Adult Only Cottages

Les Frippierers

37350 Chaumussay

Nearest town: Chatellerault

Ken and Liz Mason the resident owners of three 350 year old stone cottages with beamed ceilings and terra cotta floors, set in an acre of gardens nestling on the edge of a lovely hamlet surrounded by open fields in the heart of the Loire Valley. To maintain the tranquility of the setting and to ensure total relaxation during your holiday with us we only accept adults.

Our local villages of Le Grand Pressigny and Preuilly sur Claise can provide you with all the usual French treats such as the Boulangerie for fresh breads and tarts to the Charcuterie and Boucherie for meats, both have weekly markets.

Each cottage has its own private area of garden, the gardens include lawns, an orchard with plum, pear, apple, cherry and walnut trees and we also have a herb garden. We have tried to broaden the range of plants in the garden so that no matter what time of the year you chose to visit there will be plenty to look at. There are too many flowers and shrubs to mention but we do have many types of clematis, honeysuckle, rose, grape vines, jasmine, sweet pea, laveteria and lavender. If you enjoy home cooking, our herb garden provides you with parsley, basil, coriander, chive, dill, lemon balm, mint, tarragon, thyme, rosemary, bay and sage.

Set in a quiet part of the gardens with views over open fields you will find our 10 x 4 metre swimming pool, for sun worshipers this part of the garden has sun from early morning until nearly sunset. Our aim is to help you to relax by providing you with quiet and romantic surroundings with excellent accommodation in this beautiful unspoilt part of the Loire Valley. All three cottages which still retain many of their original features and rustic charm, have been equipped to a very high standard and are lovingly and tastefully furnished

La Lune has been described as our ‘chocolate box cottage,’ as you will see from the photographs. Set at the rear of the gardens it is very private. The cottage has a living/dining room with a woodburning stove, kitchen and shower room with toilet and basin. The bedroom with its king size bed has french windows which lead directly onto a private terrace with garden furniture and BBQ

Recreational opportunities abound in the region. Biking on the almost traffic-free country roads alongside the wide rivers, privately-owned châteaux and red-roofed villages, certainly qualifies as one of the most delightful activities. The many rivers which honeycomb the area, from the Creuse to the Gartempe to the Anglin, will be of special interest to swimmers and those who enjoy fishing. Bird watching is especially well-rewarded in the Regional Park of the Brenne, a wildlife refuge. Amateur spelunkers will be able to explore numerous caves inhabited during the Stone Age, and rock climbers will find the limestone cliffs a major challenge. Other outdoor activities include horse-riding, tennis and golfing.

Attractions

The Loire Vally: This incomparable valley, also known as the "Valley of the Kings" for its many châteaux (or castles), is certainly one of the best-known tourist attractions in the world. Tours, the main city of the Loire, is a 50 minute drive from Les Frippières. Major châteaux such as Chenonceau, Azay-Le-Rideau, Blois, Villandry, Chaumont, Loches, Ussé, Amboise (where Leonardo da Vinci spent his last days working for the great Renaissance king, François I), are about one hours drive. During the summer months, some of the châteaux present their own "Son et Lumière", a spectacle of light and music - not to be missed!
The Area
Local Golf

Chateaux Recommendations: Our personal favourites to visit from the outside: Chenonceaux, Chambord and Azay Le Rideau, (Azay Le Rideau features a special "son et lumière"). Beautifully furnished are: Ussé, Cheverney and Azay Le Ferron.

Fontevraud: Royal Abbey of Fontevraud. One of the largest monastic cities remaining in Europe (12th - 18th century). On 35 acres of territory.

Richelieu: Next to the palatial castle, preceding the erection of the town by 6 years, the Cardinal Richelieu nourished the ambition of building a town which would become the exclusive residential quarter of his followers and courtiers. It was indeed achieved in 1631. Park of the former palatial castle of Richelieu, destroyed during the Great Revolution of 1789.

The Limousin(1½ hour): This is the famous porcelain-producing region of Limoges with its many showrooms, museums, and consumer outlets. The deeply affecting World War II monument at Oradour-sur-Glane is also located here.

Paris(1½ hour from Chatellerault): With the TGV high-speed train, it is even possible to leave from Les Frippières for Paris in the morning and return that same night!

La Rochelle(2 hours): As popular a vacation destination for the French as the better known Riviera, this entirely preserved medieval city remains a well-kept secret to most other tourists. Site of a decisive battle In 1628 between French troops let by Cardinal Richelieu and the invading English, the glorious harbour, dominated by twin stone towers, is now the biggest yachting center on France's Atlantic coast. The local seafood, particularly the justly famous "fruits de mer", is a treat you will not want to miss.

Dordogne (2 hours): Home of the Lascaux cave and other ancient sites, the Dordogne is also known for some of the best cuisine in France.

Museums Le Grand Pressigny: Important prehistorical museum, which is established in the Renaissance wing of the château. It displays prehistoric tools and other artifacts excavated locally (collection of over 10'000 objects) and examples of reconstructed terrain to illustrate how prehistoric men lived. A large collection of fossilized shells found in the region is displayed separately.

La Celle Guenand: Tool and traditional crafts museum, devoted to tools, implements and machinery used in more than a hundred different crafts and trades, illustrates life in rural France in the 19th and 20th centuries.

Marnay/Azay Le Rideau: "Musée Maurice Dufresne". 2,000 machines and technical instruments from the last 3 centuries.

Festivals And Music: It is impossible to list the large number and variety of festivals held in the region during the summer season, including "Son et Lumière" at the châteaux. Bastille Day (National Holiday, July 14) is itself one continuous "fête" or party, featuring dancing, regional food, and fireworks. Horse Racing at La Roche Possay with seven meetings duringthe summer. Music ranges from jazz in clubs and castles, to classical performances in local churches.

Contact details

Ken Mason

Click e-mail to contact owner;

Tel. 0033247946143

English Francais

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Les Frippierers

From franceholidayrentalhomes.com in Centre, Indre et Loire