Le Moulin Brégeon is managed by Jonathan, the Owner.
To check availability and to get the best possible price, contact Jonathan here:
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Your gift when booking with us:
Free welcome drink and
complimentary room upgrade *
— Jonathan: “The whole idea of country living is often absent in the modern world, but the mill preserves this experience both inside and outside.”
Interview By: Welcome Beyond
— Please tell us a bit about the history of the mill.
Jonathan: “The mill is built on the foundation of a 14th century monastery, according to the French government’s historical society. There is evidence of some Renaissance detailing on a few of the buildings and an ancient foundation of an older style of river mill from the same time period a short way down our river. The main mill building was constructed atop the monastic foundation at the end of the 18th century. The architectural details were purposefully meant to emulate the style of Marie Antoinette’s private watermill at Versailles.”
— Le Moulin exterior
— What was your inspiration to buy a property in a relatively remote location and transform it into a small retreat?
Jonathan: “I first came to the Loire Valley region when I was teaching painting in the city of Angers, but ever since I first moved to Europe I had an appreciation for the French imagination’s deep respect for maintaining harmony between the built world and nature.
I renovated the mill because I recognized it was a place where people could have a pure aesthetic experience of French country life. I bought it in 1992 and was happy when UNESCO designated the region a World Heritage site in 2000.
The interior of the mill is decorated exclusively with French antiques and art, many pieces of which are from the 18th or 19th century. I have personally rescued almost all of the furniture from local markets, antique fairs, and private sellers. Some pieces that were slightly damaged have been expertly repaired by a close friend who is a master craftsman of Compagnon, one of the oldest medieval craft guilds in Europe.”
I renovated the mill because I recognized it was a place where people could have a pure aesthetic experience of French country life. I bought it in 1992 and was happy when UNESCO designated the region a World Heritage site in 2000.
The interior of the mill is decorated exclusively with French antiques and art, many pieces of which are from the 18th or 19th century. I have personally rescued almost all of the furniture from local markets, antique fairs, and private sellers. Some pieces that were slightly damaged have been expertly repaired by a close friend who is a master craftsman of Compagnon, one of the oldest medieval craft guilds in Europe.”
— Conservatory
— What would you describe to be your philosophy at Le Moulin?
Jonathan: “Our philosophy is to create a rich and memorable experience of the multifaceted French culture of beauty.
A hotel should be both comfortable and aesthetically pleasing. We renovated and decorated the mill with a consciousness about the necessity to provide a living space that was completely French and makes our guests feel a sense of place and soul.
We take complete care of our guests from A to Z. Our complete retreat package is a bespoke experience unlike any other in France. From the moment guests arrive to our parting farewells, our staff make their stay one of a kind by suiting the touring, cooking courses, and dinners to their taste.
We don’t just go to major tourist attractions but introduce them to locals and farms where they get to engage with a cultural experience outside of anything they would be able to find on their own. We use our 20 years of experience to give them special access to hidden antique fairs, private village festivals, and profound works of architecture.”
A hotel should be both comfortable and aesthetically pleasing. We renovated and decorated the mill with a consciousness about the necessity to provide a living space that was completely French and makes our guests feel a sense of place and soul.
We take complete care of our guests from A to Z. Our complete retreat package is a bespoke experience unlike any other in France. From the moment guests arrive to our parting farewells, our staff make their stay one of a kind by suiting the touring, cooking courses, and dinners to their taste.
We don’t just go to major tourist attractions but introduce them to locals and farms where they get to engage with a cultural experience outside of anything they would be able to find on their own. We use our 20 years of experience to give them special access to hidden antique fairs, private village festivals, and profound works of architecture.”
—
— Please tell us a bit more about the vacation packages you offer.
Jonathan: “The full experience we offer can be fit into a four-night, five-day stay with us. This entirely bespoke stay includes all lodging, dinners, wine, breakfasts, all-day touring wherever you like (or we are happy to suggest many places), and complimentary pick up and drop off at our nearest train station. This package is ideal for small groups.”
— Bedroom
— Please tell us a bit about the facilities and amenities at the retreat.
Jonathan: “Our facilities are designed to appreciate the unique aesthetic we have created. Our guiding principle of design here is to find beauty wherever your eye turns.
Our twelve hectares of land allow quiet walks through fields of wildflowers or the nearby forest. The privacy we have from our neighbors makes our many outdoor spaces perfect for yoga or meditation groups.
We also own separate facilities, including a wine bar, in a village one kilometer away for indoor events.”
Our twelve hectares of land allow quiet walks through fields of wildflowers or the nearby forest. The privacy we have from our neighbors makes our many outdoor spaces perfect for yoga or meditation groups.
We also own separate facilities, including a wine bar, in a village one kilometer away for indoor events.”
— Bedroom
— To you personally, what is so special about the the mill?
Jonathan: “In our age of rapidly expanding cities and encroaching urbanism, the experience of the countryside is one of the world’s oldest and most endangered luxuries. The whole idea of country living is often absent in the modern world, but the mill preserves this experience both inside and outside. The sheets on our beds are hand-embroidered antiques that are washed, dried outside on the line, and hand ironed for every guest. We use porcelain light switches, and water faucets made by artisans so that the smallest details of the mill evoke the rich legacy and culture of craft that is the keystone of France’s traditional culture of beauty.”
— Garden
Jonathan's favourites:
Le Moulin Brégeon
Transportation
Eat & Drink
Activities
SightsInterview By: Welcome Beyond
— The mill is located in a small village in the Loire Valley. Please tell us a bit more about this part of France.
