SOME GUEST'S COMMENTS: (DON'T FORGET TO SIGN OUR GUESTBOOK ON CONTACT US PAGE)
"We loved the rich ambience of this old plantation house. It was grand in a strangely modest way; quite intimate, too. Mr. John's Creole cuisine, the presentation, and staff service were unsurpassed by any of the numerous places we've stayed at before. Please reserve a copy of your cookbook for us!" -Judy & Kane Johannsen, Sidney, Australia
"We didn't know how beautiful Coutableau House would be, nor how awesome the High Tea and lunch would be! We want to bring our parents back next weekend. Thank you for giving the world such a wonderful gift!"
Dr. Daniel & Maria Smith -Lafayette, Louisiana
"Once at the top of the concrete staircase, we entered through an old, vine-covered, iron gate into the courtyard. The watchdogs were pulled back and were remarkably well-behaved, in the presence of Mr. John LaFleur, the resident/owner and gourmet cook, who greeted us. He was dressed in a straw hat and bermuda khaki shorts, accompanied by his staff host and hostess, Mark and Bonita!
The mint juleps and house hors d'oeuvres are real whole food and spirits. These are absolutely delicious. The service and hospitality of the Courtableau House staff and director (who are fluent in French) were unsurpassed.
I felt as if I had stepped into an other world, into another century, maybe even into another land! It just didn't feel like America! It's so enticing and seductive! The atmosphere is so 'authentic'. That's the word.
Frank and I, were celebrating our 14th anniversary. We've told our kids, and everyone, else about this unique place. We've stayed at many, many, bed and breakfast plantation homes, some more grandiose than Courtableau, but none can surpass the service, the friendliness or the quality of the food we had here.
And, Sharon, I can tell you that whoever looks at the Courtableau House website, just can't know how lovely this house really is, throughout, until you walk through that rusty, old gate and through those very old French doors, and EXPERIENCE it for yourself! There is something about the place that just stayed with me, (and Frank, too! LOL!)
I'd describe it as, richly elegant, yet cozy and relaxing. One of the staff intimated the existence of a "female ghost". If she exists, she never bothered us! She is, purportedly a freed slave, turned wife to Jean Batiste LaFleur, the original owner.
We slept amazingly well. I awoke, energized, each of the three days we stayed. The sound of birds singing and the smell of wonderful coffee, the aromas of the culinary magic taking place in the back kitchen, I already miss it.
Oh, the painted dining hall is incredible, as was the attention to the detail in the presentation of our meals. We took many photos, some of which I'll e-mail you. The art, the furnishings, the chandeliers, and the mirrors were fabulous. And, as I said, the food and the service, (even the dogs) were wonderful!
Mark and Bonita took us on a garden tour! Magnolia Ridge walking park was awesome. We were given little plant samples from Mark's nursery during our Courtableau House garden tour, we came upon a circular pond, surrounded by little chairs and "a curtain of banana trees" for guests to enjoy. It's simply, lovely Sharon. Myles will love this.
We hated to leave. These are genuinely kind-hearted and hospitable people. We could really talk to them. They made us feel as if we were family."
Thank you, John, Mark and Bonita, for an incredible and memorable event, which I still reflect upon! I sent this 'thankyou note' with a copy of the letter I sent to my, friend, Sharon Morgan, who lives with her boyfriend, Myles White, (a landscaper) in London. They enjoy traveling to exotic places, too.
I thought you might enjoy knowing what I saw at Courtableau House, John. I know how much you treasure the feedback for the incredible work you've done so well. And, yes, we believe we got so much more than we expected (for our money) and we're coming back with our friends, from London, next year!
Again, many thanks guys,
Barbara S. and Frank Heiffe -Los Angeles, CA.
"Monsieur John LaFleur nous a genereusement recu; on a bu le meilleur cafe et on a mange des tres bonnes patisseries chez Courtableau House! Merci, John!" -David Roche et famille -Lyon, France
"John LaFleur is an outstanding host and cultural historian. Great guys at Courtableau House!" Shirley O. -Vallejo, California
Dr.& Mrs. Deryl Stagg of Knoxville, Tennessee on their 35th anniversary stay & private dinner, said: "Everything was great!"
"Thank you for your most gracious hospitality and historical perspective of this area. We loved it! Yes, we'd like a cookbook!"Jean Hill & Sachida Raman -Island of Fiji and current residents of Lafayette, Louisiana
"We felt as if we were with family!" Stephanie Rachal and Ken Wilts of Baton Rouge, La.
"Incredible ambience and most gracious host!" Marlene Meeley & Patty Newell, Texas & Georgia guests/sisters
"Lovely home, great host!" Mr & Mrs. Travis Soileau of Lafayette, Louisiana (on their honeymoon stay)
" Part of the Courtableau House enchantment was hearing Mr John and Georgia speaking in French, throughout our 3-day stay! The house is everything and beyond what we had hope to see of old aristocratic, Creole Louisiana! The food, the flowers, everything was amazing and unexpectedly real. The dogs were really well-behaved and added to that feeling of being at home. Your website doesn't do justice to what your guests will actually see, get and enjoy! Please reserve a copy of your cookbook for us, too!"-Julianna & Seigrit, San Francisco, CA.
"This is what you expect to see & experience in a historic Louisiana Bed 'n Breakfast!" -Norris Fontenot, National Award-winning Louisiana Photographer during his recent photo-shoot at Courtableau House.
