Gîte in Ille-et-Vilaine, France

L'Etable details

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Les Preaux

The covered swimming pool

Our Pony

Lounging outside the pool

Home description

A lakeside breton longhouse in a superb country setting. The accommodation is located at forges la foret in SE Brittany between Vitre & Chateaubriant, an area full of chateaux & forts, and historic for defending independant Brittany from the rest of France. Les Preaux stands in 1 hectare of private grounds and is split into various areas.

The small fishing lake is fully fenced it is well stocked with carp to 12lbs, tench, bream, roach, goldfish, & pumpkinseed. Fishing is free & tuition is available from an experienced match angler. Fish are easily caught & tackle is widely available for under £10. All fish must be returned to the water; we do cater for fishing parties & can advise on where to go & licenses req'd. Tame ducks also swim on the lake.

The fenced play area is entered over a small wooden bridge. The swings / slides are suitable for 9 yrs. and under. Various peddle cars / tractors for the 5 yrs. and under, for the older children & adults we have a table tennis table, badminton / volleyball net, football nets, boules, croquet, Breton pallets; for security reasons all balls, toys and games must remain in this area We also have a selection of bikes to hire (1 with child's seat); please bring your own safety helmets.

The covered swimming pool is accessed by an attractive floral entrance; heated to 28° between May – sept. It is 7.3m by 3.7m, above ground for children's safety, with a removable ladder for climbing in / out, allowing bathing in all weathers. Due to the new French regulations it is the responsibility of the hirers to ensure the ladders are removed, after use, from the pool to a specified area. Spot checks are expected and the fine is a hefty €45000; (Due to these regulations and the dangers of unattended water we cannot allow paddling pools). The owners clean & check the water quality daily and for that reason the pool opens between 09h.00 – 21h.00. Outside are tables, chairs & sun loungers.

We have a selection of small animals housed in buildings or in separate private runs: free range hens & cockerel (eggs can be bought), rabbits, doves, quail, & other occasions there maybe turkeys & a pig; also Rocky, a very friendly rough collie dog. He has his own compound, but is available for walks! & lastly Rica, a sturdy small poney available for short rides under supervision, lead by the owners. Due to our animals guests pets cannot be accepted & also for the hygiene in the gites.

We breed & sell all our own produce & also incubate duck & hen eggs. We are aware some children (and adults) see animals as pets & we do encourage feeding & touching under our supervision. We do not upset anyone & we are very discreet with any disposals. Our fruit & veg is usually in abundance, surplus are given free to our clients.

Our local farmer accepts visits at milking times & tractor rides can be arranged, which is proving more and more popular each year.

Surrounding our grounds is mainly arable land, forests & quiet country roads suitable for cycling& walking with a possibility of seeing wild boar / deer, birds like hoopoe, oriels & buzzard. We have also interesting insects- stick insects, preying mantis, giant grasshoppers, colourful butterflies & glow worm also reptiles- wall lizards green lizards, large toads green tree frogs & salamanders. We can give aid with identification.

Normally the summer is hot 2003 being an exceptional 43° this gives rise to superb sunsets at night & benefiting from being in the countryside with no light pollution allows superb clear starry night skies & clear views of shooting stars & occasionally the northern lights can be seen.

All properties are available all year round with heating by log fires/electric convectors/gas bottle or no odour paraffin heaters plus the high insulation level ensures a cosy vaccances and we do pre heat the properties for you in the cooler months.

The properties have been inspected & registered with the HAUTE BRETAGNE tourist authority and have gained a charter of quality, WORLD ONE CALL 5 globe accreditations based on independent client feedback and featured in THE OUEST FRANCE french daily newspaper

Visitor Comments

We all had a lovely week lazing in the sun thanks for the tips on fishing which was an unexpected joy
Harris Family Herts

loved going on walks in the sun Cian aged 8 liked the fishing all chateaus were brilliant especially Fougeres it's HUGE thanks to you both and the boys for creating this cool place
Isobel Ireland & Colin UK

We had an excellent fortnight...;thanks for helping us out when we had car problems you were very kind & thoughtful & we were able to extend our stay thanks for the fresh produce from the garden and keeping our show on the road
Robin & Anne Holmes(Scotland) and America

could not wish for more friendly or enthusiastic hosts caught 3 fish and a duck!!!
Petchy Family Swindon

this was one of the most relaxing holidays we have ever had the weather was fantastic and your hospitality was beyond compare
Mike Tracey Essex

The boys enjoyed the pool rides on Rica fishing and endless games of cricket and football with your boys
Chris W Sussex

thank you for making our holiday so enjoyable. All 20 of us had a great time. The children loved the play area , your poor poney (has she recovered?) all your other animals and the tractor ride
Susan (Paris)

Thank you ever so much for a wonderful stay. It was a really relaxing week that the whole family enjoyed; we had a fantastic time in the pool Hope to see you again soon
The Gormley Family (Worthing)

We will not hesitate to recommend your excellent properties but more importantly you kindness and hospitality
Glenda and Phil UK

Fishing Parties

We offer a special service for our fellow anglers.

