Arrived to be greeted from Vanessa what a lovely place the lake and accommodation is second to none , very clean and tidy she showed us around and gave us some information on the lake.she was a phone call away or a text we were left alone to just enjoy ourselves.
The fishing wow was brilliant my husband caught 31 ,lost 5.
Yes some were small but doesn’t matter all were in excellent condition. Weight range from 15lb to 29lb,we followed the advise on the dash board on majestic carp for the lake , the corner by the gate was a good tip.
The deer and omg the 2 ducks well let’s just say we spoilt them.
Will we stop again most definitely already inquiring for 2028 as 2027 is already booked up for our dates
Thank you again for a brilliant stay
Top week at lake boreal with the Mrs and the place was unreal the house the lake the lakeside room hottub everything was just perfect highly recommend . The fishing was top drawer too we had 38 carp up to 31lb and my mate also had 33 carp up to 28lb in the same week and all the fish were in tip top condition . If you’re looking for a chilled break away from the hustle and bustle lake boreal is the place to be . The fishing the wildlife and the place was 5 star and we will definitely be back
My son and I spent a week at the lake and we were absolutely blown away by the facilities. It was just what the doctor ordered and we had a wonderful, restful holiday. The accommodation is beyond anybody’s expectations and the facilities are simply perfect to enjoy a week away from it all. The weather was incredibly hot during our stay and we chose to spend more time chilling out than actually fishing. We did not fish the night at all and did most of our fishing in the evening. We still ended up with 21 carp along with some tench and bream. I am sure that we would have caught many more fish if we had spent more time with rods in the water. Overall, the average size was mid double and the largest fish that we had was 22. Caught by my son, of course! The fish were in superb condition and some of the mirror carp that we caught were particularly pretty. For the serious carpet wanting to catch monsters and endure blank nights living in a tent then this is not the one for you. If you want a relaxing holiday with incredible facilities, then I recommend Boreal highly. We loved it.
My review from Boreal I would like to say it was awful, just to make sure you don’t book it but to be honest it was fabulous and we will.go back next year. Thankyou to the owners for such a special place.
1 angler with wife, we had a marvellous week at Boreal. The facilities and accommodation were outstanding with all creature comforts catered for. The host Vanessa was incredible. The fishing was unbelievable I had 45 fish altogether, with 32 carp to 30 lbs, a grass carp, 5 sturgeon to 25 lbs, ghost carp and tench. Daytime was more productive, only 4 carp came out after 3 nights. We had such a super time I can’t recommend the place enough. I stuck closely to the tactics on the Boreal Majestic Carp site.
1 angler, staying with wife and 9-year-old daughter.
Great week away overall despite variable conditions, with air temperatures from -1 to 14°C and water temperatures from 6 to 11°C. Even with 36 hours off the rods to visit family, the session produced 26 carp to 28lb and 7 sturgeon.
The accommodation is better than the pictures and feels like real luxury for a carp fishing trip. The hosts were excellent, always available if needed, but very discreet. The gated lake also meant there was no disturbance at all.
The lake is around 2.5ft deep on the road side near the accommodation, then gradually slopes down towards the far bank, with areas reaching around 4 to 5ft maximum.
The most productive times were from 6:30am to 1:00pm, then again from 5:00pm to 10:30pm. Nights only really produced when temperatures stayed above freezing. When the fish switched on, double takes were definitely possible.
There was no sign of crayfish during the session, so there was no need to wrap baits.
The successful setup was a 15mm Scopex Squid boilie from Hexabaits topped with a Cornz yellow pop up to make it waft, fished on a heli rig. Fluoro pop ups were also tried but produced no interest.
Baiting was kept light and simple, using sweetcorn and boilie crumb in small quantities, plus three boilies on a PVA string around the hook bait.
Overall, a very enjoyable family trip with plenty of action.
Great week at Etang Boreal. Gorgeous accommodation superbly run by Vanessa & Sylvan.
The fishing was really good for the small amount of hours put in. The wildlife in and around the lake is amazing but our favourites are the family of ducks which you get to feed daily.
We will be returning next year
Another great week in 2025 of fishing 🎣 with friends.
Lots of fish caught, most of them mid 20’s. Beautiful Carp and sturgeon.
Thanks to our amazing hosts Vanessa and Sylvan, for making us feel so welcome.
We Love the cosy new extension and Swedish hot tub.
Plenty of space for us all to fish and relax.
The ladies liked to go out and explore the area during the day.
Another great week in 2025 of fishing 🎣 with friends.
Lots of fish caught, most of them mid 20’s.
Thanks to our amazing hosts Vanessa and Sylvan, for making us feel so welcome.
Love the cosy new extension and Swedish hot tub. Plenty of space for us all to fish and relax.
was a great relaxing 2 week holiday I didn’t fish during the day as spent that time with my wife and Granddaughter, fishing was from 9.00 PM – 11.00 AM but still managed 37 fish in that found far bank 4foot from bank any where along that bank produced and the corner near the gate under the tree was just as good
I would like to thank you for the fishing venue. I had a really good time. The hosts were really acomadating and helpful, which made all the difference
My wife and i had a great time. The catch was not to good but also not bad. This beacause the guests behore us had a gokd catch, but also throw in a lot of baits.
