Frequently asked questions
We open in April 2027 and we are still building. Where something is not yet settled, we say so rather than guess.
Domaine Chez Gilbert is in Le Breuil, in the Allier region of Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, around 30 minutes from Vichy.
The Domaine is set among trees and running water in a quiet rural location, making it well suited to guests looking for a slower, more peaceful stay.
We are planning to open in April 2027.
Until bookings officially open, you can register your interest and we’ll let you know when reservations become available.
The Domaine will have five individual places to stay, with a maximum guest capacity of 14 people.
Our current accommodation is:
Yes. Families are very welcome at Domaine Chez Gilbert.
To suit the nature of the site and its woodland and waterside setting, we welcome children aged 8 years and over. We are unable to accommodate babies, infants or children under 8.
Domaine Chez Gilbert is a natural rural property with woodland, water, uneven ground and outdoor features.
The 8+ policy helps us keep the site relaxed and suitable for the type of stay we are creating, while still welcoming families with older children.
Children must still be supervised by a parent or guardian, particularly around water, woodland, bridges, Nordic baths and sauna areas.
No. Each stay has its own character.
Two of the safari tents are designed for families, while the three smaller retreats are designed for couples and guests looking for a quieter, more private stay.
Le Secret is the most secluded of the safari retreats and is intended to offer the greatest sense of privacy.
Our current plan is for Le Refuge, La Clairière and Le Secret to each have their own private Nordic bath.
We are choosing a more natural, understated style rather than a conventional Jacuzzi-style spa.
Final specifications will be confirmed before bookings open.
We are planning a small communal outdoor sauna for guests.
Details will be confirmed before opening.
Yes. Food and drink will be an important part of the Domaine Chez Gilbert experience.
We plan to offer a carefully selected range of options which may include breakfast, dinners, hampers, local produce and food packages.
Final menus and service arrangements will be confirmed closer to opening.
We intend to offer a curated selection of French wines, champagne and other drinks, subject to completion of the relevant French licensing requirements.
We will do our best to accommodate dietary requirements where possible.
Guests will be asked to tell us about allergies and dietary requirements in advance.
Because food is prepared in an environment where multiple ingredients may be present, we cannot guarantee a completely allergen-free environment.
We are not yet taking binding reservations or deposits.
You can currently register your interest, and we’ll let you know when bookings officially open.
Our planned booking structure is a 30% payment at the time of booking, with the remaining balance due 42 days before arrival.
The exact French legal treatment of this payment will be confirmed before bookings open.
Our planned cancellation policy is:
| Cancellation received | Cancellation charge |
|---|---|
| More than 60 days before arrival | Payments refunded less €50 administration charge |
| 42–60 days before arrival | 30% retained |
| 15–41 days before arrival | 50% of total booking price |
| 14 days or less before arrival | 100% of total booking price |
| No-show or early departure | 100% of total booking price |
Where cancelled dates are successfully resold, we intend to take a fair approach and may be able to refund additional monies, after applicable costs and losses.
We strongly recommend taking out appropriate travel insurance.
The final cancellation policy will be confirmed in our Booking Terms & Conditions before reservations open.
Our final check-in and check-out times are still being confirmed.
These will be shown clearly before bookings open.
Yes.
Domaine Chez Gilbert is being created as a small, peaceful nature retreat, not a party site.
We ask guests to be considerate of others and of the surrounding countryside.
Only the guests included in the reservation may stay overnight unless this has been agreed with us in advance.
Accommodation occupancy limits must not be exceeded.
Domaine Chez Gilbert is a rural woodland property and parts of the site may include uneven ground, natural paths, slopes, roots and steps.
If you have specific mobility or accessibility requirements, please contact us before booking so we can give you accurate information about the accommodation and site.
Yes. The Domaine includes natural waterside areas including a stream and pond.
These are part of the character of the property, but guests should take normal care around water and children must be supervised.
Yes — this is a genuine countryside setting.
Depending on the season, guests may encounter insects, birds, wildlife, falling leaves, mud, tree debris and other normal features of a rural environment.
That’s part of staying somewhere natural rather than in a conventional hotel setting.
Our guest pet policy is still being finalised.
We’ll update this page before bookings open.
Yes, guest parking will be available.
Final parking arrangements will be confirmed before opening.
EV charging is planned, but we don’t want to promise it until the installation and specification are confirmed.
Wi-Fi is planned for guests, but Domaine Chez Gilbert is in a rural location, so we won’t describe connectivity as guaranteed until the final service has been tested.
Mobile coverage can vary by network in rural areas.
We’ll provide more detailed information once we’ve completed our own on-site testing.
Domaine Chez Gilbert is well placed for exploring the Allier and wider Auvergne region.
Vichy is around 30 minutes away and is part of the UNESCO-listed Great Spa Towns of Europe.
We’ll be adding our own recommendations for villages, markets, walking, cycling, food, wine and days out before opening.
A car will generally be the easiest way to explore the surrounding area and make the most of your stay.
We’ll provide more detailed travel guidance before opening.
Not yet.
Some website images and descriptions show the planned direction for Domaine Chez Gilbert ahead of our April 2027 opening.
We are careful not to present unbuilt or unconfirmed facilities as though they already exist.
Final accommodation specifications, guest facilities and services will be confirmed before bookings go live.
Our full Terms & Conditions of Booking will be published before we begin accepting binding reservations or payments.
Write to us at [email protected] and we will answer it honestly, including when the answer is “we do not know yet”.