Peaceful, Child-Friendly, Self-Catering Cottage near Limousin

Joie de Vie details

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"Joie de Vie" - entrance to cottage and garden

Crozant medieval ruins

Fougeres beach Lac D'Eguzon

Medieval festival

Water-skiing on Lac D'Eguzon

Local summer fun-fair

Local historic castle

Steam-train trips from Limoges

Annual fireworks display, Orsenne

Argenton-sur-Creuse

World War 2 memorial, Oradour-sur-Glane

Home description

This renovated farmhouse oozes charm with newly refurbished old oak beams, oak staircase and a restored stone country fireplace, yet has all the amenities for modern living. It is also equipped to provide for young families with toddlers and babies. It has an enclosed garden, patio area, barbeque, and large apple trees for shade in this quiet hamlet.

Situated close to the Lac d’Eguzon (8km), is ideal for walking, biking and swimming, or simply a place to relax within its tranquil rural surroundings. There are also amenities close by at the local town of Lourdoueix-st-Michel (3km).

Alternatively, if you are feeling lazy, regular deliveries of freshly baked croissant are virtually brought to your door.

There is a shed outside which stores mountain bikes, a paddling pool and wood for the fire.

The paved patio has a purpose-built barbecue, adequate dining for 6 people, and has two outside lights, so you can enjoy the warm evenings. The garden is fully matured with a mixture of fruit and deciduous trees.

Ample parking area.

External features on site

• Barbecue
• Garden

Child and baby-friendly equipment can also be found outside. They are as follows:

Shed and barbeque area: Childrens’ paddling pool (approx 6 feet in diameter and 1 foot deep); inflatable boats for use at the lakeside; battery operated inflater; garden is fenced-off and secure. Hazard notes: take care to supervise young children near barbeque area

Accommodation detail

Barbeque and patio area - with lighting

Main bedroom

Second bedroom

Third room (landing), with pull-out double bed

Lounge, with surround sound cinematics

Kitchen, built-in cupboards and fire-place

Kitchen with built-in cupboards and utilities

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The accommodation comprises:

Upstairs

• Main bedroom with a king-size bed, bedside tables, and dressing table.
• Second bedroom with two single beds, bedside tables and chest-of-drawers in this spacious bedroom. There is also a cot, stairgate and cupboard.
• Third bedroom with a large pull-out settee, either as a third sleeping area, or a lounge area. There is also a chest of drawers. This is the landing area.

The upstairs that has been restored, maintaining the rustic atmosphere with old oak beams, laminate flooring, velux windows and an open and spacious feel.

Downstairs

• Utility and bathroom.  Down an unspoilt oak staircase you are brought to the large utility area, with storage cupboard (for linen and towels), the tumble dryer and chest freezer. Off the utility area is the family bathroom. This has a bath and shower, basin and toilet. There is also a storage cupboard.
• Living area:  There is a second door leading from the utility room to the living area. This is open plan, with a kitchen area, wood burning farm fire, and lounge. The kitchen is new, and fully equipped. There is a large farm dining table.
• On the far side is the lounge area, with a comfortable settee and chairs. There is a TV and DVD player and a storage cupboard with a games and toys. Retaining that rustic country feel the living area has a stone-surround behind the fireplace, and old oak beams in the ceiling.

Full inventory of baby/toddler equipment is available from the owners. Child and baby friendly equipment is included as follows:

• Kitchen/living area: Safety locks on drawers with knives, also cupboard with cleaning materials; safety lock on fridge; toddler's plastic table and chairs (2 off); drawing equipment, DVD's, toys and games for different ages; fire guard; high-chair; booster seat for dining chair; baby bottle steriliser (for microwave); hand blender; plastic mugs/plates and children's cutlery; feeder cups for toddlers (2 off); baby gym; small plastic containers for storage of baby food; socket guards in place. Hazards: Small raised surface for the fireplace.
• Bathroom: Bath toys; booster step; toddler toilet seat; potty; washing bowls (for baby). Hazards: None
• Utility area: Space for storing pushchairs, etc; dryer; freezer; linen cupboard (linen, towels); picnic equipment (cooler box, picnic mat, etc). Hazards: Stairway to top floor. Utility area can be made safe by closing doorway to kitchen/living area.
• Children's Bedroom: Two single beds (with mattress protectors); bed guard; children's water bottles (with protective covers); cot (wooden); all bedding (including duvet, sheets, blankets) for the cot; cupboard and chest of drawers; hairdryer; camp cot (also for use as playpen); baby's changing mat; handheld/portable baby monitor; night light (battery operated); insect net; stair gate; socket guards in place. Hazards: Upstairs area is all on split levels, hence a stair gate available for use on the entrance to the second bedroom, making the staircase inaccessible to young children and the bedroom safe.

NB: All baby and toddler equipment was purchased at Mother Care or Toys'R'Us, therefore meeting British safety standards.

About the location

Centre/ Limousin Region

The region of Centre has the reputation where the purest French is spoken. The Berry, of which Bourges is the capital, produces more than half of the country's fine china. It recently came to fame when some of its porcelain was recovered from the Titanic.

Vouvray, Sancerre and Pouilly Fumé wines all come from vineyards near the river Loire. There are also various types of goat cheeses at hand, including Crottin de Chavignol and Ste-Maure. Orléans vinegar was once as famous as Dijon mustard, with more than 200 vinegar-makers and merchants working in the city. The Limousin is the very heart of France. This deeply rural region is set between the Massif Central and the Atlantic coast, enjoying mild winters and long, hot summers. It is a country of rivers, lakes and forests, including the great man-made reservoir of Vassivière.

Here in Limousin you will find some of the most beautiful villages of France, such as Collonge-la-Rouge, Curemonte, Mortemart, St-Robert, Ségur-le-Château and Treignac.

There are also many reminders of the past, such as the château at Châlus, where Richard Coeur de Lion was mortally wounded. Also, during the Second World War the Nazis murdered all inhabitants of the village of Oradour-sur-Glane whose charred ruins remain as a memorial to the crime.

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

Activities near by

Boating, Boules, Canoeing, Cycling, Fishing, French tuition, Golf, Horse riding, Kayaking, Mountain biking, Rambling, Riverside activities, Sailing, Scuba Diving, Sightseeing, Swimming, Tennis, Walking, Water skiing, Water sports, Wind Surfing

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

How to get here

By Car

Driving time will be anything between 4 to 7 hours to your destination, depending on whether you catch the ferry from Calais or Caen. Though most route finders will take you via Paris as the quickest route, Rouen is a viable alternative - especially during the Paris ‘rush’ hour or late July/ early August. You will also halve your toll fee!

By Air

By air, the nearest airport is at Limoges (Bellegarde), where there is hire car facilities. The car journey from Bellegarde to Lourdouiex-Saint-Michele is northbound on the A20 and takes approximately 60 minutes.

By Rail

Rail travel is a good alternative for those who dislike flying. The journey from Waterloo to Argenton-sur-Creuse or Limoges by Eurostar will take 6 hours, with one stop in Paris. You can hire a car from Limoges.

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