The Secret Hamlet - Eleven Bedroom Castle, Sleeps 24

Featured in The Guardian's Top 10 Best Foodie Retreats in Rural France.

Your wedding or family holiday will be a true fairytale affair at this estate in the Loire Valley. Situated on top of a hill and covered in creeping vines, this Old World home has been renovated with the utmost care and taste. The expertly styled interior epitomizes the easy, chic sophistication of ‘art de vivre à la française’.

Guests stay in the six homes that surround the main manor house, each with private gardens and unique character. We especially love the 'Honey House', originally used to manage beehives and extract honey, it’s now a 2 bedroom haven. Another house has a terrace overlooking the river - your large party will love having this 35 acre hamlet (and two swimming pools) to themselves.

Outside, the grounds slope down to the river, where you’ll paddle toward the nearest town or fish beneath the shade of a 450 year old oak tree. Nearby attractions include the Romanesque Abbey in Saint-Savin (10 km), home to well-preserved 11th and 12th century murals. There's natural beauty in abundance at La Brenne Regional Nature Park (30 km) past Le Blanc. Your holiday (or the days before your wedding) can be a time of calm reflection in this peaceful region of France.

Features:

The Estate consists of four houses and two studios set around the main manor house, sleeping up to 24 guests in 11 bedrooms. Each home has its own personality and atmosphere, all set along a river and amidst peaceful green gardens and the surrounding fields.

In the grounds, Le Pailler is a barn where group meals can take place - this is included in the rental price for guests who are catered for by the owners whilst self-catering guests can pay a supplement to use this dining space.

Two-storey loft with river view (3 bedrooms, max. cap: 6)

- Large living quarters on ground floor
- Large kitchen
- 2 x double bedrooms
- Twin beds on mezzanine
- One bathroom with bath
- Two bathrooms with shower
- Bow windows opening on to river
- Private garden with terrace

Three-storey loft with river view (2 bedrooms, max. cap: 4-5)

- Large living quarters on ground floor
- 2 x double bedrooms and sofa-bed (for one person) on open space mezzanine
- One bathroom
- Low level summer kitchen opening on to terrace overlooking river

The Little House (2 bedrooms, max. cap: 5)

- Open-plan living room with fireplace and dining area
- Double bedroom
- Triple bedroom
- Bathroom with bath
- Bathroom with shower
- First floor semi-opened terrace overlooking swimming pool and river

The Orangery (max. cap: 4)

- Large living room
- Sitting room with fireplace
- 2 x double bedrooms
- Bathroom with bath
- Bathroom with shower
- Private enclosed garden

The Artist's Studio (Studio bedroom, max. cap: 2)

- 40m2 ground floor studio
- Bedroom area (river side of studio)
- Small kitchen area
- Open-plan living area
- Bathroom with walk-in shower

The Stable Studio (Studio bedroom, max. cap: 2)

- 40m2 ground floor studio
- Suitable for guests with reduced mobility
- Double bedroom area
- Shower room

For wedding packages, the bridal suite is also made available in the Manor House.

Outside Grounds

-    2 x swimming pools
-    BBQ
-    Garden furnishings
-    Le Pailler/barn for communal dining (included with catering services)
-    Large reception barn (for events)
-    35 acres of private grounds
-    River access

Facilities

-    Wi-Fi
-    Satellite TV (with English channels)
-    Hi-Fi
-    Fridge, microwave, oven, coffee machine, kettle in each house
-    Cutlery, crockery and cooking utensils
-    Washing machine

Extra Sustainability Gems About the Property

The property is part of the local heritage Saint Victor, and dates from the late XVth /early XVIth century, and the renovations have all been made with sustainable materials.

Location:

Situated at the border of the Berry and Poitou regions and only one hour away from the Loire Valley, The Secret Hamlet sits on the top of a woody hill softly sloping down to the left bank of a beautiful river.

The owners are happy to create personalised itineraries to help you discover Berry and the Poitou Region. History, antique chasing, restaurants, painting, gardening and cooking are all available on request.

Activities on the property include canoeing, kayaking and fishing – permit available. 

Activities around the estate include rich cultural and historical sites, golf, hunting, horseback riding, tennis, cycling, walking, and fauna and flora in the Parc de la Brenne.

The local village is 1.5 km away and has a bar/restaurant, a grocery store and a post office.

Towns nearby include Le Blanc (11km), Argenton sur Creuse (45km), Châteauroux (65km), Poitiers (50km), Châtellerault (40km).

Terms & Conditions:

Security deposit?
€2000 paid via bank transfer to the owner at the time of paying the final balance and refunded two weeks after departure, subject to full inspection.

Arrival time?
4.30 p.m.

Departure time?
11.00 a.m.

Energy costs included?
Included in the rental price. During winter there may be an additional charge depending on consumption, payable locally.

Linen & towels included?
All linen and bath towels are included in the rental price. Linen changes possible, subject to charges, payable locally.

Pets welcome?
On request only and with prior agreement with the owner. Please note pets are not permitted when the estate is booked for a wedding.

Changeover day?
Saturday. All other changeover days, including weekend rental, on request.

End of stay cleaning included?
Extra €50 per house, €25 per studio and €100 for Le Pailler/open-barn (and reception room if used), payable locally. However, guests are required to leave the accommodation clean, tidy and in the same condition as on their arrival. Any extra cleaning, laundry, maintenance and/or rubbish disposal required will be charged against the security deposit.

Smoking Allowed?
Not allowed.

Insurance?
The client must be insured with an insurance company for cancellations and his rental liabilities, bodily injury, personal injury, losses or property damage caused to the rented property or its contents or adjoining property. A copy of the insurance policy has to be given prior to arrival.



Other Ts and Cs?
Weddings, stag/hen parties and any special events are on request only and subject to prior arrangement with the owner and additional charges.

Tax?
French Visitors Tax payable locally (typically costs €1-€3 per adult per night- please enquire if exact amount is required).

Minimum stay?
2 nights in May and mid-September to mid-October. 7 nights during all other periods.

Pool opening dates?
Please note that pool opening dates are subject to local weather conditions and pool maintenance requirements and that cooler months may not be suitable for swimming.
Pets - allowed
Smoking - not allowed