La petite Mothe du château perdu
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The house
La petite Mothe is a charming, comfortable holiday home for two persons. Peace, space and absolute privacy.
On our enclosed one hectare grounds you are the only guests.
Originally a chicken-coop annex bread oven, La petite Mothe lies at approximately 30 meters from the main house, next to the well. The main house's tower dates back to the 11th century. Ever since those days, the main house is thought to have organically grown into a fortified manor. In the Bourbonnais archives the house is mentioned as a "château perdu".
From our driveway bordered by walnut trees, you enter onto your own private parking lot, lockable with a gate.
Obviously the small house has been extensively renovated. We have tried to keep as many of the often antique details by using original building materials.
Coming from the south-east facing terrace with view on the closed park, you enter into the living room. There is a wood stove that guarantees comfortable temperatures outside the summer season. There is a comfortable sofa and a leather reading-chair as well as a dining corner next to the kitchen entrance.
The kitchen has recently been refurbished and is pleasant to work in. Equipment includes a (table top) fridge, a four pit gas stove, a toaster, a small oven and a coffee machine. We make sure that the cabinets are filled with basic alimentary needs. Apart from that, the fridge is stocked with everything you might need for your first breakfast after arrival.
Usually this includes fresh (home baked) bread, jam and vegetables out of our kitchen garden etc.
In the bathroom, you'll find a shower, toilet and washing-basin.
Via an open staircase leading to the mezzanine you arrive in your bedroom. The bed is king-size (180x200 cm) with comfortable mattresses and is made with French embroidered linen and duvets. Of course there is ample room in the closets for your personal affairs.
If you cannot find books to your taste on the shelves in La petite Mothe, you are welcome to browse in our extensive library in the main house.
The terrace is equipped with a large dining table and 2 chairs plus a 2 meter umbrella. On the other side of the lawn (for the afternoon and evening sun) there are 2 lazy lounge beds and another umbrella.
A barbecue is available and a fire pot could make your summer evening last even longer.
Registration code
Facilities
- Independent
- No smoking
- Local contact
- Historic building
- Adults only
- Washing machine
- Tumble dryer
- Iron
- Vegetable garden
- Pets welcome
- Cot
- High chair
- Internet
- Bicycles at the house
- Fireplace
- Hair dryer
Surroundings
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The setting of La petite Mothe is rural, with meadows and fields of wheat, maize and rye and dotted with small "hameaus" and villages.
Vichy is a quarter hour's drive away. It is a middle-sized provincial town with beautiful parks and architecture from the time of Napoleon III who made the former village into a famous thermal resort in the 19th century. Recently Vichy has been added to the Unesco world heritage list together with ten other leading European Spa's.
Both in summer and winter Vichy offers a diverse range of cultural and shopping opportunities.
Moulins, the provincial capital, is slightly bigger and a bit further away from La Mothe; about 25 minutes by car. It has a nice medieval city center with some very worthwhile museums, a.o. the national theatre and opera costume museum CNCS and the musée Anne de Beaujeu.
Within three quarters of an hour you reach Clermont-Ferrand, the capital of the Auvergne and a lively student city. Excellent restaurants and shopping here. In its sometimes steep and winding streets and alleys one can feel the history of this city that dates back to Roman times. Just outside the city lies the "Puy de Dôme" the highest (extinct) volcano of a long chain that dominates this region. Like Vichy, the "chaine des puys"has been added to Unesco's world heritage list.
More than worth the drive (one and a half hour) is the medieval city of Bourges. Steeped in history you'll find impressive old quarters, many city palaces (a.o. that of the famous Jacques Coeur) and of course the world famous cathedral.
Closer to home there are a number of very old and picturesque villages such as Charroux, Chantelle and Ebreuil.
Almost all villages and small towns in the Bourbonnais boast of at least one castle and a 12th or 13th century Roman church.
- Rural
- Hilly
- Meadows and woodland
- Near swimming water
Reviews
Francisca en Wim from Epse,
Wij hebben een heerlijke week gehad in La petite Mothe. Zeer gastvrij ontvangen. Bloemetje op tafel, gevulde koelkast voor het eerste ontbijt, echt super. Een mooie omgeving, bezienswaardigheden in de buurt en een prima wandelomgeving. Bij het huisje een ruime tuin waar je heerlijk kunt zitten, luieren en onthaasten ! Er ontbreekt je aan niets.
Wij komen graag terug !Anton en Annemieke from Rotterdam,
We hebben 2 heerlijke weken gehad in la Petite Mothe! Een super mooi, schoon en compleet huis op een werkelijk prachtige plek. Rust en ruimte doordat bij je huisje een heel groot stuk van de tuin ter beschikking van de gasten staat! Ook loop je zo de natuur in waar je zomaar oog in oog kan staan met herten! Maar ook dichtbij leuke steden voor culturele uitstapjes of een drankje op het terras! Een gevulde koelkast bij aankomst met als hoogtepunt de zelfgemaakte confiture, was een enorme verrassing! Kortom Birgit en Gert-Jan hebben het goed voor elkaar met dit kleine paradijsje! Bedankt voor jullie gastvrijheid!