The most carps are 15 to 20 lbs and also there are some big sturgeons… the biggest i catched was 26 lbs.
The place is magic. The host is very kindly and you have a lot of privacy….
For the next guests… say hi to the 4 white ducks who live there…
We had a great week in boréal i had 39 fish in total , lots of different species. the fish in this place really fight well . The hosts were very nice and left us alone to enjoy our holiday. The facilities are brilliant and would definitely recommend it for families.
Excellent facilities. What you see on the website is what it looks like.
Water was in a full algae bloom so was green all over the surface which spoilt the look of the lake. Fortunately there was an air pump running all the time and I didn’t see and signs of fish in distress.
Plenty of runs. Caught 48 fish, 7 species, fishing days only. Lost several too. Nothing big. 23lb common was the biggest Carp and 20lb the biggest sturgeon. Caught some nice Tench, just not on Tench gear. Had some oddities such as a black sturgeon of 9lbs and a grass Carp that was just over 20lb. Had some singles and low doubles so for us the average size was closer to 15lb rather than the 20lb average stated on the website.
However, all in all its a fantastic venue. A very thoughtful welcome gift as well. Thanks for having us.
We had a lovely week, relaxing and enjoying the peaceful surroundings. The owners were very welcoming and helpful. A thortful gift on arrival was a nice surprise.
The accommodation was clean and comfortable however, some equipment/areas could be improved, such as the gas BBQ.
The fishing was good. I had 34 carp mostly upper doubles, biggest 32llb. Also had 1 15llb sturgeon and few tench and some pesky bream! All fish came off far bank close to margin using large hard baits due to cray fish over a bed of pellets, crushed bollies and maize.
The local tackle shop (magic bollie) was about a 10/15min drive near the supermarket. I was able to get everything I needed there.
we had a wonderful time and caught 42 fish . The lake is a superb idyllic and tranquil place to stay and myself and my husband will return in the near future. Thank you to Vanessa and her husband for everything they did you make our stay memorable
We booked a week to relax , unwind and remove ourselves from the everyday stress that a busy life can bring. Whilst we booked quite last minute and with only having to wait 8 weeks or so for our visit we were still excited by the previous pictures and reviews that came with Boreal.
Even before arrival , Majestic Carp were fantastic and really communitive with messages, emails and updates of the pending trip. We knew that we were visiting in April so the weather could be mixed and it was exactly that , we had wind , rain , sun and what felt like summer on our last day.
The place it self is an easy drive from Calais and google maps directs you to the very gate . The place on the very first drive through the gates greets you with a smile and a real welcome, it looks amazing and the readiness to relax is upon you. Spotlessly clean , tidy and super luxurious in every detail . Everything you need is there and everything has been thought of , the bed was one of the most comfortable I have ever had the pleasure of sleeping in and to the point that we did not fish at night. Instead we enjoyed the hot tub, and a film in the evenings.
Before I mention the fishing , the owners Vanessa and her husband was amazing , the welcome and explanation of everything was brilliant and not a detail missed out of what was needed to be known. Phone number given and even messages during the week to check everything was ok and nothing was needed, even a text once we arrive home to check our final journey was good. So caring and welcoming and really a home from home feel.
So the fishing , whilst we knew the weather may be up and down , we knew this may have been the case for the fishing. I had a plan and that was to relax and enjoy our time away. Fish the mornings and then again in the evenings with the afternoons free for walks in the lovely forest , lunches out and time exploring.
Our week started with a tench so a great indication that the rigs were going to work and hopefully be correct for the venue. In essence the fishing was absolutely out of this world. By the time the week had finished we had caught and landed over 80 carp and countless bream and tench to a very decent size. The sturgeon did not fail to disappoint and were landed numerus times and really do fight. The carp are hard fighting and in great condition . Biggest carp went just over 31lb and for the week we had 2 x 30’s , 25 x 20’s and numerus doubles with only 1 or 2 singles.
Fishing to the margins produced the most bites and pop ups over particle was the key to the week, feeding little and often and resting the spots worked extremely well. The fish are switched on to pressure of the lines and resting the spots works well. By the end of the week we had 6/7 spots ready and prepped and kept moving around so not to scare the fish into not feeding.
Overall a great week , great owners and great fishing . We would both 100% recommend Boreal for a nice quite week and with some very hard fighting pretty fish.
We had a lovely week relaxing, the owners are brilliant very polite and helpful and the accommodation is second to non. Easy drive to and from and all the local people are so friendly and helpful. We had several sturgeon the same one 3 times hundred of bream and a tench. We fished all week other going out for one meal and didn’t really see many carp although we did catch one on the last day about 8 lb. There was a lot of dead fish floating on top and the smell was awful . All in all we did have a nice time but we booked it for fishing in comfort and the fishing wasn’t great. Also something to be careful of is the owner asked to pay a €50 cleaning charge the night before we left we left the property very clean and tidy. After speaking majestic carp we was refunded straight away and they had been excellent from the moment we booked it
An amazing place to relax unwind and enjoy the beautiful surroundings. The accommodation is first class with everything you need to enjoy your stay. The hot tub an added bonus and can be enjoyed what ever the weather. The fishing was good to. We had nearly 50 fish in total and you never know what you will have on the end of your line. Carp, Sturgeon, Bream or Tench; every run a mystery until it surfaces. Considering the time of year this was a great week of catching fish. The hosts were very friendly and helpful throughout. Would definitely recommend.
