Notes from the host
Loire Valley Cottage
La Ménagerie is a late 18th century stone cottage and former wine-maker’s house. It is located in central Loire Valley, right in the heart of the Grand Chateau area: the Chambord,Cheverny and Chenonceau "golden triangle".
The cottage itself sits in the midst of woods, fields and vineyards, a very tranquil location, near a small hamlet of a few farms and cottages. Yet, the villages of Chitenay or Fougeres-sur Bievre are at biking distance (2 miles). The small town of Contres, with all services and facilities, including two supermarkets and a weekly street market, is only 10 min. away by car. The royal city of Blois is only 10 miles away. From Paris, it is a 2 hours and a half car ride under normal traffic conditions, and one hour and a half by train (Blois/Chambord-Paris Austerlitz railway stations).
The house is typical of the traditional 'longère' style, with a long facade and an upper floor with dormer windows. Its surface is approximately 2045 square feet, or 190 m2. With three bedrooms, two bathrooms and two powder rooms with WC and basin, it can accommodate up to six adults in comfort. A renovation completed in 2005, preserved the character of the winemaker house while making it as comfortable as any contemporary home. Indeed, this property is not only charming... but also very comfortable! At “La Ménagerie”, charm does rime with comfort. It features quality beds and mattresses, fluffy towels, washer AND dryer, THREE WCs, two full bathrooms and two powder rooms (one at each floor), gourmet kitchen utensils and equipment, in particular. And a Finnish Sauna!
It is furnished with country style and a few French antiques, with a touch of international contemporary design, and decorated with antique paintings and tapestries. It features wooden ceiling beams, hardwood floors and a fireplace.
The house is set on two floors. The ground floor features a large living-room and dining area centered around a fireplace. The kitchen is open to the living and dining areas. It is well equipped with gourmet cooking utensils. The dining area has a large table that can sit up to eight persons.
The main bedroom downstairs has a queen size bed and its French window opens to a pergola and a deck around the pool on the South-West facade (enjoy the sunsets!). The other bedroom on the ground floor has twin beds; its French window opens to a patio under a gloriette (North-East facade), with BBQ, eak table and chairs, shadowed by pine trees and silver birch trees. The ground floor also features a laundry room with a SAUNA, a full bathroom with a shower and toilet, and a powder room with a toilet and basin.
The third bedroom is upstairs and has a full size bed under the roof. It is lightened with two dormer windows and is en suite with a bathroom that has a bathtub, and a powder room with a toilet and basin. The bedroom also opens into a library full of books in English, French and Spanish. On this same first floor, there is a family room with a flat-screen TV, international channels through satellite and sound system.
In case you would have to add two more guests to your family and siblings reunion, there is a side/self standing charming cottage next to main cottage on the same courtyard. It has a veranda/breakfast nook, a fully equipped kitchen, full bathroom and a bedroom/living room with a full size bed that can accommodate two guests in comfort. And if you would need one more bedroom for a couple (that is up to a total of 4 additional guests in the side cottage), a large bedroom that connects with the ground floor unit through an indoor staircase can also be rented-out. Under the rooftop, this bedroom is actually the largest in the property. It has a queen size bed and has the most spectacular views over the countryside surroundings.
These options for two or four additional guests are upon request and are not included in the basic rental fees for the property. In order to ensure full privacy to your party during, if you only rent the main cottage, the side cottage won't be rented-out to another party.
With numerous windows, large skylights and a South- West main exposure, the house enjoys lots of sunlight and great views of night skies full of stars. Windows on the south-west side look towards the pool and nearest hamlet; other windows have stunning views on the surrounding fields, vineyards and woods.
Keywords: French Country living, rural Gite, French Cottage, Chateau country, Central Loire Valley, Blois, Cheverny, Chambord, Sologne, vacation rental for family reunions in France, French country lifestyle, sleeps 6 to 8, all generations, vacation rental in the center of France, French Country lifestyle, Loire wines, Loire vineyards, wineries, chateau hop and stop, chateau hopping, gourmet cooking, large living room, three bedrooms two full bathrooms, three WC. Loire Valley hiking and biking, Loire Valley wines,
