Notes from the host
L'Autre Vie
Our renovated farmhouse with large outdoor swimming pool (with safety fence), heated and available for use from mid-May to mid-October - is set in a tranquil hamlet surrounded by countryside, and is situated at the heart of the hamlet behind the old lavoir, where the people of the community used to come to wash their clothes. The only noise you are likely to encounter will be from the passing tractors and cows. At night you can sit on the beautiful terrace under the pergola and enjoy star-gazing, undisturbed by any competing light. The terrace benefits from outdoor dining and lounging furniture and lighting, and a barbecue. In the daytime keep a lookout for the buzzards, rabbits, and deer that appear both in the garden and in the surrounding fields. The house, formerly two farmhouses and two barns, has been renovated to a high standard with original features throughout but all modern conveniences such as underfloor heating and quality fittings in the spacious and well-equipped kitchen and four bathrooms and downstairs toilet. The kitchen has a double-oven and grill, plate-warming oven, dish-washer, food-mixer, two coffee machines (capsule style and filter), Raclette machine, extensive cooking and baking equipment and a large dining table and chairs, plus two high chairs. In the separate utility room, there is a washing machine and dryer plus an iron/ironing board. The house has six bedrooms. These consist of four doubles, one quadruple (double bed with two single beds (one more in the nature of a child's bed), one room (through which access to two of the double rooms is necessary) with bunk beds and a single folding bed, a downstairs bedroom with a double bed and two rooms (the TV room and playroom) also benefit from double sofa-beds for the larger groups. The TV room has a television and a DVD player. In the playroom there is a desk and a children's table and chairs, with lots of toys, puzzles, table football and board (and other) games. The house has one fixed cot and one travel cot for guests' use. The three upstairs double bedrooms are all en suite, with bathroom 3 benefiting from a large corner bath, separate shower and two sinks. Both of the other en suite bathrooms have a toilet, sink and bath with integrated shower, and heated towel rails. The quadruple bedroom is located near the fourth full bathroom, down a small staircase: that bathroom has a toilet, sink and bath with shower.
In the very large sitting room, which is open to the beamed roof above and with a galleried landing around, is plenty of space for relaxing and, in the colder months, enjoying the lovely open log fire. In the mezzanine gallery above, is an additional relaxing area with TV/Wii, a DVD/video player and PlayStation 4. The very large garden and terrace with large heated swimming pool (open for use mid-May through to mid-October), is perfect for enjoying a barbecue and relaxing in total calm, or for watching the children playing on the climbing frame/swing set.
The house is in a lovely location for gentle or longer, more challenging, bike rides (we have some bikes available for borrowing though they are basic and old; we try to keep them maintained but no promises!), for trips into the wine country of Pouilly and Sancerre or simply for relaxing! Day trips to Vezelay and into the Morvan forest are also highly recommended for nature and food lovers alike!
In the winter months, the house is very atmospheric, when you have a blazing log fire and brisk walks in the countryside. Lots of fun indoors but also for the children making camps outside in the garden. We have an artificial Christmas tree (albeit a bit old!) for guests to borrow, together with some ornaments but feel free to bring more. This is a house that you can make look like a Christmas movie :)
