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FAMILY HOUSE with GARDEN on PLACE DU MARCHE. Great for couples/ families/pets.

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South facing Garden house with patio
Welcome to our holiday house!
Outdoor dining.
Living Room. Large smart TV and DVD.
Dining Inside

Reviews

9.6 out of 10
Exceptional
4 bedrooms4 bathroomsSleeps 6150 sq m

Popular amenities

  • Parking available
  • Dryer
  • Washer
  • Fireplace
  • Kitchen
  • Pool

Explore the area

Map
Richelieu, Centre-Val De Loire
  • Château du Rivau
    ‪12 min drive‬
  • Royal Fortress of Chinon
    ‪25 min drive‬
  • Futuroscope
    ‪45 min drive‬
  • Chatellerault (XCX)
    ‪35 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

4 bedrooms (sleeps 6)

Bedroom 1

1 Single Bed and 1 Double Bed

Bedroom 2

1 Double Bed and 1 Crib

Bedroom 3

2 Single Beds and 1 Crib

Bedroom 4

1 Double Bed and 1 Single Bed

4 bathrooms

Bathroom 1

Towels provided · Bathtub or shower · Toilet · Shower only · Hair dryer

Bathroom 2

Towels provided · Bathtub or shower · Bathtub · Toilet · Hair dryer

Bathroom 4

Toilet

Bathroom 4

Bathtub or shower · Bathtub · Toilet

Bathroom 5

Toilet

Spaces

Deck or patio
Kitchen
Outdoor play area
Garden
Dining area

About this property

FAMILY HOUSE with GARDEN on PLACE DU MARCHE. Great for couples/ families/pets.

BOOKINGS ONLY ACCEPTED SATURDAY TO SATURDAY UNLESS SPECIFIC MESSAGE REQUEST SENT AND AGREED WITH OWNER.
Our spacious, family French Holiday home is situated in the historic Place du Marche of Richelieu, a 17C small walled town with all amenities in walking distance but very central for visiting Loire and Poitou area. Chateaux, Leisure lake and rivers, Golf Courses and Futuroscope all a short driving distance. It is a great area for cycling and there is a new 'off road' cycling track on the old steam railway line from Chinon to Richelieu. There are several 'Voie Verte' tracks in the area. Our house has a huge, covered safe, storage area for your bikes. Bikes can be hired through a local agency in town.
It is a large property retaining many original features. It is entered through the 12ft oak doors which open onto a secluded shady, open air courtyard. It is divided into two houses connected by a central corridor. The Front House is not rented out and is kept locked.
PETS ALLOWED No extra charge.

The renovated 4 bedroom, 3 bathrooms, Garden House with all rooms overlooking the secluded, south facing walled garden is the house offered for holiday rentals for up to 6. The house is suitable for families, child and toddler friendly, with the owner’s baby/children equipment available if required (free of charge). The garden is completely enclosed and a great place to relax with your children, or pets (which are allowed on request.) There is a large patio with seating for 8, sun loungers, Webber BBQ and a built in splash pool which is great for cooling off or for children to play in. There is no need to drive anywhere! All the facilities of a small town are just a short walk, including Carrefour supermarket, Boulangerie, Butcher, cafes and restaurants. We regularly relax in the cafes around the square with a coffee, beer or glass of wine watching children play happily around (or in!) the fountain and Les Halles.
The Richelieu outdoor pool and children's play area, are open in summer months. No problems with parking either! This is free outside the house and all around the Square.
Bring the grandparents too they will love it.

Our Garden house is arranged over three floors connected by the original wooden staircase.
The entrance hallway leads to the living room with log burning stove, two sofas, large flat screen TV+DVD, with a SAT recorder box, CD player and FREE WiFi.
Full oil central heating is available if required but this is charged on amount of fuel used.
We have a library of books, films, CD's, children's toys and games.

The living room has double doors (with safety gate if required) opening onto the patio and garden.
The kitchen/dining area has large oak dining table which seats 8,spacious storage, a 6ft fridge/freezer and a separate fridge that can be used for drinks. It is fully equipped with ceramic hob and fan oven, Bosch dishwasher and microwave.
All our cooking utensils, cookery books and MP3/iPod player and charger are available for your use.

There is also a high chair and toddler seat available on request.

The ground floor also has a large bathroom and shower, with utility area (washing machine/tumble dryer/iron and board) and a separate toilet.

