Les Hautes Guissinieres - Farmhouse Holiday Rental in Parcay Les Pins, Maine-et-Loire, France

Where is it

• Location:  North West France  >  Pays de La Loire  >  Maine-et-Loire
• Closest town/village:  Parcay Les Pins (Maine et Loire) ( 0.8 miles *Direct distance, road distance may vary. Please refer to detailed area map for local roads. )
• Closest airport: Angers Airport (24.7 miles *Direct distance, road distance may vary. Please refer to detailed area map for local roads.)
• Access: Car Essential Car hire
• Property highlights: Barbecue, Garden, Scenic views

 

Gîte in 18th Century Property Amidst Sunflower Fields

Les Hautes Guissinieres is part of an old 18th century farm set in pleasant countryside amidst orchards and sunflower fields a few kilometres north of the Bourgueil and Saumur vineyards in the Loire Valley. It is located between the villages of Gizeux and Parcay les Pins (18 miles/29kms NE Saumur).

This is a great place for walking, reading, enjoying the wine, relaxing in a hammock, sunbathing or just doing nothing, and if you enjoy the countryside and peace and tranquility this is the place to be. The main house is only ever occupied by the owners and this is on an infrequent basis. The house and gîte are built in the local tuffeau stone and have been excellently restored by local craftsmen retaining many of the original features and charm.

The property sits in almost an acre of private mature gardens with lawns, climbing vines and a small orchard; from the windows there are views of apple orchards and, depending on the year, fields of corn, sunflowers and asparagus. You are a five minute stroll from the edge of the old royal forests, still home to deer and boar, once bred for "La Chasse des Rois" - the Hunt of Kings.

Holiday Accommodation at Les Hautes Guissinieres

The gîte, built over 200 years ago, was originally an extension to the main house and it retains many original features such as the stone fireplace and exposed beams. The south-facing door opens onto a beautiful garden with a lawn surrounded by shady areas of trees, shrubs and flowerbeds.

Sleeps two adults; in addition it is possible to sleep two additional adults on the sofa bed in the living room.

• Kitchen area - well equipped fitted area (including fridge, microwave & washing machine)
• Open plan living room, dining area and kitchen - includes comfortable sofa bed, dining table & chairs and stereo. Tuffeau stone fireplace that has a log burning stove.
• Double bedroom - large with ensuite shower-room and toilet (room for a cot)

Outside:

Lawned area with shrubs and trees, garden furniture, hammock and barbecue. There are also two bicycles for your enjoyment during your visit.

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About Parcay Les Pins in Maine-et-Loire, Pays de La Loire

The Loire Valley exemplifies the good things in life; a leisurely pace of life, a mild climate, fine wines and a gentle people. The region is one of rolling countryside; the rich river valley and its vineyards, the fertile arable land, the orchards and the forests. Timeless villages hidden off the beaten track, or lively local towns. There are themed tours to follow, marked walks, wine discovery and 'degustation' routes and national park areas.

Named after the river that runs through it's heart , the Loire is one of the most famous places in western France. At 1020km in length from it's source in the Massif Central to it's destination in the Atlantic Ocean, the Loire is France's longest river.

Formerly the playground of kings, princes and the nobility, the Pays du Loire is still the wealthiest are of France. Entering it is like stepping back in time. Originally built as fortress in the Middle Ages, it's castles, hunting lodges and manor houses were gradually converted into lavish pleasure palaces during the Renaissance period.

Saumur

An impressive town overlooked by the splendid 14th century château with its black slate turrets and white tuffeau walls. Narrow streets wind their way down from the château to the Place Saint Pierre where there are half-timbered houses and a medieval church.

As well as the château, Saumur has several churches, a Decorative Arts Museum, Tank Museum, Mushroom Museum (deep down in limestone caves), a 5,000-year-old 'dolmen' - a Neolithic burial chamber. There is the famous Cadre Noir - the National Riding School and Cavalry, founded in 1814.

There are also caves where local sparkling wines are made and can be tasted. At night the town is a beautiful sight, with lights and buildings reflected in the waters of the river. There are bars and pubs, cafes and a great choice of restaurants.

