Holiday in a vineyard? What could be better! The gîtes here are in the grounds of a traditionally designed, ‘modern’ château near Tours. You are sitting in 12 acres of red, white and rosé, mixed with formal gardens and woodland with foraging deer. La Closerie, no longer the wash house, has been transformed into a smart ground-floor cottage, with a comfortable salon and an open fireplace for chillier days. Cooks will be happy chatting to diners in the compact kitchen; eat in, or repair to the garden for a candle-and-star-lit supper. At the end of the gravelled drive is handsome gatehouse, also sleeping four, with a pale beech and steel staircase. La Maison du Boulanger, slightly bigger, is for five, with a single bed downstairs and two doubles. The winery is owned by a friend of the Carlis, who makes sweet white Chenins and fizzy Rosière, among others; buy some to take home. The Cher river, a tributary of the Loire, winds lazily through the old old town, heavenly Chenonceau is four miles away, and Amboise, Azay, Blois not much further. As for Bléré, it’s the home of one of France’s best cheesemakers – take yourselves off on a tour.
Thank you Nathalie, we enjoyed our stay with you so much, a wonderful last few days in France. A stunning Chateau, our room was very nice with wonderful views down to the river. Cycle rides by the river, wonderful walks, so much to do localy you need a number of days here to be able to enjoy it all. We will certainly be returning for a longer stay. 10 out of 10.