A Loire Valley Cottage in the Heart of the Grand Chateau Area

About Patrick

The owner is a Frenchman, retired from an international organization based in the Washington DC area. He manages his property himself and will do his best to make your rental experience stress free. He tries to be the most responsive and will provide you with the information needed to fully enjoy all the benefits of staying in his property. A full info pack that includes things to do and a restaurant selection For more than ten years he has been locally assisted by local house caretakers, committed to make you feel at home with an authentic and unpretentious sense of hospitality. The owner bought that property in 1989, a couple of weeks before being assigned to the USA for professional reasons. He bought a property in that area because he has family roots in the Loire Valley: his grandmother was born and raised in the area; this is why he is so familiar with it. He often stays at 'La Menagerie' with his wife, children and best friends. This is where they have their family reunions. Since he oftentimes travels abroad and doesn't like smartphones, instant messaging and all that, (nobody is perfect!...), the best way to communicate with him is through Emails.

Why Patrick chose Chitenay

First: location: it is hard to find a better base for chateau hopping: “La Ménagerie” is right in central section of the Loire Valley, in the heart of the so called “golden triangle” of French Grand Chateaux: Chambord, Cherverny and Chenonceau. Second: location: “La Ménagerie” sits in a exceptionally quiet and relaxing environment, so enjoyable for nature lovers! Walk-out from the house and follow the 300 Km of secure and well signaled bike paths and hiking trails throughout the chateau country. Third: location: “La Ménagerie” is not in the middle of nowhere!: it belongs to the jurisdiction of Chitenay, a charming village with a boulangerie/grocery and a gourmet Auberge-Restaurant; farmers markets, good restaurants and supermarkets are countless in the neighboring localities such as Bracieux or Cour-Cheverny, in small towns such as Contres or Amboise or even cities (the Royal city of Blois, being only 15 min. away by car). This the French art of living at its best! Also because it is ideal for family and friends reunions. The cottage’s layout ensures privacy in each bedroom with an en suite bathroom upstairs, while offering an ideal set-up for unforgettable moments all together. Kids love it! They love to play in the pool, watch dragonflies and French frog in the little pond. And they love the amusement parks and children museums all around, the Beauval Zoo, in particular, one of the very few Panda zoos int the world.

What makes this Cottage unique

Previous guests from all around the world have posted outstanding reviews highlighting what a unique experience their stay at La Menagerie was. Check them-out on some the most visited vacation rental sites. We have returning guests for the third time! To them, La Ménagerie has become their home away from home! They have loved to watch the hot air balloons or beautiful peacocks flying over the property; play golf in the Cheverny castle estate park (a few minutes away by car); they have loved the views from any window of the cottage, over fields, woods, vineyards and ponds; they have loved dining or sipping a glass of local wine on the deck around the pool with stunning views on the country side around. They have loved biking to the village to the bakery or the restaurant's garden and terrace in Chitenay; or simply walking-out from the house and explore the beautiful surroundings through so many hiking and biking trails. Foodies have enjoyed cooking in a well equipped kitchen with gourmet utensils or going-out to a restaurant for a unique dining experience. The property is also a good value with loads of perks. It offers a number of extra features, at no extra costs or hidden fees: bicycles; all kinds of tennis, badminton and ping pong rackets, a basic set of golf clubs, hammocks, pétanque/bocce bowls, a huge book and DVD library, CDs, maps and guide books, a Finnish Sauna to relax after a busy day at chateau hopping, etc. To facilitate your vacation planning, a comprehensive info. packet (in English) on things to do in the area, that includes the owner’s selection of local restaurants and wineries, will be given to you way before your arr