22170 Plelo Bretagne Tel.: 02 96 74 13 63

BRITTANY A cheerful bed and breakfast in the ranch held by a Close-knit family Au Char à Bancs -A peaceful country side. The farther and mother with their four children managing an attractive guest house in the vast nature. Each member works hard for his own role and the perfect teamwork brings out fine service for the visitors.

Au Char à Bancs Let me introduce the Lamour family, the manager of "Au char à bancs". Jean Paul the owner of this Bed & Breakfast, is also a pig farmer. And his wife Jeanne, a courageous mother. Their children are; Jeanne-Noëlle, the eldest daughter, Céline, the second daughter, Corentin, the son and Louise, the youngest daughter. As madame Lamour noticed my surprise of seeing that so many children come to greet me one after another, she shrugs her shoulders and said "It was really helpful to have many children"

Perfect role distribution Here is the family possession a site of 20 hectares. Not only the ranch, but also the forest, the valley and even the river flows - there are all private. Furthermore, they run a guest house and one can imagine that there would never be enough labor to take care of all. At the present, the business runs well together by distributing roles such as odd jobs, farming, interior design and cooking to each family member. Their vital eyes show that they really enjoy doing this job and this makes us feel good.

As the site is immense, we use a car from the main house to the guest house. On the way at the river, four ducks were swimming comfortably in their territory. Seeing the yellow and violet flowers in the wood, I was getting excited about my stay in such exclusive beauty in nature.

The old mill in stone building was newly renovated into a guest house. In Contrast with a first impression of the exterior, the ambiance of the room was rather sophisticated. No wonder why, the second daughter Céline who takes care of the Interior design was living in St Germain des Prés in Paris and has studied Art. Each room was named "Couturier", "bird", "musician" , and decorated after the image of the given theme. One can feel her style in the detail by the elaborated decoration or a tricky painted floor as if it were a carpet, but the rooms are not decorated in exaggerated manners. By the way, Céline simply dressed in her Brittany country style at the first glance, makes herself look refined by wearing Parisian Aprons.

Filling one's mouth with the famous crêpes The dinner is served at the inn, it is next to the main building house of which dining room is run by Jeanne-Noëlle. "One thing I strongly recommend here is the hot pot I made." The Potée is a typical French family dish, a salted pork belly and vegetables made from this farm are cooked in a huge cooking pot of 60 kg, "We simmer them at the fire place for 5 hours, I hope you enjoy the taste of country-side." It was delicious. The taste of vegetables concentrating into the 'melting' meat tempted me for many other servings. They served this hot pot and crêpes and apple cider. "That's all we have;" Jeanne-Noëlle smiles, but it is more than enough as a treat of Bretagne. The crêpes with jams or butter were rolled and passed to the hand, just like at a crêpe stand in a street corner. According to them, eating with hands is the classic manner of eating crêpes. Certainly, it is better way to do so than eating with forks.

As I heard that there is also an second hand shop run by the mother in the basement of this dining room, I stepped in the shop after the meal. The shop was mainly selling used tableware, which are more reasonably priced than that of Paris. It can be enjoyed just like shopping in a flea market. In the happy mood after drinking cider, I bought a pretty green tea cup as my memory of a nice day in the country side.

PHOTO CAPTION p.72 Above Ducks elegantly swims on a river of the private site. p.72 Left This pumpkin on the old shelf came from their field. Self- sufficiency living. p.72 Centre The oldest daughter Jeanne-Noëlle shows the ingredients for the hot pot. All are put into the pot and simmered for 5 hours p.72 right Machinery shed for agriculture. Many animals such as cows, horses and turkeys are in the ranch. p.72 bottom Watering cans in tin were put unintentionally on the field creates pretty look. Nostalgic scenery of the country side calms people P73 Close-knit family from the left, the second daughter Céline, the youngest daughter Louise, the son Corentin and the eldest daughter Jeanne-Noëlle. They are all happy living here. P74 Top-right The inn where you can eat the cuisine by Jeanne-Noëlle is next to the main-building. The old pots in the window are the sign P74 Top-left The rooms are renovated from the old mill. There would be a large bed through this corridor. P74 Bottom- There was an old oven marked 1955 in dining room of the right guest house. P74 Bottom- A breakfast is served in the guest house. Tableware is the left antiques corrected by the mother. P75 right The room is named "couturier". This one is a second bed and there is another larger bed. Cute manner of placing pillows. P75 Top There is a graffiti by Céline? in the greenhouse. Could be used for parties. P75 Bottom Dining room with an old picture of the family. They inherit the tradition of large families INFO FILE Owner : Lamour Family Opened since: 1990 Size of the site and equipment; 20ha., main-building, Inn and farm Personnel: The owner, his wife and thier children At the start; The children are running the business using vast site and old mill Difficult point?: None PR; We have 20ha site with a valley, a river and a farm. You will never be bothered when reading or taking a walk.

Moulin de la Ville Geffroy 22170 Plelo Bretagne Tel.: 02 96 74 13 63 Fax: 02 96 74 13 03

5 rooms All rooms are with showers (One with a bath) 2 people: €59,46 3 people: €74,70 4 people: €100,62

(For 1person, the price of 2people will be applied) The Price includes breakfast. Dinner will be about €15 to €24 at the Inn run by the family. Credit card; M, V Closed; during weekdays except the summer http: // www.aucharabanc.com email: [email protected]

English spoken Reservation available by email, fax, tel and letter Access: Take a taxi at the St. Brieuc station for about 20 minuites. About €30

By car: See page 88B-6. N12, Exit Plélo-Chatelaudren towards the plélo church. Then, follow the sign " Le char à bancs".