What an absolutely stunning gem!! Beautiful accommodation, spotlessly clean and well thought out with added extras that really make your stay first class. Hot tub, outdoor living area, gas bbq, well equipped kitchen and petanque rink, as well as many other touches you will discover that make your stay so comfortable, peaceful and easy. The hosts Vanessa and Sylvan were warm and friendly and left you in peace to enjoy your stay but were on hand should you need anything or have questions. We were blessed with good weather and blessed with many fish. The biggest being a 29lb mirror. As in a previous review the fishing can be a bit hectic with lots of fish being caught throughout the week ranging from carp (common/mirror), grass carp, sturgeon, tench and bream. It was exhausting and fun in equal measure and you were certainly kept busy which was great. We will absolutely be returning to L’Etange Boreal again and have already been recommending it to friends.
Some advice (I wish we had know when we arrived) – all supermarkets in the area close by midday on Sundays (arrival day) so go shopping before that time or come with provisions for the first afternoon/evening. The best supermarket within easy driving distance is Match in Monmignes (Belgium) approx 10 mins and is superbly stocked with everything you will need and has an amazing butchery counter.
This is our second visit to Vanessa’s little gem. My sister and brother-in-law along with my wife arrived back here on the 3rd September. We arrived rather early so stopped off for some refreshments at the cafe/bar in the village, definitely worth a visit. Arriving at the large gates it felt like we were ‘home’. A warm welcome from Vanessa and we settled in for our week in heaven. This is just perfect for us, an abundance of wildlife welcomes you for your stay. Please note previous reviewers comments about the main sleeping area (the ladder up to the bedroom) if mobility is a problem for your party. Early morning visits (before 7am)to the bakers in the village by my sister for morning bread and croissants were just perfect. A huge thank you to Vanessa for recommending the butchers in Fourmis it was just wonderful. Now onto the fishing, despite temperatures of +30 degrees for the week a few carp were caught, the largest was 20lb 10oz with only 1 under 10lb. Some sturgeon along with a grass carp were also caught however we were inundated with Bream until we increased the bait size and did not feed any particles. Would I class this as a carp lake ? Personally no, I would rather call it a mixed fishery with carp due to the number of other smaller species that were caught. It hasn’t put us off because we have rebooked for 2025 whilst still there. It is just perfect for 2 anglers and 2 non-anglers who want a very relaxing time in this corner of France. So thank you Vanessa on behalf of our party for a wonderful stay at your lovely lake.
Stayed here with friends. The husband’s fished and my friend and I chilled. We loved the hot tub, outdoor lounge. The bedroom over looking the lake gorgeous, could do with some pegs to hang you clothes on, if you have a dress. There are hangers on a branch but wasn’t sure if it was sturdy. The only downside is that you have no on suite so have to pop outside to use the toilet. Our friends ended up sleeping on sofa bed as in previous reviews, only a ladder so not great if you have mobility issues.
Kitchen well equipped. Host Vanessa and her husband great.
We loved the ducks, especially the baby one who you could hand feed and they would come running when food was about.
Took the train to Paris for the day. 2 hours and 20 minutes. Train was quick, clean and on time.
Loved it so much we have already booked for next year.
Returned last week from staying here and a very delightful place to stay and enjoy some very good runs. Didn’t catch anything over 22.6lb but must have been reeling in approx 6-8 a day coming in between 15/20lb.
A few tench and bream were caught as well, there are other fish in the lake
Vanessa always got back to me when a simple and silly question was brought up and I messaged her. A lovely couple and on behalf of our party, Thank you very much for helping to
Make our stay and a real treat
Richard 👍🏻
we had a thoroughly enjoyable time at Boreal, its quirkiness adds to its charm and beauty,although I believe some mention should be made in the advertisement regarding the need to use an extremely steep ladder to access the bedroom in the main accommodation, that being said as there were only two of us we used the separate bedroom which offers beautiful views of the lake although a contained toilet would certainly add to its appeal,the fishing was at times hectic with many fish caught up to 39lb…But for me there are to many nuisance fish in the lake,it would benefit from being netted and many of the bream, tench and small carp removed.
The owners are delightful and nothing was to much trouble for them,a lovely couple
All in all a very enjoyable stay in beautiful surroundings
A weekend in paradise for Daddy the fisherman, Mummy the relaxer and baby the discoverer…the welcome was top notch, warm and available…the stay was just a dream for the 3 of us…the gite is classy and tasteful, the outside is idyllic, rural, with just the right amount of naturalness to keep the place clean and practical. There are so many beautiful and good moments, especially as a couple…especially with a baby…especially if you love nature, fishing, aperitifs by the water, barbecues in front of the ducks, Nordic baths in front of the horses…don’t go there, we’re the ones who found this piece of happiness….bon ok go there because it’s so good…enjoy it!!!
We have just spent somes days in this magnificent place, calm and restful with a magical decor in these holiday periods! breakfast at the top! refinement, comfort, waking up facing the pond, the room flooded with sun in this month of November, happiness!!! no need to go far to be happy!
