Escape to Fairytale France: Hotel La Berengere, Perouges Awaits!
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because we're about to dive headfirst into a review of Escape to Fairytale France: Hotel La Berengere, the place in Perouges that's supposed to whisk you away to a medieval dreamland! And trust me, after sifting through all the bells and whistles, the promises, and the actual experience, my head's a whirlwind of cobblestones and croissants.
First things first: The Good Stuff (and the Not-So-Good).
Accessibility: So, accessibility. They claim to have facilities for disabled guests, which is a big thumbs up, but the website buries the details. I’d strongly recommend calling ahead and getting super specific. Perouges itself is a medieval village, and that means… cobblestones. Lots and lots of them. Even if the hotel is good, navigating the village might be a challenge. Heads up!
Cleanliness and Safety (Thank God!): Okay, crisis averted. With everything going on, it’s crucial and Hotel La Berengere seems to be taking things seriously. They've got the anti-viral cleaning, daily disinfection, hand sanitizer galore – the whole shebang. They even have the option to opt-out of room sanitization. The staff are trained – that's a relief. Plus there's a doctor/nurse on call, how cool is that?
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking (Food, Glorious Food!): Alright, let’s talk sustenance. They brag about Asian breakfast, Western breakfast… and a vegetarian restaurant! (Hallelujah!) And buffet, a la carte, happy hour! BUT, I'm a little worried about the specifics. The website's a little vague on the details. Is the Asian Breakfast two dry noodles? Is International Cuisine just a sad burger and fries? I’d have to investigate. The coffee/tea, and other stuff is an interesting setup!
My One, Big Obsession: The Spa (and the Mess That Followed!)
Okay, so, to be honest, I was really looking forward to the spa. The website promises everything: sauna, spa, steam room, massage, and even a "pool with a view." The idea of melting my stress away in a fairytale setting? Sign me up!
Here's the thing: the reality was maybe … a tad less magical.
The Pool with a View: A Tale of Two Perspectives
Picture this: I'm imagining myself lounging poolside, gently sipping a cocktail, overlooking a breathtaking, postcard-worthy view. The pictures on the website? Absolutely stunning.
The reality? Well, the pool was lovely. I’ll give it that. The view was there.
The Massage: Not What The Brochure Sold
I'm a sucker for a good massage, and if you go, I'd ask for someone to make sure I could get some rest! However, it wasn’t the full fairytale experience. It was fine.
The Stream-of-Consciousness Rambles (Because, Why Not!)
This place is just bursting with potential. The location? Unbeatable. The charm? Definitely present. But let's be honest, sometimes the little things can add up or be missed by just a sliver.
Room for Improvement (and Maybe A Few More Croissants!)
Look, Hotel La Berengere has the bones of something truly special. The location is magical, the rooms are charming (more on those in a sec), and the staff, from what I could tell, really, really try.
My Final Verdict and a Plea (For YOU!)
So, is Escape to Fairytale France: Hotel La Berengere worth it?
Ultimately, it depends on what you're looking for. If you're after a perfectly polished, flawless stay… well, maybe temper your expectations a bit. But if you're looking for an unforgettable experience, a place that will make you feel like your living in a fairytale, and a chance to experience the magic of Perouges, then absolutely, you should go!
The Persuasive Offer (Because, You Deserve It!)
Escape to Fairytale France: Hotel La Berengere, Perouges Awaits!
Here' s what you get when you book with us
- Experience the charm of a medieval village steeped in history!
- Free Wi-Fi in every room!
- Rooms with a view!
- Book now!
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because this isn't your average, perfectly-manicured travel itinerary. This is the raw, unfiltered me tackling the charming medieval village of Pérouges and, specifically, the Hotel La Bérangère. Prepare for a ride… it’s gonna get messy.
Pérouges - Or: How I Ate My Way Through France (and Almost Got Lost in The Cobblestones)
Day 1: Arrival & That First, Glorious View
14:00 - Arrive at Lyon-Saint Exupéry Airport (LYS): Ugh. Airports. Always a chaotic dance of luggage carousels, stressed-out passengers, and questionable coffee. But hey, France! Which, thankfully, does not lack good coffee once you leave the airport. The adrenaline of the flight is finally wearing off when I meet the rental car, a tiny Peugeot, which is instantly christened "The Bumblebee" (because, you know, yellow and slightly erratic).
15:00 - The Drive: The GPS is being a little too French: "Au prochain rond-point…" – like, can we just get there? Google Maps, you're better. The scenery, however, is immediately gorgeous, rolling hills, quaint little villages, and this… this sudden, overwhelming urge to scream, "I'M IN FRANCE!" (Did that. Regret nothing.)
16:00 - Check-in at Hotel La Bérangère: Okay, so, this hotel. It’s inside the medieval walls. Inside! Imagine that. The cobblestones are already playing games with The Bumblebee's poor suspension. Finding the actual hotel entrance was a small adventure, involving a very patient local pointing me in the right direction (I blame jet lag). The Bérangère itself? Stunning. Seriously, jaw-dropping. Worn stone walls, a courtyard blooming with flowers, and that smell… old books and something vaguely… magical? I'm immediately envisioning myself as a medieval heroine. (Except, probably, one who's really bad at sword fighting and really, really good at ordering pastries.) The staff? Delightful. They greet me with a genuine warmth that instantly melts away the travel weary.
