BEAULIEU

                                            ST HILAIRE SUR BENAISE, INDRE

                                                            Beaulieu courtyard and pool

RENOVATED FARMHOUSE AND BARN ANNEXE(NOT SHOWN). sleeps 12 + baby. IN ALL: 6 DOUBLE BEDROOMS, 3 BATHROOMS, SITTING ROOM, FARMHOUSE KITCHEN, (WITH DISHWASHER), 32FT HEATTABLE POOL WITH TERRACE, SUNLOUNGERS, AND BARBECUE, TABLE TENNIS, OPTIONNAL LINEN.    "FUTUROSCOPE"1HOUR APPROX.

THE LOCATION

In the heart of rural France, above the Dordogne and south of the Loire valley, BEAULIEU is near the pretty village of St Hillaire witch is on the river BENAISE. The market town of LE BLANC is 10minutes away by car, and ST SAVIN, with it's famous cathedral, about 15minutes.MONTMORILLON, well known for having 4 cathedrals, is not much further.

This is truly “France Profond”. Sandwiched between its better known neighbours, the Dordogne and the Loire, this is an unspoilt landscape of farmland, forests, rivers and lakes. There are facilities within easy striking distance for sailing and windsurfing (the Brenne lake area is very close), canoeing, golf, gliding, riding, climbing and fishing. The Blue Guide to France, or the Michelin Green Guide tell you everything you might want to know about the many famous Chateaux of the Loire region to the North. There are inexpensive bars and restaurants in the surrounding villages which have excellent fixed-price menus. Particularly good value are places where the local workmen eat, a large lunch costing about 55-60F.

Children can normally eat for half price if you remember to negociate at the onset. Access is good. The Paris-Bordeaux autoroute (A10) is about an hour to the east, and the TGV (High Speed Train) stops at Poitiers and Chatellerault. Paris to Chatellerault on the TGV takes only 1 hr 20minutes. We would point out, however, that you will need a car to stay at Beaulieu.

SETTING

BEAULIEU is a former farmhouse. It is very private and peaceful, surrounded by fields, and a particularly safe place for children to roam around. However, Le Blanc and Montmorillon, having shops, bars and restaurants are not far away. St Hilaire is only a few minutes away.

The house, annexe and barn form 3 sides of a square, with a stone wall running part way along the fourth side providing shelter and privacy for the beautiful 32ft pool and terrace. Pool heating is available by arrangement. The outlook is over fields which is often full of sunflowers in Summer. There is a large garden at the back with fields beyond.

NB: THE GARDEN BEHIND THE HOUSE IS HEDGED AND FENCED AND CHILDREN CANNOT REACH THE POOL WITHOUT CLIMBING OUT.

THE ACCOMODATION

The house has been sympathetically renovated and is very pretty inside.

KITCHEN: The front door open into a large farmhouse kitchen.It is beamed with a wood-burning stove standing in a handsome stone fireplace, and has painted wooden cupboards, plenty of kitchen equipement, gas cooker, fidge, freezer and dishwasher. It has a long table wich seats 10 and a hight chair can be provided on request.                                              

BATHROOM 1 -  off the kitchen is a bathroom, with a bath/shower, loo, basin and concealed washing machine.

LIVING ROOM – also off the kitchen is the living room, having french windows to the garden, beams, a stone fireplace and comfortable seating.

Off the sitting room are 2 bedrooms:

BEDROOM 1 - has bunk beds (large enough for adults) and overlooks the garden.

BEDROOM 2 - has a double bed and overlooks the pool

Stair in sitting room lead to: UPSTAIRS

BATHROOM 2 - with bath, plus hand-help shower, basin and loo.

BEDROOM 3 - very beamy, with 2 single beds and lovely views over the fields. A good children's room.

BEDROOM 4 –  a beamy double bedroom, with more lovely views over fields.

BARN ANNEXE

2 delightful double bedrooms, one upstairs and one downstairs. Bathroom with bath, shower and basin.

LINEN – Duvets and pillows are provided. Optional linen and towels are available on request, otherwise guests are asked to bring bed linen, towels, and plastic undersheets if required for small children.

TELEPHONE – there is a telephone which will make local calls and receive incoming calls.

OUTSIDE

POOL – 32ft, heatable, floodlit pool and terrace. Sun loungers and barbeque, large garden.

TABLE TENNIS – in the barn at the side of the house.

BOULES, ROPE SWING.  

For further information and booking

SARA Rowland - La pinsonnerie, 86260, Angles sur L'Anglin, Vienne, France

MOBILE: 07944 898174

TELEPHONE: 01993 847500

E mail : bankseye@aol.com