As chambres d’hôtes owners in the small town of Valence-sur-Baïse, "Le Petit Cochon", we moved here for a new life, new friends and a new career in the summer of 2018. We were attracted by the friendliness of the people, the sunshine, scenery and our 200-year-old merchant’s house with blue shutters, right on the main-street with its flower filled garden.
Our first season was a delight! Guests from 11 different nationalities, great feedback, so much learning! But what a buzz! Our dream of making people happy had become a reality. We looked to 2020 with excitement, enthusiasm and optimism. And then, COVID19.
Now, there are so many questions. There is so much uncertainty and there is sadness too. Because despite the fact that Gers is bathed in warm sunshine, and the Hoopoe birds and the swallows are back and there’s blossom on the plum trees and the first blush of green in the vines - Gers is quiet. Street cafes are empty, the French custom of kissing and shaking hands is not practiced and restaurants and hotels have had to close their doors, as everyone does their bit to bring the COVID19 crisis under control.
Our beautiful house is empty of guests. Our visitors have had to cancel or postpone their visits and in the light of the progression of COVID19 around the world, new bookings are being delayed. But in every adversity, there is opportunity! We are busy sowing seeds in our little greenhouse, we’re perfecting new recipes for our table d’hôtes menu and we are painting the garden furniture ready for those long summer days ahead. Like so many hospitality owners, our eyes are firmly on the future.
And there is one thing for certain! We cannot wait to welcome you back to this beautiful part of France. In your thousands. In your tens of thousands! When this crisis is over, our welcome, for which we are famous, will be even warmer. Our markets, vineyards, producers, shopkeepers, restauranteurs, hoteliers and chambres d’hôtes owners will throw open their doors to you. Our festivals and events will be even more colourful and our sights, museums, historic chateaux and attractions will be as beautiful and interesting as ever.
So whether you’re already a connoisseur of Gers, or whether you were planning to visit and have had to postpone your trip – know this: When you come to Gers, you will experience real France, and fall in love with its landscape, its people, and its cuisine.
We cannot wait to meet you in our bed and breakfast.
Adishatz !
Find photos, recepies and more on the social network (facebook @ petitcochonBandB - twitter @ petitcochon32 - instagram @ official_lepetitcochon)
