Chateau De La Tour

Description

If you are looking to experience the real France, away from the tourist trail, surrounded by the stunning scenery of the Loire Valley, Chateau de la Tour could be just what you are looking for.

When the nearby 17th-century Chateau de Richelieu was demolished in 1805, one of the only remaining original towers was transported brick by brick to Chateau de la Tour and now stands proudly as part of this remarkable castle.

Restored beautifully and sensitively, each room in the chateau is full of history, with original features and mainly period furnishings combined with 21st-century facilities, such as the TV room and extensive movie library. Ornate detail will impress guests yet there is a homely and welcoming feel across the eight bedrooms, including two sweet rooms up high in the tower.

30 hectares of parkland and woods surround the chateau where deer roam freely and guests can appreciate the privacy and solitude all around them. There are plenty of opportunities to dine al-fresco with a fantastic summer kitchen and shaded terrace overlooking the spectacular heated swimming pool, allowing for long leisurely lunches or feasts under the stars with friends and family. Kids aren't forgotten; if they aren't enjoying the vast gardens, they can play in the games room with table-football, table-tennis and board games to keep all ages amused.

In the surrounding villages you will find some great restaurants specialising in the amazing local cuisine. It's just 10km to the historic town of Richelieu where you can take a walk around the gardens of the town's former castle or head to medieval Chinon (30km) standing majestically on the River Vienne, where you can wander the charming narrow lanes up to the fairy-tale castle, sample some amazing wines in the town's caves or spend a day paddling on the river.

The Loire Valley is a remarkable region filled with magical castles and idyllic towns such as Saumur, Tours and Blois, all of which can be visited for the day. Walkers can find some wonderful trails across the region whilst cyclists can hire bikes and follow some unforgettable routes. Golf lovers won't be disappointed by the choice of beautiful courses nearby and it's goes without saying that this is a wonderful region for horse-riding. If you are feeling particularly adventurous why not take a hot air balloon ride across the verdant landscapes.

That said, with such remarkable space in and around your own historic chateau, you won't have to venture far to experience the beauty of this captivating region.

#### Features
Chateau Interior

Ground Floor
- Living room
- Dining room
- Kitchen, well-equipped
- TV room with Satellite TV and DVD collection
- Games room with table-tennis and table football

First Floor

- 2 x bedrooms with queen-size bed and lovely park views. Ensuite bathroom with bath and hand-held shower
- Bedroom for children with twin beds and ensuite shower and sink (opposite one of the above double bedrooms if parents want to be near their children)

Second Floor

- Bedroom with double king-size bed and spacious ensuite bathroom with bath and separate shower
- Bedroom with double king-size bed and separate sitting area. Ensuite bathroom with bath and separate shower
- Bedroom with double queen-size bed and lovely park views. Ensuite bathroom with bath and separate shower

Third Floor

- Bedroom with twin beds and ensuite bathroom with bath and hand-held shower
- Bedroom with double queen-size bed and ensuite bathroom with bath and hand-held shower

Outside Grounds

- Private heated saline swimming pool (20m) with hard security cover for evenings/overnight. Heated up to 23C. Open mid-May to end of September
- Large outdoor dining area
- Pool house with pool kitchen
- BBQ
- Fountain
- 30 acres of parkland and woods

Facilities

- Heating
- Wi-Fi
- Satellite TV and DVD
- Extensive DVD collection
- Table tennis
- Table Football
- Board games

#### Location
Set in 30 acres of parkland and woods, where wild deer roam free, this is a beautiful setting in the Loire Valley, just in the southern part of the Indre-Loire department, near the border of Vienne.

The 17th century town of Richelieu (10km) is just a few minutes by car where you will find large supermarkets, a pharmacy, restaurants and most town facilities you may need. Take a beautiful walk through the grounds of the former Chateau de Richelieu, knowing that one of the original towers now stands at Chateau de la Tour.

Resting on the banks of the Vienne River is the medieval town of Chinon (30km). Follow the winding streets full of little shops and restaurants up to the castle and appreciate the history all around you. It's also a wine producing town so be sure to stop off in one of the town's caves where you can sample some local produce!

The vibrant town of Saumur (63km), resting on the Loire River, has a reputation for its excellent restaurants, its famous equestrian school Cadre Noir and the delicious sparkling white wine which you can sample in the area. Visit the fairy-tale chateau, take a boat up the Loire river or hire canoes. Combine with a visit to the Fontevraud Abbey (51km) or the fascinating Troglodyte caves in Rochemenier (77km).

Tours (66km) is perhaps one of the best known cities in this region and a wonderful place to visit not only for its fascinating history but also high-end gastronomy with some amazing markets across the city. Combine with a visit to one of the archetypal castles in this part of the valley including Chateau de Villandry (55km), Chateau Royal d'Amboise (85km) and Chateau de Chenonceau (80km).
A little further but worth the drive is Chateau de Chambord (140km) which should be combined with a visit to the utterly beautiful town of Blois (127km).

There are plenty of hiking routes in this area or you can hire bikes to follow some wonderful trails both locally and further afield such as parts of the Loire a Velo, a cycle route which follows the Loire river. Golf lovers have a choice of stunning courses within an hours drive near Saumur or Fontevraud whilst closer to home there is horse-riding in the countryside and canoe hire in Chinon.