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Gite, Self-Catering Home
DESCRIPTION:
Remodeled 19th century authentic tufa-stone house right on the riverfront of the Loir River in the village of Trôo. On the main thoroughfare at the foot of the Trôo hillside, it is a two-story village house with its own courtyard and garden in the back.
Upstairs has two bedrooms with double beds and a bathroom. The bathroom shower, tub, toilet, bidet, and sink are of jade green porcelain (an early 20th century design). The front bedroom has a spacious closet.
Downstairs consists of a large kitchen/dining area and a sitting room (with sofa bed) that opens onto the flagstone patio through French doors. The décor of the sitting room features the original floor tiles and restored tufa stone walls. There is a charming stained glass window depicting African animals in the transom over the front door.
ACTIVITIES:
You can fish in the Loir River from the edge of our garden. Enjoy the simplicity of village life and join the locals in their evening stroll along the promenade or sit in the riverside garden to just watch the ducks and swans. Sunset is around 10:00 p.m. in the Summer, giving you enough time for a leisurely French-style dinner on the patio. Fishing gear is available in Montoire 3 miles (5 kilometers) away as well as bicycles, rowboats, canoes, and kayaks. Pedal boats are also available at “Les Iles” in Trôo upriver from our house.
This is a superb area for bicycling and hiking. If you want to go hiking, just walk outside the house to the promenade at the back door. It is part of the “Grande Randonnée” hiking trail which crosses Europe. To see the countryside, walk just ½ block from our house where you will cross the bridge over the Loir River to stroll through pasture land past cows grazing and ducks and geese paddling around in their pond. In July and August you will see fields of sunflowers—a glorious sight. Swimming is available in the pool at Montoire or the lake at Marçon.
EATING:
There are five restaurants in Trôo, more in nearby Montoire, and an excellent outdoor produce market in Montoire. Picnics are easily put together from the market or from the delicatessens (Charcuterie) in Montoire. Walk down the street in Trôo to get your croissants and bread at the Trôo bakery. Just cross the street for a light lunch at the café directly opposite our house.
Take the round-trip wine train (train touristique) from Thoré-la-Rochette to Trôo to see the countryside and visit a local tasting room. Also visit wineries and vineyards for delicious local wines which are not generally available elsewhere such as: Jasnières, Coteaux du Loir, and Coteaux du Vendômois appellations.
ART AND HISTORY:
Visit the hillside (inhabited since Roman times) on which the town is built. See the Cave of the Yuccas (open to the public) which has a dovecote, a bread oven, a window in each room, and views toward the East, South, and West, all carved out of the hillside! Visit the Cave-Expo to see another cave and more information on the history of Trôo. Stroll through the hillside streets past modern cave dwellings where residents have carved beautiful homes out of the limestone making them into stunning places to live. Tour the hill to see the ruins of the ancient ramparts first built in 1049, the old fortress gates, the “Talking Well,” the rebuilt Collegiate Church of Saint-Martin (12th century), and the panorama over the Loir Valley from the top of the mound.
You will find lovely XIIth Century frescoes in the St.-Jacques-des Gueréts’ Romanesque church across the river and in the chapel of Montoire where Ronsard was prior. The birthplace of Ronsard, the Shakespeare of French literature, is only 3 miles away in Couture and well worth a visit. Take the guided visit through the living quarters of his home (Manoir de La Possonnière) to learn how people lived and thought in the 15th century. You will see reminders inscribed over the doorways to enjoy life today!
Be sure to see some of the other towns in the vicinity: Lavardin, cited as one of the most beautiful villages in France, Poncé-sur-Braye with its charming small castle and charmilles (tiny labyrinth for strolling and meditation, or maybe lovemaking?), and of course Vendôme with its beautiful flamboyant gothic church as well as its magnificent panorama over the valley from the ruins of the chateau on top of the hill. Art centers and art lessons are offered in some of these towns. Enjoy shopping at the many flea markets (Brocantes, Vide Greniers) in Summer months as well as at the superb antique shop next to the Cheval Blanc restaurant in Trôo.
MUSIC:
When in Montoire take a look at the interesting music museum with ancient musical instruments. If you are there in August, get tickets to one of the world-class music events at the Montoire Music Festival. The Trôo music festival in June is an amazing event that draws people from all around. The entire hillside is covered with bands playing every kind of music you can imagine—classical, jazz, rock, country, French cabaret, and many others. It is one time of the year when the private cave dwellings are open to the public
TOURING INFO:
Montoire Tourist Office provides maps of local hiking and biking trails as well as info on all the castles and things to see and do. The central location of Trôo makes an excellent base for day trips to the royal châteaux of the Loire, Leonardo da Vinci’s home and museum in Amboise, and even to Mont St. Michel and Chartres to the North and West.
Checks accepted in dollars or euros. (Current rate in euros for 1 week: about 240 Euros; see Personal Currency Assistant below for today's exchange rate.)
TEMPORARILY UNAVAILABLE UNTIL OCT.11 DUE TO REPAIRS
Please book 2 months in advance. You can call between noon and 9:00 p.m. Pacific Standard Time or send an e-mail if interested.
Extended rental is possible at a discounted rate. |