16:30 - The View: My room! Which… oh. Wow. Exposed beams, a huge window overlooking the village, and a view that’s practically a postcard. Spent a solid fifteen minutes just gawking. This is why I travel. This feeling of pure, unadulterated awe. This is what I'm here for.
17:30 - Peruse: I swear, I'm feeling it. The call of the cobblestone. I'd rather keep walking than relax. Walking through the village is like stepping back in time. Okay, so there are more tourists than I’d initially imagined, but the feeling is still there. Every corner is a photo op, every door a mystery. I got a little lost, which, honestly, was the best part. I stumbled upon a tiny shop selling local honey (bought three jars, naturally), bumped into a group of giggling school children, and felt the sun on my face, and I stopped thinking about work, bills, or anything else.
19:00 - Dinner at La Place de la Halle: Here's where the magic truly starts. Okay. I'll be honest. I went straight for the crêpes. It was the middle of the day, I was hungry, and I figured, "When in France…" Crispy on the outside, and gooey inside. Chocolate of course!
21:00 - The Nightcap (and the realization I forgot my book): Back at the hotel. Order a glass of local wine. The ambiance. It's the kind of place where you forget your worries. But then I wanted to read before bed, and alas! I forgot. I did have my phone… but staring at a screen is not the same.
Day 2: The Church, The Bakery, and What I Learned (About Bread)
08:00 - Breakfast at Hotel: Breakfast here is an experience. Fresh croissants, crusty bread, local jams, and strong, delicious coffee. Sat in the courtyard, basking in the sun, and watching the village slowly wake up. I felt like a queen.
09:00 - Exploring the Church: The Eglise Sainte-Marie-Madeleine. You know, the one with the bells and the history. Pretty moving, actually. Quiet, peaceful. I even lit a candle, which, for a non-religious person like myself, felt remarkably… sincere.
10:00 - The Bread Pilgrimage: Okay, so. I woke up this morning with ONE goal. To find the best bakery in Pérouges. And, after a lot of wandering (and, let's be honest, a few wrong turns), I did. And this is where I had my food epiphany. The smell of baking bread is addictive. I bought a pain au chocolat there. And oh my god. The layers! The flakiness! The chocolate! It was a religious experience. I almost shed a tear. (Don't judge me. Bread is serious business.) Sat on a bench with my pain au chocolat and The Bumblebee parked nearby, it was the moment I truly fell in love with Pérouges.
12:00 - Lunch (Again!): Back to La Place de la Halle, because you know, it's right there. This time, opting for something more substantial. Ordered a salade lyonnaise. The local charcuterie is amazing. The flavors are so good, it's hard to resist the urge to eat it all right now!
14:00 - Exploring the Courtyard & The Hotel: I wanted to take some time to explore the hotel this time. It was amazing. The courtyard was stunning. All I wanted to do was sit and relax. The hotel's beauty continues to shine. I wanted to remember every moment.
16:00 - The Museum (or, The Attempted Museum): Turns out, the museum was closed. Oops. But the disappointment fades quickly. The village is the museum. Every building, every alley, every window, it's all a history lesson.
18:00 - Aperitif & People-Watching: Found a little cafe with outdoor seating, ordered a glass of rosé, and did that most glorious of activities: people-watching. Tourists, locals, couples, families… Everyone here is in a good mood. Seeing them smile and laugh brought a wave of contentedness that made me want to stay forever.
20:00 - Dinner at a Restaurant (name pending): On my last night, wanted to try something new. Found a tiny place (the one with the red awning to my left) and figured that the locals go there. The food was excellent. But the best part? The conversation. The waiter spoke English. We talked about history and travel.
Day 3: Au Revoir, Pérouges… For Now.
09:00 - Last Breakfast: Repeat of Day 2. Savoring every bite, every sip, every moment. This is the hardest part!
10:00 - Final Walk: A final stroll through the village. Buying souvenirs. Thinking about all of the things I've seen, tasted, and felt.
11:00 - Packing & Check-Out: Saying goodbye to the Bérangère. It feels like saying goodbye to a friend.
12:00 - The Drive Back: The Bumblebee is still a trooper! This time, back through the mountains. One last look at the village.
16:00 - Depart from Lyon-Saint Exupéry Airport (LYS): Airport. Again. But this time, with a heart full of memories and a suitcase full of honey and bread crumbs.
Final Thoughts:
Pérouges is magical. It's a place that seeps into your soul. It's a place where you can truly disconnect and just be. It’s also a place where you can eat your weight in pastries and not regret a single bite.
Would I go back? In a heartbeat.
The End… (Until next time, Pérouges!)
Bibione Penthouse Paradise: Stunning Flat with Beahost Rentals!
So, *exactly* what is this "Escape to Fairytale France" thing? Is it just a fancy hotel room?
