Chez Noel (MIT.61)

Chez Noel is a 2-bedroomed cottage sleeping 4, in the village of Essay (Orne), 8km SE of Sées, 20km NE of Alençon  (Michelin map: 513). VFB is delighted to have featured this property since 1977. Wednesday arrival.

A small detached house built in the late 19th century, this is a cosy little property set on the edge of the village. Offering plenty of rustic charm, it looks out over fields and across miles of cultivated land and pastures to the Forest of Perseigne on the distant horizon. Entrance to the property is from a village lane via an enclosed, sheltered courtyard (with barbecue), of which one part or another is in the sun all day. Across the lane is a secluded garden (14m x 10m) enclosed by laurel hedges and a high wall while, to the front of the house, is another grassy area and parking for 2 cars. Inside, the property is well equipped and comfortable in all respects with many of the distinctive characteristics of a provincial country cottage - thick stone walls, some exposed roof timbers and a certain period quality in décor, stone tiled floors in ground floor rooms and furnishing. The owner is represented by her retired brother and sister-in-law, who live nearby. The property is ideally placed for those in search of peace and quiet and the intimate ambience of a typically rural village community. There are some marvellous countryside and forest walks right on the doorstep as well as many famous stud farms to visit. Improbably, Essay also has two important motor racing circuits, one for rally-cross the other for karting with events monthly from March to October. Situated on the edge of the Parc Régional de Normandie-Maine, characterised by rich farmland and forests, Essay also provides easy access to some interesting touring with celebrated names like Chartres, le Mans, the spa town of Bagnoles-de-l’Orne, the picturesque cheese and cider country of Calvados and the charming countryside of Les Alpes Mancelles around the Sarthe Valley being within comfortable reach. Paris is also accessible by train from nearby Alençon via Le Mans (for the TGV). Nearer at hand, are fascinating places like l’Aigle and little mediaeval towns like Beaumont-sur-Sarthe, Mamers and Mortagne, not forgetting Saint-Céneri-le-Gérei, one of the most beautiful villages in France.

Accommodation: Ground floor: conservatory, kitchen, dining room, living room, bathroom, wc. First floor: study, 1 twin and 1 double-bedded room (with en-suite bathroom), wc. This property is particularly suited to indoor and out-of-season living, due to a higher than average level of comfort.

Activities: Lake on a 16 hectare site near le Mêle (8 kms) with supervised swimming (July and August), mini-golf, tennis, pedalos, sailing. Open daily in July and August and Saturday and Sunday in May, June and September. Alencéa water sport complex in Alençon with large interior and exterior pools, 60m toboggan, counter-current river. Open all year. Horse riding at 4km. Walking on the spot and in the nearby numerous forests. Golf at Alençon (9 holes), Bagnoles de l’Orne (9 holes, 40km) and at Bellême (18 holes, 40km).

Services: Grocer, baker, doctor, restaurant and petrol/service station in the village. All shops and services at Sées (8km). Various restaurants within 15 minutes' drive. Market on Thursday and Sunday mornings at Alençon, on Saturday mornings at Sées.

Location
In the village of Essay (Orne) – 500 inhabitants – 8km SE of Sées, 20km NE of Alençon – famous for lace making. Michelin map: 513.

Activities
Lake on a 16 hectare site near le Mêle (8 kms) with supervised swimming (July and August), mini-golf, tennis, pedalos, sailing. Open daily in July and August and Saturday and Sunday in May, June and September. Alencéa water sport complex in Alençon with large interior and exterior pools, 60m toboggan, counter-current river. Open all year. Horse riding at 4km. Walking on the spot and in the nearby numerous forests. Golf at Alençon (9 holes), Bagnoles de l’Orne (9 holes, 40km) and at Bellême (18 holes, 40km).

Services
Grocer, baker, doctor, restaurant and petrol/service station in the village. All shops and services at Sées (8km). Various restaurants within 15 minutes' drive. Market on Thursday and Sunday mornings at Alençon, on Saturday mornings at Sées.

Description
A small detached house built in the late 19th century, this is a cosy little property set on the edge of the village. Offering plenty of rustic charm, it looks out over fields and across miles of cultivated land and pastures to the Forest of Perseigne on the distant horizon. Entrance to the property is from a village lane via an enclosed, sheltered courtyard (with barbecue), of which one part or another is in the sun all day. Across the lane is a secluded garden (14m x 10m) enclosed by laurel hedges and a high wall while, to the front of the house, is another grassy area and parking for 2 cars. Inside, the property is well equipped and comfortable in all respects with many of the distinctive characteristics of a provincial country cottage - thick stone walls, some exposed roof timbers and a certain period quality in décor, stone tiled floors in ground floor rooms and furnishing. The owner is represented by her retired brother and sister-in-law, who live nearby. The property is ideally placed for those in search of peace and quiet and the intimate ambience of a typically rural village community. There are some marvellous countryside and forest walks right on the doorstep as well as many famous stud farms to visit. Improbably, Essay also has two important motor racing circuits, one for rally-cross the other for karting with events monthly from March to October. Situated on the edge of the Parc Régional de Normandie-Maine, characterised by rich farmland and forests, Essay also provides easy access to some interesting touring with celebrated names like Chartres, le Mans, the spa town of Bagnoles-de-l’Orne, the picturesque cheese and cider country of Calvados and the charming countryside of Les Alpes Mancelles around the Sarthe Valley being within comfortable reach. Paris is also accessible by train from nearby Alençon via Le Mans (for the TGV). Nearer at hand, are fascinating places like l’Aigle and little mediaeval towns like Beaumont-sur-Sarthe, Mamers and Mortagne, not forgetting Saint-Céneri-le-Gérei, one of the most beautiful villages in France. Featured by VFB and beautifully maintained since 1977.

Accommodation
Ground floor entrance into conservatory (2m10 x3m90). Door to hall. with telephone (for incoming and local outgoing calls only, with answerphone) and stairs to first floor converted attic bedrooms. Doors to:
 
·       Kitchen (4m x 3m) electric cooker (4 rings, double oven), fridge, microwave. Tiled floor. Doors to dining room and living room
·       Dining room (5m30 x 3m50).  Tiled floor
·       Living room (5m30 x 3m20) with radio/cassette/CD player, television, DVD player. Tiled floor. Door to small inner hall
·       Bathroom with bath, shower attachment, washing machine and dryer. Tiled floor
·       Separate wc
 
First floor:  
 
·       Bedroom 1 (3m x 4m) - 1 step up from landing - with 1 double bed (1m40). Carpeted floor. Mansard ceiling with 1m70 beam on one side beneath velux window. Door to en-suite bathroom with bath and shower attachment. Lino floor, sloping ceiling, very low on one side (not inconvenient)
·       Bedroom 2 (5m x 3m50) with 2 single beds (0m90). Carpeted floor
·       Study (2m x 3m) with carpeted floor. Sloping ceiling in places
·       Separate wc
 
Bed and household linen included. Electricity not included (electric radiator in each room).

Breakage Deposit: 100€  Sleeps: 4 MAXIMUM
 
Comments
“We endorse all the positive comments on this lovely gîte and its surroundings, and thank M and Mme Julien for their warm welcome.  A pleasant week in a comfortable and quietly located gîte.  Thank you". "A spacious and well-equipped gîte, which has suited our young family well".
 
Description updated January 2011