18th Century Manor House with Heated Pool - B&B & Self Catering

Vine House details

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Le Bignon and Vine House

The heated swimming pool

Part of the grounds

View from rear of house

Wonderful walks in Nature Reserve (7 mins drive)

The Fabulous River Loire

Saumur Chateau

Home description

Le Bignon is an elegant manor house set in 4 acres of peaceful grounds, providing immediate relaxation with quality home comforts. With its tuffeau stone walls and grey slate roof topped by soft pink brick chimneys, it is typical of manor houses built in the second half of the Eighteenth Century.  The Heated swimming pool is available from the beginning of May through to the end of September (weather permitting).

Le Bignon offers either Chambre d'Hôtes in the Manor House;  three elegant individually decorated kingsize/twin bedrooms with ensuite shower rooms, plus guests sitting room with honesty bar and a large rear terrace, or Vine House; stylish self catering for up to 6 guests plus a baby in a self-contained wing with private terrace.  Vine House guests also have the option of catered breakfasts and 4 course dinners (with baby listening service) in the Manor House, just a few steps away.

The Heated Swimming Pool

The pool is placed in a lovely sunny spot by the meadow and the old stables. It is 10m x 5m with a 'Roman end' and is a friendly 1.5m deep.  A safety alarm is fitted in accordance with French regulations. There is a refreshing solar heated shower, and a spacious terrace equipped with sun loungers, parasols and chairs. In the old well next to the pool you will find a cool box for drinks and a supply of unbreakable pool glasses.

The pool is carefully maintained by the owners on a daily basis to ensure the highest water quality.  Pool towels are provided for you.

Guests' Testimonials

"Le Bignon was definitely the highlight of our month-long trip to France! From the pool to the roses to the fabulous dinners, everything was wonderful."
Mr and Mrs S, Boston, USA

"What a fabulous place! Wonderful hosts, excellent rooms and the most fantastic food!" Mr and Mrs M, Bucks

"After many visits to the Loire, we have found the 'Ritz' !  Vine House is warm and comfortable and for once we haven't missed our own bed!"
Mr and Mrs W, South Wales

Food and Wine

All guests, whether staying in the Chambre d'Hôte or in Vine House, are welcome to take breakfast and dinner.  In addition to filter coffee or tea and freshly squeezed juice, you can enjoy a buffet of cereals, cold meats, cheeses, smoked salmon,  yoghurt, fresh fruits, breads and croissants with local honey and homemade jams and preserves.

Dinner is served either in the dining room or on the terrace at 8.00 pm. Your four course meal will reflect the very best from the day's markets. Although dinner is Table d'Hôte, the owners will always offer a vegetarian or fish alternative if requested. Whilst they cannot guarantee to cater for all dietary requirements, please ask when booking and they will advise.

A Typical Dinner Menu

 White bean soup with truffle oil and chives

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Herb stuffed fillet of Sarthe pork with a chervil sauce

or

Risotto of Saumur mushrooms and herbs

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A selection of cheeses, with walnuts from the garden

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Orchard tarte tatin

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Coffee or Tea

If you are planning a day of sightseeing, we will be happy to prepare a fully equipped wicker hamper packed with home made goodies and wine (24 hours notice required please).

Accommodation detail

Heated pool a short step from the terrace

Garden flowers

Furnished for comfort - squishy sofas around fire

Back door leads onto terrace and heated pool

Dining table - ample space for 6 plus highchair

Kitchen with solid wood cupboards, belfast sink

The Jade Room (super king or twin beds)

The Pink Room (super king or twin beds)

The Pumpkin Room (king size bed)

Upstairs Bathroom, bath with shower over

Ground floor shower room with walk- in shower

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Vine House is a wing of the manor that the owners believe was originally the kitchens, now restored and converted to a self-contained holiday home. When you arrive at Vine House, a welcome basket of bread, butter, milk, tea, coffee and wine (plus a few other surprises) will be waiting to greet you. You can arrange to have dinner on the evening of your arrival if required.

