A town with such a name could not, some day or other, appear on Gazoline (in french, a "bagnole" is a car) ! Welcome to Bagnoles on the Orne, a spa which has a charm fell a bit into disuse, with its dovecotes, its simple gardens and its park full of flowers where there are some swans, with whom it is difficult to communicate. Above all, welcome to the resort of the Quinton family, a wonderful restaurant hotel, particularly suitable for lovers.
Le Manoir du Lys. Even if Bagnoles wasn’t a beautiful town, and I guarantee that it is indeed, it would be a tourist place thanks to this Manor located in the Andaine Forest (where it seems that the Lancelot and the poets of the Round Table lived: if this table, obviously round, has ever been built and used to eat on it, it would have been in the Manor!). What could I say about the mushrooms that Mr. Quinton picks by himself and puts on your table at lunchtime or at the crack of dawn? Some mushrooms week-ends are organised from the middle of September until the end of October and you can go with him before having a snack. What can I say about the menu that often changes and about the great mixtures of Mr. Quinton’s son? And what could I say about the meals under the apple-trees, weather permitting? And what about the naps in the swimming pool? I can just tell you that it is very difficult to leave this place. ... It may not look it, but the service says much about the restaurant’s quality: they are efficient, pleasant and relaxed. How can you enjoy a meal if everybody around you is too serious? No more great outdoor meals spoilt by people wearing dinner-jacket. Such serious, stiff, blank and lifeless people that look like monks,. They serve meals in such a cold way that they seem Air France’s stewards. The Manor offers a very good service because it is informal, friendly and kind. It is the right service for the sort of dishes that are served, it suits the meal and the kitchen is lively, rich and real. Listen to the experienced sommelier who will suggest that you have a wine with the cheese!
In Bagnoles, you’ll visit the Musée Départemental des Sapeurs Pompiers (02.33.38.10.34) and the Musée Hippomobile du Village du Cheval, where you’ll find calashes, ponies and you’ll be able to have a walk, attend harness and forwarding schools, with some technician ONF (02.33.37.12.79).
The Manoir du Lys received the Relais du Silence quality-label and this is the certainty that it is a high-quality hotel, a two, four-star hotel. It doesn’t have a long history, with the exception of the walls (the Relais du Silence gives the quality-label to 170 holiday resorts in France and a bit more of 100 in 12 European countries. They are flying visits organised in the Champagne and Périgord regions.
In a similar way, the French Castles and Hotels decided to classify their signs with two or four “helmets”, their chivalrous label. They offer several appealing packages: the Resort Package (660 F.) per person with “four helmets” (according to the availability and with some period limitations), accommodation, breakfast, lunch or dinner included 560 F. in a “three helmets” hotel and 460 F. in a “two helmets” one). There is also the Discovery Package, which includes the surrounding area’s visit (from 500 to 700F. per person). Finally, there is the golf package, from 550 to 1230 F. per person. There are about one hundred Hotels, having or not the restaurant, and private Castles which host tourists. I’ve already told you that luxury is not bound to be prohibitively priced.
Have a good journey, say hello to the Quinton’s family from me, and do not forget to visit the Orne, the Normandy, a heaven for cows and gourmets !
Published on Gazoline number 50, May 1999
© Pierre-Brice LEBRUN & Gazoline
Le Manoir du Lys
02.33.37.80.69
fax 02.33.30.05.80
send a mail
L'hôtel : trente chambres, de 57 à 180 € (le pavillon indépendant de 4 à 5 personnes est à 275 €)
Le restaurant : plusieurs menus de 26 à 62 €, un vrai menu enfants à 13 €, qui leur épargne le jambon frites purée, mon préféré est le menu Coup de Cœur, de 35 à 48 €, avec trois plats
et faites confiance au sommelier pour les accords !
Les forfaits week-end : de 350 € pour deux personnes en pension complète pour une nuit, à 533 € pour deux nuits, activités, sorties et cueillettes comprises (week-end champignons à l'automne, foie gras en décembre, cochon en mars).
Office de Tourisme de Bagnoles de l'Orne
B.P.32
61140 BAGNOLES DE L'ORNE
02.33.37.85.66
02.33.30.06.75 (télécopie)
Établissement Thermal
61140 BAGNOLES DE L'ORNE
02.33.30.38.00
02.33.38.99.78 (télécopie)
Le site des Villes d'Eau de France
Fédération des Relais du Silence
17 rue d'Ouessant
75015 PARIS, 01.44.49.79.00
fax : 01.44.49.79.01
Guide gratuit
Centrale de réservation
Châteaux et Hôtels de France
12 rue Auber
75009 PARIS
centrale de réservation et renseignements 01.40.07.00.20
fax : 01.40.07.00.30
