Saumur holiday gite rental with walking, balcony/terrace, internet access, rural retreat, TV, DVD

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Layon Cottage (gite)

Home description

Layon Cottage is one of three stylish cottages in the charming grounds of the owners historic Manor House in a rural hamlet near Saumur, in the glorious Loire valley. With easy access to all amenities and sights including the local markets and chateaux and several excellent restaurants, the cottage is perfect for couples seeking a relaxing sightseeing or wine tasting experience in the Loire valley.

Situated in a wine making area it is an ideal base for touring the vineyards, attending wine tastings and purchasing local wines direct from the domaines. Half or full day escorted wine tours, wine tastings and Dinners in the manor House can be pre-booked with the owners.

Layon cottage is light and attractive, tastefully decorated and furnished to a high standard. The sitting room opens onto an enchanting terraced courtyard with fountain, perfect for the long lazy lunches so loved by the French or merely enjoying a glass or two of the local Saumur or Anjou AOC wines.

The secluded shared pool area with its sheltered terrace provides a stunning location for sunbathing or just relaxing with a good book. This cottage is new for 2009.

Luxurious poolside area	Door to Layon Cottage and delightful al fresco dining area
immaculate contemporary interior of layon cottage	Elegant interior of Layon Cottage

To see more photos please visit http://www.holidaylettings.co.uk/73258

The Loire Valley / Maine-et-Loire region

There is so much to see and do in this region of the Loire Valley, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Within the Loire Anjou Natural regional park, the landscape is unspoilt and an abundance of charming villages and towns add to the attraction of the area.

The land is fertile and used extensively for market gardening nurseries and fruit orchards. The area is known as 'the Garden of France' and has obvious appeal for keen gardeners.The region is perfect for walking, cycling, fishing, bird-watching and horse-riding.

The area is steeped in history, the Loire being the playground of the Kings and Dukes of France. The many Chateaux, Churches and Abbeys ensure some fantastic sightseeing. Saumur Chateau was once the summer residence of the Dukes of Anjou. The plantagenet monarchs, Henry II, his wife Eleanor of Acquitane and their son Richard the Lionheart are buried at Fontevraud Abbey, southeast of Saumur.

Naturally being a wine making region and having 29 appellations within a relatively small area there are many vineyards to explore and diverse wines to taste. A great place for wine enthusiasts.

The temperate climate results in warmer seasons and less rainfall than the UK. In addition to the hot summer months, spring and autumn are often wonderfully mild.

Saumur area

The charming village of Le Puy Notre Dame, noted for its beautiful limestone houses and 13th century church, is 2 miles away. Here you will find a bakery for your baguettes and croissants, supermarket, pharmacy, bar/tabac, wine bar and a typical french restaurant. It is traditionally a wine growing region and the leading French commune for the production of AOC Saumur wines.

Touring and visiting the vineyards for wine tasting is huge fun. Please request details of the current escorted wine tours, tastings and dinners run by the owners. Due to the popularity of the tours we recommend booking a tour on reservation of your holiday. Prices for 2 persons start at £60.00.

Five miles north of the cottage is the market town of Doue La Fontaine with good shops, cafes and restaurants. The town is famous for its splendidly unusual Zoo where animals are housed in a troglodyte environment. Doue is also the main centre of rose production in France and is known as "the City of Roses". It hosts a Rose Festival every summer when local caves are majically transformed by elaborate and exquisite displays. Monday is market day when the town comes alive with roadside stalls selling everything from local produce to French berets!

The charming medieval town of Montreuil Bellay, with its fairytale Chateau, antiques market, pretty squares and fortified walls is 5 miles east. It is a picturesque place offering interesting walks and has several places to eat. The river Thouet skirts the town with delightful picnic areas along its' banks. There is a club where canoes / kayaks may be hired.

Just 14 miles away is the beautiful town of Saumur, on the banks of the majestic Loire. Saumur, and its surrounding area, with its wealth of Chateaux, Museums, Art Galleries, chic shops and gastronomic restaurants, is a tourist paradise. It is the National Equestrian Centre of France and home to the Cadre Noir Regiment. During the season the Cadre Noir present regular shows of outstanding horsemanship and offer guided tours of the school.

Throughout the summer months annual events are held to celebrate local produce and customs including Art, Music and Wine Festivals. The superb Fete de Saumur Champigny, a wine and food evening in Saumur with music and dancing is normally held during the first week of August.

Locally, on the last weekend in July, is a quite unique, classic car "Grand Prix" race through the ancient streets and around the beautiful old church of Le Puy Notre Dame. A marvellous and enjoyable spectacle. Please contact the owners for more information on dates etc. of these and other events.

There is a Paragliding and Microlight Club close by for any enthusiasts out there. The area is suitable for cycling; so bring your bikes for an active holiday.