We will come back for sure
Beautiful location, wonderful hosts, peace and tranquility for a week. Your information needs to include the fact that there is a ladder to access the upper bedroom and the lack of toilet in the annex – although there is an ‘outside’ toilet attached to the main living accommodation as well as the indoor bathroom. Our party of four adults meant that my husband and I had to use the sofa bed as we were not happy to use the ladder due to mobility issues for three out of four of us and the fact that the ladder does not have a handrail. The ladder is also extremely large and difficult to manoeuvre into place. The shower tray is not very deep and therefore does leak so you need to be mindful of this and there is no hot water to the sinks in the bathroom or outside toilet. Also, your information states that the security deposit can be paid by card – this is not the case and cleared my cash Euro’s out completely as I have a currency card which I would have used for the deposit. Having said all this, the location is stunning, the deer are delightful and the ducks tell you when they are hungry. We had a lovely week and although the average weight of carp caught was under 15lb both anglers enjoyed their time there.
Delightful stay in a place of complete relaxation, ideal for recharging your batteries! Natural moments to share with fishermen, lovers and families. The decoration is neat and cosy, the owners are welcoming… everything is there to spend a nice holiday!
A beautiful landscape, a remarkable calm, a very nice welcome, a warm and cocooning decoration, a pond where fishing is pleasant with various fish, an excellent breakfast… All this at Boreal!
A very pleasant place to stay, whether you are in love, with family, friends or even alone! A change of scenery guaranteed!
We’ll be back for sure!!!!!
Beautiful and relaxing place made with great taste. The breakfast basket is of high quality. The owners are very pleasant and welcoming. The Scandinavian bath was appreciated with the heat. To be done again with Christmas decoration
a small, warm and soothing paradise, ideal for disconnecting from everyday life, with the added bonus of the ducks, which were much appreciated by our 16-month-old darling
What to say…..
A haven of peace!
A remarkable calm!
Birds singing…ducks…
Fishing, walks….
And all this in a marvellous idyllic setting, received by very friendly hosts who care about our well-being!
A sweet moment of escape, calm and serenity are in order! Vanessa’s welcome plunges us directly into this atmosphere as soon as we arrive in this special place… A boat, ducks, two small cabins and the forest: nothing like it to forget the worries of everyday life… and to finish: a delicate taste for decoration and a top breakfast ? ! We look forward to coming back when the good weather returns.
What a fabulous place to stay for a week. Enjoyed the tranquility of Boreal so very much, the abundant wildlife was a real bonus on top of the fishing wish meant an idyllic stay for thr anglers and non anglers alike. Whilst we didn’t catch a monster, we enjoyed the fishing immensely. The accommodation was great, although I think you should mention the ladder required to access bedroom in main accommodation for the more immobile. That said a fabulous week and we plan to return next year.
Hi jade, just wondering if it is only one cabin on the lake or if there is more, thank you in advanced hoping to go just want the privacy and freedom of being out there and no bother 🙂
Jane A, thanks for your review, especially about access to main bedroom as 4 of us are due to visit Sept 21. Could you advise about fishing tactics as we don’t want to bring to much of the incorrect bait ie. Hemp or pellet
Giles
September 22, 2026 at 4:58 pmArrived to be greeted from Vanessa what a lovely place the lake and accommodation is second to none , very clean and tidy she showed us around and gave us some information on the lake.she was a phone call away or a text we were left alone to just enjoy ourselves.
The fishing wow was brilliant my husband caught 31 ,lost 5.
Yes some were small but doesn’t matter all were in excellent condition. Weight range from 15lb to 29lb,we followed the advise on the dash board on majestic carp for the lake , the corner by the gate was a good tip.
The deer and omg the 2 ducks well let’s just say we spoilt them.
Will we stop again most definitely already inquiring for 2028 as 2027 is already booked up for our dates
Thank you again for a brilliant stay
Matty
September 6, 2026 at 3:19 pmTop week at lake boreal with the Mrs and the place was unreal the house the lake the lakeside room hottub everything was just perfect highly recommend . The fishing was top drawer too we had 38 carp up to 31lb and my mate also had 33 carp up to 28lb in the same week and all the fish were in tip top condition . If you’re looking for a chilled break away from the hustle and bustle lake boreal is the place to be . The fishing the wildlife and the place was 5 star and we will definitely be back
Sam
August 26, 2026 at 8:52 pmMy son and I spent a week at the lake and we were absolutely blown away by the facilities. It was just what the doctor ordered and we had a wonderful, restful holiday. The accommodation is beyond anybody’s expectations and the facilities are simply perfect to enjoy a week away from it all. The weather was incredibly hot during our stay and we chose to spend more time chilling out than actually fishing. We did not fish the night at all and did most of our fishing in the evening. We still ended up with 21 carp along with some tench and bream. I am sure that we would have caught many more fish if we had spent more time with rods in the water. Overall, the average size was mid double and the largest fish that we had was 22. Caught by my son, of course! The fish were in superb condition and some of the mirror carp that we caught were particularly pretty. For the serious carpet wanting to catch monsters and endure blank nights living in a tent then this is not the one for you. If you want a relaxing holiday with incredible facilities, then I recommend Boreal highly. We loved it.
