La Haute Traversière

We spent a week in the "Gîte" with family in September, and it was wonderful. It's a fully self-contained cottage apartment, separate from the main house, with its own outdoor pool, patio, and BBQ grill. The cottage was made from the barn of a classic 19th century farmhouse and carefully restored, keeping its old charm while adding modern comforts. The large lounge is fully furnished and opens onto the kitchen. There’s a big fridge/freezer, modern oven and separate range with extractor hood, full-size dishwasher, microwave, food mixer, coffee percolator, single-cup 'Keurig'-style coffee maker, and plenty of kitchenware and utensils. The large, airy, fully tiled bathroom has a very spacious shower, and the toilet is next door in a separate room. One bedroom has a very comfortable queen bed and large wardrobe; the other has two twin beds and a third bed in an overhead loft. Both have stable-door-style doors that open onto the gardens. Isabelle and Janick are what make the place so special. Janick, a retired bank manager with plenty of talents, built a full-size Petanque court a couple of years ago. He also created a communal kitchen and dining area for guests staying in the chambres d'hôtes, centered around a restored traditional bread oven, like a brick pizza oven. That kitchen has its own fridge/freezer, microwave, twin gas hotplates, coffee machine, kettle, utensils, and cookware. At the time of our stay, a large multi-person hot tub and a sauna were under construction, with a target completion date of late 2018. Check their website for updates. Isabelle's food is another highlight. The table d'hôte dinner is only available to a maximum of 12 people and needs to be reserved when booking. It's a five-course meal with aperitifs, fresh salad, main course, cheeses, and desserts, all local and organic, along with good local wine. It was a feast and remarkably affordable. Breakfast was another generous spread of locally made breads, pastries, preserves, and more. As we finished, Janick headed off to hunt for mushrooms in the nearby fields. The location is lovely and unspoiled, the rooms are comfortable, the food is outstanding, and the hosts are charming, friendly, accomplished, and speak English. The price is very affordable. If you don't need beds for five, there are also four separate rooms, each spotless and comfortable with an en-suite bathroom and private entrance. There’s lots of secure parking on the property, too.

The rural quiet at La Haute Traversière makes the bustle of nearby Chenonceau fade away as soon as you arrive. The château is just five minutes across the River Cher, in the tiny old wine-producing village of Francueil, and the converted 19th century farmhouse and outbuildings are ideally placed. Chenonceau is one of the most beautiful châteaux and gets very busy in tourist season, so the peaceful setting is a real pleasure. This was our third visit to the self-contained Gîte. I was a little worried because Janick had spent about six months gutting and refurbishing the main living room, kitchen, bathroom, and WC. The old place had a wonderful 1800s feel alongside all the modern comforts, and I couldn't see how it could be improved. I was wrong, and we were delighted. The living room still has its original oak beams. The kitchen now has excellent new cabinetry and appliances, while the redesigned bathroom has a modern high-end vanity lavabo, shower, and beautiful floor-to-ceiling tilework. The WC was renovated too, and the floors have classic porcelain tile. Out back, there's a new above-ground pool reserved for Gîte guests, plus a large self-contained sauna available to everyone. Both are lovely ways to unwind after a day touring. If a quiet glass of wine in a beautiful rural spot sounds good, Janick and Isabelle have made just the place for it.

I'm here for work, but coming back to my room feels like being on holiday. It's so peaceful and relaxing. Breakfast is really tasty, with very good quality products. The owner is great.

Isabelle and Janick are both professional and genuinely welcoming. They know the area well, and their advice is reliable. The property has lots of charm and is a nice place to relax and have fun. Parents and children are happy here. We highly recommend it. Booking through their website is a better deal.