06 July 2018 by Laura Habgood

The Cottage, Indre et Loire, Loire Valley

This peaceful cottage is set back from the road, it’s pretty old stone walls swathed in sweet smelling wisteria and its shutters a Provençal blue. The cottage is located in the rolling countryside of the Loire Valley and can sleep up to 4 people in 2 bedrooms making this the ideal retreat for a small family or 2 couples holidaying together.

Full of rustic charm and stunning views

You step straight into a charming, rustic sitting room with a beamed ceiling, tiled floor, comfortable leather chairs and a wood-burning stove. The bright, sunny kitchen is fully equipped with everything you need for cooking, and the long pine table is perfect for enjoying a meal although on summer nights we’re sure you’ll be dining al fresco outside on the pergola terrace, surrounded by the herbs and lavender. The views are stunning, it’s a haven for wildlife and the top of the hill is brilliant for star-gazing.

Upstairs, the large double bedroom has traditional roof timbers, exposed stone walls and marble-topped tables, perfect for a romantic retreat. The smaller twin room is ideal for youngsters and is colourful and comfortable.
There’s loads to do on site – on warm days you can simply choose to relax and soak up the sunshine in the walled and flower-trellised garden or if you are feel like being more active just across the lane there’s archery, badminton, lawn tennis and a fabulous solar heated saltwater pool with loungers.

Perfect for exploring

Although The Cottage is situated in rural France, it’s still within easy reach of plenty of shops and only an hour from the large town of Tours. The nearby village of Barrou has a small boulangerie where you can pick up freshly baked bread daily and a little further out in Lesigny there is a larger patisserie where you can buy delicious French treats!
For guests who like to keep fit on their holiday, there are plenty of lakes and rivers nearby for swimming in and miles of long traffic free roads winding throughout the countryside for running and cycling.
No visit to the Loire Valley would be complete without a wine tasting at a local vineyard or a trip to one of the numerous chateaux – the tour of nearby Chateau de la Guerche has been recommended as one of the best for families.

A new life for the Owners

The property is owned by Liz Johnston-Trow who along with her husband and daughter in the summer of 2016 made the bold decision to up sticks and move to France! From the moment they viewed The Cottage and its neighbouring gites they knew it was the one for them, and although still early days, they fall more in love with the Loire Valley every day.
Liz and family are keen triathletes and can provide their guests with guided bike rides or exercise classes ranging from gentle low impact to something more intensive if you fancy it