A Cozy, Techy, Lofty Barn in the Heart of the Loire Valley Grands Chateaux Area
About
This barn (renovation completed on October 2017 with key materials such as wood, iron, stones and bricks), has a distinctive cozy lofty/techno flair. Get all your devices (phone, tablet, laptop) easily connected through Bluetooth to the integrated sound system and play your favorite songs; lay back and relax on the long chair or sofa near the fireplace and watch a movie on the giant flat screen, or read a good book; sip a glass of local wine around the barrel table after a chateaux hop and stop biking day; watch glorious sunsets on the surrounding woods, fields and vineyards and stars in the sky on clear nights: your stay at this barn will definitely take away from your routine and worries! This is the ideal place for a couple to spend an extended WE, right in the heart of the so called “golden triangle” of French Grand Chateaux: Chambord, Cherverny and Chenonceau, in Central Loire Valley. The barn includes several communicating areas, all in one large building (more than 100m2 on the ground floor): a bedroom on a mezzanine under the rooftop; a central area with high ceiling that features a kitchenette and a wine barrel converted into a dinner round table for two, with views on a beautifully flourished courtyard with Da Vinci and Ronsard roses ; a TV room with giant flat/smart screen and comfortable armchairs; a reading room with sofa and meridienne around the large fireplace; and a full bathroom with Italian style shower, bathtub, and WC, in addition to the extra WC on the ground floor. This barn sits in an exceptionally quiet and relaxing environment, immensely enjoyable for nature lovers. Walk-out from the house and follow the 300 Km of secure and well signaled bike paths and hiking trails throughout the chateaux country. Although it enjoys a secluded location, this barn is not in the middle of nowhere: it belongs to the jurisdiction of Chitenay, a charming village with a boulangerie/grocery and a gourmet Auberge-Restaurant. Fougères-sur-Bièvre and its medieval castle, Troussay, Villesavin or Beauregard Renaissance chateaux are at biking distance from the property. Street markets, restaurants and supermarkets are countless in the neighboring localities such as Contres, Cour-Cheverny, Bracieux, Mont-Près Chambord, St Aignan-Beauval, Vineuil, St.Gervais-La-Forêt, and even the Royal city of Blois is only 15 min. away by car; charming small towns such as Chaumont sur Loire (25 min.), Amboise or Selles-Sur-Cher are not far away, either (40 minutes). Last but not least, you can connect the World through a reliable wireless Internet connection within the barn and at every corner of the property! This is a unique base for doing unique things; here is my list of top ten things to do (among many others) in the area, NOT in order of preference: 1/ Taking off in a hot air balloon from the surrounding field and flying over the river Loire, looking at the grand chateaux from above!. This can be done upon request to the many private providers based in the region, when specific weather conditions are met. 2/Playing golf on the 350 acres of old hunting grounds. La Rousselière --a 18-hole golf course (6863 yards, Par71) designed by architect Olivier van der Vynckt-- is part of the estate holding forests, meadows & ponds that belongs to Château de Cheverny. Just a few minutes away by car from the Barn. The golf country club features two restaurants and a nice swimming pool free of charge for visitors who have had a green fee for the day or lunch at the restaurant. 3/ Swimming in France’s largest ecological swimming pool, exclusively purified through an organic filtering process (no chlorine or any other chemical products). Nestled into a vast 1.5 hectare park, the Mont-Près-Chambord Park (12 min. by car from the Barn) this 2,000 sq. m. swimming area is harmoniously integrated in the existing landscape, surrounded by grassy banks and oak trees. This unique pool has the look and feel of one of the so many natural ponds or lakes typical of the neighboring Sologne region. 4/ Enjoying the very best sound and light show in the grandiose set-up of Chambord castle. And, If you are a horse rider, make a Royal impression by getting to Chambord on horseback! Chambord has mastered the art of "son et lumières", ever since it presented the World's very first show of this kind in 1952. The National Estate of Chambord regularly hosts art exhibitions and concerts on the estate. Recent concert programming has included open-air opera performances as well as indoor performances in the chateau's ballrooms. In addition, the chateau features outdoor events such as horse shows, and many other activities such as the Marshal de Saxe stables at Chambord’s equestrian performances involving riders who are dressed in period costumes. 5/Trying to break the Da Vinci code at Clos Lucé, Leonardo’s home during the last ten years of his life. As a resident artist, guest of King François the 1st, Leonardo lived and worked