Cottages in the Grounds of a Loire Valley Chateau
- Garden
- Swimming Pool
- Baby Equipment
- Internet Access
- Log Fire
- Cycling
- Fishing
- Golf nearby
- Horse Riding
- Walking
- Child Friendly
- Cook available
- Other rental properties on site
Beautiful family friendly accommodations set in and around a stunning 16th century Loire Valley chateau. Tastefully renovated with 21st century home comforts, this is a true retreat in the French countryside, while still being just a stone's throw from plenty of major attractions.
Loire Valley Retreat offers four beautifully and tastefully renovated cottages set in and around a small family run château (Château de Chargé). The location, set in acres of rolling cropland, is beautiful and rural and buildings of 15th, 17th and 19th century origin all sit around a 1000sqm gravel courtyard with covered private parking and dining terrace. Our accommodation is especially family friendly (we live on site with our four children aged nine and under) and to this end we offer specially catered children's meals, all the equipment parents might need, a newly renovated playroom complete with toys, games, UK TV and DVDs, and supervision two afternoons per week in July and August.
Château de Chargé is situated in rolling farmland about 8km south of the beautiful medieval town of Chinon, which famously hosted Joan of Arc, Henri Plantagenet and Richard the Lionheart (among others). The historic fortress and cobbled streets aside, Chinon boasts a number of excellent restaurants, cycling/boating/canoeing opportunities, a charming weekly market, a myriad of small shops to discover and all you might need in the way of super/hyper markets. And within a half hour drive you can explore several breathtaking chateaux (Rivau, Ussé, Azay le Rideau, Villandry), the Abbey at Fontevraud, wineries by the hundred, and equestrian shows, riverboat rides, a zoo and a ropes course for the children.
Getting There:
Guests here will need a car. The nearest airports are Tours, Poitiers and Angers and the nearest TGV stations are Tours and Poitiers (the easiest train change is at Marne La Vallee Disneyland or Lille from London by Eurostar). By ferry you can travel to Caen (3 hours, Brittany Ferries), Le Havre (3.5 hours, DFDS Seaways), Calais (6 hours, P&O Ferries or Eurotunnel).
Nearest Airport:
Tours (Ryanair from Stansted)
Nearest Train Station:
Chinon then a taxi, or TGV connection toTours
Nearest Ferry:
Caen (Brittany Ferries from Portsmouth)
Nearest Restaurant:
Dinner on site 3 times per week, otherwise Chinon
Nearest Shop:
Chinon, 7 minutes drive
Nearest Market:
Chinon, 9 minutes drive
Car Hire:
Essential
Interior Details
Les Ecuries was built in the 16th century stable block and has 2 bedrooms and 2 en-suite bathrooms (each with separate rain shower and bath, double vanity unit and WC). The fully fitted kitchen includes laundry facilities, there is a private rear courtyard and BBQ and there is a TV with UK Freeview channels and a DVD player in the downstairs open plan living space. Vigneron Cottage (2 bedrooms / sleeps 4 + cot) is a beautiful cottage within the main 15th century chateau building with stunning original features. Boulangerie Cottage (2 bedrooms / sleeps 4 + cot) is the original 18th century bakery which has been beautifully converted and features the original bread oven in the fireplace! La Tour (1 bedroom / sleeps 2 + cot) is housed in one of the original towers of the chateau with a bedroom suite, cot room and a playroom complete with toys!
Exterior Details
The 6 acre plot comprises a huge garden, a 10m x 5m outdoor heated pool, a children's play area, a paddock with animals, and a herb and vegetable garden.
Further Details
There’s a huge amount on offer in the surrounding area. Many of our guests, however, struggle to leave our gates! The fantastic selection of Loire Valley wines on offer, coupled with supervised childcare, a good book by the pool, and an evening game of boules watching the hot air balloons over pre-dinner drinks is enough to entice many of them to make us their regular holiday spot.
Conditions of Rental
Our prices include full continental breakfast every day in our breakfast room. At a supplement, dinner is available to book three times per week. During June/July/August there is a 1 week minimum stay. Check-in Saturday 4pm and check-out Saturday 10.30am. During April/May /September/October 3 or 4 night stays are available and start on a Saturday or a Tuesday.
