Castle that sleeps 8 people

The castle is situated in a secluded location at the edge of a hamlet, South of the village of Chédigny (460 inhabitants), known for its picturesque old fashioned rose collection and summer shows.  The castle’s position makes it an ideal base for visiting the best known sites of the Loire Valley : Loches 10km, Chenonceaux : 15km, Amboise 30km, Tours 30km.

This small, old fashioned castle, still a family home, is perched on the top of a hill overlooking the river Indrois. The main access is by an “Eolienne” (wind mill) dating from the 19th century which provides the farm with river water. A private gravelled path leads to the entrance of the east wing which contains the holiday accommodation. The owner occupies the South-East  wing which has a separate access. Safe parking is provided by the castle. Ancient trees (some 300 years old) surround the property and there is a small oak and conifer park. To the South there is a working farm and further on an enclosed wild boar park. Along the river there is a fishing stretch of land, private to the castle guests. Walks in the wood to discover wild life ( red squirrels, deer, nightingales), and wild flowers (wild orchids in may, wild cyclamens in Aug/sept). A c19 ‘tennis/croquet ground’ can still be found on the edge of the wood. There is a private terrace overlooking the river and facilities for BBQs.

The history
The castle is an ancient fief appertaining to the Castle of Loches and allied with the castle of Azay sur Indre. The first known ‘seigneur’ was Bochard de Saint Michel in 1204. Amongst other notables: the chevalier Pierre Couraud, (from whom a feudal oath of allegiance document survives), and the Le Breton family. After the c18 Revolution the Odard family purchased the castle from the commune; they were followed by the Benoist. In 1879 Henry Beaussier, a magistrate from Tours, inherited the fortified mediaeval buildings. He added a new wing on the South side, built in the Rennaissance revival style, with the aid of Léon Massé, architect from Tours. The Eastern facade was inspired the Chenonceaux Castle’s entrance, which was owned by the same family at one point. In 1890 the castle was bought by the Dauprat family who were associated with Ferdinand de Lesseps and the building of the Suez and Panama canal. When the last of the Dauprat family died without issue, the castle was in very poor condition and was sold. The present owner has undertaken a lengthy restoration and modernisation work programme since.   The original castle consisted of the Master’s house, stables, cow byres, wine press barn, falcon breeding aviary, bread oven and servants quarters. The octagonal tower topped by the original dovecote survives. Built in traditional rendered rubble stone with local tuffeau stone dressings, the castle has a chestnut timber roof covered with slates. Some of the windows retain their original stone mullions and the interiors have impressive oak beams displays, marble fireplaces and an unique oak spiral stair.

Lay-out
Grnd.Fl.: kitchen/ dining/living 32m² (TV, fireplace/woodburner, d/washer, fridge), panelled drawing rm 30²(fireplace, TV), separate WC, Utility (w/machine, t/dryer, F/freezer, store.) Basement (cellar,firewood) Upst.: 3 bedrms. each with fireplace, en-suite bathroom & WC. 1st bedrm 35m² (3 single beds, 1 bed 80cm), 2nd,3rd bedrms 24m²:(1 dble bed each), one of which also has a child bed. Oil central heatingtng. River view terrace, garden furniture, BBQ. Private fishing.

Accommodation is self catering only
Information about local restaurants, shops and food markets available for guests in a specially compiled folder, regularly updated.

Sightseeing
All the major chateaux : Loches (The Plantagenets), Chenonceau (Maria de Medici, etc), Amboise (Château and Leonardo da Vinci’s last home  with models of his inventions in the park), Chaumont gardens, Montpoupon (hunt museum), Saché (Balzac), Tours, Villandry etc All within a radius of 10 – 30km

Sports
Gliding, cycling, canoeing, ballooning, rambling.

How to get there
By train TGV
Paris Montparnasse to St.Piers de Corps : 50 min
Paris Charles de Gaulle airport to St.Piers de Corps : 1H40min  

By plane
Paris Charles de Gaulle 
Tours airport – daily connections from London (Ryanair) -  1H15min  

By car
From Paris motorway A10 –2H30min : take the Amboise exit, then D31 direction Loches to St.Quentin sur Indrois, then after the bridge right on D94 to the château
From St.Piers de Corps : D140 direction Blere, D31 then as above.

General information
Rental Saturday to Saturday         
Sheets, towels, electricity included. Heating extra subject to season.
End of stay cleaning extra € 75
Security Deposit : € 200 reimbursed at the end of stay if no breakage or other damage to property