ABOUT
At Au Passage, we welcome guests into a place where comfort, tranquility, and authentic hospitality come together. As a family-run guest house, we take great pleasure in sharing our home with travelers seeking a peaceful retreat and a more personal way to experience the region.
We are an international family, and several languages are spoken in our home. This multicultural spirit is part of what makes hosting guests from around the world so special to us. We believe that travel is about more than simply discovering new places — it is about slowing down, sharing experiences, and feeling genuinely at home wherever you are.
Whether you are visiting for a quiet getaway, a special occasion, or to explore the beauty of our countryside, we are delighted to welcome you and help make your stay truly memorable.
Our host, Vanessa, prepares fresh, healthy, and delicious meals with care. Inspired by the different cultures and countries that shape our family life, the kitchen at Au Passage is often a fusion of flavors and traditions, bringing together influences from across our international backgrounds while celebrating the wonderful local ingredients of the region.
For those who enjoy a little adventure, kayaks are available to explore the river that flows beside our property. Or simply relax, take in the peaceful surroundings, and enjoy the charm and calm of life here at Au Passage.
A House Full of Stories – Since 1664
Our guest house is located in one of the oldest buildings in the historic center of Aubenton. The house dates from 1664, a date still visible today in the iron anchor ties on the façade. Its scale and elegant, symmetrical architecture suggest that it was originally built as a maison de maître — the residence of a wealthy local family.
The property is organized around a private interior courtyard, entered through a central stone gateway. This layout was inspired by the grand townhouses (hôtels particuliers) that were fashionable in France during the second half of the 17th century.
A Much Older Story Beneath the House
Beneath the building lies an even older history. The vaulted cellars under the house and courtyard likely date from the late 12th or 13th century. Like many underground cellars in Aubenton at the time, they served both as wine storage and as a refuge during periods of conflict.
These medieval cellars form a network that extends beneath the courtyard and neighboring parcels — a reminder of the town’s long history.
What makes the site even more remarkable is that the underground complex is believed to extend across three levels beneath the house. Soon after we moved into the property, we discovered the entrance to the second underground level, revealing another hidden layer of the building’s past.
Historical records also suggest the existence of a third and even deeper level, although its entrance has not yet been rediscovered. Somewhere beneath the house, another part of Aubenton’s history may still be waiting to be found.
A Rare 18th-Century Interior
One of the most remarkable features of the house survives on the first floor: a room with an 18th-century oak wood paneling ensemble in the elegant rococo style. The carved panels frame a traditional sleeping alcove and include integrated cupboard doors.
The room also preserves a beautiful Versailles-style oak parquet floor, a design associated with prestigious French interiors.
As we continue to restore and improve the house, our goal is always the same: to carefully modernize the space while preserving as many of its original historic elements as possible. Each renovation is approached with respect for the craftsmanship and character that have shaped the house over centuries, allowing the building’s history to remain part of the experience for every guest. Our aim is to bring modern comfort into the house while allowing its centuries-old character to continue telling its story
A Family Home, Open to Guests
Over the centuries, this house has lived many lives. Yet one thing has remained constant: it has always been a place meant to be lived in and shared.
Today, our family is proud to continue that tradition by welcoming travelers from around the world into this historic home. What was once a private residence is now a place where guests can experience the charm, character, and quiet rhythm of life in a centuries-old French house.
For us, hosting is about more than offering a place to stay. It is about sharing the atmosphere of the house, its stories, and the simple pleasures of life here — from peaceful mornings in the courtyard to evenings spent enjoying good food and conversation.
We hope that during your stay, you will feel not only like a visitor, but like part of the home itself.
Because here, our goal is simple:
Your home away from home.