Close to the enchanting town of Saumur, Manoir Des Arts offers historic charm alongside touches of French splendour in a perfect position for discovering the allure of the Loire valley. This 470 year old manor house has been beautifully restored with great sensitivity, retaining the manoir’s character and grace. Its loving owners have filled their home with artwork and antiques as well as paying attention to the finer details with high quality linen and the very best china. They have created an abode which exudes a sense of tradition, warmth as well as rustic elegance, a superb place for relaxing in an idyllic setting. Inside, guests can enjoy a glass of Cabernet Franc by the roaring fire in the living room or experience the tranquil ambience of the library. The traditional kitchen is fully equipped, ideal for preparing meals with all sorts of regional produce picked up from local markets and the formal dining room looks out to the delightful garden. The manoir’s four double bedrooms are spacious and characterful and there are three good-sized bathrooms, two of them en suite to the first floor bedrooms. A fifth double also awaits the most adventurous of guests in a guesthouse, just metres from the manoir, with a lounge and working fireplace, desk and very rustic bedroom. There is no running water here, so it’s a true ‘glamping’ experience, unsophisticated yet characterful in style, with the comfort of the manoir a few steps away. As well as the glorious swimming pool in the summer months, you will also love the cabana with its games and space for exercise – a lovely spot for yoga or perhaps you would prefer a game of table football, darts or table tennis. Set up the badminton on the lawn of the pretty walled garden or just enjoy the vast outdoor space – there is even a small lake hidden amongst the woodland at the very end. It’s wonderful to be so close to Saumur, a town of art and history with a reputation for its gastronomy as well as its wines and surrounding vineyards. Dine in high-end restaurants in the historic centre, sample the town’s delicious sparkling wine and enjoy the delights of the weekly market on a Saturday morning. Visit Saumur’s fairy-tale turreted château, take a guided tour of the prestigious Cadre Noir equestrian school and admire the Loire river on a summer boat trip. There is so much more of this captivating region still to explore. The famous Fontevraud Abbey is close by, as are the picture-perfect villages of Candes-Saint-Martin and Montsoreau, where the Loire meets the Vienne. Canoeing along the Vienne river in Chinon is another highlight of this area. Then there’s yet more historic châteaux, scenic cycling trails, endless vineyards and the stunning landscapes of the Loire valley – there really is so much to see and do in the ‘garden of France’. Features: Manoir Interiors Ground Floor -    Living room with working fireplace -    Library -    Dining room with French doors leading to garden -    Kitchen-diner, well-equipped including oven, induction hobs, microwave, fridge, kettle, toaster, panini grill and barista-style coffee maker -    Guest WC -    Laundry room -    Small wine cellar First Floor -    Master bedroom with king-size double bed and en suite bathroom -    Bedroom with queen-size double bed and en suite bathroom Second Floor -    Bedroom with queen-size double bed -    Bedroom with two queen-size double beds -    Bathroom with bath, separate shower, double sinks and separate WC Separate Guesthouse (no plumbing/running water, very rustic, more of a 'glamping' experience) -    Living room with sofa and working fireplace -    Study with a desk -    Bedroom with king-size double bed Outside Grounds -    Swimming pool (12x5m, depth: approximately 1-1.85m) with safety alarm. Open approximately May to end-September (heated in cooler months only if required/requested) -    Cabana with games/exercise area including table football, ping pong, darts, mats and weights -    Al-fresco dining area -    Charcoal Barbecue-grill -    Walled garden -    Badminton -    Small vineyard -    Well -    Lake (at end of the garden - sometimes dries out in summer) -    Wood shed -    Outbuilding -    Ample parking (including one covered space) -    Electric gate Facilities -    Wi-Fi -    Heating -    Working fireplace (guesthouse and main living room) -    Stereo system -    Smart TV -    DVD player and library -    Washing machine -    Table tennis -    Badminton -    Table football -    Dart board -    Weights, exercise bands and mats -    Board games