Location: Chitenay, Centre-Loire Valley, France, Europe (Blois (7 mi); Tours Airport: 75 km/47 mi; Paris CDG:219 Km,) View Map
Accommodations: Stone Cottage, 3 Bedrooms + Convertible bed(s), 2.5+ Baths (Sleeps 6-8)
La Ménagerie is a late-18th century stone cottage and former wine-maker’s house, set on two floors in the midst of woods, fields and vineyards. It is a very tranquil location,near a small hamlet of four units. Yet, it is only 11 Km from from the city of Blois, and 7 Km from the world famous Château de Cheverny. A complete renovation in 2005 preserved the character of the cottage while making it as comfortable as any contemporary home. In the garden, the hexagonal pool (five metres across), is surrounded with a wooden deck. The cottage is typical of the traditional longère style, with a long façade and an upper floor with dormer windows.
The house's surface is approximately 2045 square feet, or 190 m2; with its three bedrooms, it can accommodate up to six adults in comfort.
It is furnished with country style and French antiques with a touch of international design, and decorated with antique paintings and tapestries. It features wooden ceiling beams, hardwood floors and a fireplace. The dining table can seat eight. The kitchen is equipped with gourmet cooking utensils and equipment. It is open to the living and dining room. Two of the three bedrooms are on the ground floor. One of them has direct access to the wooden deck and pool. Also on this floor is a laundry room with a SAUNA. One of the double bedrooms upstairs, the third bedroom, is under the roof, lightened by two dormer windows. Its en suite bathroom has a bathtub, and a powder room with a toilet and basin. The bedroom also opens into a library. Also on this floor is a family room with a flat-screen TV and sound system. This room can accommodate two children or teenagers in a sofa bed.
The house enjoys lots of sunlight, with the façades facing north and south. The four skylights on the Northern face give a great view of night skies full of stars. Windows on the west side look towards the pool and nearest hamlet; other windows have views on the surrounding woods and fields.
For more details, take a look at the owner's website here-under; it includes a VIRTUAL TOUR and links to the property's PHOTO ALBUM and GUESTS BOOK.
Vacation Rental Features
- Amenities
- Washer: The washer is in the unit
- Dryer: The dryer is in the unit
- Linens Provided: Plush "American" towels
- Garage: In the barn
- Off Street Parking: 2/3 cars can be parked in the front yard, within the property
- Wood Fireplace: Wood logs at your dsposal
- Beds
- Queen Bed
- Double Bed
- Twin/Single Bed
- Convertible Bed: Convertible sofas for 2 youngsters available in the family room
- Entertainment
- Cable/Satellite TV: TNT television provider (about 30 channels, mostly French)
- TV (No Cable/Satellite)
- DVD
- VCR
- Video Library: Large selection of VHS and DVDs
- CD Player (2)
- Stereo System (2)
- Music Library: Large selection of CDs
- Private Pool: South-West exposure, surrounded by a wooden deck with pergola and picnic table
- Sauna: Finnish sauna, fits 2 comfortably
- Ping Pong/Table Tennis
- Kitchen
- Full Kitchen: Top of the line stove top and oven for gourmet cooking
- Cooking Utensils Provided: Quality cooking utensils; copper pots and saucepans, fine cuttelry
- Refrigerator
- Dishwasher
- Microwave
- Outdoor Features
- Charcoal BBQ Grill (2)
- Deck/Patio: 2 decks/patios: one on the SW facade of the cottage, surrounding the pool; another on the NE facade with garden furniture (tables and chairs) and chaise long
- Gazebo: Pergola
- Communications
- Telephone: Local calls
- Computer: iMac (desktop)
- Broadband Internet
- WiFi (Wireless Internet): Free of charge. No WEP key is necessary to be connected.
- Other Amenities
- 6 bicycles for adults, plus 2 for kids; books and guide books, local and regional maps; Tennis, badminton and ping pong rackets; 1 set of basic golf clubs; Hammock; volley-ball and badminton nets; bocce/"petanque"; indoor games (Scrabble,etc.); Flat screen TV.
