La Bergerie, the 'shepherd's cottage' is a lovingly restored farm cottage nestled in a pretty valley in several hectares of grounds and gardens next to the Lac de Rillé, a large lake famous for its bird life and a popular site for fishing. The River Lathan flows through the grounds of our garden before it flows on to the Loire and the Atlantic Ocean.
A sheltered wooded paradise for wildlife and the perfect get-away in a rural isolation.
The cottage comprises a large sitting/dining room with traditional tiled floor on the ground floor with a log stove, comfortable double bed settee, dining table and chairs, and an ancient 'petrain' used for mixing bread dough. A contemporary stylish spiral staircase leads upstairs to a double bedroom with exquisite exposed beams, with a double bed and a single bed, with en suite bathroom with shower, bath and loo.
There is a fully equipped modern kitchen with a second log stove, washing machine, microwave, fridge freezer and cooker. Hot water in summer is supplied from solar panels to a 300 litre tank with an an immersion heater for winter or back up. in dull summer weather.
There is a charming south facing patio with wooden chairs and table, a hammock, and a view over a shady waterway, the remains of the old mill race. There is a large private gravelled parking area to the front. You can stroll along a path to view the lake from the landscaped earth dam which forms the lake, where there are stunning views.
The Lac de Rillé is a national bird reserve, and adjacent to mixed forest which stretches for miles to the Loire Valley. It is an ideal location for walking, birdwatching, fishing, cycling and canoeing on the lake. (A small rowing boat, canoe and bicycles are available to hire)
The property is part of 'Les Mousseaux', an old watermill where there is also a large wildlife pond and two hectares of organic gardens and woodland which guests are encouraged to wander through and enjoy.
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Saumur and Tours are only 30 km away and the location is ideal for visiting the many chateaux of the Loire Valley. The nearest town is Noyant (6 km) for shopping and with a traditional French market on Friday mornings.
There is an orangery created from a ruined building close by in which passion fruit, lemons and oranges and other subtropical fruit are grown and a large permaculture vegetable garden (fresh vegetables and honey from our bees, are for sale in season), flower garden, wildlife lake, and riverside walk. There is a private picnic area on the river bank. In spring and summer you may see kingfishers, the golden oriole and hoopoes near the river and green and spotted woodpeckers frequent the woods near the house. Nightingales are frequent spring visitors singing all night long.
'La Moussette', a second gite nearby is also available if you need a booking for more people.
