Your contact:	Sylvaine and Robert Cannon
Email:	Click here to contact Gîte du Moulin

Gîte du Moulin is a bright one-storey home full of character, situated by an old water mill dating back to the 11th century, a trout stream and a waterfall. The house was originally a stone stable until the current owners restored and converted it, keeping the original oak beams and adding local terracotta tiles and granite fireplaces. With one bedroom, it is perfect for a couple.

The house faces south-west and opens onto a large granite terrace which receives plenty of sun, where one can dine or sit outside. The owners live in the adjoining water mill, which is fully separate from Gîte du Moulin. They are always available to help, and will otherwise respect their guests’ privacy.

Inside, the gîte is furnished with antiques. The double-sided fireplace warms both the kitchen and living room. The fitted kitchen is equipped with a dishwasher, electric oven and gas stovetop, microwave and a dining table. A washing machine and a dryer are in a separate utility room.

On the other side of the fireplace, the living/dining room includes another dining table, a sofa and armchair, and a television with a DVD player.

Guests are welcome to walk all around the two acres (one hectare) of land. Beside the mill, a stream cascades over a four metre high waterfall.

A private bridge crosses the river to the other part of the owners’ land, which is filled with trees and runs alongside the nearby river. There’s also an apple and cherry orchard and a vegetable garden.

Benches are dotted around to provide a place to enjoy the peaceful surroundings. All around the property are green rolling hills. The nearest neighbour is a 15th century manor house.

Gas-fired under floor heating makes the house comfortable all year round. A telephone and free wireless internet access are available. Electricity is generated on site by the water mill.

Special features:

• Bilingual assistance available on site

The nearby village of Saint-Germain-de-Coulamer is within walking distance. It has a friendly bakery and a small combined grocery, bar, and restaurant.

A wider range of shops and services are available within fifteen minutes’ drive.

Gîte du Moulin is located at the entrance of the Normandy-Maine regional park, a two thousand square kilometre nature reserve with a large network of marked paths and trails.

The lake of Sillé-Plage is just eight kilometres away and from its man-made beach, one can enjoy swimming and water sports. Les Alpes Mancelles is a nearby area of hills and forest offering rock-climbing and canoeing.

Bagnoles-de-l’Orne, a natural thermal spa, was very popular during the 19th century "Belle Époque", and has a great fin-de-siècle atmosphere. It is just an hour away, as is Le Mans, home of the famous 24-hour race.

Closer to home are the superb new museum in the Château of Mayenne, the fascinating Gallo-Roman ruins of Jublains, the medieval town of Sainte-Suzanne and the caves at Saulges and their prehistoric treasures.

Gîte du Moulin is well located for seeing world-famous attractions. Within two hours drive to the north-west is the spectacular offshore monastery of Mont Saint-Michel, and to the east, the great medieval cathedral of Chartres. Southwards are the great châteaux of the Loire Valley and the surrounding vineyards. Claude Monet's garden at Giverny is equally close.

A day trip to Paris is also a great option: drive to the local station, take the train to Le Mans, and from there, the high-speed TGV reaches Paris in 50 minutes.

The entrance to Gîte du Moulin	The waterfall on the property
The bridge over the stream	The terrace
The surrounding countryside	The kitchen
The living-dining room	The bathroom

We had a wonderful and restful stay in this beautiful, quiet corner of the world. We particularly enjoyed the gardens and stream just near the gite, learning the history of your mill and exploring the local area. Thank you for such a warm welcome and good advice!
Chris H. - NSW, Australia

We loved this lovely warm house! We felt so at home. I especially loved sipping Blanquette above the babbling brooke. I will miss writing at the kitchen table where I found so much inspiration. Thank you.
Sarah G. - Vancouver, Canada

What a wonderful place to stay and explore this well-kept secret area of Mayenne, with the Roman ruins and Ste Suzanne. We would have loved to stay another week.We will recommend this gite to all.
Michael M. - Victoria, Australia