Location: Pontlevoy, Centre-Loire Valley, France, Europe (Loir-et-Cher 26 km South of Blois between Tours & Orleans)
Accommodations: Village House, 4 Bedrooms, 4 Baths (Sleeps 8)
House in Loire Valley, the Center of Chateaux Country "The Tower of Pontlevoy."
This picturesque stone house in the heart of the Chateau Country was built in 16th century for the chief clerk of the 11th century Abbaye. The house is opposite the Abbaye, which has gardens and ponds, a magnificent 17th century military academy, museums of chocolate and early French aircraft, summer concerts with internationally recognized musicians, and a bilingual children's summer theatre program which will culminate this year in a bilingual outdoor production of "A Midsummer Night's Dream."
The house is located on the old main street of a charming village (Pontlevoy), which is south of Blois between the Loire and Cher Rivers. The village has an excellent butcher, baker, and one very good restaurant. In the village is the renowned Musee Dans la Rue with photographs of the village from early in the last century placed where you can see the locations as they look today. Amazingly, they do not look very different. Pontlevoy and other neighboring villages have large weekly open-air markets with incredibly good local produce and goat cheeses, which are a regional specialty. Nearby are ten one- and two-star restaurants.
The house is two hours drive from central Paris on superhighways. Trains go from Paris to Blois almost hourly. Blois is 15 minutes away by car and filled with attractions including one of the great chateaux, shops, a world-renowned Museum of Magic and many fine restaurants. There are also trains from Charles de Gaulle to Tours, another great place to visit. Pontlevoy is ideally situated for a tour of all the major chateaux. At least six of them are less than 15 minutes away. The village itself is quaint and peaceful, situated in gently rolling agricultural and wooded countryside where biking and walking are a real pleasure.
Montrichard, five miles away on the Cher River, has many shops, supermarkets, restaurants, a beach for swimming with a merry-go-round, a place where boats can be rented, and a famous Donjon. Many artists live in the area; the wines are first rate and amazingly inexpensive. Ballooning, vineyards, mushroom caves and other diversions, both for adults and children are nearby.
The house was completely renovated two years ago, (including electrical, plumbing, and central heating systems); new furniture, bedding, batterie de cuisine, and new appliances (dishwasher, washer, dryer, stove, large refrigerator, and microwave). It has four bedrooms, three with double beds and one with twin beds. Three of the bedrooms are in the tower. There are two whole and two half baths and a gourmet kitchen.
Kitchen
This large, bright, oak beamed room has a gourmet kitchen, a dining area and a lounge. The preparation area has ample counter space and all new appliances (dishwasher, large refrigerator/freezer, gas range, and microwave oven). There are pots and pans of every description, new china, silverware, and table linens (service for twelve). A large laundry and storage closet on one wall has a new washer and dryer.
With four large windows, the dining area is warm and sunny. The sideboard, table for eight (can be enlarged to seat twelve), shelves built into the two-foot thick walls, and two candle chandeliers make it a wonderful place to entertain. There is a magnificent red tile floor. A fireplace, two easy chairs and window seat complete the room. Your guests can keep you company while you cook or you can lounge there yourself.
Living Room
This Moroccan style room has built in sofas and a window seat under the huge window that brightens the room throughout the day. The floor is made of the original 16th century red tiles. A brass coffee table, suspended lamps and a rug (all from Morocco) complete the ensemble. The original (and beautiful) circular wooden staircase originates in the living room and rises to the other floors.
Master Bedroom Suite
The extraordinary master bedroom has a beamed ceiling and Moroccan rugs. There are built in desks for two with computer access, a double bed (with two sets of new bed linens), dressing table and a pier mirror. There is a baronial stone fireplace, surmounted by a huge antique mirror. The easy chairs and ottoman in front of it provide an intimate space for reading and talking.
A Dutch door opens from the master bedroom to the Terrace where there are a table and chairs. A small fountain bubbles away and many flowers grace the scene. From the terrace there is a view of old rooftops and gardens. It’s a great place for intimate breakfasts and lunches, small barbecues in the evening or just lounging or reading.
The enormous master bathroom has a fireplace, many closets, a huge tile bathtub/shower and a big supply of towels. Outside, on the stair landing, is a powder room.
The other three double bedrooms are arranged in a tower, one bedroom to a floor.
Bedroom Suite #2, on the first floor of the tower, is bright and airy with a new double bed, desk, fireplace, and its own complete bathroom with a tiled shower.
Bedroom #3, on the next floor of the tower, has an antique iron trundle bed (opens to a full height twin bed) and a desk. It too has a fireplace. There are windows on both sides of this room. Outside it, in the stair hall, is a half bathroom.
Bedroom #4 This octagonal room on the top floor of the tower has an intricately beamed conical ceiling and a double bed. From it, there are superb views of the Abbaye and surrounding countryside.
Vacation Rental Features
- Activities
- Shopping, Fine Restaurants, Museums, Sightseeing, Chateaux, Swimming, Boating, Ballooning, Concerts, Wine Tasting, Hiking, Biking, Amusement Parks, Fishing, Horseback Riding
- Amenities
- Fireplaces (5), Central Heating. Phone, Stereo, CD Player, Gourmet Kitchen, Microwave, Dishwasher, Refrigerator, Freezer, Cooking utensils provided, Linens provided, New China and Silverware for 12, Washer, Dryer, Charcoal Grill (BBQ), Flower Filled Terrace, Original tile floors & wood beams
Rate Details (In US Dollars)
Week 2 Weeks Month
01/05-03/14 .. $ 1000/week .. $1800/2 weeks .. $3500/month.
03/15-03/28 .. $ 1200/week .. $2100/2 weeks .. $3900/month.
3/29-05/23 .. $1100/week .. $2000/2 weeks .. $3800/month.
05/04-09/19 .. $ 1300/week .. $2300/2 weeks .. $4300/month.
11/22–11/29 .. $$1300/week .. $2300/2 weeks ..
11/30-12/19 .. $1100/week .. $2000/2 weeks .. $3800/month.
12/20-01/02 .. $1300/week .. $2300/2 weeks .. N/A
Note: Until confirmed, rates are subject to change without notice.
Property Photos
- - Pontlevoy, Centre Loire Valley, France - Village Accommodations in the Center of Chateaux Country!
- - Pontlevoy, Centre Loire Valley, France - Village Accommodations in the Center of Chateaux Country!
- - Pontlevoy, Centre Loire Valley, France - Village Accommodations in the Center of Chateaux Country!
Vacation Rentals by Owner Listing #38929
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This listing was first published here in 2004.
Date last modified - October 07, 2009
