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Les Petites Cigognes

An 18th century stone stable converted into three units, with a heated pool, courtyard, and gardens, in a peaceful setting in the Loire region.

Contact

Your contact:	Ian and Sandra Andrews
Telephone:	+44 (0)1480 811364
Email:	Click here to contact Les Petites Cigognes

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About the Property

The heated swimming pool

Les Petites Cigognes dates back to the early 18th century, and was originally a stable used by mail coaches en route to Paris who would break their journey here to water their horses.

The stables were built in the traditional Touraine style and have been converted into three tastefully furnished two-storey homes, retaining much of the original stone and wood work while offering all modern conveniences.

The corner of the living room in Le Grebe

The units are Le Grebe, which sleeps up to eight guests in four bedrooms (two doubles and two twin), Le Pluvier, which can accommodate up to six in three bedrooms (two doubles and one twin), and La Colombe, with room for four in a twin and a double bedroom.

Each of the three units has its own private garden with a table and chairs and gas barbecue for outdoor dining, and the homes share the use of a two acre (one hectare) open garden area beyond. Newly available this year is free wi-fi internet access.

The pond on the grounds

The 12x5.5 metre heated swimming pool (open from May to the end of September) is surrounded by terraces and fenced for safety, with Roman steps leading down into the water.

Fields, woods and farms dot the surrounding countryside. The courtyard in front of the house has an area for playing the traditional sport of boules, with plenty of seating available.

Special features:	• Pool on the property • Bilingual assistance available on site • Maid, Cook and Driver can be arranged on request
Swimming pool:	12x5.5 metre outdoor heated pool (open May to the end of September)

Location

Region

Loire and Centre

Hamlet

La Cigogne

Setting

Rural

Nearest large town

Descartes (8 km SW)

Other towns nearby

Loches (20 km NE)
Chatellerault (25 km SW)
Tours (50 km NE)
Poitiers (50 km SW)

Département

Indre-et-Loire (37)

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1. Le Grebe|Rental information

Le Grebe

Le Grebe is the largest of the units at Les Petites Cigognes. Eight guests plus a baby can sleep in two double bedrooms and two twin bedrooms.

A table and chairs and a barbecue for outdoor dining are provided in the private garden. There is also an outdoor swingset and toys to help entertain the children, as well as satellite television.

The living room

On the ground floor, many of the original wooden stable features give a unique character to the large living room, which is warmed by a wood-burning stove. In the kitchen / dining area, eight can sit at a large oak table. The fully fitted kitchen is equipped with a dishwasher, washing machine, microwave, fridge/freezer, and an oven and stovetop. The spacious ensuite double bedroom on the ground floor has full disabled access.

The double bedroom on the ground floor

The upper floor was formerly a grain store, but now houses a spacious double bedroom and two twin bedrooms, all with wooden floors and sloping ceilings. The double bedroom has an en-suite shower and plenty of space to accommodate a baby cot or small single bed for a toddler (available on request). The twin bedrooms share the shower room immediately across the landing. Each of the three large shower rooms is fully tiled with heated towel rails, brightly lit large mirrors, a large step-in cubicle and a luxury shower with plenty of hot water. Beds will be made ready for your arrival and towels are provided.

Accommodates:	8 guests
Bedrooms:	Four bedrooms: two, each with a double bed, and two with a pair of twin beds.
Shortlist:	Add to your Shortlist \| View your Shortlist

Features

Stereo
Linen available
Towels available
Kitchen
Central Heating
Internet access
Shower
Dishwasher
Barbecue
Television
Fireplace
Washing machine
Clothes Dryer
Wheelchair accessible

Rental rates

The rates shown below are for renting this accommodation for one week.
Rent is to be paid to the owner in Pounds sterling. For your reference, you may display the rates in the currency of your choice.

Display rates in:

Currency conversions are an approximate guide and are subject to change.

