Holiday Gîte in Loire Region
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L'Ecurie près chapelle 1 rue St Giles Doué-la-Fontaine 49700 FRANCE					Nearest towns: Angers: 40km Cholet: 49km Poitiers: 83km Saumur: 17km Tours: 75km
	Location and accommodation
	This converted 18^th century stable and storehouse within its own boundary walls offers spacious accommodation for up to seven people.  On the split-level ground floor there is a large oak-beamed lounge with terracotta-tiled floor, an entrance hall with separate w/c and a spacious fully equipped kitchen with fridge/freezer, gas cooker/electric oven with grill, dishwasher, washing machine and microwave. The accommodation on the second floor accessed by an oak staircase consists of a landing, three double bedrooms (one with en-suite shower and washbasin and another with washbasin only), a bathroom and a mezzanine floor with a single bed.  Many original features have been retained and all bedrooms have prominent oak beams.  The outside grounds are on three levels and there is a patio and garden furniture for meals alfresco. The gîte is situated in a quiet location on the outskirts of Doué-la-Fontaine in the old commune of Soulanger, well known for its many caves and underground tunnels.  The town is home to the largest private zoo in France fashioned out of an old stone quarry as well as being famous for rose growing.  An annual rose festival is staged in mid-July where exhibitioner countries from all over Europe display over a hundred thousand flowers in the cavernous cathedral type caves known as 'Les Arènes'.  Doué-la-Fontaine and the surrounding area has many interesting features; the troglodyte villages, the 'Chemins de la Rose', the 9^th century Carolingian Moat, the public Rose Gardens behind which are the 18^th century stables of Baron Foullon and the ancient commerce museum as well as the last windmill to be constructed in the region in 1910.  Local facilities include tennis courts, an outdoor municipal swimming pool (heated), horse riding, skateboarding and other similar outdoor pursuits. Doué-la-Fontaine provides a convenient base from which to explore the architecturally rich Loire valley; the chateau town of Saumur (17km) famous for its equestrian school, the Cadre Noir, Tank Museum and mushroom caves; Angers (40km) with its imposing chateau on the banks of the Maine; Chinon (55km) on the Vienne where Joan of Arc recognised the disguised Dauphin in the Castle and Fontevraud Abbey (25km), resting place of Henry II and Richard the Lionheart.  The region is renowned for its variety of wines found under the Anjou, Bourgueil, Chinon, Montlouis, Pouilly-Fumé, Sancerre, Saumur, Saumur-Champigny, Touraine and Vouvray appellations as well as the very good value for money sparkling Saumur méthode champenoise.
		Location   |  Rental Rates  |  Booking Conditions |  Booking Form | Useful Links