Berry sur Cher- a charming property of character, updated for modern living.
Location: Meusnes, Centre-Loire Valley, France, Europe ( Tour is the closest airport/trains arrive here from Paris) View Map
Accommodations: Chateau / Country House, 4 Bedrooms, 3.5 Baths (Sleeps 7-8)
Berry sur Cher is our family home in France. It is in the village of Meusnes, near Romorantin and Selles sur Cher, in the Loire Valley, about a mile from the Cher River. The center of the property is the main house, a lovely longere – a long white stone farm house, built 1750- 1890. We purchased the house in 2000, and have completed substantial renovations of the house, including a modern kitchen and 3 ½ baths. The house is furnished with antiques, art and collectibles- it combines both country elegance and comfort. We also lovingly restored the beautiful gardens, and added a porch with teak flooring between the two wings of the house; this serves as the summer dining room There are many places, inside and out, to gather with friends and family, or to spend quiet time with a good book.
The house is located in a small town (pop. 1000) with a church, bakery, butcher/deli, small grocery store, pharmacy and post office. Nearby Selles sur Cher (5 minutes) is a bustling market town with restaurants and shops.
Keywords: French country home
Vacation Rental Features
- Amenities
- Garage : locks to keep your bikes safe
- Wood Fireplace : firewood provided
- Parking Off Street
- Washing Machine
- Linens Provided
- Clothes Dryer
- Beds
- Sleep Sofa /Futon : There is a day bed in the upstairs master bedroom- reasonably confortable to sleep an 8th person.
- Queen
- Double
- Twin/ Single
- Entertainment
- Video Library : There are DVDs and cassettes in English and French.
- CD
- Stereo System
- DVD
- Music Library
- VCR
- Satellite Or Cable
- Kitchen
- Catering Available : There is an excellent chef in the area that can be made available for gourmet meals- must reserve 2-3 weeks in advance. The owner can also provide occasional dinners upon request.
- Cooking Utensils : includes all manner of cookware, dishes and glasswear, plus table linens.
- Full Kitchen : Also a microwave.
- Dish Washer
- Refrigerator
- Microwave
- Outdoor Features
- Deck/Patio
- Outdoor Grill Charcoal
- Gas/Electric BBQ Grill
- Communications
- Telephone
- Free Long Distance
- Broadband Access
- Wireless Broadband
- Other Amenities
- Situated in a lovely park and gardens, a separate art studio outbuilding, a boules court and croquet.
- Suitability
- Handicapped Accessible (May Have Limitations) : The house is at ground level, with no steps, and the master bedroom is on the ground level.
- Minimum Age Limit For Renters : Children are accepted at age 8, or small infants. Please discuss with owner.
- Non Smoking Only
- Pets Not Allowed
- Children Not Allowed
- Activities
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Kayaking
- Hot Air Ballooning
- Swimming
- Golf
- Hunting
- Tennis
- Cycling
- Restaurants
- Museums
- Cinemas
- Zoo
- Horseback Riding
- Shopping
- Boating
- Sight Seeing
- Antiquing
Rate Details (In Euros)
Apr 01-May 30.. E1400/Week .. E2600/2 Weeks June 01-Aug 31 ..E1600/Week .. E2900 /2 Weeks Sept 01-Oct 31 .. E1400/week...E2600/2 Weeks off- season - Nov 1-March 31 - E850/week. Except E1200/ week Dec. 15- Jan. 15 Other Terms Can Be Negotiated for Small Parties, Longer Stays, E500 Breakage Deposit and a E100 Cleaning Fee Will Apply There Would Be Extra Charges for Meals Prepared and for additional cleaning during a long-term rental, or firewood in winter
Note: Until confirmed, rates are subject to change without notice.
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Credit Cards Accepted:
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Map & Owner's Profile
Year Purchased: 2000
Why the Owner Chose MeusnesThe Loire Valley is a lovely area, close to Paris (2.5 hours by train or car), and filled with things to do. In the summer each town has a festival around dinner and dancing, or music or antiques. There are jazz and opera festivals, antique fairs abound, and there is fishing and boating and picnics in little parks around ponds. Not far there is golf and hot air ballooning, and the chateaux provide a wonderful history of France, and beautiful architecture and gardens. It is at once quite and lively, not too full of tourists, but rather rich with things to do and relaxing at the same time. The town markets for food are wonderful to visit and inspire the next meal. the opportunities for biking and riding and walking are abundant, and they are a part of the French way of life. It is in my mind a perfect place!