Fraser
July 29, 2026 at 7:46 pmMy review from Boreal I would like to say it was awful, just to make sure you don’t book it but to be honest it was fabulous and we will.go back next year. Thankyou to the owners for such a special place.
Fox
June 16, 2026 at 1:37 pm1 angler with wife, we had a marvellous week at Boreal. The facilities and accommodation were outstanding with all creature comforts catered for. The host Vanessa was incredible. The fishing was unbelievable I had 45 fish altogether, with 32 carp to 30 lbs, a grass carp, 5 sturgeon to 25 lbs, ghost carp and tench. Daytime was more productive, only 4 carp came out after 3 nights. We had such a super time I can’t recommend the place enough. I stuck closely to the tactics on the Boreal Majestic Carp site.
Chris
April 7, 2026 at 8:40 am1 angler, staying with wife and 9-year-old daughter.
Great week away overall despite variable conditions, with air temperatures from -1 to 14°C and water temperatures from 6 to 11°C. Even with 36 hours off the rods to visit family, the session produced 26 carp to 28lb and 7 sturgeon.
The accommodation is better than the pictures and feels like real luxury for a carp fishing trip. The hosts were excellent, always available if needed, but very discreet. The gated lake also meant there was no disturbance at all.
The lake is around 2.5ft deep on the road side near the accommodation, then gradually slopes down towards the far bank, with areas reaching around 4 to 5ft maximum.
The most productive times were from 6:30am to 1:00pm, then again from 5:00pm to 10:30pm. Nights only really produced when temperatures stayed above freezing. When the fish switched on, double takes were definitely possible.
There was no sign of crayfish during the session, so there was no need to wrap baits.
The successful setup was a 15mm Scopex Squid boilie from Hexabaits topped with a Cornz yellow pop up to make it waft, fished on a heli rig. Fluoro pop ups were also tried but produced no interest.
Baiting was kept light and simple, using sweetcorn and boilie crumb in small quantities, plus three boilies on a PVA string around the hook bait.
Overall, a very enjoyable family trip with plenty of action.
Andrew Greenwood
September 30, 2025 at 9:42 pmGreat week at Etang Boreal. Gorgeous accommodation superbly run by Vanessa & Sylvan.
The fishing was really good for the small amount of hours put in. The wildlife in and around the lake is amazing but our favourites are the family of ducks which you get to feed daily.
We will be returning next year
Chris Turner
September 7, 2025 at 2:57 pmAnother great week in 2025 of fishing 🎣 with friends.
Lots of fish caught, most of them mid 20’s. Beautiful Carp and sturgeon.
Thanks to our amazing hosts Vanessa and Sylvan, for making us feel so welcome.
We Love the cosy new extension and Swedish hot tub.
Plenty of space for us all to fish and relax.
The ladies liked to go out and explore the area during the day.
Chris Turner
September 7, 2025 at 2:53 pmAnother great week in 2025 of fishing 🎣 with friends.
Lots of fish caught, most of them mid 20’s.
Thanks to our amazing hosts Vanessa and Sylvan, for making us feel so welcome.
Love the cosy new extension and Swedish hot tub. Plenty of space for us all to fish and relax.
Steven
August 27, 2025 at 9:35 amwas a great relaxing 2 week holiday I didn’t fish during the day as spent that time with my wife and Granddaughter, fishing was from 9.00 PM – 11.00 AM but still managed 37 fish in that found far bank 4foot from bank any where along that bank produced and the corner near the gate under the tree was just as good
Ian
June 30, 2025 at 9:02 amI would like to thank you for the fishing venue. I had a really good time. The hosts were really acomadating and helpful, which made all the difference
Peter Molenkamp
September 23, 2024 at 11:26 amMy wife and i had a great time. The catch was not to good but also not bad. This beacause the guests behore us had a gokd catch, but also throw in a lot of baits.
The most carps are 15 to 20 lbs and also there are some big sturgeons… the biggest i catched was 26 lbs.
The place is magic. The host is very kindly and you have a lot of privacy….
For the next guests… say hi to the 4 white ducks who live there…
Geoff
September 23, 2024 at 10:40 amWe had a great week in boréal i had 39 fish in total , lots of different species. the fish in this place really fight well . The hosts were very nice and left us alone to enjoy our holiday. The facilities are brilliant and would definitely recommend it for families.
David B
August 14, 2024 at 2:02 pmExcellent facilities. What you see on the website is what it looks like.
Water was in a full algae bloom so was green all over the surface which spoilt the look of the lake. Fortunately there was an air pump running all the time and I didn’t see and signs of fish in distress.
Plenty of runs. Caught 48 fish, 7 species, fishing days only. Lost several too. Nothing big. 23lb common was the biggest Carp and 20lb the biggest sturgeon. Caught some nice Tench, just not on Tench gear. Had some oddities such as a black sturgeon of 9lbs and a grass Carp that was just over 20lb. Had some singles and low doubles so for us the average size was closer to 15lb rather than the 20lb average stated on the website.
However, all in all its a fantastic venue. A very thoughtful welcome gift as well. Thanks for having us.
Hartles
July 29, 2024 at 3:44 pmWe had a lovely week, relaxing and enjoying the peaceful surroundings. The owners were very welcoming and helpful. A thortful gift on arrival was a nice surprise.
