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The short answer is "a furnished holiday home". In the past they were often very basic, and some still are. Ours are furnished to the standard that is expected these days.
There is no problem in shops and restaurants, though even a few words help. It does not matter if you make mistakes: people appreciate that you are trying. Excellent English is spoken in the tourist offices in Bourgueil and Saumur. Guests have said they have found these really helpful. Some activities happen in English - for example there is an English vineyard tour in the Summer months. And of course we are there to help.
Laundry: do we provide laundry, and does it include towels?
Yes: all bed linen; bath and hand towels; dish cloths; tea towels. We don't do washing, but we do provide a full change of linen each week.
What about swimming towels?
Yes, those too - one per guest. ... and is the pool heated? Yes, solar-powered heating, from when the pool opens in April
Where is the nearest baker?
The SHOPI at Allonnes (2 miles away) has bread, and there are two bakers close by in the town. Our favourite is the Intermarché at Écoparc just our side of Saumur.
Where is the nearest restaurant?
For an artisan lunch - Allonnes.
In the evening - St Nicholas de Bourgueil, 10 minutes away. But to be safe, especially on the night you arrive, we would advise Saumur, 15-20 minutes' drive, where there is plenty of choice and we can recommend several personal favourites.
How do we find these places?
We have copies of written directions to the key places you need, and a fair stock of promotional literature for the area.
On the day we arrive, how late do the local shops stay open?
The SHOPI at Allonnes is open Mon-Sat 08.30-12.30 and 14.30-19.30, and Sunday 08.30-12.30
What baby equipment do we have?
High chair, baby bath, cot, car seat, stair gate on request.
Do we have electric kettles?
Yes, each gite has one.
What about washing and ironing?
The gites share a laundry, with washing machine and sink, steam iron and ironing board. It also has a tumble drier in the rare event of poor weather, but there are convenient washing lines, and each gite has a clothes horse too.
Do we have a vacuum cleaner and electric hair driers?
Yes, on request. Each gite has general cleaning equipment - mop, broom, dust-pan etc. - too.
How safe is the site for young children?
The swimming pool is above-ground, with a safety-ladder. The gardens are separate but not fully enclosed, so very young children will need to be supervised. The lake and river are a fair distance away, but neither is suitable for swimming or wading. The fields are flat, but they are farm fields, with the outside risks that go with that. We give more details in our information pack.
Is there plenty of room for children to play?
Yes, the grass in one field is kept short.
How much would we hear of other people's children?
Not much. The insulation in the gites is excellent, and the playing field and swimming pool have been sited diagonally away from them.
What is there in the area for young children?
The zoo at Doué-la-Fontaine is excellent; Saumur has a funfair in the centre and a big open-air pool by the river; there are boat-rides on the Loire; if they like horses the Cavalry School at Saumur is for them; there is a theme park Hollypark to the north at Echemiré. Go to the A-Z for more local attractions.
...and there is a children's play area near the supermarket at Écoparc.
How good is the site for disabled people?
If in doubt, please consult us. Two gites should be considered if you have limited mobility. Bourgueil has its bedroom on the ground floor, but steps up to the front door. Allonnes has the best facilities. It has a double front door and an open-plan downstairs, with the option to curtain off one area as a fully-equipped bedroom. The spacious bathroom is downstairs and the Italian shower (wet room) and high-pedestal WC are designed to make access easy, though we do not claim to conform completely to EU disability regulations. There is also a large front porch with smooth floor and sitting area, and easy access from a car. The courtyard and garden areas are gravelled, which means wheelchair access is possible but not ideal. Several guests with limited mobility have had successful visits. We want people to enjoy being with us, so if you are not sure, do contact us and we will give you a straight answer!
What about eating outside?
Each gite has garden furniture, of course. The gardens offer secluded places to eat and relax, with the courtyard providing a great place for more convivial meals.
What animals do we have?
No farm is complete without a dog, and you will be enthusiastically welcomed by Chaussette, a (mostly!) Breton Spaniel. There are also several cats.
There were vines on the land until the 1950s, then soft fruit, kiwis and orchards. The orchards remain, and the fields are put down to hay. When the grass is long, we ask guests to remember that long grass is in fact a crop, and to keep to the pathways.
Is the Chapy very isolated? What if there is a problem?
Yes and no! We have only one direct neighbour, there is very little traffic on the lane (and of that a fair proportion is farm vehicles). Yet we have Allonnes close by. We live on the farm, and are usually there to help if there is something you need.
Is it a good area for cycling? Yes, unless you like hills! What about fishing? There is a lake near Bourgueil which guests have told us is excellent - we can book for you. And riding? There is a good local pony club a mile down the road. What else? Look at our A-Z. We reckon there is enough within 15 miles to keep you going for a fortnight: and so far our guests have agreed. And that is before you get to Tours, Angers, Richelieu, Amboise.... go to the A-Z
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