LIVING THE DREAM

Alan first came to France in 1980, working as a marine engineer before piloting commercial boats up and down the Seine, Rhone, and the French canal network. Cobie was born into a Dutch boating family whose business was shipping construction materials from the Netherlands to Germany.

So once married, it was perhaps inevitable that they would seek to live near water. They decided to move back to the Burgundy region after running a successful business in the Camargue and Provence… this time choosing to live on dry land but being close to one of the great waterways of France Le Canal de Bourgogne (the Burgundy Canal).

The location was important, as their new business interest is focussed on hospitality. The area around Pouilly-en-Auxois with its easy access to Dijon, the autoroute network plus the train network for other European countries and not forgetting, of course, the famous vineyards of Beaune, offered them a great start for their business and enjoy life in the Cote d’Or.

Today, Alan and Cobie have two recently renovated properties. The first is the centre for their chambres d’hôtes (B&B) business. ‘Au bord du Canal’ is located at the side of the Burgundy canal overlooking the hill-top village of Châteauneuf-en-Auxois, one of the prettiest villages in France and famous as a medieval fortress.

Opposite the property on the other side of the canal, is the cycle path ‘la Voie Verte’. This path follows the canal for 212 kms and is great for family bike riding.
The B&B has four spacious en-suite bedrooms, which includes a large family bedroom.

Weather permitting, breakfast is served on the patio overlooking the canal.

Their second property is a large, 5-bedroom seasonal holiday rental property. ‘La Maison du Capitaine’ is located near to the Lac de Panthier and not far from the Burgundy Canal in the commune of Commarin, which has a very impressive, moated château.

There is a boulangerie, restaurant and bar all within walking distance (Editor: What else do you need?!)

Alan and Cobie add: “Both our properties attract guests from various nationalities who are looking to relax in the region and enjoy the landscape, cycling and sightseeing.

Although the Covid-19 pandemic has restricted the number of international clients, there has been a good flow of French families looking to get together somewhere a little different and relax.”

Hopefully, with further relaxation of the pandemic rules, 2021 will be a great year for this entrepreneurial duo!