How to get there

Manoir de Gourin is located in the Maine et Loire department of France in the commune of St. Macaire du Bois, some 15 miles south west of Saumur, on the D77 between the villages of Le Puy Notre-Dame and Nueil sur Layon. The towns of Montreuil bellay and Doue la Fontaine are both 5 miles away.

By Ferry
P&O and Sea France operate crossings between Dover and Calais. Britanny Ferries operate crossings between Portsmouth and Caen (high speed service), St Malo and Cherbourg AND between Plymouth and Roscoff.

LD Lines operate crossings between Portsmouth Le Havre AND a speed service between Dover and Boulogne.


The Channel Tunnel
Quick, half hourly crossings through the channel tunnel between Folkestone and Calais.


By Road
From Calais and Boulogne by autoroute to Rouen and from Rouen to Saumur. This includes two sections of toll roads. Generally the motorways are less congested than in the UK and are generously served by services and rest areas for refreshments and fuel.
From Caen and Le Havre you join the motorway system between Rouen and Allencon.
From Calais and Boulogne details of route, tolls, rest areas, fuelling and mileages will be supplied.

By Air
Ryanair flights from London (Stanstead) and Dublin Airport to Tours.
Ryanair flights from Stanstead Edinburgh and Birmingham to Poitiers.
Ryanair flights from Stanstead London Liverpool East Midlands Dublin and Bournemouth to Nantes.
Current flight information is subject to change. From Nantes airport you may hire a car or travel by train to Angers or Saumur.

By Train
Eurostar from St Pancras, London to Lille and Lille to Angers or Saumur.

Car Hire
Cars may be hired from the airports and stations.

Activities near Saumur

Facilities

Further details indoors:
Layon Cottage retains the character of the former coach house with painted wooden floorboards and honey-oak exposed timbers and beams. The sitting room is charming with window to the side overlooking the front garden and door to the courtyard.

Layon is immaculately presented and tastefully decorated and furnished. The furniture is contemporary and comfortable with cushions and throws. The cottage is equipped with satellite flat screen TV. DVD and CD players. A selection of dvds, cds, books, magazines and board games are provided for relaxation. The stylish open plan fully fitted kitchen area is equipped with fridge, hob, extractor and oven.

The lovely bedroom on the first floor has a comfortable, king-size bed with crisp white cotton linen, duvets, large pillows, cushions and throws, wardrobe, dressing table and chair. The en-suite shower room has a large shower and towel rail (heated in spring and autumn) and is supplied with luxurious white cotton bathsheets.

The cottage has Wi-fi internet access enabling you to keep up with your emails!

Further details outdoors:
The beautiful coach house within the grounds of a 19th century manor house has been lovingly renovated by the owners into three one bedroom cottages. Each cottage sleeps 2 adults and is perfect for couples seeking a relaxing holiday without children.

The beautiful pool area is cleaned daily and maintained by the owners. It is furnished with stylish wooden loungers, lounger cushions, umbrellas, tables and chairs. The use of the pool is shared with the owners' occasional use and guests in the other 2 cottages (up to 6 persons). The pool is heated from the beginning of May to the end of September.

The shared courtyard style terrace is equipped with tables, umbrellas and chairs for al fresco dining whilst listening to the relaxing sounds of water trickling from the charming fountain set in one corner.

Guests may use the barbecue area in the rear garden with benches and tables or enjoy a game of boules or badminton.

Secure parking is provided within the grounds entered through a gated drive.

The cottages do not cater for children as we wish to provide a tranquil environment for all our guests.

Further details

Sorry no pets.
We regret the cottages are not suitable for children.
Strictly no smoking inside the cottage, courtyard and pool areas.
There is a small additional charge for the use of the washing machine.
An arrival pack can be provided to your order.
With your comfort in mind a general clean of the cottage, prior to your arrival, is included in the rental.
The British owners, Simon and Karin will be residing in the Manor house during your stay and will be pleased to provide assistance if required.
Simon also conducts the wine tasting and wine tours (www.loirewinetours.com) and will be delighted to arrange a wine tour and or wine tasting and dinner for you.

Conditions

A deposit of 25% of the rental is payable on reservation.
The balance is payable 8 weeks before your arrival date.
We recommend you take out holiday insurance to cover cancellation etc.
A £100.00 security deposit against damage or breakages is payable on booking.
Escorted wine tours, wine tasting and dinners can be booked on reservation.

