Le Tipi sur Sance

02/05/2026: My wife has an amazing memory. Checking my records, we had first stayed here in 1981 and then again in 1986. Some things such as the old farm implements she said had not changed. I had no recollection, but when I checked I had a contact noted with the old less pompous address – lieu dit rather than General de Gaulle. Finding the motel and restaurant was not a problem as it was well signposted off the main road into Macon. The lane past ranks of Tesla chargers was not prepossessing. However, after that the entrance to the desk in the old building was obvious. Thence to the motel part. Not an architectural 1970s splendour but very practical. Odd. Instead of parking next to the units the French park a distance away on the other side of the road. The rooms are perfectly serviceable in a functional way. Their pleasure is that there is a terrace to each and that looks straight onto the Soane river flowing past in it’s limpid way. A few metres distant and with nothing except nature and a footpath in in-between. On a beautiful sunny day little could be more atmospheric. If there is a material downside to the rooms and their age it is the bath. Perhaps when built that was thought to be a necessity. Now a short tub which is extremely, and I mean extremely, hard to get in and out of would be much better replaced with a shower. Perhaps not an over costly renovation and one which would save the owners money in the long run. Otherwise, it might be 2* but it is all more than perfectly adequate. Especially with the view. To which add a very decent continental breakfast. Not included in the reasonable room rate. What is not 2* is the restaurant. It is exceptionally good. There may not be massive choice, but that is irrelevant. What is on offer was delicious. Both the food and the wine are also sensibly priced. That you are a captive audience is not exploited. One can not only eat indoors but also on the terrace overlooking the fields and the river. OK, if you are picky the proximity of the A6 does create a bit of background noise. No doubt wind direction dependent. However, the proximity to the A6/A40 junction is an added convenience. We loved it. This time unlikely to wait another 40 years to return.

19/04/2026: Near the Tesla supercharger. Very good food and lovely staff in an amazing natural location surrounded by fields and horses.