and crisp, the smell divine! There were hand made soaps by a local nunnery; fresh flowers everywhere; creamy butter on warm croissants with preserves from their trees; ducks, goats, dogs (Mona & Figaro), cows and cats flowing naturally through the grounds; old china, silver and glass; hand embroidered antique fabrics and lamps made out of old artifacts with shades made out of old letters.
Thanks to Friends of Moulin Bregeon for their great hospitality! And this photo by Olivia Rae James
Fresh and bountiful local food was prepared daily by Pascal and paired with divine local wines. Breakfast was provided with our reservation. Dinner, available by request (I highly suggest that you request)! Everywhere you look is truly a little bit of beautyâ„¢ to delight and rest your eye and uplift your soul.
Fresh Fruit from the trees! Thank you Olivia Rae James for adding to my collection of images.
Moulin Bregeon has hosted celebrities from Barbara Streisand and the Simpson’s gang, to yoga retreats, honeymooners and private parties…and now, we are preparing to bring designers, retailers and individual clients to shop the area for wonderful finds like you see in all the pictures. (more to come on that soon!)
But without a doubt, as great as Le Moulin Bregeon is, it’s the people that make you feel like you are returning home. First off…thanks to my clients, for braving the roads in the midst of great stress and personal upheaval plus torrential downpours on our drive back to Switzerland!
To Etsuko, Bernard, Pascal, Zachary and Katrina for their friendship, great service, and for making us feel completely at home…and big hugs and kisses to Jonathan, for his artistic vision, his passionate heart, his personal commitment to welcoming all and his generosity in showing us around his little bit of heaven. Namaste.
I can only hope that my words and pictures have captured even just a bit of the magic I experienced at this wonderful place. For a trip through my eye, enjoy the video below.
When was the last time you took such a relaxing trip? Where did you go?
Would you like to join us on a trip to the Loire Valley with this as your home base? Leave me a comment below, and I will add you to our growing list…À Votre Santé!
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40 Comments
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Wonderful description, Irene, of a place that sounds like nirvana! I DO want to go.
Glad your trip was a safe one.
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Terrific Marilyn, I’ll add your name to my growing list and when all the details are complete will send you information. It truly is an enchanting place and the finds magnificent! We’ll be in touch
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Really inspiring~ Tx 4 sharing Irene. I’ll share this on FB for sure. Happy Autumn!
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Thanks Alexandra. It was completely enchanting and I’d like to share with everyone who wants a space of quiet and beauty! And thanks for stopping by!
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Everyone was great, they took us out on day trips. The food was very good and the accommodations was very rustic and beautiful everything was restored to its original design..very quaint and charming.
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When were you there? I’d love to know. We should start a fan club…what do you think?
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Reading this I felt like I was there with you. I have been to France once and we did venture into the countryside. So peaceful and beautiful. We plan to go back when my daughter graduates high school and take her to the bed and breakfasts, as well as Paris of course. What a lovely job you have – taking clients on journeys like this!
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I do have great clients Laurie, and am blessed to love what I do. You and your daughter will so enjoy this little piece of history. Perhaps this will help you plan it when it’s time for you to go. Thanks for stopping by
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Oh my gosh, Irene, I want to go there now! What an amazing place, just like so many of my dreams! Have never been to France, but maybe one day I could go to somewhere like this; it was relaxing for me to just read your descriptions and watch the video…made my heart long to be there. I am going to share this with my daughter, my mom, and my sisters so they can enjoy and dream, too. Thank you for sharing this!
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Thanks for sharing. Perhaps it will be someplace you, your sister, mother and daughter will enjoy together. It’s the perfect place for a complete family get away…something I hope to do with my family at some point as well! Thanks for stopping by
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This does look like a charming inviting place. French countryside is on my wishlist of things to visit and enjoy!
Julieanne Case
Always from the heart! -
What a delicious description you provided of an amazing place.This area of France is definitely on our list of places to visit and you made it even more intriguing. It will be quite a few years but we will be there!
Susan Berland
A Picture’s Worth -
Hi Irene,
Thanks for this beautiful post about one of the loveliest places I’ve seen in a long time. Your slide show is stunning — thanks for selecting Vivaldi. Of course I’d enjoy visiting there, but I’m much more interested in how the place inspired the decorator in you. What ideas have you taken away?
Robbie-
Yes, Vivaldi is great is it not? And perfect for the mood of Moulin Breton Robbie.
As a designer my blog is all about how beauty uplifts the soul. Everything I write about is about the inspiration I derive whether from great ideas, to beauty spots like this one, to tips and tricks for people to create their own beauty in their world.
Moulin Bregeon is a way to help uplift my readers souls by showing them the beauty in our world…and vignettes that are beautiful in their simplicity.
I’m glad you enjoyed the photos and thank you so much for stopping by!
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Sounds like a place I would want to live. I find the simpler less materialistic way of life always brings me closer to my Source/Self. I love the outdoors, camping hiking and plants and trees. So much life and so simple. What a wonderful place that you have brought to your clients and given them a precious gift and maybe even inspiration to move closer to the simple things in life.
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Oh yes Kirk, you got it, I’m thrilled! I am all about slowing down, and the simplicity of beauty and how uplifting it is to our spirit and our life. Thanks for stopping by and truly “getting it”!
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Oh, my gosh, at the end of the video, I just let out a big sigh… I would definitely consider going. Of course I’m already envisioning my photo album…sigh…
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yup Pat…beauty does give one pause, allowing us to slow down long enough to take a breath and just be. Since you took several deep breaths…I know you got it!
Your photo album would be stunning I’m sure
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What a gorgeous place, makes me SO homesick for France, where I lived as a young woman. I could almost smell the air and taste the buttery croissants. Thank you for taking me for a moment away from the humdrum of my office to this artistically evocative and beautiful place
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C’est magnifique! I love your rich description of the moulin. I love France and used to be a French teacher. I have visited le Pays de la Loire, but I missed this little corner of heaven. When I go back, this sounds like a place to see and stay for sure. Simplement Beau!
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Yes do go Meredith. I’m sure you will completely relax into the joie de vivre of this enchanting place! Bon Voyage
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I am so overdue for a relaxing vacation! Thankfully I’ve got a couple of short weekend retreats planned. Thank you for your description of your trip, every detail seems impeccable!
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This was both beautiful and relaxing to read and look at. I have been to France about three times, but mostly around Paris. I was in the Loire Valley one time many, many years ago–and not traveling in any way as you describe! (those were the backpack years) The Moulin sounds divine. Gorgeous pictures. Thanks for taking me on a mini-vacation.
Judy Stone-Goldman
The Reflective Writer
http://www.thereflectivewriter.com/blog/
Personal-Professional Boundaries Through Writing -
Gorgeous! I especially love the shot of the fresh fruit. It really looks like a painting!!
~Kayla
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This post was so soothing! That place looks heavenly and. Strangely enough, having lived so close to France for most of my life, I have hardly spent any time there. Something I intend to remedy at some point. There and Tuscany…..
Louise Edington
Breaking Through Online Frontiers -
What beautiful photos, thank you for sharing. I really like the one of the roses, but then maybe I’m a little biased…. 😉
@}—Rosie
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[…] I have fallen in love with my friend Jonathan Robinson and his fabulous place in the Loire Valley, Moulin Bregeon. But did you also know that he’s an artist of international renown? Yup, he is. Bird & […]
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