19th century

19th century maison built in 1893, situated less than a mile from the Vienne River just before it flows into the Loire.  30 miles from Tour andcan bereached from Paris in 80 minutes by TGV train.  By car is about 3 hours from Paris.

Fully renovated in 1999 with new bathrooms, complete new kitchen and new hardwook floors,  elegantly furnished. Including the poolside 'maison d'amis' guest house, there are 5 bedrooms, which can sleep a total of 10 people plus few kids.  There are 2 and a half baths, large eat-in-kitchen, a kitchenette, two sitting rooms, a large, very brigh and smartly furnished veranda and a pool table room. All rooms have a fireplace (6 in all) and both buildings are centrally heated.  Two TV sets, a portable air conditioner, telephone and internet.  Other accessories:  wine cellar, heated swimming pool with safety electric cover and a clay tennis court under the shadow of several imposign pine trees. Approximately one acre garden excellent playground for children.  Horse riding, rowing and cycling activities are very conveniently located within a mile from the house. A housekeeper for cleaning available at an additional cost.  The cost of pool heating is also extra.

The maison is 2 miles from the historic medieval town of Chinon, the birthplace of French Renaissance writer F. Rabelais.  Its impresive castle witnessed the encounter between Charles VII with Joan of Arch in 1429. At the nearby Fontevraud Abbey are buried the English King Henry II, hid wife Eleanor of Aquitaine and their son King Richard the Lionheart.  In the Chinon area - 12 miles away - is the town of Richelieu, where the famous politician and cardinal was given permission by Louis XIII to build a palace and an 'ideal city' based on the classic canons of 17th century French architecture.  Today town of Richelieu is still considered one of the masterpieces of European urban planning.

Chinon's wines are recongnized as some of France's best based red wines. These wines are aged in caves and cellars carved out along the Vienne River which are open to the public. 

The most important Chateaux wineries of the Loire Valley (Blois, Amboise, Chenoncheau, etc.) are only 20 to 30 miles from the maison.

12 miles from Chinon is the town of Saumur, famous for its castle, wine and the world famous 'Ecole Nationale d'Equitation' riding academy, which boosts the largest riding arena of Europe.