Two beautiful cottages in a woodland setting

La Maison Rouge and L'Ecurie are two beautiful Loire cottages in a magnificent woodland setting. Immaculately presented, they comfortably sleep up to 12/14 guests plus cot. Having been lovingly restored and renovated they retain many of their original features and are extremely well furnished and equipped. Located in a peaceful setting on the edge of the Foret de Monnaie, close to Saumur, Maison Rouge and L'Ecurie are situated in the heart of the picturesque Loire Valley. La Maison Rouge is a beautiful Loire cottage set in magnificent woodland. Immaculately presented, it comfortably sleeps up to six/seven people, plus cot. Having been lovingly restored and renovated, La Maison Rouge retains many of its original features and is extremely well furnished, combining traditional France with today’s essential living. Located in a peaceful setting on the edge of the Forest de Monnaie, 20 minutes from the Chateau Town of Saumur, La Maison Rouge is situated in the heart of the picturesque Loire Valley. From the entrance of Maison Rouge you enter the spacious open plan hallway and kitchen/dining area. The well equipped kitchen has an electric oven and gas hob, as well as a microwave, washing machine and dishwasher and two fridges and freezer. The table in the kitchen can seat up to ten people and a stable door leads out to the garden. In the garden which is surrounded by lovely woodland, there is a swimming pool with a private terraced area and lawns. Back in the house the large sitting room has a wood burning stove, making La Maison Rouge as welcoming in the winter months as it is in the summer. In the sitting room is a TV with DVD and UK satellite and also a CD player, iPod compatible speakers and a selection of books and games. Patio doors lead out onto a private rear terrace with an awning where there is a very large table which can comfortably seat 6-12 people. A BBQ is available for guests' use. Bikes are available for use by guests at both La Maison Rouge and L'Ecurie, as are outdoor games including boules, table tennis and a trampoline with a safety net. Also downstairs, off the sitting room, is a beautifully beamed room that features bunk beds providing a sleeping arrangement for two singles and an en-suite shower room and WC. In the hallway a feature staircase takes you upstairs where there are two further bedrooms each with en-suite shower rooms and WCs. The master bedroom has a king size bed and dressing area with ample wardrobe space. A door from the master bedroom leads out onto a balcony area with table and chairs. A second internal door leads to the en-suite facilities. Completing the layout, is the second upstairs bedroom featuring two single beds and with ample floor space where a single futon chair provides bedding for an additional guest and/or cot. An internal door leads to the en-suite facilities. La Maison Rouge is very child friendly; a stair gate, high chair and travel cot are available as well as a baby bath and potty that can be provided on request Entrance to L'Ecurie at Maison Rouge is from a side door which takes you into the kitchen/dining area, which is well equipped with a fridge/freezer, oven with hob, microwave and dishwasher. A washing machine, further fridge/freezer and iron/ironing board are located in the laundry room at the rear of the adjoining barn. Off the sitting room is a spacious twin bedded room and also a separate shower room/WC. A staircase leads upstairs where there is a large master bedroom with double bed and ample dressing area. There is also a single day bed for an additional guest. The second double bedroom is also located upstairs together with the main bathroom which features a bath with shower over, and WC. Outside there is a large table and chairs and private terraced area with a BBQ. L'Ecurie also benefits from the use of the shared pool which also has a large sun terrace area, and the communal gardens which lead onto the wonderful woodland beyond. The swimming pool is equipped with a safety alarm and decorative fencing provides extra peace of mind. Whilst we are owners of Maison Rouge and L'Ecurie, we do not live here. We have a lovely local English couple, Adrian and Sarah, who maintain and prepare our property for your arrival. Details of how to contact Adrian and Sarah are given in your welcome pack. Maison Rouge and L'Ecurie are close to the historic chateau town of Saumur and close to many of the region's attractions including vineyards, chateaux and gardens. The rich and cultural landscape of the Loire Valley is an outstanding area of great beauty, containing historic towns and villages and more than 300 chateaux and castles dating back to the early 1100's - the most glorious of which were homes to the Kings, Queens and nobility of France. Many of the smaller chateaux are now hotels or private houses, while others have become international tourist attractions. Among the most notable are Chenonceaux, the famous Chateau straddling the River Cher about 1 hour from Tours; Amboise, the beautiful chateau built by Charles VIII in the 15th Century which has magnificent views over the River Loire; Chinon, which dominates the town, is now ruined but provides a fascinating history back to the days of Jeanne D'Arc; Azay-le-Rideau has a pretty chateau that straddles the river Indre just south of Tours; and Usse, the fairy-tale chateau west of Tours, which is said to be the home of Sleeping Beauty! Nearer to our properties in the region of Maine et Loire are the chateaux of Saumur and Le Lude which provide a great insight into life during these periods. Car essential. Nearest airports are Tours, Nantes and Angers. Taxis are expensive but we can arrange for an airport pick up at an additional cost.