"Fabulous food and great company. What a lovely way to holiday in France, so many ideas to take home and try. Thank you and we will be back"
Graham and Elizabeth Warby - Oxford, England
Château ValCreuse
Just 3 minutes from Le Calabash this traditionally build Château is owned a run by Belgium couple Caroline and Alexander who pride themselves in the finer details of hospitality.
Château Valcreuse borders the majestic Creuse River Valley, overlooking the hamlet of Fromenteau home of Le Calabash across to Indre et Loire, tucked away within the Vienne region with its rolling hills and quaint villages. The Vienne region is located between the Chateaux of the Loire and the Wineries of Bordeaux. This area was markedly influenced by the Romans. To this day, ancient Roman roads, aqueducts, and ruins dot the landscape.
Château Valcreuse was built around 1850 in an eclectic style influenced by
Belle Époque and Art Nouveau. During World War II, a Colonel resided at the Château while the German Army and the French Resistance fought in the area. Evidence of bombardment is still visible on the north, west, and south walls. It is a sombre reminder of that era.
Using local craftsmen and interior decorators, the Château was transformed into a luxurious, romantic and peaceful place.
Just a short walk from the Chateau and you will find yourself in the Spa town of La Roche Posay. A medieval, historic village with all the amenities needed. For more information visit
www.chateauvalcreuse.comAt Le Calabash we offer transport between Château ValCreuse and Le Calabash Petit Conservatoire de la Cuisine as well as transport for all your course visits to wineries and scheduled activities.
Should you want to splash out and experience something to add to your Château experience, we can arrange for a classic car to be waiting for you at the Airport, Station or at the Château ValCreuse. See
www.sterlingdays.co.uk for more information.
Les Frippieres
Just 10 minutes away from the cookery school, Ken and Liz Mason the resident owners of three 350 year old stone cottages with beamed ceilings and terra cotta floors, set in an acre of award winning gardens nestling on the edge of a lovely hamlet surrounded by open fields in the heart of the Loire Valley. To maintain the tranquillity of the setting and to ensure total relaxation during your holiday with us we only accept adults.
Our local villages of Le Grand Pressigny and Preuilly sur Claise can provide you with all the usual French treats such as the Boulangerie for fresh breads and tarts to the Charcuterie and Boucherie for meats, both have weekly markets.
Each cottage has its own private area of garden, the gardens include lawns, an orchard with plum, pear, apple, cherry and walnut trees and we also have a herb garden. We have tried to broaden the range of plants in the garden so that no matter what time of the year you chose to visit there will be plenty to look at. There are too many flowers and shrubs to mention but we do have many types of clematis, honeysuckle, rose, grape vines, jasmine, sweet pea, laveteria and lavender. If you enjoy home cooking, our herb garden provides you with parsley, basil, coriander, chive, dill, lemon balm, mint, tarragon, thyme, rosemary, bay and sage.
Set in a quiet part of the gardens with views over open fields you will find our 10 x 4 metre heated swimming pool, for sun worshipers this part of the garden has sun from early morning until nearly sunset. Our aim is to help you to relax by providing you with quiet and romantic surroundings with excellent accommodation in this beautiful unspoilt part of the Loire Valley. All three cottages which still retain many of their original features and rustic charm, have been equipped to a very high standard and are lovingly and tastefully furnished. For more information visit
www.frenchdreamcottages.co.ukLes Limornières
The beautifully presented 19th century farm cottages at Les Limornières are 10 minutes from le Calabash via the historic village of le Grand Pressigny.
In a tranquil countryside setting the family run B&B offers guests’ well-equipped home-from-home comforts.There is plenty of space to relax both indoors & out offering the perfect place to enjoy your stay all year round; whether it’s outside on a balmy evening watching the sunset or cosy indoors in the spacious living room with the wood burner in winter time.
Accommodation is in either one or two bedroom cottages. A generous continental breakfast will be delivered to your cottage each morning at a pre-arranged time to suit your schedule. Visit our website for more information & photo’s:
www.franceholidaycottage.com