Margreet from Wassenaar,
Juli 2024
En dan ben je toe aan een weekje Frankrijk en ontdekt een knus sfeervol huisje in een prachtige parktuin met moestuin en warme gastvrije eigenaren.
Heerlijk een week lekker uitslapen, lezen, wandelen en genieten van de stilte. Een gîte compleet ingericht, met prima bedden, het ontbreekt je aan niets. Een ambachtelijk broodje en een gevulde ijskast dat heb ik nooit eerder meegemaakt. De heerlijke stad Vichy is niet ver en in de omgeving kan je mooie tochten maken. Kortom, familie de Beer, ik heb genoten en kom zeker terug!
Restaurants, food & wine
WINE. About 10 years ago, the red wine of neighbouring St Pourçain was granted AOC status. Already the whites and rosé wines were quite popular at the time. In the vicinity of St Pourçain, especially in the village of Saulcet, you will find quite a number of (young) dynamic winemakers with a variety of very pleasant (and not too expensive) wines.
We will gladly introduce you to our preferred suppliers!
RESTAURANTS. We find ourselves in the center of France and the region literally bustles with good restaurants. Obviously we have our favourite addresses that vary from simple brasseries and auberges with a good menu-du-jour to Michelin-starred establishments in Vichy and Clermont. We will gladly discuss them with you !
FOOD Shopping. The halles in Vichy as well of those of Gannat and Clermont Ferrand are famous for their variety and quality of regional products. The weekly markets in the surrounding villages are fun to visit, you will find a list of market day data in your holiday home. There is a good bakery in the next village (Broût-Vernet). Supermarkets (Carrefour, Cora and Champion) you will find in St Pourçain, Gannat and Vichy. All within about 15 kms from La Mothe.
Our KITCHEN GARDEN yields enough to share its produce with our guests. In the right season you are welcome to select your fresh vegetables and herbs for your table.
Activities
HIKING. You can either depart straight from the garden into the fields, or choose from any of the circuits set out by the department in the Val de la Sioule and the rest of the Allier County. Walks vary from one and a half to three hours, lead through beautiful countryside and are very doable, even for less trained individuals. Booklets as well as detailed maps are at your disposal at La petite Mothe. Walking is truly a pleasure here, even in winter when it is cold and still.
BIKING. We have two mountain-bikes on loan.
SWIMMING. Is possible at any of the numerous little beaches and inlets of the Sioule. From Ebreuil and some other villages upstream, CANOE trips can also be made on the Sioule.
GOLF. There are three golf courses within 20 minutes from La Mothe; Golf de Briailles, a simple 9-holes club, Golf de Montpensier, where we play ourselves, 18 holes. And one of the country's oldest clubs: Sporting Vichy, also 18 holes. We have 2 sets of clubs on loan.
RIDING. There is a pleasant stable in nearby Jenzat for either indoor lessons or country rides.
BROCANTE. In spring, summer and autumn, hardly a weekend passes without a "vide-grenier" (flea) market somewhere nearby.
But of course you may decide to just simply stay at home, on the terrace or near the wood stove with a good book!
- Bicycle
- Near hiking trails
- Near ATB trails
- Near riding
- Near theme park
- Fishing
- Water sports
- Mountain sports
- Flying and gliding
Further remarks
Your hosts live in the main house and in principle are always available for any practical help or advice. However they also know how make themselves invisible to you so as to guarantee your privacy.
La petite Mothe is furbished for two persons but certainly suitable for a couple with baby. We can supply you with baby basics so that you do not need to carry all of your own equipment with you. We have available: a high stool, a dressing mat, a wooden baby-bed and a small inflatable pool. (€50 per week, €10 per day)
There is no washing machine in the small house, but of course, if the need arises, you can always do your washing at the main house. There are drying lines in the kitchen garden.
Supply of all linen, cleaning costs and fire-wood for the stove are included in the rent.
The climate at La Mothe is a moderate continental one. We have on average 1900 sun hours per year.
La Mothe is easily reachable from the autoroute A71 Paris-Bordeaux. Less than 15 minutes from sortie "Gannat".
Feel free to contact us!
Additional price info and offers
our prices for 2024
up to 27 april €625 per week
27 april - 22 june €675 per week
22 june - 31 august €750 per week
31 august - 2 november € 675 per week
During the months of june, july, august and september, rentals per week only.
Price includes
Cleaning fee, Towels, Bed linen