Ground floor

With original terracotta tiles, beams and monumental (working) fireplace, it divides naturally into:

• Superbly equipped kitchen area (refurbished April 2008)- with cooker, microwave, fridge, dishwasher and plenty of crockery, cutlery and glassware. All the kitchen equipment has been chosen by the cook for quality not economy. The large dining table comfortably seats 6 plus highchair (provided).  Although the kitchen at Vine House is equipped for 'proper cooking', there may be times when you really want to get away from it all. Please feel free to tell the owners if you would like to take their wonderful breakfast or fabulous evening meal, without the need for cooking or driving to a restaurant.
• Sitting area -  dominated by a monumental (working) stone fireplace. Grouped around the fireplace are generous comfy sofas, where you can curl up and take your pick from a selection of games, books, CDs, dvds, or listen to your own music on our new iPod docking station.  You can also enjoy English Freeview TV. A door leads from here directly onto the terrace which faces the heated pool and has outdoor furniture and a barbecue.
• Shower-room - with large walk-in shower (new shower area installed April 2008)

Upstairs

(a stairgate is fitted on the stairs) in the spacious beamed attic, you will find 3 pretty bedrooms:

• The Jade Room is the largest bedroom and offers twin or a super-king bed There is ample room for a cot (provided on request with our compliments).
• The Pumpkin Room has a king size bed and a recessed window with a cosy window seat.
• The Pink Room offers a choice of twin beds or a super-king bed.  The half height window (with external balustrade for safety) allows you to make the most of the sunshine and enjoy the countryside views.
• Bathroom - with bath and shower over..(new bath and shower April 2008) 

All three bedrooms are furnished in country style with built in wardrobes,  a dressing table and chair, hairdryer, comfortable quality beds with Egyptian cotton bed linen, firm and soft pillows, fluffy towels and dressing gowns.

About the location

Le Bignon is located in the historic 'pays Baugeois' region of the Pays de la Loire. This is peaceful, moderate and gentle countryside with many wooded areas between the delightful river Loir (known locally as the 'little' Loir) and the mighty river Loire.

Our nearest village is Jarzé, 15 minutes walk away. It has a small supermarket, 2 bakers, a fabulous butcher/grocery, a tabac/newsagents, a pharmacy, post-office and a bar/cafe.

Some 9 km to the east is Bauge, an attractive, bustling little market town with a larger supermarket, small High Street and a number of cafés and restaurants. The main square in the centre of town is overlooked by the town chateau which houses the tourist information office.

Some 9 km to the north is Durtal, set on the lovely River Loir (a tributary of the great River Loire) with its imposing chateau and selection of restaurants.

Also close by is Angers, considered to be one of the most beautiful cities in France. This sophisticated city offers theatre, music, ballet and art exhibitions as well as great shopping, a vast range of cafés and restaurants and an unforgettable market every Saturday. Perhaps two of the most famous sights are the Cathedral of Saint Maurice and the Castle of Angers. The castle is home to the Tapestry of the Apocolypse, 140 metres long and a 'must see.'

Twenty minutes to the south of Le Bignon is the river Loire. The area is a nature lover's paradise, with herons, egrets, cormorants, gulls, terns and lapwings, as well as coypus, wild boar and deer. A number of cruises are available, including an ornithological cruise which sets off from Saumur.

Saumur is a lovely town dominated by the fantastic chateau on top of a hill. Saumur is home to the Cadre Noir, the élite of the French cavalry, and each year in July they stage a spectacular show, Carousel, in the centre of town. There are a number of excellent restaurants, a mushroom museum, sparkling wine houses, troglodite caves, and just south at Doue la Fontaine, a small but wonderful zoo which has the proud reputation of successfully rearing more babies from endangered species than any other zoo in the world.

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

Activities near by

Adventure park, Ballooning, Bird Watching, Canoeing, Cycling, Fishing, Flying, Golf, Gourmet dining, Horse riding, Kayaking, Mountain biking, Riverside activities, Shopping, Sightseeing, Swimming, Tennis, Theme parks, Tree adventure park, Walking, Wine tasting, Wine touring

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

How to get here

Le Bignon is perfectly situated for either a short break or a full scale holiday.

By air

• Ryanair from various airports to Tours (75 minutes drive) or Nantes (90 minutes drive)
• FlyBe from various airports to Rennes (120 minutes drive) 
• Numerous airlines to Paris (2.5 hours drive )
• Please see the links page on our website lebignon.com for full detailsof all routes

By train

• Eurostar from St Pancras to Paris or Lille, TGV from Paris or Lille to Tours or Angers.

By ferry

• Brittany Ferries' western routes from Portsmouth, Plymouth or Poole to Cherbourg, Caen, St Malo or Roscoff.
• Le Bignon is an easy 2.5 hours drive from Caen or 4 hours from Cherbourg.
• P&O Ferries from Dover to Calais.
• Norfolk Lines from Dover to Dunkerque.
• LD Lines from Dover to Boulogne or Dieppe
• Le Bignon is approximately 4.5 hours drive from Boulogne, 5 hours from Calais and 5.5 hours from Dunkerque.

Le Bignon is approximately 8 minutes drive from Junction 12 of the A11 motorway.

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