Of L'Arbre émaillé's four B&B rooms, La Balconière is almost always the first one booked. Not because it's bigger or better decorated. Because it has something the others don't: direct access to the terrace, and therefore to nature.
One single difference — but it changes everything
L'Arbre émaillé's four rooms share a lot: same bedding quality, same attention to decor, same access to the great room for breakfast. La Romantique is the most intimate, La Solo the most efficient, La Duo the most modular. And La Balconière?
It has direct French-door access to the outdoor terrace. That's it. And that's what changes everything.
In the morning, you get up, grab your coffee, open the door. No need to come down to the great room, no need to cross paths with other travellers if you're not in the mood. You're outside, in the gardens, with your cup, at 7 AM or 10 AM depending on your rhythm. Same in the evening: a book, a glass, the sunset on the trees. No one else, just you and the silence of the countryside.
The practical features
Beyond the terrace, here's what you need to know:
- Flexible bedding — 2 beds of 80 cm or 1 bed of 160 cm depending on your request at booking
- Private en-suite in the room
- Garden access via French door — open view of the trees and meadow
- Breakfast served in the shared great room, or brought to the terrace on request (with a little notice)
- Cot on request, free of charge
- Good Wi-Fi reaching the terrace
- Locked garage for your motorcycle, 30 meters away
Who it's for
La Balconière isn't the room for everyone — and that's a good thing. It's particularly suited to:
Couples seeking intimacy
With its private terrace, you're never "exposed" to other travellers. Couples on a reunion weekend, anniversary, getaway — this is their room.
Morning coffee-reading enthusiasts
You know, those people who get up at 7 AM, have a quiet coffee for an hour with a book, without needing to talk to anyone. La Balconière is designed for that.
People who need to "step outside"
If you're claustrophobic, or simply attached to the idea of being able to step out for fresh air at any hour, this is the room. The French door opens, you're outside. No need to come down, cross the house, disturb anyone.
Couples with a baby
With an infant, being able to leave the door slightly open onto the terrace during nap time is a discreet but real comfort. The cot can be placed near the French door — natural light often helps with naps.
Seasons: when La Balconière is at its peak
This room doesn't have the same value all year. Honestly.
April to June: the absolute peak
The gardens burst into bloom, temperatures allow coffee outside from 7 AM, evenings on the terrace are magical (and not yet mosquito-laden). This is when we charge the most, and it's deserved. Book 6 weeks ahead.
September-October: our favourite time
Golden light, morning chill that calls for a blanket on the terrace, the calm regained after summer. For our taste, it's even better than May. Many regulars come at this time.
July-August: pleasant but hot
The terrace is usable mainly morning and evening. In the hottest hours it becomes barely usable (south-facing). We stay in the room, which remains cool thanks to the thick walls.
Winter: less appealing
Let's be honest: in winter, the terrace advantage disappears. The room is still very nice, but at that point La Romantique or La Duo offer an equivalent experience for the same price. If you're coming in December-January, ask for our advice — we can guide you to the room best suited to your profile.
The surprising detail
A detail we don't mention on the official page, because it depends on the season: the swallows. In spring, a pair nests under the eaves, right above the terrace. Watching their ballet during breakfast — the back-and-forth, the sound of feeding — is one of those small free joys you don't imagine before coming.
Similarly, in autumn, when leaves fall in the gardens, you can sometimes hear deer in the meadow at the property edge. Not guaranteed, but Karine will tell you on which mornings they've been spotted.
Booking advice
Three practical tips if you're aiming for La Balconière:
- Book early. Especially for weekends in May-June and September. Regulars lock in their dates as early as January-February.
- Specify the desired configuration (2x80 or 1x160) at booking, not on arrival — Karine prepares the beds accordingly.
- Ask for breakfast on the terrace when booking if it matters to you. Karine needs to have the right setup (tray, parasol if needed).
Verdict
La Balconière isn't the "best" room in absolute terms — it's the room that fits a certain type of stay. If you're looking for that kind of stay — calm, nature, privacy, the ability to be outside at any hour — then yes, it's the room for you.
If you're more in a quick-stopover mindset, or a very social stay where you'll mostly be in the shared great room, then La Solo or La Duo will be just as good — at €50 a night like La Balconière.
The best is still to tell us about your trip and let us guide you. It's a part of the job we love: finding the right room for the right person.
It's our most-requested room. Book early — especially in spring and early summer. From €50/night.