Rental rates

Period	From	To	Weekly	Nightly rate		Minimum  stay
				Weekday	Weekend
	3 Apr 10	22 May 10	400£ 400	0-	0-	1 Week
	22 May 10	12 Jun 10	450£ 450	0-	0-	1 Week
	12 Jun 10	10 Jul 10	475£ 475	0-	0-	1 Week
	10 Jul 10	4 Sep 10	550£ 550	0-	0-	1 Week
	4 Sep 10	25 Sep 10	475£ 475	0-	0-	1 Week

NB: Prices may be subject to change at the advertiser's discretion.

Quality bedlinen and bath towels and a general clean pre arrival are included.

Payment to be made in sterling directly into UK bank account.

A local visitors tax of 1euro per person per night is payable on arrival.

SPECIAL OFFER:

Book 2 weeks and receive a £40 reduction in the rental rate for the second week.

Guestbook for Layon Cottage

Layon Cottage is new for 2009. We now have some guests comments:
29 Aug - 05 September 09
"Thoroughly relaxing week at Layon. Karin and simon are wonderful hosts. Their wine tasting dinner was superb. Villandry and Chenonceau Chateaux are worth the drive; the veg and herb gardens especially!
Suzanne and Richard Hemming, London, UK

08 - 15 August 09
"We have had a marvellous time here. The cottage is so comfortable with everything one needs to make it feel like a 'home form home'. The surrounding countryside is beautiful with fields of vines and sunflowers in profusion. Lots to see in the towns in the area with many chateaux being quite spectacular. Karin and Simon are excellent hosts and we had a wonderful meal in the Manoir cooked by Karin and a superb wine tasting hosted by Simon. Many thanks Karin and Simon."
Ann and Cliff Connelly, Guernsey, Channel Islands.

01 - 08 August 09
"Lovely restful week in beautiful surroundings. Layon Cottage was everything we hoped for and more. Although deliberately lazy we visited some great places. Montreuil Chateau well worth a visit - don't miss the cakes in the bakery and the 'moules frites' at the Barbacane bistro opposite the chateau entrance - the best we have eaten! Fontevraud Abbey was superb, the self guided tour gave us plenty of information. Do'nt miss the fairground art exhibition - it's stunning. Simon's wine tour was excellent. We would not have been brave enough to buy wine from local producers without it..... Thank you karin and Simon."
Fiona and bevil Edwards, Pontefract, West Yorkshire, UK

11 - 18 July 09
"We have had a lovely and relaxing week. The cottage was very cosy and exactly what we were looking for. The wine tour we took was great! Especially the last visit to Richard at Chaintres was superb. Thank you for a wonderful holiday."
Will and Janneke, Barcelona, Spain.

05 - 11 July 09
"What a lovely area of France - peaceful and very relaxing! Layon Cottage is very comfortable and has all you need. The pool area was kept lovely and clean and well equipped. We feel totally relaxed after 6 nights here.
Thanks."
Lisa and Chris, Kent, UK

27 June - 04 July 09
"We have spent a lovely week here - weather has been superb. Visited Chateau de Villandry - a gardner's delight. Had a wine tasting dinner with 4 other guests at Simon and Karin's manor house. Excellent meal, excellent wines. Swimming pool is lovely and warm - a perfect end to a perfecty day!"
Helen and Alan Clews, Essex, UK

13-20 June 09
"Have come to the end of a lovely week staying at layon Cottage. Really enjoyed our stay - very comfortable, with all requirements easily at hand. Pool a welcome sight after a day visiting local towns and chateaux. Perfect location for sightseeing. We would recommend the wine tour with Simon. The half day spent was well worth it and we purchased some lovely local wines that we would not have had the opportunity to try otherwise. Thank you Simon and Karin for your warm welcome and hospitality. We will be recommening this place to friends and family."
Geraldine and Mike, Co Dublin. Ireland.

23-30 May 09
"Had a very pleasant week. Already thinking about our next visit! Lovely comfortable clean gite - such a pleasure.
Lorna and Mohammad, Warnborough, Wiltshire UK

09-13 April 09
"What a fantastic break it has been. Simon and Karin have been fantastic. From our late night arrival to our departure they have been fabulously helpful.
Layon Cottage is wonderful. The facilities are perfectly homely and modern. So chic!! So Comfortable!!!
It is so lovely to come back to a fully equipped cottage after a lazy day strolling around the charming chateaux of the area.
We will definitely come back and recommend it to all we know! Au revoir!"
Jo Beardshaw and David Jarvis, St Hellier, Jersey.

Availability

See below for next 9 months' availability - to see the next 24 months click here

Send Enquiry

To contact this advertiser please visit: http://www.holidaylettings.co.uk/73258

Contact details for the advertiser of home 73258
Name:	Simon & Karin Grainger
Tel:	+33 (0)241 593121
Be aware of time-zones Please mention Holiday Lettings when contacting this advertiser
Languages:
Contact Notes: E mail preferred as we may be in UK
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Advertiser joined: Nov 2007

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