Boats, birthdays and a home from home:
a season at Quai du Val
14th October 2026
"I’ve just sat down to write up the messages our guests have left over the summer and into autumn and I wasn’t expecting to feel quite so emotional"
During a busy season, we read each message as it comes. But reading them all together, with time to remember the people and the holidays behind them, has been rather lovely.
There have been birthdays celebrated, familiar places revisited and families enjoying time together. Some guests have filled their days with exploring, while others have come for a quiet week beside the river. What has meant so much to Graeme and me is reading that Quai du Val has felt like home.
This year we’ve welcomed guests from far and wide; the UK, from the New Forest to Scotland and plenty of places in between, as well as the Channel Islands, France, the Netherlands, Germany, the USA and Australia. It still amazes us that our converted boathouse here in Léhon finds its way into holiday plans made so far away.
Everyone arrives with their own ideas for their stay. For some, this is their first visit to Brittany. Others know the area well and are returning to favourite places, sometimes with a new generation of the family.
The Henderson family revisited Dinard, Saint-Malo and Mont-Saint-Michel, places they had enjoyed many years before. This time, their little grandson had a favourite outing of his own: the zoo.
Back at the house, they also loved “watching the boats pass by”. That’s something we never tire of either.
Out exploring, then home to the river
Dinan and the surrounding area featured in so many of the messages.
Even during the summer heatwave, Emma and Den managed to cycle to Taden and Évran. Another family particularly enjoyed spending time at the lake, while others found a happy balance between days out and time at the house.
Our guests from the New Forest put it beautifully:
“Such a beautiful area with so much to do and see while also relaxing.”
That balance is one of the things we love about being here. You can have a full day exploring and then come back, put your feet up and watch life on the river.
Birthdays, anniversaries and the little things
The Boswell family came to celebrate not one, but two birthdays and described their stay as “a perfect holiday”. Knowing that the house has been part of a special family occasion is a lovely feeling.
We were also touched by the guests who mentioned the smaller details: the welcome basket, the things they found useful in the house and our photographs of places to visit.
Our visitors from Dunkerque wrote:
“Quel bonheur d’avoir passé une semaine dans votre si belle maison.”
They particularly enjoyed discovering the surrounding area through the photographs around the house. Those are our own pictures, chosen to share places we love, so it was wonderful to hear that they had helped inspire their outings.
Alexandra and Carsten, visiting from Germany, also mentioned the pictures and furnishings. We’ve spent a lot of time making Quai du Val comfortable and personal, and it means a great deal when guests notice.
Familiar faces and an extra star 🌟
Welcoming returning guests is always a pleasure. This year, some came for their fourth annual stay in a row and have already booked again for 2027. We couldn’t ask for a lovelier vote of confidence.
Another message that really made me smile came from the Hutton family, who first stayed with their parents in December 2025.
They told us they had been looking forward to returning ever since they got home. After a hectic year, they wanted somewhere quiet and relaxing, with a slower pace.
“It’s a beautiful home from home. We will be back again soon… 6*!”
I think that extra star deserves a special mention!
It’s lovely to see the house becoming a familiar place for people, somewhere they look forward to coming back to.
Still more guests to welcome...
Our year at Quai du Val is far from over. We’re continuing to welcome guests this month, through November and into December, with a Christmas stay booked too. There are still arrivals to prepare for, people to meet and more memories to be made.
For now, reading these messages has been a chance to pause and appreciate the year so far.
"To everyone who has stayed at Quai du Val, thank you for choosing our house, for looking after it and for taking the time to leave a few words. Whether you travelled from across the Channel, elsewhere in Europe or the other side of the world, we’ve loved welcoming you.
And to those still to arrive, we look forward to meeting you."
Michelle & Graeme