- Suitability
- No Pets Allowed
- Wheelchair Accessible (may have limitations): First floor only (2 bedrooms)
- Kid Friendly: A foldable crib is available.
- Smoking Not Allowed: Strictly not allowed. If smoke is detected during your stay and/or at checking-out time, the security deposit will not be refunded.
- Activities (on site and nearby)
- Golf
- Tennis
- Theme Park (Amusement Park)
- Zoo/Wildlife Park
- Shopping
- Sightseeing
- Restaurants
- Kayaking
- Sailing
- Boating
- Waterskiing
- Jet Skiing
- Swimming
- Biking
- Cross Country Skiing
- Wildlife Viewing
- Hiking
- Fishing
- Hunting
- Antiquing
- Cinemas/Movie Theaters
- Live Theatre
- Museums
- Horseback Riding
- Hot Air Ballooning
- Other Activities
- Historic Grand Chateaux of the Loire Valley (Cheverny, Blois, Chambord, Chaumont, Amboise, Chenonceau, among others), Golf at the Chateau de Cheverny Golf Course, Wine Tasting, outdoor market places for fresh food and GOOD LIFE !
Rate Details (In Euro)
Summer Vacation (July 15-August 31) 1500 Euros/Week. Minimum stay: one wk
High Season (Sept. 1-Oct. 31 and May 16-July 14: 1300 Euros/Week. Mini stay: 5
Intermediate (April 15-May 31): 1150 Euros/Week. Minimum stay: 4 nts.
Low Season: November 1-April 15. 900 Euros/Week Minimum stay: 3 nts.
Rates are all inclusive,no mgt fees. Electricity at low season:100 Euros/Week
To reserve the property the client should pay 20% of the total rental fees.
30% due at contract signing, and the remainder (50%) 45 nts prior to arrival.
Credit cards are accepted through an online, secure server namely PayPal.
Note: Until confirmed, rates are subject to change without notice.
Map & Owner's Profile
Year Purchased: 1989
Why the Owner Chose Chitenay
This “Coeur de Loire” (central Loire River) section of the Valley is known as “The Garden of France” and the “Playground of the French Kings.” is really the heart of France, named a World Heritage site in year 2000. The French royalty indulged their love of nature and art in the Loire - creating some of the world’s finest examples of Renaissance architecture and gardens: the Royal Châteaux of Blois, and Amboise, Chambord, Chenonceaux, Cheverny…and so many others.
The Unique Benefits at this Stone Cottage
Staying at “La Ménagerie” -surrounded by vineyards, woods and ponds- is so relaxing! For nature and history lovers it is ideally is situated in the middle of 300 km of bike and hike circuits throughout the Grand Chateaux area of the River Loire. Lovely villages and beautiful cities such as Blois or Tours, are only minutes away from the house by car and you never feel isolated. The house is really comfortable and matches the highest standards for an executive cottage. For food and wine enthusiast, it is one of the best places to stay in France. Last but not least, Paris is only 2 hours away from Blois by train or car.
Owner's Map of Chitenay
The owner is a Frenchman based in the USA and a retiree from an international organization. He has family roots in the Loire Valley: his grandmother was born and raised in this area; this is why he is so familiar with it. He often stays at "La Menagerie" with his wife, children and best friends.
Property Photos
- Main Facade - France Vacation
- Western facade of the main house with outdoor pool and deck - France Vacation
- La Ménagerie's Surrounding Woods at Fall - France Vacation
- Side Facade (East)
- The kitchen is open to a large living room with a fire place and dining area
- One of the bedrooms on the 1st floor. Has direct access to the pool
- Room under the Rooftop, en suite with a Bathroom and a Library/Den
- Bathroom, En suite with the Master Bedroom under the Rooftop
- Hot Air Balloon Flying over "La Ménagerie"
- La Ménagerie's Backyard
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Vacation Rentals by Owner Listing #82937
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Date last modified - October 07, 2009
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