Tastefully Restored Tuffeau 4 Star Gîte in Heart of Historic Village
Less than 2 Minutes to Royal Abbey with Landscaped Flower Garden
Sleeps 6 (2 Bedrooms) but can accommodate 8 (sofa)
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La Samsonelle gîte is the perfect setting in which to relax and share in the joy of life and the appreciation of local touristic sites. Sylvie, Mark and their children will welcome you to an extremely cosy residence, totally renovated in 2007 to give you a maximum amount of comfort with many on-site facilities. The gîte is ideally located to tour the region, only 10 miles away from Saumur. The visit of the Royal Abbey is a must where you can discover the effigies of some of the Plantagenêt kings and queens. Although you are in the heart of the village, you will feel totally secluded as our garden is 2000m2. You will be sitting by the pond, listening to the frogs in the spring and summer or indulging in swimming. On colder days, you can snuggle in front of the fireplace! We are fluent in English, French and German. Sylvie runs a language school teaching French to local residents and Francophiles from all over the world. You will have an unforgettable stay!
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| Rental periods | ||
| May / June / September | 650 euros | |
| July August | 840 euros | |
| October - 30 April | 590 euros | |
| Short break (4 nights) | 470 euros | All year if available |
| Short break (3 nights) | 360 euros | All year if available |
| Short break (2 nights) | 240 euros | All year if available |
Notes on prices
Prices are for the property in euros. 5% discount for 2, 10% per week for 3 consecutive weeks. Long term winter lets negotiable.
Changeover day
Changeover is usually Saturday. Arrival time from 2pm and departure time no later than 10am. The departure and arrival times for short breaks are discussed between the renter and the owner.
Accommodation
| Bedrooms: | Bedroom 1 "La Saumuroise" accommodates 2 people in a double bed. Bedroom 2 "La Fontevriste" accommodates up to 4 people with a double bed and bunk beds. They both lead onto a well-lit corridor and overlook the garden. Extra bed for 2 on cosy sofa. |
| Bathrooms: | The centrally heated bathroom is located on the first floor. It overlooks the garden and has two washbasins with mirrors set into ceramic Tunisian style tiles. There is a bath and an Italian shower. |
| Kitchen: | The ground floor kitchen is fitted out with fridge, freezer, dishwasher, microwave, oven, washing machine, dryer, cooker, toaster, coffee maker. It overlooks the garden and is very bright. |
| Living Rooms: | A cosy and spacious lounge and dining room is located on the ground floor. It is in the local limestone "tuffeau" with traditional tiles called "tomettes". The open fire is a nice feature. The room is well lit by two large windows overlooking the garden. |
| Other: | There are separate toilets on each floor. |
| Cleaning/towels/ linen/maid service: |
Linens and towels are provided, so is the cleaning at the end of your stay. |
Notes on accommodation
There is central heating in each room. The living space is suitable for children of all ages. In winter, you can enjoy a real fireplace (we provide all the logs and accessories).
- hob/stove,
- oven,
- fridge/freezer,
- microwave,
- dishwasher,
- washing machine,
- tumble dryer,
- iron/ironing board,
- satellite tv,
- tv,
- internet access,
- central heating,
- barbecue,
- shared pool
Outside
The privacy garden is equipped with a garden table and chairs for 6 with sunshade, barbecue and deckchairs. There are flowers such as hydrangea, impatients and fuchsias.
Parking is on the property. At the moment, we have an inflatable pool (5 m in diameter).
Coast/Beach
The nearest beach is 1h45min away and is directly accessible by motorway from Saumur.
Golf
There are 3 golf courses nearby. One is 3km away and the other two 18km away.
Special interest holidays
Sylvie runs French and cookery courses "French on a dish". These sessions are tailor-made for all those who love wine and food. You can explore the best of French culinary traditions with all the colour and savours of terroir in the company of Fabrice Bretel, head chef of La Licorne restaurant which is located just opposite the gîte. Whilst talking French, you craft a variety of dishes, gain an understanding of the art of combining flavours and learn about the importance of the right wine to accompany each course. Throughout the sessions you are accompanied by an experienced language trainer. The sessions are run in small groups (5 to 8 groups). It costs 30 euros per hour. Prior bookings are necessary in high season. Other workshops are run like "French in a bottle" which enables you to explore wine-tasting and oenology and "French in Stone" which is a cocktail of culture, heritage and history all washed down with the French language - at the abbey of Fontevraud.
