Loire Valley villas

My Loire Cottage – Countryside holiday cottage in France

A stylish holiday property in the Loire Valley

If old buildings with character and soul are your thing, you’ll feel right at home. My Loire Cottage is a welcoming two-bedroom house brimming with history and tradition. It was built in 1550 using tuffeau; the white stone seen throughout the Loire Valley. If it looks familiar, it’s no surprise – its solidity and abundance meant that it was used to build many of the castles along the banks of the river: Chambord, Chenonceau, Langeais, Blois and Chinon to name but a few. Your own Loire Valley holiday property blends perfectly into its surroundings and has kept all its original charm alongside a full refurbishment. The style here is old-fashioned rustic chic with inimitably French furnishings and fabrics.

Stepping inside, the hallway sets the tone - the hunting trophies and tapestries on the wall reflect the country retreat décor of nobles past, and a former fireplace has been redesigned as a cloakroom. Continue into a bright lounge with large windows that flood the room with natural light. The lounge opens out onto the patio and garden. A second living room doubles as a library, where you can leaf through the pages of French classics by the fireplace. The spacious kitchen is functional with a country-chic feel.

Upstairs, the house has two suites. Both bedrooms are very spacious and have en-suite bathroom. They can sleep either two couples or a family with two children as the double bed in the second suite can be separated into two singles. The bedrooms are decorated in the same traditional style, with period furniture and original flooring.

This cosy country holiday rental exudes peacefulness, with its wooden beams, soft colours and refined furnishings and decor. Original carved stone fireplaces add character while tall windows provide a beautiful view of the gardens and countryside outside. Enjoy the historic Loire Valley in traditional style!

Holiday rental with a swimming pool

The south-facing garden blends into the countryside of the Loire Valley with a magnificent ginkgo biloba, or maidenhair tree, in the middle. The gingko family is an endangered species and this beautiful old tree will keep you cool in summer and provide a stunning backdrop in autumn. Your Loire Valley holiday home also comes with a heated swimming pool secured by a motorized cover and looks out over a vineyard in the background.

Shops within walking distance

Another advantage of this rental property is that it’s in a village with shops nearby with all the essentials: there is a bakery, butcher's, pharmacy and a tabac or newsagent's. A friendly wine bar has also opened recently. Stay here and you'll be in the heart of the Loire Valley. The Touraine vineyards produce Bourgueil, Chinon and Vouvray wines, while the wine estates in Saumur produce seven appellations which are exported all over the world, including the famous "fines bulles de Saumur" sparkling white.

My Loire Cottage is ideally situated in the Loire Valley, surrounded by vineyards, castles, quaint villages and many other places of interest which are detailed below.



My Loire Cottage can comfortably accommodate a family with two children or two couples.

Holiday home with a pool for your castle holiday in the Loire Valley:

Indoors:

Ground floor

- A 30 m² entrance hall

- A 35 m² living room, very bright, with access to the terrace and south-facing garden

- A 35 m² lounge-library with a working fireplace

- Separate toilet and small shower

- A 40 m² kitchen and dining room with a wood-burning stove and an 8-person dining table


First floor

- Suite 1 (40 m²): a 25 m² bedroom with a 1.6 m double bed; 8 m² en suite bathroom with shower and double washbasin; 6.5m² dressing room; separate toilet

- Suite 2 (34 m²): a 21 m² bedroom with a 1.8 m double bed or twin 0.9 m beds; 9 m² en suite bathroom with bath and double washbasin; separate toilet





Outdoors:

- A 1,500 m² south-facing garden

- A 9 x 4 m heated swimming pool (26°C) secured by an electric cover

Holiday home in the Loire Valley, things to see and do nearby:

The Loire wine route

You'll be delighted to be so close to the region's vineyards. The village is on the Loire Wine Route. The landscapes of vineyards stretching as far as the eye can see combined with character-packed villages, make for great walks and visits. Wine lovers will enjoy discovering the variety and flavours of the wines from France's third-largest appellation wine-growing region which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Enjoy a tasting session directly at the wineries or at the wine bar in your village, within easy walking distance.

Visit the castles of the Loire Valley

The Loire Valley is famous for its castles and is known as the cradle of kings. There is no better place to learn about, or brush up your knowledge of the history of France, from the Middle Ages through to the Renaissance period. It’s hard to count them all, but many of them are on the region’s list of the 22 best places to visit in the Loire Valley.

Here are some must-sees close to the property.

Chinon castle is a half an hour drive from My Loire Cottage and retraces the medieval history of France. This royal fortress in the heart of the Loire castles will delight young and old alike. French King Charles VII and Joan of Arc stayed here in 1429.

Another popular castle in the Loire Valley is Château Ussé. It is said that this castle inspired Charles Perrault to write Sleeping Beauty. You can visit a princess exhibition, see period costumes dating from 1863 to 1955, and enjoy the gardens designed by Le Nôtre, the landscaper who designed the gardens at Versailles. Learn about the history of the castle which had three main functions at different times in history. It was a stronghold in the Middle Ages, an architectural model in the Renaissance and finally a residence of leisure between the 17th and 18th centuries.

Gizeux castle captures the essence of the Loire Valley’s picturesque charm. Dating back to the 14th century, it traces the architectural history of the Loire Valley up to the present day. For three centuries, it was home to the Du Bellay family, relatives of famous local poet Joachim Du Bellay who was a fervent defender of the French language in the 16th century. This family designed the central U-shaped part of the castle which is typical of Renaissance architecture in the Loire Valley. Gizeux castle is a good place to visit with the family.

Loire Valley towns and villages

Candes-Saint-Martin is one of the oldest Gallo-Roman villages in the Loire Valley and one of the most beautiful villages in France. Its architecture still retains its medieval structure and exceptional heritage. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is worth a visit.

Fontevraud and its Royal Abbey is the largest monastic village in Europe. Dating back to the Middle Ages and spread over thirteen hectares, it combines French culture and the art of living, and is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The abbey was founded in 1101 and holds the remains of Richard the Lionheart. It also has a modern art museum, the Festival of Sacred Music in April and a Michelin-starred restaurant.

Saumur is famous for its fairytale castle, bustling markets and flea markets, and its national riding school, Le Cadre Noir. The Cadre Noir is the crème de la crème of French military horse displays, and its galas are world-renowned. Check the website for tickets to a show for a memorable souvenir of your stay in the Touraine Loire Valley.

Fontevraud Abbey and Le Cadre Noir are two of the 22 best things to do in the Loire Valley, along with Amboise, Azay-le-Rideau, Blois, Chambord, Chenonceau, Cheverny and Villandry castles and many others.

Getting to your villa for rent in Touraine Loire Valley:

- Saumur train station: 30 km

- Tours train station: 50 km

- Tours-Val de Loire airport: 50 km

- Nantes-Atlantique airport: 180 km

Location of the rental My Loire Cottage (Loire Valley)

Location, for information purposes only