For parties of 8 – 28 we can offer a choice of room only B&B or1/2 board (using home grown/reared products).

We are situated in an area full of rivers & lakes. The 2 closest lakes are under 5 miles away both over 200 acres in size & full of fish, as expected in France large carp dominate the catches but sport for other fish is prolific, bream, tench, black bass, roach, rudd, pike & others specials like catfish and pumpkinseed.

The rivers of the area are diverse in size & flow & offer all the species found in the lakes, but, are dominated with carp & huge slabs.

Local anglers go fishing for the table & only the small & too large are returned to the water or in the case of bream have too many bones for the French palate, hence why many specimens are found as are trout which are introduced for the 2 hour French matches. If here when a match is scheduled please take part as it is so different to what we are used to even a brass band playing at the end of the match.

Advice on licences, venues and tactics given freely.

House Hunting

We are receiving more and more clients who are looking for a property for investment, holidays or the ultimate emigrating.

We have been here around ten years & have a good knowledge of the area our advice to other clients has been warmly received and where a language barrier has arisen we have been able to direct people to English speaking artisans and estate agents. We look forward to giving this free service to anybody who follows.

Accommodation detail

Living area of 'L'Etable'

L'Etable

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Situated to the left side of The Byrne is the oldest part of Les Preaux , the original house, but later used for animal housing it has now been tastefully converted & decorated into a family gite. With exposed beams throughout & tiled floors it retains quaint charm & character. The entrance is into an open plan lounge/dining room with fitted kitchenette and spindled staircase.

The kitchenette has bottled gas cooker, washing machine, fridge , microwave, electric kettle, toaster /grill, coffee maker& expresso, crèperie/raclette/grill, sandwich toaster, electric steamer, electric knife, fondue set, pressure cooker, iron/ironing board, vacuum cleaner also picnic set & cool box with ice packs. The dining area and 3 piece suite are set around an enclosed wood burner, French colour T.V; D.V.D. & mini hi-fi (CD &CASS) a doorway under the stairs leads to a shower room with hand basin & toilet.

The spindled staircase leads to 3 bedrooms with carpet flooring. There are 2 double bedrooms & 1 bedroom with a single bed & a child's bed for 6yrs & under there is also a wooden cot with baby blankets & folding play cot & high chair. All the beds have 2 pillows per person, a quilt of 13.5 tog & extra blankets. Bed Linen is available to hire. There is also a radio/alarm clock & plug in night lights.

Heating is by wood fire; electric convectors oiled filled radiator/ bottled gas fire. Cold air fan is also provided.

Outside is a patio with garden furniture and barbecue.

About the location

 The diverse departments of Mayenne, Maine-et-Loire and Loire Atlantic are only a few miles away giving access to major towns like Nantes, Angers (both on the Loire river with those famous chateaux & vineyards ) Laval, Mayenne, Le Mans & its 24hr circuit plus St Nazaire birth place of the Queen Mary 2 with its huge U boat pens.

There is so much to do and see in this historic part of France all within easy driving distance.  Traffic free roads, markets with local products and restaurants all add to this charming rural area.

Within 20km 

Martigné-Ferchaud - lake, beach watersports. August night festival.   
La Guerche de Bretagne - Basiliac, wood clad shops, huge market on Tuesdays.  
Pouancé - lake beach, watersports with bar/cafe on site, Chateau.  
Chateaubriant - Chateau, "those famous steaks", war memorial, Olympic swimming pool, large market Wednesdays.
Vitre - Small city - Chateau, beautiful park, quaint wood clad shops/houses in narrow streets, TGV daytrip to Paris
Retiers - Roche aux Fees 2nd largest important set of megaliths (standing stones) in France.
Chateaubourg - Chateau
Chateaugiron - Chateau, lake beach, watersports.

Within 40km

Lavel - Capital of Mayenne
Fourgeres - old fortress City Chateau - very majestic
Rennes - capital of Brittany
La Gacilly - home of Yves Rocher Perfume - fields of flowers, planetarium, arts and craft shops.

Within 60km

Chateau Gontier - riverside town
Angers, Ancenis, Nantes - towns on the Loire river, vineyards with wine tasting.

Within 100km

Coasts - north, St. Malo, Mont St. Michel. West, La Baule, Carnac.
Tours - Le Mans, drive on part of 24 hours circuit
Redon - Nautical Paradise

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

Activities near by

Cycling, Fishing, Table tennis, Swimming, Water skiing, Theme parks, Horse riding, Golf

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

How to get here

Les Preaux is situated just off the N178 giving easy access from all ports the neareast being St Malo only 1hr 20min drive as is the north Brittany coast & S Brittany/ Vendee coast.

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