Idyllic Loches Farmhouse, close to Loire Chateaux

Description from the owner

Family-Friendly Crene has 3 Bedrooms and 2 Shower-Rooms, and can comfortably sleep 6 plus baby.

Set at the end of a private country lane, this newly renovated farmhouse offers comfortable and peaceful accommodation in the heart of wonderful rural France whilst being only 10 minutes drive from beautiful medieval town of Loches, 40 minutes from Tours and 1 hour from Poitiers and is also within easy reach of the Loire's beautiful châteaux.

Crene - where a warm welcome awaits - has thick stone walls, creating a wonderful cool interior during the Summer and cozy warmth during the cooler months. The house consists of an open plan livin...g area, with fully fitted kitchen (dishwasher/microwave oven/fridge/freezer), lounge area with satellite TV, DVD player, CD player and a selection of movies, books and board games and children's toys. The dining area leads out on to the terrace through french doors, where you will find patio furniture along with a gas BBQ. There is a separate laundry with washing machine. The farmhouse is surrounded by a hectare of gardens complete with swing-set, and plenty of open space, great for playing with the kids and six adult bikes plus several children's bikes are also available for your use. We can also offer the opportunity for local wine tasting sessions (in English) and the opportunity of a escorted vineyard visit to sample a selection of the wonderful wines on offer locally.

Things to do locally ....: The beautiful medieval town of Loches is a mere 10 minutes drive from Crène. Here you will find a good selection of supermarkets, banks, boulangeries and bars. The choice of restaurants is excellent - ranging from small traditional bars offering 3 course meals with wine from 11 euros a head, to restaurants and hotels offering silver service for that special evening out. The twice weekly market is not to be missed - fresh local fruit and veg, renown fromage de chèvre (goat's cheese), fresh pâtés and rillettes (potted meat), olives, craft stalls and of course local wines! Crène is ideally situated for visiting châteaux, including Chinon, Amboise (with the house/exhibition of Leonardo de Vinci), Azay le Rideau, Chenonceau, Langeais, Blois, Chambord, Rigny Ussy, Valancay and Montresor. Some of the châteaux also perform Son et Lumiere shows during the Summer.

And if that isn't enough?: Golf: There are 9 and 18 hole golf courses at La Roche Posay that are challenging for both novice and experiences golfers and an demanding 9 hole course at Vernueil-sur-Indre (15 mins drive). Tours, with its beautiful old town and modern shops is 40 mins drive, Poitiers boasts Futuroscope - an excellent day out for all the family giving you the magic of 3D, virtual reality simulator rides and circular cinemas. Other suggestions include: La Haute-Touche (the largest zoological park in France), Zooparc Beauval, (an excellent family day out), the steam train from Richelieu to Chinon, the donkey park at Parc Le Fou de L'Ane, Parc Mini-Châteaux, Les Grottes Petrifiantes, the Aquarium de Touraine, (including piranhas, sharks and crocodiles) and Les Aigles du Donjon (an 11th century castle where you can watch displays of birds of prey) ... the list goes on, so what are you waiting for? For further photos/information and useful internet links visit our website.

Other Activities: micro-lite flights, hot air ballooning

Daily maid service can be provided upon request in advance. Babysitting also available upon request . Evening meal consisting of three courses with wine and optional continental breakfast the following morning can be provided on site by the owners from Euros 25 per person. See our guest comments - an ideal way to start (or finish) your holiday!Read more

Additional Location Information

Crene is situated in the heart of beautiful French countryside at the end of a quiet lane with no through traffic. 5 miles (8 km) drive brings you to the beautiful market town of Loches with all commercial amenities (banking, supermarkets, restaurants etc) and rail/road links to Tours (40 mins), where you can pick up the TGV (Paris 2 hrs).

Location Type Away from it all, Rural

Rental fees

Additional notes from owner

Prices includes electricity, cooking gas, all bed linens, one hand towel and one bath sheet per guest per week, complimentary toiletries etc.

Final cleaning available at Euros 65 payable locally. Heating available at Euros 75 per week.

Three course evening meal with wine (Euros 25 per person) available for first evening or at any point during your stay with 24 hrs notice.

Bookings secured upon payment of 20% deposit and completion and return of Booking Form.

Refundable damage deposit of Euros 200, payable and refunded by Paypal to be taken with balance of rental cost 8 weeks' prior to commencement of holiday.

Prices from Euros 400 (approx USD 550) per week.

What Past Guests Are Saying

• Tarnia
  Trowbridge

  delightful

  Left on 03/10/2011 for a stay in February 2011
  
  

  Well I was pleasantly delighted when I arrived at the property. It was a beautiful day when we arrived and seeing the farmhouse tucked away from the main street was very appealing and tranquille. The owners Sam and Dave made us feel so welcome and offered to provide a meal on our arrival. We jumped at the offer and this was lovelly and very much appreciated after our long journey The property was comfortable, spacious and clean. I often worry when staying in self contained accomodation on the standards of the beds and found these to be comfortable that I slept very well during my say. The location is perfect as its not too far from Loches and if you want a bigger town then Tours is easy to get too. In fact most things are just on the door step. Would stay there again without any hesitation.

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• C Wadland
  Essex, UK

  Excellent place to stay, will be back!

  Left on 02/17/2011 for a stay in September 2010
  
  

  This was a lovely gite, very clean and nicely decorated. David and Sam made us feel very welcome, and the meal she made us for our arrival was delicious and good value. They were very helpful and friendly if we needed any help or local advice.
  
  My kids loved the use of the bikes, swings and sandpit but there was so much to do in the surrounding areas that we didn't stay in too much.
  
  The local area was beautiful - very rural and quiet but close enough to Loches and Tours to spend the day there. They were very interesting towns. Also within easy driving distance are many Chateaux and the theme park 'Futuroscope'.
  
  All in all, we can't recommend this gite too highly - we will definitely be back.

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  Would you recommend this vacation rental to a friend? Yes

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• Michael G.
  Bedford

  A delightful retreat after sight-seeing trips in Loire Valley.

  Left on 02/17/2011 for a stay in June 2010
  
  

  We visited Crene for the first time in June 2010 for a fortnight.The gite was beautifully maintained by Samantha and David and we were made to feel very welcome. It is equipped to the highest standard.We particularly enjoyed Sam,s cooking for our evening meal on numerous occasions-very varied and large portions, all beautifully served.An excellent and peaceful base from which to explore the Loire Valley.

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  Detailed ratings for this rental

  • Check in
    
  • Cleanliness
    
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  Would you recommend this vacation rental to a friend? Yes

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  Was this review helpful? Yes