It’s a long story. When Jacques Barnachon’s father bought the land on which the hotel now sits in splendid isolation, he first set about restoring the lakes. But he always yearned to create a lodge where overnight guests could share the privileged location with the local fishermen’s club. After years of struggles with the planners, the project eventually got under way.
And, thanks to the experience gained with eminent chefs by his enterprising son, the auberge is now not just an hotel but one of the region’s finest restaurants. Jacques Barnachon is a perfectionist, an original talent who succeeds in appealing to all our senses. And yet, because the Franche-Comté is essentially a land of simple, rural pleasures, his customers pay much less than the norm for such serious artistry. It’s still a family affair; Sandrine Boissenin, his sister, has personally selected the wines and delights in giving advice.
Inevitably, in such a sparsely populated area, the business needs its 100-seater function room (at ground level below the hotel) plus a large car park to service it. That apart, tranquillity reigns. You can buy a day pass to fish in the private 12 acre lake or confine yourself to walking its perimeter. Accommodations are comfortable, immaculate and recently renovated. The whole package is just right: an inexpensive bedroom, a distinguished restaurant and a bucolic setting is we always rummage to find.