The accommodation was clean and comfortable however, some equipment/areas could be improved, such as the gas BBQ.
The fishing was good. I had 34 carp mostly upper doubles, biggest 32llb. Also had 1 15llb sturgeon and few tench and some pesky bream! All fish came off far bank close to margin using large hard baits due to cray fish over a bed of pellets, crushed bollies and maize.
The local tackle shop (magic bollie) was about a 10/15min drive near the supermarket. I was able to get everything I needed there.
Katleen
July 22, 2024 at 9:42 amwe had a wonderful time and caught 42 fish . The lake is a superb idyllic and tranquil place to stay and myself and my husband will return in the near future. Thank you to Vanessa and her husband for everything they did you make our stay memorable
James Keys-Kidd
April 17, 2024 at 7:16 pmWe booked a week to relax , unwind and remove ourselves from the everyday stress that a busy life can bring. Whilst we booked quite last minute and with only having to wait 8 weeks or so for our visit we were still excited by the previous pictures and reviews that came with Boreal.
Even before arrival , Majestic Carp were fantastic and really communitive with messages, emails and updates of the pending trip. We knew that we were visiting in April so the weather could be mixed and it was exactly that , we had wind , rain , sun and what felt like summer on our last day.
The place it self is an easy drive from Calais and google maps directs you to the very gate . The place on the very first drive through the gates greets you with a smile and a real welcome, it looks amazing and the readiness to relax is upon you. Spotlessly clean , tidy and super luxurious in every detail . Everything you need is there and everything has been thought of , the bed was one of the most comfortable I have ever had the pleasure of sleeping in and to the point that we did not fish at night. Instead we enjoyed the hot tub, and a film in the evenings.
Before I mention the fishing , the owners Vanessa and her husband was amazing , the welcome and explanation of everything was brilliant and not a detail missed out of what was needed to be known. Phone number given and even messages during the week to check everything was ok and nothing was needed, even a text once we arrive home to check our final journey was good. So caring and welcoming and really a home from home feel.
So the fishing , whilst we knew the weather may be up and down , we knew this may have been the case for the fishing. I had a plan and that was to relax and enjoy our time away. Fish the mornings and then again in the evenings with the afternoons free for walks in the lovely forest , lunches out and time exploring.
Our week started with a tench so a great indication that the rigs were going to work and hopefully be correct for the venue. In essence the fishing was absolutely out of this world. By the time the week had finished we had caught and landed over 80 carp and countless bream and tench to a very decent size. The sturgeon did not fail to disappoint and were landed numerus times and really do fight. The carp are hard fighting and in great condition . Biggest carp went just over 31lb and for the week we had 2 x 30’s , 25 x 20’s and numerus doubles with only 1 or 2 singles.
Fishing to the margins produced the most bites and pop ups over particle was the key to the week, feeding little and often and resting the spots worked extremely well. The fish are switched on to pressure of the lines and resting the spots works well. By the end of the week we had 6/7 spots ready and prepped and kept moving around so not to scare the fish into not feeding.
Overall a great week , great owners and great fishing . We would both 100% recommend Boreal for a nice quite week and with some very hard fighting pretty fish.
Thank you to Majestic and to Boreal .
James and Samantha
Lockyer
April 8, 2024 at 2:09 pmWe had a lovely week relaxing, the owners are brilliant very polite and helpful and the accommodation is second to non. Easy drive to and from and all the local people are so friendly and helpful. We had several sturgeon the same one 3 times hundred of bream and a tench. We fished all week other going out for one meal and didn’t really see many carp although we did catch one on the last day about 8 lb. There was a lot of dead fish floating on top and the smell was awful . All in all we did have a nice time but we booked it for fishing in comfort and the fishing wasn’t great. Also something to be careful of is the owner asked to pay a €50 cleaning charge the night before we left we left the property very clean and tidy. After speaking majestic carp we was refunded straight away and they had been excellent from the moment we booked it
Crossman Darren
March 27, 2024 at 11:36 amAn amazing place to relax unwind and enjoy the beautiful surroundings. The accommodation is first class with everything you need to enjoy your stay. The hot tub an added bonus and can be enjoyed what ever the weather. The fishing was good to. We had nearly 50 fish in total and you never know what you will have on the end of your line. Carp, Sturgeon, Bream or Tench; every run a mystery until it surfaces. Considering the time of year this was a great week of catching fish. The hosts were very friendly and helpful throughout. Would definitely recommend.
Davies
October 10, 2023 at 7:29 amWhat an absolutely stunning gem!! Beautiful accommodation, spotlessly clean and well thought out with added extras that really make your stay first class. Hot tub, outdoor living area, gas bbq, well equipped kitchen and petanque rink, as well as many other touches you will discover that make your stay so comfortable, peaceful and easy. The hosts Vanessa and Sylvan were warm and friendly and left you in peace to enjoy your stay but were on hand should you need anything or have questions. We were blessed with good weather and blessed with many fish. The biggest being a 29lb mirror. As in a previous review the fishing can be a bit hectic with lots of fish being caught throughout the week ranging from carp (common/mirror), grass carp, sturgeon, tench and bream. It was exhausting and fun in equal measure and you were certainly kept busy which was great. We will absolutely be returning to L’Etange Boreal again and have already been recommending it to friends.
