About us

Nathalie and Herman moved to France to start a new project.

Nathalie explored the tourist facilities in the Isère region working in a hotel and a campsite.

Herman looked for the right spot to start the B&B project. Tranquillity, nature, a swimming pool and possibility to create large comfortable rooms were key elements.

We reached a deal about a house in Marcollin.

Moved to Marcollin. The transformation of the barn into 4 luxury rooms and a guesthouse could finally start.

A lot of friends wanted to see our new house, they stayed in our private guest rooms.
It also gave Herman the opportunity to perfect the culinary offer of la Pastorale Gourmande.

Work in progress to create the luxury rooms and the guesthouse.

A brand new very well equipped kitchen is ready for business.

In March, Covid-19 breaks out. The works are delayed. We have to disappoint the people who have booked for the Easter holidays. We cannot and must not open.

The French government allows tourism within its borders. The first mobile homes find their way to our meadow.

At that moment the rooms are finally ready. On June 15  the Belgian government allows travel and we are happy to welcome our first real guests that same day. Welcome, Lieven and Emma.

July was already quite full with early bookers and in August some French come to stay.

We are gradually finding the right rhythm and trying to please our customers. The first reviews (Google, Tripadvisor and AirBnB) are heartening.

A new Corona wave emerged at the end of August. Nathalie decides to start teaching again in Ghent. Most people who booked with us in September cancel their reservation. We note that it is wiser to close our business for the winter.

We plan the reopening for April 1, 2021.

Finally, the construction of the veranda is underway. Next season we don’t have to fear any more rain showers, neither for breakfast nor for dinner. People can comfortably enjoy their meals indoors.

The pool was already there, as was the table tennis table. Petanque balls were also there, however a real court was missing; it will be built this winter.

And we also do everything we can to create an evening terrace at the back. Hopefully the contractor won’t let us down.

The second summer season was postponed by yet another lockdown in April-May, but afterwards everything went as well as normal. We saw guests back from the year before, which is always very nice. We also experienced extremely pleasant moments with the new customers. Thank you all.
We still have to work on our reputation among the French, but we are making progress.

We prepared our first autumn and winter season. We worked out formulas for the autumn and Christmas holidays. Those who wanted to enjoy the beautiful colors of nature could also book a nice table.
We offered an arrangement for the end-of-year festivities. Our large den with its hundreds of lights was impressive. And on New Year’s Eve, music-making guests provided a real concert.
Let something like this happen again next year!

We are working out a special formula for Valentine’s Day. After that we quickly tumble into the period of the crocus or February holidays. It will still be a bit chilly, but with the days getting longer there is already a lot to enjoy, for example the early budding nature.

Now we expect that we will have the petanque court built. The space for it has now been vacated.
The construction of the rear terrace had already been completed, but the final decoration and security still have to be worked on…

It’s not an April Fool’s Day joke: from this date we would like to welcome you for our first spring season. Hoping that some virus won’t stop it again…