Description
This is a charming 15th century manor house situated on the banks of the river
Vienne, just 3km or 5 minutes drive from the medieval town of Chinon. The house
is tastefully decorated and furnished in the period style of the house.
Entrance is through original stone steps, where there is found a large living
room (50m) which features a grand stone fireplace with carved illustration of
the discovery of America. This room also has an dining area. The room has views
over the Vienne which are truly breathtaking. The kitchen is fully equipped with
cooker, microwave, dishwasher, fridge/freezer, toaster, coffee maker and washing
machine.
The property has 5 bedrooms, 2 doubles, 3 twins and will therefore sleep up to
8/10 persons. Of the 2 bathrooms, one has a bath and the other a shower. There
are 2 separates WCs.
The kitchen leads out to a terrace, where you will find garden furniture and BBQ
equipment. And there is access to a picturesque garden which has sun loungers
for those who like to relax in peaceful surroundings. For the more active, all
members of the family can enjoy the free use of canoes for trips up and down the
Vienne, taking in the gentle, but wild beauty of the river. From the 2004 season
a pool has been installed to add to your enjoyment.
Local Area
Chinon is a medieval town, which lies on the banks of the Vienne, crowned by an
old fortress château towering high above it. The centre of the town has many
lovely old houses, particularly around the Rue Voltaire and the Place du Grand
Carroi, which has associations with such historical figures as Richard
Coeur-de-Lion and Joan of Arc, who stayed at the inn here while waiting to be
received by the king. The poet Rabelais spent his early years here, which
inspired several of his poems; it isn't hard to imagine the town teeming with
Rabelaisian life.
Chinon has all kinds of shops, markets every Sunday and Tuesday morning and a
good choice of restaurants. It is also famous for its wine and there is lots of
opportunity to taste or visit some of the vineyards and the wine museum.
Activities
There is a golf course in Roiffé (20 minutes), a swimming pool and tennis courts
in Chinon. This is great riding country and there are stables where you can hire
horses to suit all levels of expertise in Avoine, 10 minutes away. Children may
prefer the ponies at Cinais, 5 minutes from here.
Some of the greatest of the Loire châteaux are less than an hour's drive.
Chenonceaux (45 minutes), built over the river Cher in 1520, is a must. Given to
his mistress Diane de Poitiers by Henry II, it was later owned by Catherine de
Medici, who created part of the gardens there.
The gracious Renaissance Château d'Azay-le-Rideau (15 minutes) is beautifully
set amongst trees on the edge of a small village, moated by the Indre river. The
gardens especially are worth seeing.
Chambord (1 hour), a forerunner of Versailles, is the largest and perhaps the
most imposing of all with no fewer than 440 rooms and a huge staircase. Many of
the kings of France came to spend the summer here and Moliére wrote several of
his plays while staying here.
Travel
Airports: Paris - 230 km, Tours - 50 km
Road: A10 from Paris, Tours - 50 km, Saumur - 25 km
Rail: Chinon - 3 km (TGV)