Some advice (I wish we had know when we arrived) – all supermarkets in the area close by midday on Sundays (arrival day) so go shopping before that time or come with provisions for the first afternoon/evening. The best supermarket within easy driving distance is Match in Monmignes (Belgium) approx 10 mins and is superbly stocked with everything you will need and has an amazing butchery counter.
John Sibun
September 14, 2023 at 4:16 pmThis is our second visit to Vanessa’s little gem. My sister and brother-in-law along with my wife arrived back here on the 3rd September. We arrived rather early so stopped off for some refreshments at the cafe/bar in the village, definitely worth a visit. Arriving at the large gates it felt like we were ‘home’. A warm welcome from Vanessa and we settled in for our week in heaven. This is just perfect for us, an abundance of wildlife welcomes you for your stay. Please note previous reviewers comments about the main sleeping area (the ladder up to the bedroom) if mobility is a problem for your party. Early morning visits (before 7am)to the bakers in the village by my sister for morning bread and croissants were just perfect. A huge thank you to Vanessa for recommending the butchers in Fourmis it was just wonderful. Now onto the fishing, despite temperatures of +30 degrees for the week a few carp were caught, the largest was 20lb 10oz with only 1 under 10lb. Some sturgeon along with a grass carp were also caught however we were inundated with Bream until we increased the bait size and did not feed any particles. Would I class this as a carp lake ? Personally no, I would rather call it a mixed fishery with carp due to the number of other smaller species that were caught. It hasn’t put us off because we have rebooked for 2025 whilst still there. It is just perfect for 2 anglers and 2 non-anglers who want a very relaxing time in this corner of France. So thank you Vanessa on behalf of our party for a wonderful stay at your lovely lake.
Claire Mack
June 27, 2023 at 4:04 pmStayed here with friends. The husband’s fished and my friend and I chilled. We loved the hot tub, outdoor lounge. The bedroom over looking the lake gorgeous, could do with some pegs to hang you clothes on, if you have a dress. There are hangers on a branch but wasn’t sure if it was sturdy. The only downside is that you have no on suite so have to pop outside to use the toilet. Our friends ended up sleeping on sofa bed as in previous reviews, only a ladder so not great if you have mobility issues.
Kitchen well equipped. Host Vanessa and her husband great.
We loved the ducks, especially the baby one who you could hand feed and they would come running when food was about.
Took the train to Paris for the day. 2 hours and 20 minutes. Train was quick, clean and on time.
Loved it so much we have already booked for next year.
Richard Webb
June 25, 2023 at 3:18 pmReturned last week from staying here and a very delightful place to stay and enjoy some very good runs. Didn’t catch anything over 22.6lb but must have been reeling in approx 6-8 a day coming in between 15/20lb.
A few tench and bream were caught as well, there are other fish in the lake
Vanessa always got back to me when a simple and silly question was brought up and I messaged her. A lovely couple and on behalf of our party, Thank you very much for helping to
Make our stay and a real treat
Richard 👍🏻
Paul H
April 7, 2023 at 12:59 pmthe stay was amazing ,the owners and the acomadation was first class !
Naya
August 14, 2022 at 10:30 amvery nice place, very pleasant, the scandinavian bath super, very good reception, we will return
John
August 2, 2022 at 1:21 pmwe had a thoroughly enjoyable time at Boreal, its quirkiness adds to its charm and beauty,although I believe some mention should be made in the advertisement regarding the need to use an extremely steep ladder to access the bedroom in the main accommodation, that being said as there were only two of us we used the separate bedroom which offers beautiful views of the lake although a contained toilet would certainly add to its appeal,the fishing was at times hectic with many fish caught up to 39lb…But for me there are to many nuisance fish in the lake,it would benefit from being netted and many of the bream, tench and small carp removed.
The owners are delightful and nothing was to much trouble for them,a lovely couple
All in all a very enjoyable stay in beautiful surroundings
John
July 17, 2022 at 11:29 amA wonderful weekend that is coming to an end, a very beautiful and quiet place, very well received. We are already looking forward to coming back
Nicolas
June 12, 2022 at 6:28 pmA weekend in paradise for Daddy the fisherman, Mummy the relaxer and baby the discoverer…the welcome was top notch, warm and available…the stay was just a dream for the 3 of us…the gite is classy and tasteful, the outside is idyllic, rural, with just the right amount of naturalness to keep the place clean and practical. There are so many beautiful and good moments, especially as a couple…especially with a baby…especially if you love nature, fishing, aperitifs by the water, barbecues in front of the ducks, Nordic baths in front of the horses…don’t go there, we’re the ones who found this piece of happiness….bon ok go there because it’s so good…enjoy it!!!
Claudine
October 25, 2021 at 1:35 pmWe have just spent somes days in this magnificent place, calm and restful with a magical decor in these holiday periods! breakfast at the top! refinement, comfort, waking up facing the pond, the room flooded with sun in this month of November, happiness!!! no need to go far to be happy!