Jonathan: “The Loire Valley is the birthplace of France and the official garden of Europe. The region is home to world class wines, museums, historic cities and is the place the French themselves have used as a holiday retreat for centuries. Our neighbor is the great-great-niece of Napoleon. The nearby city of Saumur is the seat of the Cadre Noir, the world renowned French Cavalry that set the international standard for equestrian training.
A simple drive or bike ride through the back roads of the farmland and woodlands of the Loire puts you in touch with a kind of natural beauty that is disappearing from the world.
We live 10 km from a natural lake where swimming and fishing is permitted. The lake is famous in the region for the silt and minerals in the water that are renowned for promoting healthy skin. The Loire river itself is also great for swimming and boating.”
A simple drive or bike ride through the back roads of the farmland and woodlands of the Loire puts you in touch with a kind of natural beauty that is disappearing from the world.
We live 10 km from a natural lake where swimming and fishing is permitted. The lake is famous in the region for the silt and minerals in the water that are renowned for promoting healthy skin. The Loire river itself is also great for swimming and boating.”
— Dining area
— What do you particularly like about this region? What is life like?
Jonathan: “The visual culture here exudes everything that one thinks of when you ask ‘What is France.’ I also enjoy the cuisine. You eat well here – you can taste in the organic fruit and vegetables that the land has been cared for.
With a deep history in wine-making stretching back to monastic orders in the Middle ages, the vintners in our region often cultivate Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvingnon grapes. The red wines tend to be fruity and light and the whites and sparking wines steeling and dry. We have relationships with many local vintners who do not open to the public and can arrange private tours for interested clients.”
With a deep history in wine-making stretching back to monastic orders in the Middle ages, the vintners in our region often cultivate Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvingnon grapes. The red wines tend to be fruity and light and the whites and sparking wines steeling and dry. We have relationships with many local vintners who do not open to the public and can arrange private tours for interested clients.”
—
— Are there any other activities or things to see you would recommend?
Jonathan: “Clos Luce, the final resting place of Leonardo Da Vinci, is a wonderful property and museum to visit.
Also, depending on the season, there are a number of food-related activities, such as going mushroom hunting in the nearby forest.”
Also, depending on the season, there are a number of food-related activities, such as going mushroom hunting in the nearby forest.”
—
— What would you recommend to do on a rainy day?
Jonathan: “We run customized cooking courses with our clients, taught by our resident French chefs. In case of rain, our guests have the option of taking a class in one of our two kitchens. Traditional buckwheat crepes, homemade preserves, you name it. The Institute of Culinary Education in New York often sends its students to learn from us.”
— Breakfast at Le Moulin
— To you personally, what has been the biggest reward about renting the retreat?
Jonathan: “I created this retreat as an aesthetic refuge where France’s traditional culture of beauty could be celebrated, protected, and shared with future generations. I am always thrilled when our clients leave here having developed an appreciation for the sublime harmony here that they can take home with them and recreate in their own lives.”
— Boar forest
— When is the best time to come for a visit?
Jonathan: “August. The Loire River, as well as the river on our property, creates a unique micro-climate that keeps humidity low throughout the summer here. Many people believe August is a bad time to visit Europe because the Europeans are on vacation – that may be true of the larger cities, but in our rural paradise the farmers, community parades, and other local attractions are in full force. And the immaculately warm August evenings are perfect for enjoying dinner at the Mill al fresco beneath the stars.”
—
— Thank you, Jonathan!
Prices are an indication only. The final quote will be the same low price as booking your vacation directly.
There are no fees to book. Please check directly with the owner for special arrangements or information not listed here.
Service
Self-catering & Catered
Accommodation type
B&B / Guesthouse
Location
Countryside
Special requirements
Children welcome
Pets welcome
Restricted wheelchair access
Smoking allowed
Transport
Car not required
Private parking
Limited public transport
Prices are an indication only. The final quote will be the same low price as booking your vacation directly.
There are no fees to book. Please check directly with the owner for special arrangements or information not listed here.
Bedrooms
0 Single bedroom
1 Double bedroom
0 Twin bedroom
0 Room w. multiple beds
Additional:
0 Sofabed
1 Extra bed (on request)
0 Air mattress (on req.)
1 Baby cot/crib (on req.)
Bath/shower rooms
1 Bathroom (ensuite)
0 Bathroom (shared)
0 Shower room (ensuite)
0 Shower room (shared)
1 Toilet (ensuite)
Additional:
0 Toilet (shared)
Other rooms
1 Kitchen
0 Kitchenette
1 Cooking area
1 Living room
0 Dining room
0 Other rooms
Prices for 1 sharingperson
Lowest price
Highest price
Standard
€ 245
€ 400
Complete
€ 400
€ 400
Size: 200 square meters. 1 units available.
Minimum stay requirement is two (2) nights. Standard price includes daily French countryside breakfast. Additional services (dinner, touring) are available by special arrangement for additional fees.
Complete price includes daily breakfast, daily gourmet five course dinner designed to guest taste and dietary preference, daily tour guide with bespoke itinerary or daily customized cooking class. Please inquire for more details.
All reservations require a non-fundable deposit equal to 50% of the total booking to confirm.
Your free gift
Free welcome drink (sparkling wine) and a complimentary room upgrade (subject to availability) when booking through Welcome Beyond.
Best rates
You pay the same rate as booking with the property directly. There are no booking fees or extra costs to you. That’s guaranteed!
Direct owner contact
Use the ‘Contact’ button on the left to get information about availability and rates from the owner directly — and also receive the link to the property website with further details.
Our helpline
If you need help, call us on +49 163 737 2509 (Mo-Fr, 10am-10pm CET)
Outside these times leave us a message and we’ll call right back.
Outside these times leave us a message and we’ll call right back.
