18th Century Cottage in Grounds of Farm

La Maison des Amis details

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View of the cottage

The cottage living area

The Cottage dining area

View from cottage garden

Home description

La Maison des Amis is situated in the centre of the unspoilt Loire Valley. Approached either through the centre of the village of Saint Hippolyte or a through a quiet rural lane, the detached cottage was built in 1784 and occupies part of Le Puits d'Eau Claire (the clear water well) farm grounds.

External features on site

• Barbecue
• Boating lake
• Fishing lake
• Garden
• Scenic views

Accommodation detail

 Downstairs

• Large combined living room/dining room/kitchen area - It has a fridge/freezer, microwave oven, a gas hob plus a dining table with six chairs. An open wood-burning fireplace complements a settee, two armchairs and music system. Even though you only need it in the winter, there is also electric central heating.
• Stylish bathroom - containing a good-sized bath alongside two individual hand-basins, a washing machine and plenty of bathroom shelving space.
• Separate WC - adjacent to the bathroom.

Restored original stair-treads lead to a spacious upper floor with all original beams.

Upstairs

• Large area entered from the stairs - with two single beds. Could be used as another living/studio space as well as a bedroom.
• Roomy double bedroom - with spacious wardrobe.

Both rooms are fully carpeted and enjoy views of unspoilt idyllic countryside.

Outside

The cottage's own secure garden has 4 charis, a table, an umbrella and a barbeque.  It catches the sun all day as you sit and watch a stream running alongside the cottage. Ample parking is available in the adjacent orchard.

About the location

The village has a restaurant famous for its fois gras and other excellent local specialities, a hotel, a boulangerie and grocery shop, a post office, a modern art gallery and a garage.

Saint Hippolyte is between the rivers Indre and Cher, 9 km upriver from Loches. Impressively built around an 11th century citadelle and situated on either side of the Indre, Loches commands the centre of the Loire region with all major chateaux and vineyards within a 40 km radius. The extensive grounds of its own imposing chateau within the walls of the citadel, complement the charm of the town outside the walls. You can relax at the heart of the bi-weekly bustling market in the Café des Arts and read-up on Loches' extraordinary 19th century author, George Sand.

Loches also boasts two well-stocked supermarkets, excellent specialist shopping, top quality restaurants, as well as the lively café buzz.

Fifteen kilometres North is the Chateau of Chenonceau. Said to be the most beautiful chateau in France it is certainly the one about which the most poems are written. Within an hour's drive are many other chateaux and the university town of Tours.

The nine gardens of La Chatonniere surround a small Renaissance castle between Tours and Chinon, offering spectacular views over the river Indre and the Chinon Forest. They are on the list of gardens offering RHS members free entry during July and August (on production of a membership card). Further to the North, the castle towns of Amboise and Blois are a pleasant drive.

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

Activities near by

Bird Watching, Boating, Canyoning, Cycling, Fishing, French tuition, Golf, Gourmet dining, Horse riding, Shopping, Sightseeing, Swimming, Walking, Water sports, Wine tasting

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

How to get here

• Rail - The TGV (high speed train), connects with Eurostar at Lille stops at St Pierre de Corps in Tours. The total rail journey from Waterloo to Tours is 6 hours. Tours is 40 minutes away from the cottage (see car hire below).
• Air - It is now possible to fly with Ryan Airlines from Stansted to Tours, which takes approximately 50 minutes.
• Road - Alternatively we can e-mail you maps of the quickest auto routes and local Loire roads if you choose to take your own car through the tunnel from England. The travelling time between Calais and St Hippolyte is approximately 8 hours (including 2 hours for mini-breaks).

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