Below some information about ourselves and La Carretal and the references of our guests that we post with their permission. Hopefully this gives you a good idea of our beautiful location and the beautiful surroundings.

In December 2022 we, Ingrid and Bob, bought the old farm "La Carretal" and emigrated to France. We want to rebuild our rustic farm from 1796 with outbuildings, water well, vegetable garden, etc. on 1.8 hectares as a self-sufficient farm with two or three gîtes, a vegetable garden and a park with a flower garden.

After working hard for many years both as an employee (Inge as a manager in the temporary employment sector and then as a healthcare manager, Bob in the dredging industry and later as a commercial manager), we were ready for the next step in our lives. And when our daughter started living on her own in 2021, we knew it was now or never... After 1.5 years of searching, we found our dream place and our lige course changed to rural France!

“We had fantastic skiing in the Pyrenees with Bob and Inge's sturdy Land Rover and then stayed a few nights on the farm. Great!!

Nick and Lisa, Westkapelle, NL

“Stayed in the completely renovated Gite Beau Chene for 3 days on our way to Spain. What an attractive house and beautiful surroundings. Our old Labrador Nelson was allowed to come along and he enjoyed it too. We will definitely promote you Bob and Inge, good luck!

Domina, André and Nelson, Westkapelle, NL

“Dear Ingrid & Bob, What a great time we had. You are warm hosts. So open, we felt welcome right away. The gites have been renovated with much love. The interior is cozy and complete including wonderful beds. There were beautiful bouquets of wild flowers everywhere. Peace, space with phenomenal views are guaranteed. We enjoyed the beautiful sunset every evening. There is plenty to see/do in the area - especially in the bastide villages. In short, we had a wonderful week. Highly recommended! Thanks and perhaps see you again!

R & U, NL

“Dear Ingrid & Bob, thank you for the warm welcome in the beautiful, lovingly renovated Gites Beau Chene with everything you need. We enjoyed the panoramic view on the beautiful veranda. We loved the birds of prey. Picking flowers in the picking garden. In the area nice villages and markets. We felt at home there, partly because of you. Thank you and definitely see you again!

Leo en Nel van der Valk, Katwijk, NL

“Had a FANTASTIC two weeks with Inge and Bob!. Made nice trips with the Land Rover in addition to helping with the chores on the farm. Really recommended"

Laura and Bob, Tilburg, NL

“We had a fantastic week! Started with a night at "La Carretal" and a very nice BBQ, and then continued along the French coast.



We have seen incredibly beautiful places, all thanks to our tough Land Rover "Mr. Blue Sky" Everything we needed was there, it was a super experience. The roof tent was set up within 5 minutes every day, so we gave the neighbors quite a look...:)

Thank you very much for all the good care!!

Hannah and Bas, Westkapelle,  The Netherlands

“What a beautiful adventure!!

We spent 1.5 weeks in the tough adventurous Land Rover with roof tent. Perfect ride and very good tent to sleep. Spacious, solid, comfortable and safe. We are totally fans and are going to plan the next holiday right away. Because it's fun! Adventurous and comfortable!

A mega good service, good care and everything is perfectly arranged.

We wish you nice dear guests and that your beautiful plans may be known to the world....” 

Claudia en Robert, Rotterdam,  The Netherlands

“What great days we had in your Land Rover!

We have seen fantastic places and had a lot of attention when we set up the roof tent.

Thanks for the good and personal service, that made it all even more fun. It was a special trip with our daughter and secretly we hope that our son also wants such a trip in 2 years!

Thank you very much and hope to see you soon”

Pieter, Liesbeth & Mirthe, Zoeterwoude, the Netherlands

“Dear Bob & Inge and dog Jutter,

Thank you very much for the wonderful hospitable, caring and relaxing 2 weeks that we had in your gite! The veranda is great, the view fantastic with the beautiful sunsets. The house is very beautiful and tastefully decorated and equipped with all comforts. The beautiful fresh flowers really made it complete. The children enjoyed the guided tours, the ride in the Land Rover and being allowed to help in the garden. They would like to stay here so I think that says enough. Thank you for all the tips, for the excursions, markets, mache' gourmandes, swimming lakes, etc. It was a bull's eye! Climbing, swimming among the frogs, swimming among the fish in the lake, visiting castles. Enough to do for the children! And after 2 weeks we still have the feeling that we have not seen everything. You are very warm, hospitable and sweet people and we felt really honored that we were allowed to enjoy your domain! We would love to come back again. How spoiled we are! An unforgettable holiday! also for our dog Uma, she will miss her buddy. Thanks and see you soon!"

Mattijs, Josien, Emiel, Ties en hondje Uma,

Gent, BE

“How lucky we were to be able to come to you at such short notice! We have only enjoyed ourselves. What a wonderful place, beautiful house and great reception. A few more highlights in a row:

Combination of old and new in the interior

Harvest from your vegetable garden

Sunset on your bench

Working on the car in the dream garage

Afternoon nap in the hammock

Beautiful villages / towns nearby.

Thank you very much for all this beauty! All the best to you. "

Maarten en Elke,

NL

“Bob, Ingrid and Jutter,

Thank you very much for the warm welcome! What a beautiful job you have done. The surroundings are absolutely beautiful! The sunset is really great. Your tips are also great to take with you. The bag with stuff for the Marche' Gourmande is great, nice that you provide this."

Anja, Charlotte, John en Zoe, BE

“Bob & Ingrid,

Your home was the ideal place to relax and reunite with our family in the area. The accommodation was perfect and above all we appreciated your warm welcome. Thank you very much for all your kind attentions and our pleasant conversations. I look forward to going on holiday with you again... Good luck!"

Emily, Jérémey, Melvil et Marilou, 

Paris, FR

"Dear Ingrid and Bob,

What a great week we had! It was really great here, we really lacked nothing! The house is very atmospheric, we felt at home right away. The terrace is really lovely! Also all the different seats, we could really relax, a real holiday! We made beautiful bike rides, which are quite tough without support. You are very friendly and do everything you can to make your guests feel at home. I almost forgot to write that we sat in the cold tub every day, a very special experience! We also really liked the outdoor shower. We will definitely come back again! Thank you for this wonderful week of holiday! Kind regards,"

Marcel en Janetta,

Koudekerke, NL

"Dear Inge & Bob,

What a wonderful week I had with you again! I really enjoyed you and the beautiful place where you live! Sleeping in the gite was a nice and special experience. And how beautiful it has become. Cosy, tasteful and beautiful spaces that feel French. Waking up with a sun in the bedroom, a fresh splash in the "cold tub" and starting the day like that. And at the end of the day enjoying a beautiful sunset and a clear starry sky on the veranda. La vie est belle!!

Big kiss,

Astrid & Klaas, Loosdrecht,

NL

"Dear Ingrid and Bob,

What a wonderful place you have created. The gite is great! You have thought of everything (I especially like the hooks on the wall...:)) You have already helped us quite a bit with information to realize our dream. It is fantastic to hear you so enthusiastic about the Lot and Garonne! Big hug,

Tineke & Andre, Rotterdam, NL

"Dear Inge & Bob,

A repeat, where it all began for us. Once again a warm welcome and so wonderful to see what you have achieved in 1.5 years. Such a beautiful place and gites. Although the weather was freezing cold now, that is what makes it unforgettable. Our friendship will never fade because distance is no distance. So we say Goodbye!

Emiel en Yvonne, Goes, NL