We will come back for sure
Jill McQuillan
September 15, 2021 at 1:51 pmBeautiful location, wonderful hosts, peace and tranquility for a week. Your information needs to include the fact that there is a ladder to access the upper bedroom and the lack of toilet in the annex – although there is an ‘outside’ toilet attached to the main living accommodation as well as the indoor bathroom. Our party of four adults meant that my husband and I had to use the sofa bed as we were not happy to use the ladder due to mobility issues for three out of four of us and the fact that the ladder does not have a handrail. The ladder is also extremely large and difficult to manoeuvre into place. The shower tray is not very deep and therefore does leak so you need to be mindful of this and there is no hot water to the sinks in the bathroom or outside toilet. Also, your information states that the security deposit can be paid by card – this is not the case and cleared my cash Euro’s out completely as I have a currency card which I would have used for the deposit. Having said all this, the location is stunning, the deer are delightful and the ducks tell you when they are hungry. We had a lovely week and although the average weight of carp caught was under 15lb both anglers enjoyed their time there.
Emma
August 22, 2021 at 1:25 pmExcellent place to recharge and relax
Come and discover, you won’t regret it
Julie
July 25, 2021 at 10:24 amVery good welcome, nice place and good breakfast …. All in all, a perfect place to spend a pleasant stay
Virginie
July 12, 2021 at 1:02 pmSuperb and relaxing place!
Nathalie
July 11, 2021 at 11:21 amVery good welcome, nice place and good breakfast …. All in all, a perfect place to spend a pleasant stay
Florine
June 27, 2021 at 1:20 pmVery well received on our arrival, beautiful place, very quiet & very clean, I recommend 100% and I would come back!
Thanks to you all!
David
June 20, 2021 at 4:18 pmvery nice and quiet place .owners very welcoming .thank you for everything
Lucien
June 6, 2021 at 1:16 pmDelightful stay in a place of complete relaxation, ideal for recharging your batteries! Natural moments to share with fishermen, lovers and families. The decoration is neat and cosy, the owners are welcoming… everything is there to spend a nice holiday!
Gwen
May 9, 2021 at 1:08 pmA beautiful landscape, a remarkable calm, a very nice welcome, a warm and cocooning decoration, a pond where fishing is pleasant with various fish, an excellent breakfast… All this at Boreal!
A very pleasant place to stay, whether you are in love, with family, friends or even alone! A change of scenery guaranteed!
We’ll be back for sure!!!!!
Kenny
April 21, 2021 at 7:44 pmBeautiful and relaxing place made with great taste. The breakfast basket is of high quality. The owners are very pleasant and welcoming. The Scandinavian bath was appreciated with the heat. To be done again with Christmas decoration
Perrine
October 26, 2020 at 1:37 pmWe had a pleasant stay, quiet, relaxing, magical place. Gite, fishing, breakfast, view on the pond when we woke up, top notch
Ayou
October 6, 2020 at 1:15 pmA magnificent haven of peace that you don’t want to leave! ?
Warm welcome, comfort and impeccable cleanliness..??
All decorated with taste..!
Remi
October 4, 2020 at 10:13 amA place of relaxation and calm, ideal for those who love to fish for fish. With family or friends you will find a superb escape from everyday life.
Rbki
September 26, 2020 at 5:12 pma small, warm and soothing paradise, ideal for disconnecting from everyday life, with the added bonus of the ducks, which were much appreciated by our 16-month-old darling
Gwen
September 20, 2020 at 11:22 amWhat to say…..
A haven of peace!
A remarkable calm!
Birds singing…ducks…
Fishing, walks….
And all this in a marvellous idyllic setting, received by very friendly hosts who care about our well-being!
Ju
September 13, 2020 at 8:07 amA sweet moment of escape, calm and serenity are in order! Vanessa’s welcome plunges us directly into this atmosphere as soon as we arrive in this special place… A boat, ducks, two small cabins and the forest: nothing like it to forget the worries of everyday life… and to finish: a delicate taste for decoration and a top breakfast ? ! We look forward to coming back when the good weather returns.
Citynath
August 16, 2020 at 3:00 pmsuperb location in the middle of nature
Laetitia
August 9, 2020 at 1:05 pmCharming, soothing, rejuvenating place, both inside and out. Sublime decor
Jane A
August 1, 2020 at 9:25 pmWhat a fabulous place to stay for a week. Enjoyed the tranquility of Boreal so very much, the abundant wildlife was a real bonus on top of the fishing wish meant an idyllic stay for thr anglers and non anglers alike. Whilst we didn’t catch a monster, we enjoyed the fishing immensely. The accommodation was great, although I think you should mention the ladder required to access bedroom in main accommodation for the more immobile. That said a fabulous week and we plan to return next year.
Ben Davies
August 7, 2020 at 12:48 pmHi jade, just wondering if it is only one cabin on the lake or if there is more, thank you in advanced hoping to go just want the privacy and freedom of being out there and no bother 🙂
Gavin McQuillan
August 16, 2020 at 7:02 pmJane A, thanks for your review, especially about access to main bedroom as 4 of us are due to visit Sept 21. Could you advise about fishing tactics as we don’t want to bring to much of the incorrect bait ie. Hemp or pellet
Gart
July 6, 2020 at 1:03 pmWe had a great weekend in a wonderful place that I would recommend to anyone.
Helen
June 26, 2020 at 1:01 pmA fisherman’s paradise…
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