A home away from home

Meeting Aude and Dave Nyhlen of B&B La Marguerite 60

Hauts-de-France in the north is known for its historic cities graced with marvelous architecture, wide stretches of fertile flatlands, sandy dunes, magnificent woodlands and spectacular coastlines with handsome seaside towns such as Le Touquet-Paris-Plage, Wimereux and Boulogne-sur-Mer (France’s largest fishing port).
It is in the Oise department where we meet Aude and Dave Nyhlen, an American-French couple who run B&B La Marguerite 60. Let’s have a chat with them!

---

Where are you originally from and why did you choose to settle in the Oise department? 

I’m originally from a suburb of Chicago, Illinois, and my wife Aude is originally from the Oise department. We met while I was working in France in 2000 for a French-owned company I had started working for in the States in 1988. We were married in January 2003 and lived in Burlington, Wisconsin, for seven years before I retired in 2010. Then we moved to France, back to where my wife grew up. 

Tell us about the department and what makes it so attractive?

The Oise department is rich in history and architecture. You can find traces of both World Wars in Oise. There are several famous castles, including Château de Compiègne (Napoleon’s castle) and Château de Chantilly,  but also cathedrals such as Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Noyon and Cathédrale Saint-Pierre de Beauvais.

It also reminds me a lot of the area and countryside of where we lived in Burlington, Wisconsin. Lots of nature and wildlife surround us here. And it’s just an hour from Paris, which makes our location ideal. 

Describe the village of Beaurains-lès-Noyon?

Our B&B, La Marguerite 60, is located in a typical small village of about 300 people in the midddle of the French countryside. Our guests get to experience the tranquility of living in a small French village. 

What inspired you to start a B&B?

It was my dream to open a B&B after retiring one day. When that time came, my wife mentioned her grandparents’ house was available, but it was in France. This made my dream a reality. It only took three years after starting our renovations to start welcoming guests. 

Tell us about La Marguerite 60 and what you offer guests?

We renovated the original farmhouse into the B&B and the barn into our living quarters. We offer our guests private sleeping arrangements away from us. Our B&B offers three bedrooms equipped with queen-sized beds and private showers and toilets. One bedrooms on the ground floor is also certified as ‘Handicap Accessible.’ Another bedroom upstairs offers two additional single (twin) beds and a private sitting area (suite) ideal for a family of up to four.

My wife and I greet our guests with a warm, American welcome upon arrival and want every guest to feel as though they are at home when staying at La Marguerite 60. We offer them a beverage. Usually coffee, tea, sodas, juice, water or beer, which I passionately produce on the premises. 

Breakfast is always enjoyable, and besides the fare of a local boulanger, it includes my wife’s homemade cake, crumble or pie, confitures, choice of beverages and juice. We are not a table d’hôtes, but for dinner we do offer a selection of various economically, locally produced ‘Meals du Terroir,’ which includes a main dish, dessert, bread and a beverage.

What do you think guests like most about staying with you?

Our hospitality, the tranquility of the area, being able to get a peaceful nights’ sleep, a comfortable mattress and homemade breakfasts and confitures.

What are the must-sees in the area?

Depending upon interests, there are 17 kilometers of walking/bicycle paths passing through our village along the Canal du Nord. The historic city of Noyon is just four kilometers away and home to one of the first Gothic cathedrals constructed in France, Musée Jean Calvin (Founder of Calvinism) and the Musée du Noyonnais, where you can discover more about the town and its history. The Chiry-Ourscamp Abbey, Montigny Quarries in Machemont, the Armistice Car and Clearing in Compiegne and the Château de Pierrefonds are all within close proximity to us. 

Which local food markets would you recommend and which local specialty is an absolute must-try? 

There are various markets in Noyon (including the food market held every Saturday morning. The Ficelle Picarde (stuffed crèpe), Potée Picarde (a meat and vegetables stew) and the flamiche (a quiche made with leeks) are regional dishes very much worth trying.

Can you recommend any special events held in the area?

The Marché aux Fruits Rouges (Red Fruit Market) is held the first weekend in July around the Cathedral of Noyon. Red fruit vendors sell their production and there are all kinds of events, culinary demonstrations and a Medieval market. 

What was the loveliest compliment you’ve received from a guest?

That we make them totally feel at home here with us. Some have said it’s their home away from home. 

La Marguerite 60