Travel
There are 4 nearby airports (Tours, Angers,Poitiers and Nantes). By train - we are only 1h30 away from Paris on the TGV.
Distances
The nearest villages are picturesque places like Montsoreau, Candes St Martin, Brézé (only 3 miles away from here). Saumur is 10 miles away.
The famous attraction park "le Futuroscope" is 1 hour away. Another attraction park Le Puy du Fou with a breathtaking light and sound night show is about 1h away too.
Within 10 miles, there are many other places of interest such as the zoological park at Doué la Fontaine, the National Horse-riding School in Saumur, local vineyards and inhabited châteaux.
Further details
There are shops in the village (baker, butcher and grocer). There are also 3 gastronomic restaurants, a crêperie, 2 salons de thé. There is a doctor, chemist, post-office, cash-dispenser and bikes for rent. The nearest supermarket is 2 miles away.
Booking notes
At the time of reservation a non-refundable 30% security deposit of the total rental price is required. The remaining balance of 70% must be paid 30 days in advance. If the tenant has not credited it to the owner's account 30 days before arrival, he/she is considered to have cancelled the reservation and the owner has the right to find another client for the same period. A security deposit of 100 euros has to be paid 40 days prior to your stay and is refunded 7 days after departure.
Guest comments
'We were delighted to find this cool, calm oasis located just behind the main street of Fontevraud so close to the Abbey. The gite is beautifully decorated, comfortable and equipped with everything you could need, and we enjoyed sitting under the trees or beside the pool in the lovely garden. There is plenty to do and see in the immediate area. Apart from visiting the splendid Abbey, I hired a bike and explored the surrounding villages and countryside and the banks of the Loire, whilst my husband played golf at the nearby 18 hole course. Slightly further afield, there are vineyards, chateaux and troglodyte caves to visit. Sylvie and Mark are charming hosts, helpful and informative. I would happily recommend La Samsonelle to a couple or a small family, and hope to return some day.'
'Thank you so much. We will have wonderful memories, especially our last meal gastronomique, the abbey'
Owner profile
Sylvie in front of the gîte
About the owner
We are an anglo-french couple. I met my husband Mark in England and after 6 years there we decided to move back to my home country. We just love both cultures.
We have been in Fontevraud for 17 years , falling in love with the traditional tuffeau house and the historic village.
In 2007, we totally renovated our main outbuilding into a tastefully country gîte, set in a property with a landscaped flower garden which I love looking after.
We welcome you all year round to an extremely well located and cosy residence, 2 minutes away from the magnificent royal abbey, in the heart of touristic sites.
I obviously speak French and English, but also German and a bit of Spanish. Our website is in French, English and German. I also run French immersion language courses.
Sylvie
Year purchased: 1992
Why the owner chose a home in this location
I grew up in Saumur and the left for ten years to study and live in England.
We were really keen to buy property in this part of the Loire valley as it's a very peaceful environment for family life with all the facilities for a good social and professional life.
The landscape is spectacular, the art of living is great , there are tons of things to do for families, friends and couples, for all ages and taste, and the tranquillity is top notch...
this is what our guests have been telling us since July 2007 when we open the gîte. Apparently, even after 2 weeks, there are still discoveries to make.
Most interesting places are in and around Fontevraud within 10 to 15 miles However, you can easily have access to bigger castles and attraction parks.
Unique benefits of the property
Fontevraud is a village with about 1100 inhabitants. So it's pure countryside life.
Although we are in the heart of the village, once you are in the garden, you cannot see or hear the village road.. you are totally secluded.
The good thing is , Fontevraud is a touristic place (the abbey welcomes about 150 000 visitors a year)so it's not "dead". You have restaurants, shops and local services ( chemist, doctor, postoffice, cash dispenser...) you can walk to from us within 2 minutes.
We are just 2 miles away from the Loire and charming loire valley villages nesting by the river.
For booking and further information
Property Ref FR2344
Sylvie Reeves
Tel: (France) + 33 (0)241 51 78 74
Mobile: (France) + 33 (0)678 943 619
Owners Website: Click here
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This advertiser joined Owners Direct in May 2007,
and has advertised this property with us since May 2007.
Property Ref FR2344
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