The Unique Benefits at this Chateau / Country HouseThe house provides a very relaxing home base, and some days no one wants to leave it. The house itself has a very comfortable living room, and an upstairs reading and entertainment area with sofas and television/DVD, plus books and games. The fireplace is welcoming in cool weather. In the summer there is the covered dining porch, and terraces with benches and chairs all around the house, with more areas to visit or read in the gardens. There is croquet and boules to play, and a tennis court 3 minutes away in the center of town. The kitchen is equipped with absolutely everything to please the gourmet cook, from cooper cookware to Cuisinart. and there is a table by the French doors for the sous-chefs and onlookers. Then within 45 minutes drive- or by bike- there is so much to do when you want to venture out.
This nearby market town has everything you need- the farmers' market on Thursday has cheeses, fruits and vegetables, breads and meats and fish. There are also shops and restaurants.
Tour is a large university city,with an airport and major train station, and the old town is bustling with restaurants, cafes and shops. There is a museum, antiques and other shops- much to do.
A charming town, about a 35 min. drive or a great bike ride from the house. There you will find a beautiful chateau, and the Clos Lucay, the last home of Leonardo da vinci, with models of all of his inventions
Cheverney is one of the great chateaux in the area, along with Chenenceau, Chambord, Chinon, Valencay & Blois. The chateaux offer history of France along with beautiful architecture, antiques & gardens.
This zoo in st. Aignan is the new home of 2 giant pandas as of March 2012, a wonderful addition to an already world-class zoo, with animals from 5 continents.
Owner's Map of Meusnes
Our family loves this home for vacations and visits with friends, and my daughters visit often. I am a consultant and antique textiles dealer, and will be retiring to France this summer and living in an apartment on the property - in a separate building when the house is rented. As such, I will be available to host a welcoming wine and cheese party for renters, and to provide or organize some meals if desired. I also act as a "concierge", making reservations and recommendations for restaurants, helping to plan chateaux visits, canoe and bike trips, wine and cheese tastings. I will do what I can to make your visit to our home enjoyable, and will stay discreetly in my quarters when you are here.
Property Photos
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- Berry sur Cher- a charming property of character, updated for modern living.
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- The summer porch is a sheltered area,, perfect for lunch or dinner.
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- the living room- cool in summer, firelit in winter- warm and charming.
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- Master bedroom suite, 1st floor, has a dressing room & glass-walled shower,
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- 2nd floor bedroom with balcony and ensuite bath
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- Terrace has several seating areas, in sun or shade, for breakfast, lunch,drinks
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- Twin bedroom upstairs, with a view of the back garden- shares a bath
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- A single bed, ensuite apartment with vintage crewel bedhangings and its bath..
Traveler Reviews (9)
thanks for the memories
Guest: kathy from Indianapolis
Date of Stay: 07/20/11
Review Submitted: 08/23/11
My extended family spent an idyllic four weeks at Berry Sur Cher - walking to the boulangerie for baguette and croissant, drinking coffee in the morning and wine in the afternoon outside in the garden, lavender wafting through the house, and surrounded by picturesque and history-filled cities, towns and villages of the neighboring Loire Valley. The house easily accommodates four separate groups of sleepers with room both for gathering and for alone time. The house is beautifully furnished and appointed with lovely linens and dishes. Diane is available and helpful, and leaves her guests their privacy. I hope you readers can stay at Berry Sur Cher and the village of Meusnes. We hated to leave.
Recommended for:
French country living at its best
Guest: Andy
(Fort Worth, Texas)
Date of Stay: 10/07/10
Review Submitted: 07/07/11
If you are looking for a French country home, this would be an ideal choice. Three couples stayed there for two weeks last October and all gave rave reviews. The setting was lovely, climate delightful and our hostess couldn't have been more knowledgeable and helpful. We especially enjoyed evenings spent in the warm and inviting "setting room" where we quickly selected our favorite spots and settled in. The artist among us even sketched the room, as well as views from the outside. We would return in a minute.
Recommended for:Sightseeing, girls getaway, age 55+, romantic getaway.
Looking Forward to Another Visit!
Guest: Tom
(Boston, MA, USA)
Date of Stay: 06/05/10
Review Submitted: 02/22/11
Having never traveled to France outside of Paris, my stay at Berry Sur Cher in the Loire Valley far exceeded my expectations. The drive down from Paris was about two hours and the directions were easy to follow. The house is a lovingly restored property with the nicest attention to detail - plenty of clean and tidy bedrooms and bathrooms and was delivered as described - clean and well maintained. The interior design is warm and inviting in a very elegant, yet comfortable style. The yard was beautiful, especially in the rear of the property where complete privacy allowed us to lounge as we desired during the day. Mornings were peaceful and the afternoons in the gardens (after touring the countryside) were a cool and pleasant way to unwind. We chose to cook at the house several nights for dinner and all cooking utensils, dishes, etc were available for our use to set lovely tables inside or out. The village is small and quaint and there were grocery stores close enough for a daily visit for fresh food. Farmers markets are also happening throughout the area on different days of the week in season - ask and Diane will leave a note with the farmer's market schedule. There are plenty of vineyards and chateaus to visit and this home provides a central location to visit these places. I would (and have) highly recommend this property to anyone looking to spend some time away exploring a beautiful region of France. Diane was proud of her home and she really went out of her way to be sure we had a wonderful time. She answered all questions and gave us some great suggestions of what to do during our stay.