Time of year	Cost per week
June 5, 2010 until July 3, 2010	£450
July 3, 2010 until July 17, 2010	£750
July 17, 2010 until July 24, 2010	£1,000
July 24, 2010 until August 21, 2010	£1,250
August 21, 2010 until August 28, 2010	£800
August 28, 2010 until September 18, 2010	£550
September 18, 2010 until October 2, 2010	£500
October 2, 2010 until October 29, 2010	£350
October 29, 2010 until January 1, 2011	£500
January 1, 2011 until April 2, 2011	£500
April 2, 2011 until May 21, 2011	£350
May 21, 2011 until June 18, 2011	£550
June 18, 2011 until July 2, 2011	£700
July 2, 2011 until July 16, 2011	£750
July 16, 2011 until July 23, 2011	£950
July 23, 2011 until August 20, 2011	£1,250
August 20, 2011 until August 27, 2011	£800
August 27, 2011 until September 2, 2011	£550
September 2, 2011 until October 1, 2011	£500
October 1, 2011 until October 28, 2011	£350
October 28, 2011 until December 31, 2011	£500

Rental conditions:	This gite is available for stays of minimum of four nights except during July and August. Reduced rates are available to groups of six or less staying in Le Grebe. All prices quoted are per week, normally from Saturday to Saturday. Please arrive after 4 pm and leave by 10 am on the date of departure (unless otherwise agreed). Prices include cooking gas, fresh bed linen, towels (but not swimming towels) and electricity. Electric heating is included from November 1st to March 31st, but extra payment for logs is required. As payment is made in advance, ensure that you have adequate holiday insurance coverage in the event of a cancellation. A deposit of 20% is required, with final payment to be made eight weeks prior to arrival. A damage deposit of £250 (€300) is payable, with the final balance to be refunded in part or in full within 14 days of departure as appropriate. Final cleaning service is available at a cost of £50 (€50). This amount will be deducted from the damage deposit if the gîte is not vacated in the same condition as upon arrival.
Gite.com Travel tip:	A clear and detailed rental agreement will help to ensure a trouble-free holiday. More info...
Contact:	For further information or to make an inquiry, please contact Ian and Sandra Andrews at Les Petites Cigognes.

2. Le Pluvier|Rental information

Le Pluvier

Le Pluvier can accommodate six guests plus a baby in two double bedrooms and one twin bedroom.

In the private garden, there's a table and chairs and a gas barbecue for outdoor dining. There is also an outdoor swingset and toys to help entertain the children, as well as satellite television, dvd player and video player available.

The dining area

On the ground floor, the living room/kitchen features the original exposed ceiling beams, huge wooden lintels above the doors and windows, and wooden posts in the walls where the tack and saddles were once stored.

The fully fitted kitchen area has a dishwasher, a washing machine, a microwave, a fridge/freezer, and an oven and stovetop. The living room connects to the ground floor double bedroom, which was originally the sleeping quarters for the stable groom. This room, which looks out onto the courtyard, has tiled floors and beamed ceilings, and an en-suite shower room.

The upstairs double bedroom

The upper floor, formerly a grain store, contains a spacious double bedroom and a twin bedroom. The double bedroom has wooden floors, sloping ceilings and exposed beams, and plenty of space to accommodate a baby cot or small single bed for a toddler, which can be provided upon request. This bedroom has the sole use of the shower room immediately across the landing.

The twin bedroom has wooden floors, sloping ceilings, with exposed beams and a skylight, and an ensuite shower room. Each of the three shower rooms is fully tiled with heated towel rails, brightly lit large mirrors, a large step-in cubicle and a luxury shower with plenty of hot water. Beds will be made ready for your arrival and towels will also be provided.

Accommodates:	6 guests
Bedrooms:	Three bedrooms: two, each with a double bed, and one with a pair of twin beds.
Shortlist:	Add to your Shortlist \| View your Shortlist

Features

Stereo
Linen available
Towels available
Kitchen
Central Heating
Internet access
Shower
Dishwasher
Barbecue
Television
Washing machine
Clothes Dryer

Rental rates

Display rates in:

Currency conversions are an approximate guide and are subject to change.

