Notes from the host
Le Tuffeau Gite
Escape to the allure of Le Tuffeau, named after the local stone abundant in the Loire region. Enveloped within Les Coindries Cottage and Gites, this gite boasts original beams and timbers, creating a cozy retreat. The fully equipped kitchen/living area offers modern comforts, complemented by two bedrooms, featuring a double and twin beds, ensuring a restful stay. The ground floor bathroom adds convenience with a walk-in shower.
Built in the early 1800s, Le Tuffeau invites relaxation on its small sunny terrace with a BBQ. Les Coindries, is a traditional French farmstead which has an individual two-bedroom cottage and three 1-2 bedroom gites, forming a tranquil haven around a picturesque courtyard. Surrounded by a private walled garden and scenic countryside, it beckons you to explore lovely walks and cycle tracks nearby.
Carefully restored with original oak beams the gite provides a private outside seating/eating area. After a day of uncrowded exploration in the beautiful surroundings, unwind with a refreshing glass of wine. Escape to Les Coindries for an authentic French experience, where tranquility and relaxation are woven into the charm of this inviting retreat.
Les Coindries can be found 7km south of Richelieu - famous for its Cardinal of the same name the most powerful man in France during the reign of Louis XIII. The Cardinal spent his early life at the beautiful (though now partly ruined) Chateaux de Coussay and later building a magnificent palace and town of Richelieu, filled with Renaissance statuary. The great palace was later demolished, but the huge park remains including the moat and island on which the Cardinal first built the palace. The park is a wonderful place of a walk or bike ride at anytime of year. This little known citadel is an architectural jewel of France and can be reached in 10 minutes from Les Coindries.
www.ville-richelieu.fr
A further 20 minutes drive takes you to the lovely fortress town of Chinon offering outstanding examples of medieval architecture. The views over the river Vienne from the battlements of the fortress, that Joan of Arc would still recognise today, when she was imprison in the famous Coudray Tower
www.azay-chinon-valeloire.com.
The town of Saumur can be reached in 30 minute drive with its fairy-tale recently restored castle, with a magnificent gold fleur de lies that gleams in the sunshine and overlooks the Loire itself
www.ot-saumur.fr.
The historic towns of Tours (north) and Poitiers (south) are approximately 45 minutes drive away and . Both have regular flights from the UK to their airports by Ryanair
www.poitiers-tourism.com
www.tours-tourism.fr
www.ryanair.com
The important, but little known stunning Abbey at Fontevraud that contains the tombs of Henry II and his wife Eleanor of Aquitaine and their son Richard the Lion Heart is only a pleasant 30-minute drive through the Chinon forest.
https://www.abbayedefontenay.com
The towns of Loches and the last home of Leonardo di Vinci at Clos Lucé are great places for a day out
www.ville-loches.fr Amboise
www.ville-amboise.fr
www.vinci-closluce.com
For more up-to-date entertainment, Parc du Futuroscope is about 25km away. A French theme park based upon multimedia, cinematographic, futuroscope and audio-visual techniques. It has several 3D cinemas and 4D cinemas along with other attractions and shows, some of which are the only examples in the world. www.futuroscope.com
There are several renowned wildlife and animal sanctuaries including the zoo at Beauval one of the most beautiful zoos in the world, with its wonderful Giant Panda's, Snow Lepards, Red Pandas, Gorillas, Penguin pool and Sea-lion odyssey show, not to mention the amazing Masters of the Air bird display which should not be missed. www.zoobeauval.com
Le Vallee des Singes (Monkey Valley) with the largest concentration of chimpanzees in Europe and the largest gorilla colony in France. Meet 34 primate species in a place where more than 450 animals roam within 18 hectares of a natural wooded park area. Watch feeding-times throughout the day. Since it opened, Monkey Valley has seen over 700 births. There is a mini-farm too, where the children can pet goats and sheep. Game and snack areas. www.la-valle-des-singes.fr
There are also lots of lovely walks and cycle routes in the area with the latest being the Vélo Verte a 20km route from Richelieu to Chinon which has its own app
www.cc-tvv.fr/voie-verte-richelieu-chinon
R
Hosted byRobert and Claire Sheppard
