La Maison des Mots

Bienvenue à Madame M’s Maison des Mots…

I am excited to share my Maison des Mots in La Charité-sur-Loire. Beautifully nestled on the Loire River in the centre of France, lower west-end of Burgundy. La Charité sur Loire is an UNESCO Heritage Site, and 1000 years young. La Maison des Mots is the perfect place to explore this glorious pastoral countryside, and experience the French way of life – my way of living, eating, and cooking with exceptional ingredients, while drinking the fine wines of this region (Côtes de La Charité, Pouilly Fumé, and Sancerre, all in a very French, leisurely fashion.

La Maison des Mots is a comfortable home with three floors. Well, five actually if you include the Cave and the Grenier. I purchased the house in 2017, spent the first 3 years renovating this venerable house which was partially renovated 65 years ago, and 150 years ago before that. I am delighted to report I have managed to keep the history and charm of the house intact while modernizing the space and adding my personal design touches.  And if you enjoy communing with Bees, Butterflies and Birds, you will appreciate the garden. Eat, Read, Write, Drink, or just Rest in my very old and beautiful plot of French terre.

Four rooms are available with different sleeping arrangements, The Atelier and The Owner’s Suite for self-catering (Gîte), or two Bed & Breakfast guest rooms (Chambre d’Hôte). We will aid you to discover the hidden gems of the region, and offer cooking together experiences for a full immersion in the way of living in the French countryside.

Testimonials

As May approaches, my mind journeys back to Maison des Mots and the charming town of Charité sur Loire. A group of us spent a few glorious days at Madame McIntosh’s  beautifully restored residence.  While there, we were treated to sumptuous breakfasts, convivial conversation, and expertly prepared dinners. Mme MacIntosh has created an exquisite place designed to please one’s senses. Our accommodations were top notch: elegant, aesthetically pleasing and designed for comfort.  I only wish I could be excitedly looking forward to another trip to Maison des Mots. Sadly, this year, I can only feast upon the memories created there last year. Thank you Barbara-jo et Minette!

- Margaret Marchioli (May 2023)

We loved it here! It’s a beautifully renovated house in the oldest part of town, and is filled with art, books and objects we wanted more time to discover. It’s only a short walk from shops and cafés, and a short drive from Pouilly and Sancerre where we picked up wine and charcuterie to enjoy in the evening sun back in the maison garden. Madame M is a superb host, simultaneously relaxed and attentive. Her cooking and her knowledge of food and wine meant we ate and drank very well. We’re already planning our next visit!
- Sally Harding & Gerry Fleming (September 2023)

Were it possible I would give Maison des Mots 6 stars. Former cookbook store owner, Barbara-jo McIntosh has transferred her culinary expertise, sense of style, attention to detail, and charm (she won over more than a few well known culinary luminaries at Vancouver's Books to Cooks over the years) to her renovated and immaculate B and B in La Charite Sur Loire, a country haven about an hour and a half by rail or car from Paris. I delighted in how old world French enchantment met new world conveniences, from the beautifully appointed and refinished antiques to crisp top quality linens on comfortable beds and newly tiled bathrooms (top-notch shower) and excellent wi-fi, which for me was a necessity. I tucked into fresh coffee (there were also wonderful teas for tea drinkers) coffee, yogurt, fruit and flaky croissants in the morning. A lazy afternoon led to a stroll through the large and lush garden or a perusal through one of the culinary
tomes plucked from one of the library's shelves. A quick jaunt (by foot) into town led to excellent bakeries, cheese and charcuterie shops, wine shops and a wine tasting room where one could sample the region's crisp Pouilly-Fume or Sancerre wines. A car is beneficial for exploring the countryside but you can do well by train, the station being about a fifteen minute walk from Maison des Mots.
Barbara-jo was quick to respond to any questions or concerns and can offer a lot of useful information about the area. I thoroughly enjoyed my four-day stay as a solo traveller and hope to return again with perhaps my husband or a friend. Highly recommended.
- Julie Pegg (May 2023)

Spring is the perfect time of year to visit Madame McIntosh's La Maison des Mots. The weather was great and the garden was beginning to bloom. Our comfortable and beautifully decorated room overlooked the courtyard below where we enjoyed the warm afternoons relaxing in the shade with a glass of wine. The Maison itself is fascinating with it's history and renovations, each room unique with it's own decor. The surrounding area, the amazing French food, the Vineyards and the wonderful warm hospitality of Madam McIntosh made us feel as if La Charite sur Loire was our second home. This was my second trip to Maison des Mots and I look forward to my third.
- Cheryl & Achim Kapitza (April 2023)

After a week in Paris, it was great to board the train to La Charite-sur-Loire for a long anticipated visit to Maison-des-Mots. We had followed Barbara-jo’s progress as she lovingly restored the old stone house in the quaint town and we were looking forward to seeing the finished product for ourselves. It certainly did not disappoint! The home is beautifully decorated, well planned to offer ideal accommodation for short or longterm stays and the two spacious gardens are magnificent!

We opted for the excursion package in mid June ….five days of well organized outings from vineyards to medieval castles, leisurely strolls, time to enjoy the gardens and even a dip in the Loire River. Barbara-jo is the consummate chef and hostess and our stay at Maison-des-Mots was the highlight of our trip!

- Lynda and Ted Lightfoot (June 2023)