Description:

What better way to experience the Loire Valley than to stay in an elegant little manor house on the grounds of a beautiful private chateau in the prettiest part of chateau country? This is an ideal accommodation. The location is wonderful for touring. It is just 10 minutes from Azay le Rideau, a delightful small town with its own classified chateau, an excellent selection of shops and an outdoor weekly market. In addition to Azay, there are many famous chateaux to visit all within 45 minutes' drive: Chinon, Villandry, Chenonceau, Amboise, Langeais and more. Tours, a graceful city with high speed train to Paris is less than an hour by car. The countryside here is lovely with gently rolling hills, oak forests and meandering rivers. In addition, the area is famous for its wine, cheese and excellent food. Visiting local producers and enjoying market days is a great treat. There is also biking, canoeing, golf and hiking close by.

The manor house is located just outside the stone walls of the chateau itself and forms its own courtyard with several ancient farm buildings. In fact, it is called La Cour de la Ferme. The manor house was built during the Renaissance and is a classified historic monument. It has stone walls, window carvings and the original tile roof. The entire chateau and outbuildings were recently purchased by a Parisian family and are fully restored in great taste. The manor house forms an "L" opening to a pretty patio and herb garden, an ideal place to enjoy meals outside. Entry is to the the large living room with an open fireplace, exposed beams, stone walls and very pretty and comfortable furniture. There is a pretty country kitchen, a rectangular room with a high ceiling and open fireplace on one end which serves as the dining area. The other end has a lower ceiling with exposed beams and is the kitchen portion. All the appliances are stainless steel, and the dining table is glass with contemporary grey chairs. The contrast between the contemporary appliances and the exposed stone and wood makes a pleasing effect. The kitchen has a door to the patio and garden, make meals outside very convenient. There is one bedroom on the ground floor. This is a large room with twin beds and an ensuite contemporary bathroom separated from the room by a 3/4 wall. Here there is a square sink, walk-in shower with slate grey walls and toilet. This room has a door to the garden.

A circular stairway with good stone steps leads upstairs to the other bedrooms. One bedroom has a double bed, wood floors, and ensuite walk-in shower, sink and toilet. The other bedroom room is a corner room with a queen bed, the original brick floor and 3 steps down to its bathroom with 2 grey square sinks, a walk-in shower and toilet. All the bedrooms have elegant drapes, fine linen, good lighting and pretty decor.

Guests are welcome to enjoy the vast gardens and the adjoining forests. There is an old barn across the drive with a ping pong table and a pretty orangerie now used by the owner as an art studio. Past this is an open field and stables where a horse and some donkeys are kept just for fun. Beyond is the forest from which, on quiet evenings, one can sometimes hear the call of a deer or wild boar. To the other side of the field are several lovely gardens each landscaped in a different style. The tennis court and heated swimming pool are available for guests for 2 hours/day when owners are in residence. (Times negotiable upon arrival). Other times, guests have full use of both.

Location Information:

Immediately outside Chiellé no facilities. 4km W of Azay-le-Rideau, most facilities, weekly outdoor market, classified chateau and "petit train" to Tours(30 minutes); 32km SW of Tours all facilities including high speed train to Paris (1 hour)

Client Comments:

"This house was perfect for our family. The gardens were beautiful! We loved eating outside. The owners were so warm and welcoming. They were an invaluable resource when I lost my passport. We all agreed that this was our best vacation to date. We can't wait to go back again!"
-Debbie C., St. Louis, MO