Running a Bed and Breakfast - Ardres in Pas-de-Calais

Having lived and worked in France for 15 years, nothing quite prepared me for the physical effort of moving from the coast at Wissant and a “normal job” to early retirement running our own Bed and Breakfast in this lovely little historical town in Ardres 20 mins or so from Calais , Boulogne or St Omer on the Cote d’Opale.

Since its construction in 1630 (according to records at the Town Hall and the registration of the first taxes paid!), the house has been an inn, hotel and then a boarding school for girls during World War Two.

The first year is over and I have settled into a comfortable routine, I am now used to running up and down stairs, loading washing machines, ironing sheets and running into the garden to save sheets already dried in the wind from pouring rain! The local shopkeepers and restaurateurs are very friendly and I have hung on to the most important person in my early life as a B&B owner my excellent “femme de ménage” Annick. My showers and bathrooms gleam with her efforts with the white vinegar how did I ever live without it! Old original floor boards add to the creaky charm and the large rooms surprise most people on their arrival.

If the concept of bed and breakfasts is relatively recent this lovely old 17th century house is no stranger to welcoming travellers passing through Ardres. The people I have met passing through for the night have been charming, mostly exhausted, excited and nearly all delighted to see a kettle and some English tea bags in their rooms (the only concession to my British love of tea!). My biggest surprise this year has been getting 5 motorbikes into our garage plus of course meeting the 5 men in leathers!

We consider ourselves very fortunate to be the owners of such a house full of atmosphere and character. We look forward to welcoming you all and weather permitting giving you access to our gardens for breakfasts!