Time of year	Cost per week
May 22, 2010 until July 3, 2010	£550
July 3, 2010 until July 17, 2010	£650
July 17, 2010 until July 24, 2010	£850
July 24, 2010 until August 21, 2010	£950
August 21, 2010 until August 28, 2010	£700
August 28, 2010 until September 25, 2010	£450
September 25, 2010 until October 2, 2010	£400
October 2, 2010 until October 30, 2010	£300
October 30, 2010 until January 1, 2011	£400
January 1, 2011 until April 2, 2011	£400
April 2, 2011 until May 21, 2011	£300
May 21, 2011 until July 2, 2011	£500
July 2, 2011 until July 16, 2011	£650
July 16, 2011 until July 23, 2011	£850
July 23, 2011 until August 20, 2011	£950
August 20, 2011 until August 27, 2011	£700
August 27, 2011 until October 1, 2011	£450
October 1, 2011 until October 29, 2011	£300
October 29, 2011 until December 31, 2011	£400

Rental conditions:	This gite is available for stays of minimum of four nights except during July and August. Reduced rates are available to groups of four or less staying in Le Pluvier. All prices quoted are per week, normally from Saturday to Saturday. Please arrive after 4 pm and leave by 10 am on the date of departure (unless otherwise agreed). Prices include cooking gas, fresh bed linen, towels (but not swimming) and electricity. Electric heating is included from 1st November to March 31st. As payment is made in advance, ensure that you have adequate holiday insurance coverage in the event of a cancellation. A deposit of 20% is required, with final payment to be made eight weeks prior to arrival. A damage deposit of £250 (300€) is payable, with the final balance to be refunded in part or in full within 14 days of departure as appropriate. Final cleaning service is available at a cost of £50 (€50). This amount will be deducted from the damage deposit if the gîte is not vacated in the same condition as upon arrival.
Gite.com Travel tip:	A clear and detailed rental agreement will help to ensure a trouble-free holiday. More info...
Contact:	For further information or to make an inquiry, please contact Ian and Sandra Andrews at Les Petites Cigognes.

3. La Colombe|Rental information

La Colombe: the living room

La Colombe is the smallest of the three units, and has two ensuite bedrooms to accommodate up to four guests. Like the other units, it is a comfortable conversion with all the character of the original stables.

On the ground floor is the living room and kitchen. A pair of sofas face a log-burner, which makes this home comfortable in winter.

La Colombe: the master bedroom

The fully fitted kitchen has a dishwasher, a washing machine, a microwave, a fridge/freezer, and an oven and stovetop.

Upstairs are the two bedrooms. Each has its own ensuite bathroom. The master bedroom looks over the surrounding countryside.

Accommodates:	4 guests
Bedrooms:	Two bedrooms: one with a double bed and one with a twin beds.
Shortlist:	Add to your Shortlist \| View your Shortlist

Features

Stereo
Linen available
Towels available
Kitchen
Central Heating
Internet access
Shower
Dishwasher
Barbecue
Television
Fireplace
Washing machine
Clothes Dryer
Wheelchair accessible

Rental rates

Display rates in:

Currency conversions are an approximate guide and are subject to change.

Time of year	Cost per week
May 22, 2010 until June 5, 2010	£450
June 5, 2010 until June 12, 2010	£350
June 12, 2010 until June 26, 2010	£450
June 26, 2010 until July 3, 2010	£350
July 3, 2010 until July 17, 2010	£550
July 17, 2010 until July 24, 2010	£800
July 24, 2010 until August 21, 2010	£800
August 21, 2010 until August 28, 2010	£600
August 28, 2010 until September 25, 2010	£400
September 25, 2010 until October 2, 2010	£300
October 2, 2010 until October 30, 2010	£250
October 30, 2010 until January 1, 2011	£300
January 1, 2011 until April 2, 2011	£300
April 2, 2011 until May 21, 2011	£250
May 21, 2011 until July 2, 2011	£450
July 2, 2011 until July 16, 2011	£550
July 16, 2011 until July 24, 2011	£750
July 24, 2011 until August 20, 2011	£800
August 20, 2011 until August 27, 2011	£600
August 27, 2011 until October 1, 2011	£400
October 1, 2011 until October 30, 2011	£250
October 30, 2011 until December 31, 2011	£300

Rental conditions:	This gite is available for stays of minimum of four nights except during July and August. All prices quoted are per week, normally from Saturday to Saturday. Please arrive after 4 pm and leave by 10 am on your date of departure (unless otherwise agreed). Prices include cooking gas, fresh bed linen, towels (but not swimming towels) and electricity. Electric heating is included from November 1st to March 31st, but extra payment for logs is required. As payment is made in advance, ensure that you have adequate holiday insurance coverage in the event of a cancellation. A deposit of 20% is required, with final payment to be made eight weeks prior to arrival. A damage deposit of £250 (€300) is payable, with the final balance to be refunded in part or in full within 14 days of departure as appropriate. Final cleaning service is available at a cost of £50 (€50). This amount will be deducted from the damage deposit if the gîte is not vacated in the same condition as upon arrival.
Gite.com Travel tip:	A clear and detailed rental agreement will help to ensure a trouble-free holiday. More info...
Contact:	For further information or to make an inquiry, please contact Ian and Sandra Andrews at Les Petites Cigognes.

