First of all, the story of Maison Flore is that of a small family business:
(> Find out more on the the Embarcadère Bardet-Huttier's website and let us take you on a journey around the Marais Poitevin.)

It all started in July 1976 when our grandfather founded the Bardet Embarcadère (punts hiring, with or without a guide). Marais Potevin lover and keen photgrapher, Jacky had this idea to show the marsh in a different way by taking people along its luxurious maze of canals.

30 years later, the embarcadère is still running, driven by the same family bonds and enthusiasm for our land.

In 2001 the Maison Flore project started with the purchase of the two buildings it is now set in.

The two buildings were authentic local marsh houses built in 1870.
They each comprised a living and a barn area, typical with their poplar-wood cladding and local lime-stone pilars.
In 2002, we did the first half of the restoration ourselves and in 2003 opened 3 chambres d’hôtes, 3 Epis rated by the Gîtes de Frange.
The second half took a little more time as we wanted to implement a renewable energies scheme.

Therfore, the demolishing and rebuilding of the barn started in October, 2005.
You will find in this part of the hotel the polpar-wood cladding and stone pilars rebuilt exactly as they were. The three rooms on that floor (Valériane, Fritiliare and Nénuphare) have been entirely built in wood, in the traditional Scandinavian way.

.: Sustainable development :.

~ Environment conscious, we have installed 40 sqm of photo-voltaic roof tiles, more than enough to cover all our needs in terms of electricy consumption.

~ You will also notice that there are no radiators or air-conditioners. We have opted for an aerothermal floor heating system fed by an air/water heat-pump itself connected to our own solar energy system. This technique enables us to keep the temperature warm in the winter and cool in the summer, a thermal comfort with no health hazards.

~ We have a green housekeeping program which solely uses environmently friendly cleaning products containing only plant based surfactants.

~ Next spring, we will install a 10,000 liter rainwater collector which will be connected to all of Maison Flore's sanitary appliances.

The philosopphy of this project is based on a private motives but the project itself could only be carried out successfully by an extraordinary team work.

We sincerely hope you will appreciate our environmental commitments and that you will keep a fond memory of your stay at Maison Flore.