Village House in Loir-et-Cher, France

The Tower of Pontlevoy details

16th Century house

Home description

This picturesque stone house in the heart of the chateaux country was built in 16th century for the chief clerk of the 11th century Abbaye. The house is opposite the Abbaye, which has gardens and ponds, a magnificent 17th century military academy, museums of chocolate and early French aircraft and summer concerts with internationally recognised musicians.

The house was completely renovated recently (including electrical, plumbing, and central heating systems), new furniture, bedding, kitchen fully equipped with pots and pans and new appliances (dishwasher, washer, dryer, stove, large refrigerator and microwave). It has four bedrooms, three with double beds and one with twin beds. Three of the bedrooms are in the tower. There are two whole and two half size baths and a gourmet kitchen.

A Dutch door opens from the master bedroom to the terrace where there are a table and chairs. A small fountain bubbles away and many flowers grace the scene. From the terrace there is a view of old rooftops and gardens. It is a great place for intimate breakfasts and lunches, small barbecues in the evening or just lounging or reading.

Accommodation detail

Master bedroom

Dining room with beams and original floor tiles

The Salon is in Moraccan style

Move your mouse over the thumbnail to view

• Kitchen - this large, bright oak beamed room has a gourmet kitchen, a dining area and a lounge. The preparation area has ample counter space and all new appliances (dishwasher, large refrigerator/freezer gas range and microwave oven). There are pots and pans of every description, new china, silverware and table linens (service for twelve).
• Large laundry - and storage cupboard along one wall with a new washer and dryer.
• Dining area - warm and sunny, with four large windows. The sideboard, table for eight, shelves built into the two foot thick walls and two candle chandeliers make it a wonderful place to entertain. There is a magnificent red tile floor. A fireplace, two easy chairs and window seat complete the room. Your guests can keep you company while you cook or you can lounge there yourself.
• Living Room - this Moroccan style room has built in sofas and a window seat under the huge window that brightens the room throughout the day. The floor is made of the original 16th century red tiles. A brass coffee table, suspended lamps and a rug (all from Morocco) complete the ensemble. The original (and beautiful) circular wooden staircase originates in the living room and rises to the other floors.
• Master Bedroom Suite - the extraordinary master bedroom has a beamed ceiling and Moroccan rugs. There are built in desks for two with high-speed computer access, a double bed (with two sets of new bed linens), dressing table and a mirror. There is a baronial stone fireplace, surmounted by a huge antique mirror. The easy chairs and ottoman in front of it provide an intimate space for reading and talking.
• Enormous master bathroom - has a fireplace, many cupboards, a huge tiled bath/shower and a supply of towels.
• Separate WC - and basin, is on the landing.
• Three double bedrooms - arranged in a tower, one bedroom to a floor.
• Bedroom 2 - on the first floor of the tower, is bright and airy with a new double bed, desk, fireplace and its own complete bathroom with a tiled shower.
• Bedroom 3 - on the next floor of the tower, has an antique iron trundle bed and a desk. It too has a fireplace. There are windows on both sides of this room.
• Bathroom - with a half size bath, is in the hallway.
• Bedroom 4 - this octagonal room on the top floor of the tower has an intricately beamed conical ceiling and a double bed. From it, there are superb views of the Abbaye and surrounding countryside.

About the location

The house is located on the old main street of the charming village of Pontlevoy, which is south of Blois between the Loire and the Cher Rivers. The village has an excellent , baker a small marrket,  one excellent elegant restaurant and one good cafe with outdoor seating. In the village is the renowned Musee Dans la Rue with photographs of the village from early in the last century placed where you can see the locations as they look today. Amazingly, they do not look very different. Pontlevoy and other neighbouring villages have large weekly open air markets with incredibly good local produce and goat cheeses, which are a regional speciality.

The house is two hours drive from central Paris on high speed motorways. Trains go from Paris to Blois almost hourly. Blois is 15 minutes away by car and filled with sites to see including one of the great chateaux, shops and many fine restaurants. There are also trains (somewhat less frequently) from Charles de Gaulle to Tours, another great place to visit.

Montrichard, five miles away on the Cher River, has many shops, supermarkets, restaurants, a beach with a merry-go-round, a place where boats can be rented and a famous Donjon. Many artists live in the area and the wines are first rate but amazingly inexpensive. Ballooning, vineyards, mushroom caves and other diversions, both for adults and children are nearby.

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

Activities near by

Ballooning, Boating, Cycling, French tuition, Gourmet dining, Shopping, Sightseeing, Swimming, Walking, Wine tasting, Wine touring

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

How to get here

Two and one half hours by car from Charles de Gaulle airport.

20 minutes from railway station in Blois.

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