About the Area

Vineyards in the surrounding area

It’s just three minutes’ drive to the nearby village of Cussay, which has an excellent restaurant, a boulangerie, a post office, and a children’s fishing lake. Just a couple of minutes further are the villages of Descartes and Ligueil, both of which have supermarkets, banks, shops, bars, sport and swimming facilities and a good selection of restaurants.

Descartes, once home to the philosopher René Descartes, offers an excellent selection of activities including tennis, canoeing, crazy golf, fishing, and a swimming complex complete with a heated outdoor 25 metre swimming pool, a children’s pool, and a children’s play area. The weekly Sunday market in Descartes is popular with locals and tourists alike, and offers a variety of local wines, cheeses, fruits and vegetables and craft stalls. Descartes also has a prehistoric site complete with caves which were once dwelled in.

About the Region

The château at Loches

This is an excellent area for châteaux, including Chinon, Loches, Amboise, Blois, Chambord, and Rigny Ussy, which was apparently the inspiration for the Sleeping Beauty legend. Some châteaux also perform evening son et lumière shows during the summer. There is an 18-hole golf courses at La Roche Posay, and a nine-hole course at Vernueil-sur-Indre. It’s less than an hour to Futuroscope, the theme park of the moving image, which offers an excellent day out for all the family, with 3D experiences, virtual reality simulator rides, and circular cinemas. Paris is only an hour from Tours by TGV.

The château at Verneuil

Tours, the capital city of the Touraine region, is full of history and art, with cobbled streets and medieval buildings in the old town, and a great selection of shops in the new part of the city. Loches is an attractive medieval town, with dungeons to visit as well as the Château, busy markets on Saturday and Wednesday, and several night markets taking place in August.

Many vineyards are available to visit in this region of France, where one can taste and buy a wide selection of locally produced wines. Other suggestions for day trips include La Haute-Touche, the largest zoological park in France, the steam train from Richelieu to Chinon, the donkey park at Parc Le Fou de L’Ane, the Aquarium de Touraine (which includes piranhas, sharks and crocodiles) and Les Aigles du Donjon - an 11th century castle offering displays of birds of prey.

Photo Album

Le Grebe: the kitchen and dining area	Le Grebe: the living area
Le Grebe: the upstairs double bedroom	Le Grebe: the first twin bedroom
Le Grebe: the second twin bedroom	Le Grebe: one of the bathrooms
Le Pluvier: the living area	Le Pluvier: the kitchen and dining area
Le Pluvier: the ground floor double bedroom	Le Pluvier: the twin bedroom
Le Pluvier: one of the bathrooms	Le Pluvier: the second bathroom
La Colombe: the dining area	La Colombe: the kitchen
La Colombe: the twin bedroom	La Colombe: one of the ensuite bathrooms
The terrace by the swimming pool	Dine out and enjoy a barbecue on the terrace
The annual grape harvest	The château at nearby Loches

Guest Opinions

A lovely gite for a very enjoyable holiday – we would love to come again.
Robert P. - Maidstone, Kent, UK

Excellent accommodation and a fabulous pool. We were made to feel very welcome by Ian and Sandra. We enjoyed the wine and chateaux whilst the girls enjoyed the pool.
Grant W. - Shapwick, Somerset, UK

A most enjoyable holiday. The gite lived up to expectations and was very comfortable. A wonderful area for sightseeing.
Geraldine M. - Tramore, Waterford, Ireland

Had a wonderful week. The gite exceeded our expectations. All the little extra touches, attention to detail and ample space has made the gite 5-star. We shall be spreading the word of our lovely find.
Sarah F. - Hampshire, UK

Thank you for a comfortable environment in which to relax and unwind. With 3 children it’s important they feel at home and ours certainly did.
Carrie R. - Marlow, Buckinghamshire, UK

We were impressed by the space, ambiance and tasteful décor.
Rachel D. - Co. Down, Ireland