Converted barn in Saône-et-Loire, France

La Grange des Girafes details

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La Grange des Giraffes

Pool with the Abri open

Abri closed over the pool

Morning Mist in the Valley

Home description

Welcome to La Grange des Giraffes, which is situated in a tranquil hamlet in beautiful rolling countryside, close to many well known vineyards and unusual and interesting to investigate.

This recently converted barn, with many exposed beams, is the family’s holiday home and will be let to those wishing to enjoy the tranquillity, natural beauty and the viticulture of the Cote Chalonnaise. The owners hope that you will find their home comfortable, convenient and enjoyable.

The farm has extensive grounds, an indoor/outdoor heated swimming pool and a large sun deck with superb views of the valley, all of which you are invited to use.

Accommodation detail

The Sitting Room

The master bedroom

The bedroom with single beds

The downstairs bedroom

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Ground floor

• Sitting room – is 21 x 24 ft with a vaulted ceiling and the owners have tried to retain the rural nature of the room.  This room was the milking parlour and the manger and feeding frame have been retained on one wall.   There is a dining table and chairs in the sitting room for more adult meals, when the evening is cool.  There are about 100 videos in the manger and DVDs in the sideboard, including those for children, which you are welcome to use.  In addition there is a new TV set and a DVD player, should you wish to take your own DVDs with you. There is also a new music centre which takes CDs and tapes, should you wish to take your own with you. At the top of the stairs there are two bookcases full of books, some of which are about the area, all of which you are welcome to read. There is also a large fan in the sitting room.
• In the bedroom with two single beds there is a TV which takes videos and in the blue double room there is a TV with an integral DVD player.
• Kitchen – the owners enjoy cooking for themselves, using the local produce, which can be bought in the market in Buxy (Thursdays from 09.00 to 12.00) or in the supermarkets. Consequently, the kitchen is well equipped with a range style cooker with an electric oven and 5 gas rings, a dishwasher, a microwave, a full size freezer (you will probably not want to have to shop every day!), an extra large fridge, a toaster and a large coffee maker. There is also the largest electric kettle the owners could find. Obviously there are loads of crockery, cutlery and glassware. Serving and roasting/baking tins are all large enough to cope with the biggest family. There is a copious kitchen table with 10 chairs in the kitchen. 
• Double bedroom – suitable for people with walking difficulties, but has not yet been adapted for wheelchair use. This room is en-suite with a hair dryer and two towelling dressing gowns. The bed has an orthopaedic mattress. There is also a 'clic-clac' sofa bed in this room, which can be made up for your arrival, on request. There is also a large floor standing fan in this bedroom.
• Laundry room - off the double bedroom contains the washing machine and tumble drier.

First floor

• Double bedroom – this is the master bedroom and has an orthopaedic mattress, electric blanket and a large en-suite. A hair dryer and two towelling dressing gowns are also provided for your use. There is a new air-conditioning unit in this bedroom, the instructions for which are in the bedside table.  There is a TV/VCR.
• Bedroom with bunk beds – both bunks have new and comfortable mattresses and bunks are full sized single beds. There is a table-top fan available in this room.
• Bedroom with single beds – there are two new full sized single beds with new and comfortable mattresses. There is a table-top fan available in this room. There is a TV/DVD player
• Bathroom – there is a large family bathroom with a full sized bath. Towels are available in the cupboard in this room. The coloured towels are for use around the pool and at the lake.
• All beds have quilts and pillows (summer quilts) and linen is provided. There is a travel cot available, although there is no linen provided for this.  There is also a high chair.  It is possible for me to borrow a further cot and high chair, should these be required.  There are two safety gates.

The cleaning lady, Martine, comes in on Fridays. Martine is always willing to help with emergencies. However, she only speaks a little English and should you not speak French, you should contact the owners who will speak to her for you.

Outside

• Patio area – is on four levels and can be lit at night by wall lights. There is a large wooden patio table with 8 chairs (if more are needed, please use the kitchen chairs). You will also find a barbecue, which uses charcoal as all proper barbecues do!
• Sun deck – overlooking the pool is a new addition and is 5 x 7m. There is are table and chairs and canvas sun beds for use on the sun deck.
• Swimming pool – 4 x 10m with 'Roman Steps' and is heated. The pool boasts an ‘abri’ (see photos).  It is simple and quick to open and close and totally secure from children (or anyone who does not have the key!). We give you full instructions when you book, but it takes about 2 minutes to open or close it. Although the pool catches the sun for all the day, except the very late evening. There are plastic sun-beds provided, and a table and chairs; the cushions are kept in the living room to keep them dry.  The pool has integral lighting and a swim-gym - these are simple to use and instructions are given in the Guide.
• Grounds – most of the rest of the land is being turned into meadow to encourage birds, butterflies and other wildlife.  We are rewarded with a wonderful display of poppies and other wild flowers and everyone is invited to play there. There is a two vehicle parking area near to the house where you can park without affecting your view across the valley, but you may park in the road if you prefer. 

About the location

Food and wine

Burgundy is renowned for its food and wine and you cannot go wrong in any of the local restaurants. There is a restaurant with a bar in the village called the "Cheval Blanc" as well as a 'Pizzeria' in the village, which produces very good pizzas and both restaurants have received high approval ratings from visitors to La Grange des Giraffes. The Pizzeria also does take-away, but these are the most similar to Italian pizzas that the owners have had outside Italy.

About 4 Km away in Germagny you will find La Table Charolaise, which is recommended by the owners and previous visitors.  Les Vignes is a restaurant which has recently re-opened under new management and, although more expensive than La Table Charollaise, offers an excellent range and quality of dishes.  If you prefer a more formal setting, then Annees Vins in Buxy is a much more formal restaurant. A guide to local restaurants with directions is provided by the owners when bookings are made.

As for wine, well the area is your oyster (or tastevin!). Conveniently situated between Montagny and Givry (the favourite wine of Henry IV of France). Close by are all the great Beaujolais vineyards, most of which offer 'degustation gratuit' – free wine tasting.

All these wines are available in local supermarkets and the local co-operatives. In the local co-operatives (one in Buxy, one in Genouilly) you can also buy plastic barrels which can be filled at the 'fontaine' for less than one euro a litre! There are some of these plastic barrels in 5 litre, 20 litre and 30 litre sizes. They have their taps on them. You are welcome to use them, but please do not remove them. However, this is wine for drinking now! It does not really keep or travel well.

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

Activities near by

Bird Watching, Boules, Cycling, Golf, Gourmet dining, Horse riding, Rambling, Riverside activities, Rock climbing, Shopping, Sightseeing, Skiing, Snowboarding, Swimming, Table tennis, Tennis, Walking, Water skiing, Wine tasting, Wine touring

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

How to get here

It is an easy drive from the Eurotunnel or Calais Port as it is more or less a straight drive and takes about four and a half to five hours - clear and easy details are provided to you on booking.

By train take the Eurostar to Lille, where there is a cross platform change and take the TGV to Montchanin-Torcy-Le Creusot. All the main car hire companies are represented at Montchanin-Torcy-Le Creusot. The drive from the station takes 10 to 15 minutes.

By air, currently there are only flights to Lyon St Exupery or Paris, although there used to be a flight to Dijon Longevic, but since Buzz ceased trading this flight no longer goes, but it is worth keeping an eye out, in case someone starts it again. The drive from Lyon takes about one and a half hours, but all the major car hire companies are represented there.

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