200 Year Old Cottage in the Heart of the Countryside

La Maison Tranquille details

Home description

A spacious cottage situated in the heart of the countryside with private sunny garden, surrounded by farmland and rolling hills ideal for walking, bicycling and painting.

La Maison Tranquille is a stone built cottage on two floors surrounded by a delightful sunny garden planted with sweet-scented flowers and aromatic herbs.  Renovated to a very high standard whilst retaining its character and charm, it has a wealth of traditional features including very old large oak beams both downstairs and up and a massive stone fireplace.  Nestling in Neuvy Le Barrois, a small, quiet hamlet surrounded by beautiful countryside where wild life abounds, it is located at the end of a quiet cul-de-sac (no passing traffic), some 5 miles from the market town of Sancoins and some 50 minutes south of Sancerre.

Walking past the little school in the hamlet, the friendly local village shop (boulangerie/bar-tabac and cafe rolled into one!) provides you with your fresh baguette every day, can provide a meal by arrangement, stocks groceries and also locally sourced eggs and both goats and cows cheese.

The cottage is to be found in the midst of the Loire countryside surrounded by old woodlands gently rolling hills and traditional mixed farms South of Sancerre in the Berry Region, it is famous for its countryside, birdlife and the slow pace of life which we all seek at times.

The medieval village of Apremont, some 2 miles away is bordered by the River Allier and the River Loire runs along the town walls of Nevers. The Canal Lateral de la Loire which provides summer boating is just 10 minutes away by car through beautiful rural scenery.

The surrounding farms are rightly proud of their herds of pure-bred Charolais and goats. One can buy free-range eggs, chickens, goat's cheese, cow's cheese and indeed fresh cream at the farm gate. Rare storks arrive in April and can be readily seen nesting in the trees.

Accommodation detail

The cottage is generously equipped and is heated by electric thermostatically controlled radiators and a large woodburning stove.

Ground floor:

• Kitchen : large enough to eat in (seating for 4 provided), large kitchen/breakfast table and seating provided and is well equipped with fridge/freezer, dishwasher, washing machine, microwave, gas cooker and oven. a keen cook has stocked this kitchen with every utensil you would hope to find!
• Sittingroom : the focal point of this large room is the open stone fireplace, with wood burning stove.  French doors leading to the back of the house and open onto the sunny garden.  Comfy sofa and armchairs for relaxing and elm refectory table and benches seating 6 comfortably are available for indoor dining.
• Shower room : large walk-in shower, bidet, wash-basin and mirrored cabinet
• WC : separate from shower room.
• Cave

First floor:

• Bedroom 1 : twin cherrywood sleigh beds.
• Bedroom 2 : double bed
• Landing : a single bed in spacious area.

There is also a DVD player, a hifi system: there are a stock of dvd's and cd's for your pleasure, board games, books in both French and English and two adult bikes available.  The cave houses both the tumble drier and the bikes.  Bedrooms feature original exposed oak beams

Outside:

The cottage is set to the rear of the hamlet (the last house) and is surrounded by fields. There's a huge old woodland behind where one can walk quietly. The garden is totally enclosed and very spacious. Last year we started an orchard of apple, pear, plum and apricot trees - 2008 will bring us the first crop!! A beautiful climbing rose now adorns the front of the house and the well also has a new rose to tumble around it. Privacy is maintained to the rear where one can seek the shade under the cherry tree, use the patio table and chairs for al fresco dining and enjoy a barbecue – a perfect retreat for hot summer days!  Ample parking for cars on the property.

About the location

Plenty of interesting places within easy reach:

• Apremont (5 mins) A medieval village justly deserving its "Les Plus Beaux Villages de France” (most beautiful village) status. You can enjoy the floral park, château and carriage museum, or simply enjoy a walk through this beautiful village and pause on the banks of the river Allier.
• Sancoins (10mins) is a bustling market town with an Intermarche, small shops, hotels and bars. The market takes place on Wednesday mornings, covering five squares in the centre of town. There is also a cattle market each Wednesday  morning where the farmers buy and sell: it houses at least 2 restaurants!
• Nevers (20mins) Bordered by the Loire, Nevers is a city of arts and history, with the palais ducal, the beautiful cathedral and the Formula 1 circuit. A must to visit is the Grotto of St. Bernadette. There are options here for gourmet dining.  The main line rail service to Paris is found here, with central Paris only 2 hours away by train!
• Sancerre (50mins) is a medieval hill-top village famous for the Sauvignon Blanc wines. The next village of Bue is where to find most of the caves for tasting and buying. A beautiful visit!
• Bourges (50mins) University city with lots of style, gothic cathedral and medieval quarter
• Also the stylish towns of Beaunne, Dijon, The Basilica of St Mary Magdalen in Vézelay and the Roman town of Autun easily reached for a day trip out.

See Local guide and map for information on nearby towns and facilities.

Activities near by

Bird Watching, Boules, Canoeing, Cycling, Drawing and painting, Fishing, Go karting, Golf, Horse riding, Photography, Rambling, Riverside activities, Sightseeing, Swimming, Tennis, Walking, Water sports, Wine tasting

See Activities and attractions for more information on nearby activities and places of interest.

How to get here

By Air

• The house is to be found three hours drive south of Paris airports (Charles de Gaulle, Beauvais, or Orly )
• The house is to be found approx 1 hour and 45 mins from Clermant-Ferrand airport.  Flybe & Air France (from London City) have regular daily flights

Car hire is essential when flying into the region

By Ferry

• From Le Havre/Caen under 5 hours drive, from Calais/Boulogne approx 7 hours

By Train

• From Waterloo or Ashford (Eurostar) to Paris-Gare De Lyon, then 2 hours by train to Nevers.  Car hire available at Nevers railway station, then just 20 minutes drive to cottage.

See Local guide and map for information on nearby towns and airports.