Location: Just 12km north of the beautiful town of Saumur on the Loire river, Manoir Des Arts is a wonderful base for exploring this glorious region. If arriving by train, the TGV service takes you from Paris CDG or Montparnasse to Tours or Angers where there are interconnecting services to Saumur. There is a well-stocked supermarket around a five-minute drive away in the small local village as well as a bakery and other amenities. Even closer, a neighbouring farm has its own fruit and vegetable stand and the caretaker can recommend the fresh eggs from his daughter’s farm. Close to the manoir you will also find some superb walking paths, horse-riding, fishing spots and so many cycling opportunities including the famous La Loire à Vélo. Follow the trail west towards Gennes and Le Thoureil or cycle in the other direction, reaching the Vienne towards the enchanting town of Chinon and beyond. If you prefer boating, hire canoes or kayaks close to Saumur as a great way to admire the local scenery. Of course, a visit to Saumur (12km) is a highlight of your stay – it’s a stunning town with a great reputation for its art and gastronomy. There are many excellent restaurants and you should try some of the town’s sparkling wine produced in Saumur’s surrounding vineyards. Afterwards, take a taxi home – the manoir is just a 10-minute ride away. Spend time exploring Château Saumur, followed by a boat ride on the Loire River. In the town’s centre there are many beautiful historic buildings, lovely shops and the fantastic weekly market on a Saturday morning selling all sorts of regional delights. Then there’s the amazing Cadre Noir equestrian school – book a guided tour and you may be lucky enough to see a performance during your time here.   Also close to Saumur is the impressive Fontevraud Abbey (20km) as well as the fascinating Troglodyte caves in the village of Rochemenier (32km). To experience yet more charm and beauty, visit the villages of Candes-Saint-Martin and Montoreau, close to where the Loire and Vienne rivers meet. They are both classified as two of France’s ‘Plus Beaux Villages’ and there is a wonderful walk between the two. Look out for trips on traditional boats, a picture-perfect way to admire the scenery. Chinon is also a delight with its cobbled, winding lanes and characterful bars and wine caves. Visit on a Thursday morning for the atmospheric weekly market and marvel at the views when wandering around the Chinon Fortress. It’s also a picturesque spot for hiring canoes and kayaks along the Vienne. There are also so many historic châteaux across the Loire valley. Château d'Ussé, around a 40-minute drive away, is said to be the castle that inspired the story of Sleeping Beauty whilst both Château d'Azay-le-Rideau and Château de Villandry can be reached within an hour. The great city of Tours (62km) is another fantastic day out with all its historic sights and beauty, perhaps combined with a visit to the vineyards of Vouvray. Terms & Conditions: Security deposit? €1500 paid via bank transfer to the owner one month before arrival and refunded two weeks after departure, subject to full inspection. Arrival time? 4.00 p.m. Departure time? 10.00 a.m. Energy costs included? Yes. Heating costs included? Yes and reasonable use of firewood in living room and guest house. Linen & towels included? Yes. Pool towels included? Yes. End of stay cleaning included? Yes. However, guests are required to leave the accommodation clean, tidy and in the same condition as on their arrival. Any extra cleaning, laundry, maintenance and/or rubbish disposal required will be charged against the security deposit. Changeover day? Saturday. All other changeover days on request. Minimum stay? 7 nights. All other durations on request. Pets welcome? On request only and with prior agreement with the owner. Smoking Allowed? Outdoors only. Pool opening dates? The pool is open approximately May to end-September. Please note that pool opening dates are subject to local weather conditions and pool maintenance requirements and that cooler months may not be suitable for swimming. Pool heating charge? The pool can be heated in cooler months only if required/requested and there is no extra charge. Please note that like all heated pools, pool heating and water temperature are reliant on weather and outside temperatures. Other Ts and Cs? Manoir Des Arts is generally not suitable for families with children under the age of 12. Individual cases can be considered ad hoc by agreement with the owners at the time of booking.