Tours

This cathedral city has a mixture of the new and old. At the heart of the city is the medieval town 'Le Vieux Tours' which shows evidence of Roman ancestors and Renaissance architecture. At its heart is the Place Plumereau, a lively square surrounded by tall, half-timbered buildings dating from the 15th century. A few minutes away by foot sees you on the main street of Tours. Here you'll find chic fashion boutiques and large department stores, craft shops, bookshops, picture galleries and shops for stylish kitchen equipment.

As well as all this, Tours hosts a multitude of other beautiful buildings and things to see. There is the Cathédrale St-Gatien, the Hôtel Goüin, home to the city's archaeological museum, the Wine Museum of Touraine, and Place Pierre-le-Puellier, an evacuated Gallo-Roman and medieval cemetery which once formed part of a Renaissance cloister.

Angers

Angers, the capital of the Anjou region, is situated on the river Maine, a few kilometers before the Maine joins the Loire. It is a thriving university town with wide boulevards, modern shops, beautiful public gardens and narrow older streets evocative of its long history.

It is a town of two faces, with a wealth of cultural and natural heritage. There are museums, the chateau (home to the Apocalypse Tapestries), cathedral and churches and more than 45 timber framed houses - there are modern hi-tech industries such as Bosch, Scania, Yves Saint-Laurent and the headquarters of the famous Remy-Cointreau Distillery - a nice end to the day perhaps!!

Old and new combine perfectly in Angers - it is a thriving, alive town with something for everyone.

Chinon

The Château of Chinon, a medieval fortress, was built high above the River Vienne to protect the valley. History tells that it was here, in the Great Hall, that Joan of Arc recognised the Dauphin. It was also here that Richard the Lion-heart came when fatally wounded. The château has three different forts or keeps, waterless moats, underground passages and dungeons.

Chinon is a lovely old fortified town with cobbled streets and alleys which wind their way up and down and along the hillside. In the town are also the Musée du Vieux-Chinon (a local history museum), an Animated Wine Museum, Musée de la Deviniere, the Maison Rouge and the Église St-Maurice. There is a wealth of eating houses and small shops.

The town and region are famous for the 'Chinon' vineyards where superb red wines are produced.

Fontevraud

The Abbey of Fontevraud is the ancient burial place of the Plantagenets who were the Counts of Anjou, Ducs of Normandie and Aquitaine and then for over three hundred years Kings of England. Robert d' Arbrissel founded the Abbey at the end of the eleventh century. In 1150 at the rise of power of the Plantagenets the Abbey supervised nearly 5000 people in priories and convents in France, Spain and England. The French revolution put an end to the existence of the Fontevraud. In 1804 during the First Empire, Napoleon converted the Abbey into a prison for common criminals. It remained this way until 1963 !!. Since then it has profited from extensive restoration and is now one of the most visited monuments in the Loire Valley.

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

How To Get To Parcay Les Pins in Maine-et-Loire, North West France

Ferry Crossings

• Crossing : UK / French Port Approx. Distance (miles) to house
• Portsmouth - Caen Brittany Ferries 155
• Portsmouth - Cherbourg P&O 200
• Portsmouth - Le Havre LDLines 170
• New Haven - Dieppe Hoverspeed 230
• Dover- Calais Hoverspeed, PO & Sea France 360
• Dover-Bologne Spped Ferries 340
• Euro-tunnel Dover - Calais 360

Direct daily flights from Stansted to Tour with Ryan Air

The property is situated on the D86 midway between Gizeux and Parcay les Pins, and approximately 18 miles/29kms NE of Saumur and 30 miles/48kms NW of Tours. There are good road and rail connections from many ports and airports, with access to the French autoroute system within 16 miles/26kms. The journey from the port of Caen via the Route Nationale and the new A28 motorway is 3 hours; from Paris approximately 3 hours by motorway or under 2 hours by TGV.

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

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Facilities at Les Hautes Guissinieres

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Availability at Les Hautes Guissinieres

Changeover day: Saturday

Availability last updated on: - Wednesday, April 25, 2012

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Rates

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