Description
The House and Area
Stop press! Hoopoes heard a lot over the last few days and seen several times in the garden today (31 May)!
This comfortable and well-furnished house with a heated private pool is perfect for a relaxed holiday close to the chateaux of the Loire Valley.
The house is in a lovely village near Montrichard. It is spacious and modern, standing in its own extensive grounds.
Two terraces run along almost the whole length of the house at both front and rear. The garden is large with specimen trees, palms, fruit trees and a stout old walnut tree. Pride of place is however taken by the beautifully positioned heated pool some ten metres away from the house, it is ten metres long by five wide and 1.4 metres deep. There is a barbecue near the pool, from here you have easy access to the rear door of the summer kitchen and into the house. Free Wifi is also available.
For those days when relaxing by the pool is not enough, the property is a perfect base for day trips. The greatest advantage of the house is its proximity to the famous Chateaux; you are less than 20km from the wonderful Chenonceau - the much photographed chateau that spans the river Cher, which is, after Versailles, the most well known in France. The property is also within 35km of most other famous chateaux; Chambord, Cheverny, Chaumont, Amboise, Blois and more. At Montrichard, there is a castle, river beach for bathing, and the possibility of hot air balloon trips. Other interesting things to do can be found in the peaceful countryside of the Sologne (cycling tracks, walks, fishing), the National Stud farm at Blois, or further away, Futuroscope.
An official study in 2017 showed that the three most popular tourist attractions in the area were the Zoo-park near St
Aignan, the Chateau of Chenonceau and the Chateau of Chambord. The villa is centrally situated for visiting all three as well as the
as the next most popular, the two chateaux at Amboise.
Things to See and Do
IMontrichard
Montrichard is a delightful small French town, with all you'd expect and more. For a start there are good local shops as well as supermarkets. There is an excellent butcher/charcuterie and several other cooked food shops selling quiches, prepared meals etc. There are several bakers and a patisserie/chocolaterie to die for (we try to avoid passing it to avoid temptation!). There are several restaurants – especially in a small square with outside tables. Markets day is Friday morning (excellent local food).Opposite the town is the beach – on the river of course – with a sandy shore and boats for hire – canoes, pedalos, kayaks and rowing boats.
Because it is in a wine growing area, there are plenty of wine-tasting opportunities and the Monmousseau Wine Caves are really enjoyable – you can see how sparkling wine is made with a taster at the end.
Cycles can be hired in the town (or delivered to the villa if you want them for longer), so you can enjoy the local tracks. (Consider booking this in advance – we have more details.) For the less (or more) active there is good walking by the river, in the vineyards or in the woods. You can also go hot air ballooning!
The nearest restaurant is in the village, just over a mile away and has lovely outdoor seating overlooking the village lake. It's a pleasant walk along a quiet road or via the vineyards. The nearest boulangerie/patisserie is at Thesee - and it's really good for bread croissants and cakes - it's just under a mile and a half from the house by road or under two miles using the path / cycle track along the river Cher.
The best-known attractions of the area are the Chateaux and the villa is ideally placed to visit the most famous ones. Half an hour in the car will get you to Chenonceau, Amboise and Cheverney and an extra 10 mins or so to Chambord . Previous guests have said:
Chateau de Chenonceau - Brilliant, everything you expect: take a rowing boat to see the arches from the river.
Chateau de Chambord - Fantastic, very impressive.
Amboise - Must see – Da Vinci was tops with many of his inventions made up from his drawings.
Golf at Chateau de Cheverny - Wonderful
Other attractions -
Perhaps the most visited of the other attractions was the zoo park at Beauval (just south of Saint-Aignan, less than 30 mins drive). Guests describe this as a fantastic day out and open quite late. The animals are well cared for and the white tigers breath-taking. The birds of prey flying show and sea lions display are not to be missed.
Guests describe the villa as being in an excellent area for a holiday in France, with the whole area seeming like one big garden and a great location for touring.
Staying at Home
Although none of our guests has suggested they were short of things to do, quite a few have chosen just to chill out after a hard year's work! Here are a few of the things they have said about the house itself:
Beautiful property – everything we could have hoped for.
The villa was everything we thought it would be and better.
We have had great fun by the poolside on hot days.
We have all had a fab holiday. We love the villa – so spacious, clean and well-equipped.
Layout
Ground Floor - entrance hall, kitchen (electric and gas hob , integral oven), spacious through sitting room / dining area with open fireplace, French windows to all these rooms, corridor, off which one king-size double bedroom (180cm bed), 1 bathroom (bath, shower attachment, bidet, handbasin) and WC. Summer kitchen (electric hob, oven) with plenty of space for bike storage.
Upstairs - Large landing / reading room with DVD player, 3 double bedrooms (2 with twin beds, 1 with 160cm bed with ensuite shower room inc WC).
Amenities - Washing machine, Dishwasher, Fridge-Freezer, Microwave, CD Player, Private Heated Pool with sonic alarm 10m x 5m x 1.5 m deep (unsuitable for diving), ample parking in front of house for 4 cars, barbecue. Prices include all linen; heating: hot water and cooking included. Central heating (if needed) extra.
Sleeps maximum of 8 people.