Special Places to Stay - More than a bed for the night

A simple little cottage in a village in Champagne. It is distinctly homely, a little like a doll's house, one you can live in very comfortably. The Charbonniers, who do B&B on the spot, are a truly delightful couple and work hard to keep everyone happy (book yourself in for breakfast: it's a feast!). Cosy bedrooms are upstairs and share a neat little bathroom; the striped double has slanting ceilings and a couple of beams, the twin has small beds dressed in toile de Jouy duvets, perfect for children. Downstairs, an open-plan kitchen/living room with a tiled floor and neatly beamed ceiling – simply decorated, typically French. There's a round dining table, a fireplace (for decoration only) and lots of pretty china. Outside, a postage-stamp lawn is flanked charmingly on one side by an old stone wall up which creepers climb; iron-and-wood chairs, café table and barbecue invite meals outside. For restaurants and market you need to travel to Épernay (five kilometres). Sample the champagnes; if you overdo it, head for Reims and its cathedral to beg forgiveness.