Les Limornieres - Chene

Weekly prices from:
625 EUR , 512 GBP

	Sleeps 3 + infants in 1 bedroom
	Along with the play barn stuffed with toys, there's a small basket of age apropriate toys and books provided in each property.
	There's a play barn on site complete with trampoline, swings, table football, swing-ball, football, chalks, paints, face-paint, sandpit, splash-pool, paddling pool, bikes & scooters
	Guests are welcome to help feed the chickens and collect eggs
	The Crawfords are firmly committed to sustainable living. They recycle, harvest rainwater, compost organic waste and treat waste water on site via a filter bed system. In addition they use only bio-friendly cleaning products. Buildings are heated by wood taken from the land & other local sustainable sources. Insulation is to better than recommended standards and 'A' grade electrical goods, low energy light bulbs are used. They focus on local food produce including their own fruit, vegetables & eggs They also provide re-useable shopping bags & info on local farmers markets & vineyards. Bikes are available for all ages, bike seat & trail bar provided.
	A relaxing back massage, pedicure or manicure can be arranged in the comfort of your gîte or in the local spa town of La Roche Posay.
	Bed & Breakfast and part-catering available on request. arrival night meals and 4 course meals for either lunch or dinner can be provided for 20 Euros per head for adults and 10 Euros per head for children under 12, each meal includes beverages.
	Approx. 3km from the historic Loire Valley chateau town of le Grand Pressigny with its bars, shops, weekly market, restaurants, rivers & swimming pool in summer.
	There are wooden cots for infants, though travel cot can be provided both for sleeping or simply as playpens. There are also highchairs, stair gates, baby bath, strollers & baby/toddler cutlery & crockery (including sippy cups) provided
	First night food supplies included: e.g. local bread, cheese & wine, homemade jam, freshly laid eggs, fruit/salad. (All subject to seasonal variation & availability). Bed & Breakfast and part-catering available on request. Three-course seasonal & locally sourced food including wine & coffee costs 20 euros pp/10 euros pp for under 12s. 24 hours notice required. Also there is the option of classes at local Cookery Workshops.
	Private enclosed patio garden with seating and BBQ.

Overview

'Chêne' is the smallest of three pretty 19th century farm cottages set around a spacious, south-facing, courtyard garden with adjoining play barn and surrounded by beautiful Loire Valley countryside. Set down a quiet country lane, Les Limornieres is wonderfully tranquil yet only 3km, walking distance in fact, from historic Le Grand Pressigny, with its chateaux, shops, bars and restaurants.

Owners Alex and Nicole Crawford and their two young daughters, left the UK and settled here a few years ago and are clearly passionate not just about the area they've made their home, but about looking after their guests too. A generous welcome pack filled with local goodies and certainly plenty for arrival night nibbles greets guests on arrival and is topped up with a fantastic breakfast and ...read more inside

Overview [continued]

... 3-course dinner service, guaranteeing parents get a break. Mini guests tend to be most impressed by the huge array of in and outdoor toys, although the resident chickens often steal the show at feeding and egg collecting times!

A useful list of nursery equipment is provided including stairgates, which are useful since the stairs are open-tread. However, little guests tend to spend most of their time pottering about on the lawned courtyard garden in front of the cottages overseen by parents soaking up the sunshine or scenery and chatting with other guests.

'Chêne' is a 60m2 one-bedroom detached gîte with a spacious double bedroom (also has a single bed screened from the double by a corner) and a lovely a private enclosed patio with seating and BBQ. Outside its all Hansel and Gretel-style 19th century cottage with pretty shutters and creamy stone but inside its light, bright and a lovely blend of modern comfortable furnishings with original character. The pretty stone fireplace, romantic log-burner, exposed stone walls and original tiled floors are combined with contemporary leather sofas, TV (UK channels), DVD, CD player and well-equipped kitchen complete with microwave dishwasher, oven, hob and fridge. Upstairs, the spacious double bedroom is flooded with light from its south-facing patio doors leading to Juliet balcony (safely enclosed) and benefits from an additional single bed, in an alcove, screened from the double. The adjacent bathroom is newly refurbished with a reassuringly modern power shower (baby bath available). All in all it’s a wonderfully romantic retreat for a couple with a baby and/or toddler in tow.

Local Knowledge

The pretty and historic town of le Grand Pressigny with its charming shops, bistros, bars and chateaux is only 3kms from Les Limornieres and easily reached as Alex & Nicole are happy loan guest bikes on which they can explore the quiet, relatively traffic free lanes around cottages - a pre-breakfast trip to the local boulangerie is always tempting incentive!

For non-cyclists, there are many marked walking routes (randonnee), one of the most child friendly of which takes walkers around the back of the chateau at le Grand Pressigny, through the woods and wild flower meadows and back into town for a reward in the form of ice-cream and coffee stop. Alternatively, from June -August, cool off in the town's heated outdoor pool, which has paddling areas for babies and toddlers.

The multi pool, multi slide complex at nearby Descartes (10mins drive) will prove even more tempting for older children and can be combined with a visit to the town's Sunday morning market. Soak up the atmosphere from the one of the cafe's with outdoor seating. Delicious pastries can be scoffed from the neighbouring patisserie while you watch the world go by. The market is a great place to stock up with local produce or buy a picnic and head to the river and the fantastic public gardens with animals, play park, crazy golf, outdoor pool, rose garden, herb garden all laid out in a pushchair friendly way allowing children freedom to run ahead.

There are plenty of good traditional French bistros in the villages surrounding Les Limornieres, most are at their most animated best during lunchtime service starting at midday - perfect for a meal with young children. Kiddie favourites are Grand’ma in le Grand Pressigny and Café de la Poste in nearby Barrou both serve great local food and are quite happy for little cherubs to be crayoning on the paper table mats between courses! Even more casual and just as delicious is 'Forza Pizza' night in le Grand Pressigny (Sats). A very unassuming mobile van arrives in the village square and offers hand-made, cooked to order pizza’s. Place an order, then sit back with your aperitif outside the bar opposite and wait to be called whilst the children play with the table-football in the bar or outside on the wide paved area.

Alex & Nicole can also advise on and book various other activities from local cookery workshops, golf, spa treatments at la Roche Posay (or on site), horse riding, canoeing, and even hot air ballooning over the Loire Valley chateaux. Alex himself offers fishing guiding and has over 25years Angling experinece. For an adult a full-day’s fishing including transport, equipment (if necessary), bait, permit & picnic costs 70 euros, Special rates for accompanying children can be arranged.

NEAREST AIRPORTS: Tours & Poiters are within an hours drive. Location Map

Check availability and book online at www.babyfriendlyboltholes.co.uk

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