The Secret Hamlet at Centre-Val de Loire

Featured in The Guardian's Top 10 Best Foodie Retreats in Rural France. Your wedding or family holiday will be a true fairytale affair at this estate in the Loire Valley. Situated on top of a hill and covered in creeping vines, this Old World home has been renovated with the utmost care and taste. The expertly styled interior epitomizes the easy, chic sophistication of ‘art de vivre à la française’. Guests stay in the six homes that surround the main manor house, each with private gardens and unique character. We especially love the 'Honey House', originally used to manage beehives and extract honey, it’s now a 2 bedroom haven. Another house has a terrace overlooking the river - your large party will love having this 35 acre hamlet (and two swimming pools) to themselves. Outside, the grounds slope down to the river, where you’ll paddle toward the nearest town or fish beneath the shade of a 450 year old oak tree. Nearby attractions include the Romanesque Abbey in Saint-Savin (10 km), home to well-preserved 11th and 12th century murals. There's natural beauty in abundance at La Brenne Regional Nature Park (30 km) past Le Blanc. Your holiday (or the days before your wedding) can be a time of calm reflection in this peaceful region of France. Good news! For a little extra, this property can be booked as a Vill’otelYey! Wait… what is that? It’s the perfect combo of the privacy of your own personal villa, with all the luxury and convenience of a hotel. What can be arranged? Breakfast, cleaning, welcome drinks and hamper, plus more! Check the Extras tab for all the details. The Estate consists of four houses and two studios set around the main manor house, sleeping up to 24 guests in 11 bedrooms. Each home has its own personality and atmosphere, all set along a river and amidst peaceful green gardens and the surrounding fields. In the grounds, Le Pailler is a barn where group meals can take place - this is included in the rental price for guests who are catered for by the owners whilst self-catering guests can pay a supplement to use this dining space. Two-storey loft with river view (3 bedrooms, max. cap: 6) - Large living quarters on ground floor - Large kitchen - 2 x double bedrooms - Twin beds on mezzanine - One bathroom with bath - Two bathrooms with shower - Bow windows opening on to river - Private garden with terrace Three-storey loft with river view (2 bedrooms, max. cap: 4-5) - Large living quarters on ground floor - 2 x double bedrooms and sofa-bed (for one person) on open space mezzanine - One bathroom - Low level summer kitchen opening on to terrace overlooking river The Little House (2 bedrooms, max. cap: 5) - Open-plan living room with fireplace and dining area - Double bedroom - Triple bedroom - Bathroom with bath - Bathroom with shower - First floor semi-opened terrace overlooking swimming pool and river The Orangery (max. cap: 4) - Large living room - Sitting room with fireplace - 2 x double bedrooms - Bathroom with bath - Bathroom with shower - Private enclosed garden The Artist's Studio (Studio bedroom, max. cap: 2) - 40m2 ground floor studio - Bedroom area (river side of studio) - Small kitchen area - Open-plan living area - Bathroom with walk-in shower The Stable Studio (Studio bedroom, max. cap: 2) - 40m2 ground floor studio - Suitable for guests with reduced mobility - Double bedroom area - Shower room For wedding packages, the bridal suite is also made available in the Manor House. Outside Grounds -    2 x swimming pools -    BBQ -    Garden furnishings -    Le Pailler/barn for communal dining (included with catering services) -    Large reception barn (for events) -    35 acres of private grounds -    River access Facilities -    Wi-Fi -    Satellite TV (with English channels) -    Hi-Fi -    Fridge, microwave, oven, coffee machine, kettle in each house -    Cutlery, crockery and cooking utensils -    Washing machine Extra Sustainability Gems About the Property The property is part of the local heritage Saint Victor, and dates from the late XVth /early XVIth century, and the renovations have all been made with sustainable materials.