Les Moulins du Duc ★★★★

I have always loved stories, especially fairytales, so an invitation to Brittany will always be met with a jolly “yes” from me. This tranquil hotel, Les Moulins du Duc, made me feel as if I had stepped straight into a well-woven tale that could only have a happy ending. The hotel sits in the peaceful village of Moëlan-sur-mer. “Sur-mer” means on-sea, and sure enough Les Moulins is less than 2 miles from Brittany’s dramatic and stunning coast where you can practice all sorts of water sports! It is also about 6 miles from Quimperlé, the nearest town, with a large selection of restaurants and some historic sites to witness. However, the best thing about its location is the land surrounding the property, which is simply spectacular and gives you a real immersion in the nature of this pastoral region.

Our standard room evoked our proximity to the sea with shells decorating the walls and hanging frames of ships and sails. There was plenty of space to move around between the classical and antique furniture. The roof displayed wooden beams lending the room a comfy and cosy feel. It definitely had the feel of a country cottage, and cosiest of all was our large bed with a thick mattress in the middle of the room. The setting was peaceful and atmospheric, with a quietness that allowed us to hear the flowing of water through the grounds and the tweeting of birds.

After we settled we decided to take a short stroll around the grounds, before deciding to alight at the restaurant for an early dinner. With a view of a small waterfall, the bare-brick exterior and the fireplace, Restaurant Le Raphaël completely continues the homely cottage sentiment. Choose to sit in the salon-rivière and you can appreciate the restaurant’s placement even more. Large bay windows are perfect for when eating during the day, whilst the terrace is perfect for a warm evening or warm days immersed in natural greenery. The dishes are as exquisite as the surroundings, with a resurfacing of French classics and of course classics from Brittany presented in an artistic way. The hotel also boasts a cocktail bar; somewhere to end the night in a chilled-out and relaxed manner.

Apart from the large gardens, that could be considered almost like a nature park, the hotel has a spa facility and covered pool. So bring your towels and go for dip after you make your way through the garden to this refreshing oasis. Right next door is the hotel’s sauna and you can also choose from various spa treatments, including a hydro-massage and fish spa.

From the beginning, we were wrapped in cosy décor and cosy welcome from the staff who were always on hand and willing to help. Overall our stay at Les Moulins was about complete relaxation in the country and escape from the real world. We had a divine and romantic holiday in a charming fairytale setting.