WHY THE BERRY?

The Berry, to the south of the Loire River, is a region of rolling farmland and extensive woodland with ancient towns and castles to explore, excellent wines and first-rate restaurants. Our holiday home is situated here, close to the village of Ambrault and within reach of three golf courses.

GREAT WEATHER

South of the Loire, the weather changes. You can experience hot, sunny days from early spring until late autumn.

WINE AND DINE INDOORS OR OUT

The exposed stone walls of the house offer a cool respite in summer. The dining area is furnished with a long, solid oak table and six chairs, allowing ample space to enjoy a leisurely meal. Right by the table is the old bread oven, now converted to store our supply of wine, from which you are welcome to choose. We charge you only cost price on each bottle.

Alternatively, eat outside on the covered terrace that provides shade, especially at lunchtime, when you can relax at the long table and sip a glass of cool, local wine.

WARM TO THE GLOW OF A WOOD FIRE IN WINTER

In winter, the wood burning fire is the focal point surrounded by the comfortable settee and armchairs in which you can relax, possibly whilst watching a DVD, playing one of the games provided, or settling down to a novel from our selection in the bookcase on the landing.

BRIGHT AND SUNNY BATHROOM

The bathroom has a corner bath with shower, huge basin, generous storage space and an electric heater to hang the towels on. There are 2 separate toilets (one on each floor).

FOUR BEDROOMS FOR SIX PEOPLE GIVE SPACE AND PRIVACY

Les Canardeaux sleeps up to six people in two double and two single bedrooms.

A corridor leads to the downstairs bedrooms, one of which has a double pine bed and matching bedside tables with bedside lights, an antique pine farinier and mirror. (A farinier was a cupboard used in the nineteenth century to store ingredients used in bread making. Ours has a set of deep drawers down the side that would have held provisions such as salt, flour and yeast but is now usually used for underwear!) The French windows overlook the terrace allowing you to enjoy the stunning sunrises and sunsets we frequently experience.

The single bedroom has pale blue panelled walls, a pine bed, beside table and a wardrobe with full-length mirror.

Upstairs there is a large double room with an iron bed, white bedside tables, lamps, an antique pine wardrobe with carved roses, chest of drawers and a freestanding mirror.

The second upstairs bedroom contains a single white stained pine bed, a white bedside table and chest of drawers, a mirror and an antique wardrobe known as an ‘homme debout’, or standing man, because it would have served as a hiding place for Royalists during the French Revolution.

All the bedrooms have electric heaters.

A cot and high chair will be provided on request

.NO NEED TO BRING THE BEDDING AND BROWN SAUCE

We provide made-up beds with mattress covers, pillows, duvets, blankets and top quality bed linen.

All towels are supplied – bath, hand and separate ones for the pool.

We also leave you tea towels, washing up liquid, washing powder, dishwasher tablets, hot water bottles, sewing kit, first aid kit and shoe polish. You will find store cupboard essentials in the kitchen such as dried herbs, salt, pepper, sauces, olive oil, vinegar, sugar and flour.

FRESH BREAD ON THE DOORSTEP

The bread van calls three times a week in time for breakfast and there is a baker’s in the village of Ambrault.

A GARDEN OF DELIGHTS

The garden is sheltered by evergreen trees and looks out over open farmland. Within the spacious garden are several fruit trees – apples, plums, damsons and pears – as well as grape vines.

The 8m x 4m rectangular pool has extensive terracing and loungers for sun-worshippers.

There is also a permanent barbeque, boules pitch and wide grassy area.

DISCOVER THE BERRY

Les Canardeaux lies next to the Champagne Berrichonne and Boischaut Du Sud areas of the Berry in Central France. The Fôret de Bommiers is on the doorstep and is excellent for walks. You may well find mushrooms in autumn.

Our desk on the landing contains lots of brochures and our own notes about things to do to complement your stay in this lovely area. We have singled out just a few to tell you about here.

CLOSE TO THREE GOLF COURSES

There are three golf courses within about half an hour’s drive of the house. It takes fifteen minutes to reach the nearest at Sainte Fauste. There is another to the south east at Les Dryades hotel complex in Pouligny Notre Dame and the third is the Golf du Val de l’Indre at the chateau of Villedieu to the west.

AN AUTHOR’S HOME

George Sand, the French writer and companion of Chopin, adored this countryside and her house at Nohant is open to visitors. You can also explore some of the locations she used in her novels, such as the pond in the wood of Chanteloube (la Mare au Diable) and the water mill, the Moulin d’Angibault.

MANY CHATEAUX AND SOME FALCONS

The chateaux of Ars, Lys Saint Georges and Sarzay are enchanting fairly tale castles nestling in the forests.

The fortress chateau of Culan, strikingly positioned above the Arnon river, has an impressive display of armoury that children are allowed to try on, and also a falconry.

EATING OUT

Simple, inexpensive meals are available in Ambrault, Bommiers, Maron and Vouillon, and there is an exceptionally good restaurant at Sassierges Saint Germain. All villages are just a few minutes’ drive from the house.

SHOPS AND MARKETS

A renowned market takes place every Tuesday morning at Saint Aôut, nine kilometres away, where you can also purchase fishing permits in the local café and go horse riding.

Guests can arrive from 5 pm, and are asked to leave by 10 am on their departure day.

We are less than six hours from Calais and about an hour and a half from Limoges airport via a toll-free motorway (A20).