Le Moulin en Route in Blèves, guest rooms with dinner and a garden
Le Moulin en Route is a charming guest house in Blèves, a small village in the Pays de la Loire, with a garden, a terrace, a generous breakfast and dinner at the hostess's table. It suits those who want a country weekend and prefer friendly places to the anonymity of a hotel.
Written by Valeria Romano
Published
Mapiola is a travel blog: this is not the official website of Bed & Breakfast Le Moulin en Route.
Where Le Moulin en Route is in Blèves and how to get there
Le Moulin en Route is a guest house at 30 rue du Maine, in Blèves, a small village in the Pays de la Loire. It is a country address, far from the noise of the towns, where people come to settle in for a few days.
One guest describes it as a real break in nature, another as a place out of time. Others made the detour even though the address was not on their route, and did not regret it. Getting there by car is the simplest option. The listing gives Caen-Carpiquet airport, but it is 116 km away.
The rooms, the garden and the meals
Each room has its own en-suite bathroom with a shower and hairdryer, and the Wi-Fi is free. Guests talk of beautiful, spotless rooms and bathrooms, and beds that make you want to stay one night longer.
This is not a conventional hotel room. One traveller describes it as playful and full of character. Here is what makes the house what it is.
- A well-kept garden and a sunny terrace, where several guests have their morning coffee.
- A continental breakfast that reviews call generous.
- A shared dinner, much appreciated, sometimes with a glass of wine and a cheese board.
- A wood-burning stove that warms the evenings when the temperatures drop.
In the morning, the hens and the rooster are part of the scenery. For some it is a charm, for others an early wake-up call, and it is up to you.
What guests say about the welcome and the table
With 4.9 out of 5 from 52 Google reviews, Le Moulin en Route is rated very highly, and one theme comes up almost everywhere. Guests talk first about the hostess, described as warm, full of good advice and very attentive.
Dinner features in many accounts, often shared around the same table in a friendly atmosphere. Several travellers add that the hostess knows some lovely places to visit in the area. A family with a five-month-old baby felt well organised and looked after, and a couple were able to bring their puppy.
Almost all reviews are five stars. But the place is not perfect for everyone, and it would be dishonest not to say so.
What to know before you book
A guest house is not a hotel. The atmosphere depends a lot on the hostess and on the timing of your stay.
| What guests like | What may disappoint |
|---|---|
| Warm hostess, full of good advice | Less available when she is hosting friends |
| Friendly dinner, generous breakfast | Welcome drinks and wine charged extra, according to one review |
| Garden, calm, quiet village | Communication harder without French or English, according to one review |
| Wood-burning stove for cool evenings | A car is advisable to get out of the village |
The only very negative review is a few years old. Its author felt they were disturbing a weekend when the owner was hosting friends, and regretted the paid drinks and a rushed dinner without the dessert that had been promised. So I would advise you to ask in advance what is included in dinner and what is charged on top.
Who this guest house is for
I can see it working well for a country weekend as a couple, or for curious travellers who enjoy chatting with their hostess and dining with other guests. It suits those who want a comfortable bed, a homemade meal and advice on discovering the region.
It is not right for anyone looking for the anonymity of a hotel, round-the-clock service or nightlife. And if you speak neither French nor English, be prepared to make yourself understood another way.
What to do around Blèves
Around Blèves, the countryside lends itself to walks, cycling and fishing, according to the description. Guests also mention pretty villages, a lovely nature reserve nearby and the city of Le Mans. One hostess recommends Saint-Céneri-le-Gérei in particular.
The listing mentions the Halle au Blé 30 km away and the Golf de Bellême 23 km away. If you want to extend your stay in the region, Mapiola features other accommodation, such as La maison de Mathilde in Alençon, La Tale in Chahaignes or Gîtes Montmartre in Le Perrier. I do not know their details, so look at each listing.
Passionate about travel and about the kind of places that turn a getaway into something unforgettable. I love writing about hotels, country houses and charming hideaways, helping every traveller find the perfect place to rest and feel at home.