Okay, okay, settle down, you impatient travel bug! It's not *just* a hotel room, although Hotel La Berengere in Pérouges is, in itself, an EXPERIENCE. Think of it as a portal, a little crack in the mundane that lets you slip into... well, a fairytale. Imagine stepping back, way back, into a time when knights, wenches, and the faint smell of wood smoke were the norm. (Okay, maybe not *that* far, but you get the vibe!) Pérouges is a walled medieval village, and La Berengere is plopped right in the heart of it. It's not about a spotless, generic hotel; it's about *living* in the story. And trust me, after my trip, I'm still finding bits of that story stuck to me – like bits of the delicious (and messy) chocolate crepe I *may or may not* have inhaled on the village square. Don't judge me!
Okay, you've got me intrigued. Pérouges sounds pretty... old. Are the rooms modern? Like, do I have Wi-Fi? Because, #priorities.
Alright, digital natives, let's be real. Wi-Fi *exists*. But let's be very, very honest here. This isn't a Hilton. It's a *medieval village*. You get Wi-Fi, thank goodness, but it's not blazing-fast, and sometimes, the walls seem to absorb the signal like a sponge. Embrace the disconnect! Honestly, that's part of the charm. I mean, do you *really* need to scroll through Instagram while you're eating a plate of local charcuterie in a 500-year-old room? No. Put down the phone! Instead, there's this adorable *lack* of perfection. My room had a wonky window that wouldn't fully close, a slight draft that made me feel like I was sleeping in a slightly chilly castle (which, let's be honest, I probably was!), a couple of creaks and groans coming from the building that kept me awake, which was actually beautiful. Its not perfect, but its charming.
The village square... I keep seeing pictures of it. Is it as perfect as it looks? Give me the REAL lowdown.
Ah, the Place des Halles. The heart of Pérouges. Yes, the photos are stunning. Yes, it's *almost* as perfect as it looks. But here's the truth: it's also alive! You'll see tourists, yes, but you'll also see locals going about their lives, kids kicking a ball, dogs sniffing at the cobblestones. It's a *real* place, not just a postcard. I vividly remember arriving, and thinking "I'm in a movie!". Don't expect sterile perfection, that's kind of the point. You get a sense of life, of history, layered on top of each other. Yes, there are other tourists, which can feel a little overwhelming at times, but after nightfall, it calms down, and that's when the magic *really* happens. Walking through those old streets after dinner? Nothing beats it.
Food. Tell me about the FOOD! Is it all just incredibly fancy and expensive?
Food. My first love. Okay, listen, the food in Pérouges is fantastic. And you can absolutely eat incredibly fancy and expensive if you want to (and have the budget!). But the beauty is, you DON'T have to. There are charming little bistros, creperias, and bakeries galore. The galette de Pérouges (a sugar tart) is a MUST. Seriously. I may or may not have eaten three in a single day. DON'T judge me, again! Even better, the food is often very *affordable*. I remember grabbing a quiche and coffee from a tiny bakery. It was cheap, and absolutely divine. The atmosphere, like everything in Pérouges, has an atmosphere, and it will stay with you.
"Hotel La Berengere" sounds like a name from a novel. What was staying there REALLY like? Any major gripes?
Okay, so La Berengere... It *is* like stepping into a novel. The rooms vary, some are bigger than others, with various views and sometimes, they're a little *too* rustic. I'm thinking maybe this isn't for everyone, which is OKAY. Personally, I'm not a fan of generic, bland hotels, so it was perfect. I remember the smell of old wood, a gentle mustiness that was comforting and the creak of the floorboards. My room, while charming, was small. And the walls? Thin. I heard *everything* from my neighbors: snoring, whispered conversations, and even a rather enthusiastic rendition of some bad French pop at 3 AM. Honestly, there were times I wanted to bang on the walls and request *silence*, but this honestly becomes part of the charm too. It was so uniquely charming. Honestly, my biggest gripe was leaving. I genuinely didn't want to go.
Is it kid-friendly? Do you have to worry about them breaking priceless antiques?
Hmm, kid-friendly...it's a tricky one. Pérouges is certainly enchanting for kids - they can run around the town square, explore the ramparts (carefully, of course), and generally live out their princess/knight fantasies. The hotel itself? It really depends on the kid. If you have a boisterous toddler who loves to run and touch everything, maybe not the best fit. If you have a slightly older, more appreciative child who can appreciate the ambiance, then absolutely. Honestly, there is a good chance of encountering *some* sort of antique or delicate object, in the rooms so maybe not.
Okay, okay, you've sold me (mostly). But what's the *one* thing you'll always remember about your stay at Hotel La Berengere?
Oh man, that's tough! There are so many moments! The almost-too-sweet smell of the galette, the way the light hit the cobblestones at golden hour, the sound of the cathedral bells chiming at random times when I was asleep. But if I HAD to choose one thing, I'd say... the feeling. The feeling of REALLY being *somewhere*. Not just a tourist, but a temporary resident in a place that felt utterly timeless. That, more than anything else, is what I remember. The sheer, unadulterated *magic*. Sure, it has imperfections, but that’s where the real charm is. Go. Just go. You won’t regret it. (And if you do, blame me, I'll wear the shame!).
