Le Logis de la Girardière (MOL.79)

Le Logis de la Girardière is a 4-bedroomed cottage, sleeping 5 + 4 under 14 (+baby), in a rural location, 2km from the village of Combrand (Deux-Sèvres), 5km from Cerizay, 32km SE of Cholet, 48km NW of Parthenay (Michelin map: 517). VFB is delighted  to have featured this property since 1998. Saturday arrival.

An independent half of an impressive 18th-century stone-built manor house, refurbished in 1991; the owners occupy the other half and farm the surrounding arable land. Spacious, light rooms are furnished with traditional and period items and lovely period detail has been retained - cornices, mouldings and panelled walls. Homely and well-appointed, the accommodation is of a very good standard with tasteful décor, particularly in the bedrooms. Backing onto the farm cour, the property also has french windows to the front leading to a narrow cobbled terrace, and extensive open grassy areas, exclusive to visitors. Although some noise may be audible from the secondary road some 150m away, this is largely a tranquil setting with a good degree of privacy. A small lane between fields leads to a three lakes (one private) 300m away (some 2m deep) where tench, perch and carp can be caught. The friendly owners, and their dog, live next door and work on the maize fields around the property; they will personally welcome all visitors here (Mme speaks a little English). A handsome property within easy reach of some rewarding features of la France profonde.

Accommodation: Ground floor: kitchen, living/dining room, wc. First floor: 2 double-bedded (1 with en-suite bathroom with wc) and 1 buk-bedded room, cot, bathroom with wc. Second floor: 1 bunk-bedded room with extra single bed and en-suite bathroom with wc.

Activities: Swimming pool, tennis and bicycle hire in Cerizay. Swimming pool in Mauléon (8km) and Pouzauges (15km). Horse riding in le Pin (4km) and Bressuire (17km). Golf (18 holes) in Cholet. Private lake for fishing at 300m. Shooting range at 1km. Go karting in Argenton-Château. Puy du Fou theme park 20 minutes drive away.

Services: Baker, butcher and restaurant at Combrand. All shops and services in Cerizay. Market in Cerizay and Cholet on Saturdays, Mauléon on Fridays, Bressuire on Tuesdays and Pouzauges on Thursdays.

Location
In a rural location, 2km from the village of Combrand (Deux-Sèvres), 5km from Cerizay, 32km SE of Cholet, 48km NW of Parthenay. Michelin map: 517.
 
Activities
Swimming pool, tennis and bicycle hire in Cerizay. Swimming pool in Mauléon (8km) and Pouzauges (15km). Horse riding in le Pin (4km) and Bressuire (17km). Golf (18 holes) in Cholet. Private lake for fishing at 300m. Shooting range at 1km. Go karting in Argenton-Château. Puy du Fou theme park 20 minutes drive away.
 
Services
Baker, butcher and restaurant at Combrand. All shops and services in Cerizay. Market in Cerizay and Cholet on Saturdays, Mauléon on Fridays, Bressuire on Tuesdays and Pouzauges on Thursdays.
 
Description
An independent half of an impressive 18th-century stone-built manor house, refurbished in 1991; the owners occupy the other half and farm the surrounding arable land. Spacious, light rooms are furnished with traditional and period items and lovely period detail has been retained - cornices, mouldings and panelled walls. Homely and well-appointed, the accommodation is of a very good standard with tasteful décor, particularly in the bedrooms. Backing onto the farm cour, the property also has french windows to the front leading to a narrow cobbled terrace, and extensive open grassy areas, exclusive to visitors. Although some noise may be audible from the secondary road some 150m away, this is largely a tranquil setting with a good degree of privacy. A small lane between fields leads to a three lakes (one private) 300m away (some 2m deep) where tench, perch and carp can be caught. The friendly owners, and their dog, live next door and work on the maize fields around the property; they will personally welcome all visitors here (Mme speaks a little English). A handsome property within easy reach of some rewarding features of la France profonde. Featured by VFB since 1998.
 
Note: young children will need to be supervised on the stairs as the railings on the banisters are widely spaced.
 
Accommodation
Ground floor: access from terrace (uneven cobbles), up 2 steps into hall with stairs to first floor and doors to:

·     Kitchen (3m40 x 3m50) with dual cooker (4 gas rings and 1 electric ring, electric oven), fridge/freezer, dishwasher, washing machine. Tiled floor. Door to living/dining room and french windows to garden
·     Living/dining room (5m85 x 6m) with telephone (for incoming and local calls only), colour television (French channels) and decorative fireplace. Board floor
·     Separate wc
 
First floor: steep, long staircase to:
 
·     Bedroom 1 (3m30 x 4m60) with 1 double bed (1m60). Board floor
·     Bedroom 2 (2m30 x 2m70) with bunk beds (0m90). Board floor
·     Bathroom 1 with bath, shower attachment, wc. Lino floor
·     Bedroom 3 (4m25 x 5m90) with 1 double bed (1m60). Board floor. Door to en-suite bathroom
·     En-suite bathroom with bath, shower attachment, wc. Lino floor. Door to bedroom 3
 
Second floor. Steep, open-tread staircase to:
 
·     Bedroom 4 (3m30 x 3m50) with 1 set of bunk beds and 1 single bed (0m90). Carpeted floor. Door to en-suite bathroom
·     En-suite bathroom with bath, shower attachment, wc. Lino floor. Door to bedroom 4

Gas for cooking included - Electricity included– Oil for central heating (radiator in each room) not included and charged at 8€ per day - Bed linen included, household linen available.

Where household linen is available, payment should be made direct to the owner (one set will cost 20€ for two people and each additional person staying at the property pays 5€).

Breakage Deposit: 100€  Sleeps: 5 + 4 children under 14 + baby MAXIMUM. Cot (1m60 length x 0m70 width x 0m56 depth), baby bath and high chair available.
                                                                                            
Note:  in mid and low seasons, the property can be reduced in size by closing off bedroom 2, bedroom 3 and its en-suite bathroom.  Steep staircases which clients with limited mobility may find difficult.

Breakage deposit: 100€  Property reference:  MOL.79X Sleeps:  3 + 2 children under 14 + baby MAXIMUM  

Comments
“Mme Morel is a delight and M Morel is very pleasant and very helpful. This cottage is very comfortable and satisfied all our baronial ambitions.” “A very pleasant stay – plenty of châteaux and museums to visit.” “This is an exceptional property with great charm and M and Mme Morel are enormously kind. The fishing has been very good indeed. It is so calm here, it is total therapy.” “After more than 40 VFB cottages, this has proved to be one of the very best.” “We are bowled over by the friendliness and hospitality of Monsieur and Madame Morel.” “We have appreciated the comfort and elegant spaciousness of the château.”

Description updated March 2009