Recommended for:Sightseeing, girls getaway, adventure seekers, families with young children, age 55+, romantic getaway.
I Felt French
Guest: Jari
(Singer Island Fl)
Date of Stay: 05/23/10
Review Submitted: 02/18/11
My husband and I with our favorite travel companions spent several nights in this quintensennial French country home. We spent our first full day touring a local Chateau, strolling the formal gardens, lunching under an umbrelled cafe table, we felt transported back in time. We drove country roads in search of local wineries where we gained new knowledge and sampled the product. We toted back our choices and because we had procured Diane the mistress of the house to cook for us we dined outdoors with candlelight , beautiful cool breezes , and in truely French style. This turned our to be my favorite night of our trip. We had the good fortune to be in town for the weekly farmers market. Diane supplied us with an array of shopping bags and off we went.Using rusty French and some sign language we perused the market picking up sweet items to bring home, bees' wax candles, lavender body lotions, a great fedora etc. We had one rainy day. We spent time reading and relaxing at home, I soaked in a huge bathtub with my new lavender potions, read in my bedroom, with doors(yes French) swung open with big latches to let the curtains blow in the wind. I went to bed on 100 year old linen sheets, wishing we could stay another night.
Recommended for:Sightseeing, girls getaway, adventure seekers, families with teenagers, age 55+, pet owners, romantic getaway.
A Superior Home With A Gracious Owner
Guest: john m.
(Boston)
Date of Stay: 02/17/11
Review Submitted: 02/18/11
My wife and I had the pleasure of renting Diane's home in Sept. 2009. Diane really knows the area and always was very helpful with any of our concerns or questions. Her very spacious home with such elegant details was a joy to live in. We and our guests loved cooking in the well appointed kitchen with beautiful copper cookware. The garden yeilded fresh herbs, flowers and plenty of apples and pears. We must have made over a dozen fruit tarts ! Fresh produce was easily available in two nearby town's markets. There is a baker in her town for fresh bread daily and a Chateau just down the street for locally produced wine. Access to the major highways is easy for visiting the museums and gardens. Diane has created a lovely home to share with friends and family.
Recommended for:Sightseeing, adventure seekers, age 55+, romantic getaway.
a charming and comfortable home!
Guest: Cindy
(Seattle)
Date of Stay: 05/07/10
Review Submitted: 02/17/11
We loved the property from first sight with the roses all over the front of the house. Inside it is spacious and full of light- we felt right at home. our greeting was warm, and extended to cocktails that night and talk about what we would do during our 2 week stay. I enjoyed cooking in the kitchen with my sister and daughters, while the men played boules in the garden or gathered arount the grill. The area is full of things to do- we expected the beautiful chateaux, but were pleasantly surprised by the fabulous zoo at St Aignan, and the great welcome from all the local vineyards. This is a great vacation home- we didn't want to leave.
Recommended for:Sightseeing, girls getaway, families with teenagers, age 55+.
We just love it......
Guest: Eileen C.
(Miami, FL)
Date of Stay: 07/23/07
Review Submitted: 03/29/10
The Loire Valley is a lovely country part of France and this beautiful home is right in the middle of it all. We had such a delightful French experience during our stay with many warm memories. We've been back to this home a couple of times. The owner was very helpful in recommending places to visit and restaurants to enjoy. We also shopped at the local markets and dined "at home" a few times...just very elegant and relaxing evenings. We highly recommend this rental.
Recommended for:Sightseeing, girls getaway, age 55+, romantic getaway.
Guest: Toni H
Date of Stay: 03/29/09
Review Submitted: 03/29/09
We are all completely satisfied with your lovely house. We’ve probably stayed in eight houses over the years, and yours by far is the best. I have recommended Berry-sur-Cher to friends for their next holiday.
Recommended for:
Guest: Ken G. ,
Date of Stay: 05/22/08
Review Submitted: 05/22/08
We spent a delightful week at Berry-sur-Cher last September. The house is utterly charming, features every convenience and is strategically located for trips to the major chateaux in the region. Berry-sur-Cher soon felt like our home and we were saddened to leave it at the end of our stay. I would highly recommend it to anyone planning a trip to the Loire.
Recommended for:
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Vacation Rentals by Owner Listing #280497
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