The first floor has two huge wood floored bedrooms both with newly refurbished adjacent bathrooms - The yellow room (with double bed and an extra single bed) has the large bathroom, shower and a separate toilet and the Blue Room (with double bed and full size cot) has a fully tiled shower room and toilet.

The second floor has a further two large double bedrooms. The Pink has twin single beds and a travel cot and the green a double bed and a single bed.

Pets are allowed, on request, but must be kept in ground floor areas and are not allowed on soft furnishings.

I have a French friend, Emmanuelle, who lives locally and is our manager. She welcomes guests for us and is available to help with any problems you might have or appointment's required (ie with Doctor or Vet). She also arranges the cleaning and laundry. She is happy to help with any cleaning or chores during your stay. This can be requested in advance or booked on arrival. Agreed payment is paid directly to Emmanuelle.

Although the house has 4 large bedrooms and can sleep 10 it is only offered for rental for a maximum of 6. (Pets welcome on request).

ABOUT THE AREA AND THINGS TO DO.
The Richelieu tourist office, two doors from our house, can provide up to date information on the many local and area activities, day trips, fetes and tickets.

The South Loire area offers a temperate climate between April and October.
Richelieu is a great location for clients able to travel out of high season, take advantage of traffic free roads and stay in a small, market town, where all facilities are walking distance. The town itself is not 'touristy' even in July and August but there are often queues for the main Loire attractions which can be crowded in these months.
Richelieu is an unique example of 17thC French town planning and today this 'cite ideale' is a listed site. The main 'Grande Rue' is lined with 28 private townhouses. One of these imposing townhouses has an interactive display and story of Cardinal Richelieu, his town and the lost Chateau.
The 17th century Church, Town Hall (with museum) and Les Halles are all situated in the Place du Marche, along with our house.
The huge park with the remains of Cardinal Richelieu's Chateau is just 2 minutes walk and a huge, peaceful area to cycle and walk at any time of year. It is rarely busy and also great for children and dogs to play and run about in safety. It also has outdoor pool(summer months only) children's playground, tennis courts and boules area.
After a days sightseeing all the cafes, restaurants, shops are walking distance.
No need to drive for shopping or a meal out!

Located at the crossroads of Touraine, Anjou and Poitou Charentes. Richelieu is a great location for visiting the many famous medieval towns of Chinon, Tours, Poitiers, Loches, Saumur,Fontevraud, Villandry and Azay la Rideau. All these are within an hours drive as are many other famous Chareaux of the Loire. Walking,Cycling, Canoeing and Golf are popular activities in this area.
Futuroscope is an exciting theme park just 45 minute drive. It is suitable for all ages.
1 or 2 day passes are available.
Puy du Fou is a great day trip. One of the top attractions in France. Fabulous for a family outing. (Tickets have to be booked online and they are often fully booked months in advance)
The zoo at Douay and Monkey world are popular day trips for families.
Close to Saumur are interesting troglydyte attractions, mushroom farms and at Gratien and Meyer demonstration and tastings of Champagne(method!) production. Chinon vineyards are based along the Vienne and well worth a visit for both the Chinon reds and local Rose wines

There are numerous local vineyards( our house book lists many of those that we have tried.) Restaurants in small villages with amazing value all inclusive menus. There are many Michelin starred ones too.
There are several local cafes and restaurants in Richelieu with good value menus and Vins du Maison!
Our house is well equipped for home indoor or BBQ cooking.

Any questions please contact me!

Property manager

Sheelagh Dunk

Languages

English, French

Add dates for prices

Amenities

Pool
Kitchen
Washer
Dryer
Pet-friendly
Free WiFi

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House Rules

Check in after 4:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 25
Check out before 10:00 AM
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Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17
All ages. Baby/child equipment free to borrow
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Events

No events allowed
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Pets

Pets allowed: dogs less than 10 kg per pet (limit 2 pets total)
On request. Ground floor only.
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Smoking

Smoking allowed: in designated areas
Only in exterior courtyard or garden
Full Terms and Conditions in my Rental Agreement. 50e cleaning charge paid on arrival - see agreement section 6.
Security Deposit 200 euros/pounds paid on Arrival. Refunded with any deductions signed and agreed with on key return.
Oil Fired Central Heating available. Cost on oil used payment direct to Manager.

Important information

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Host has indicated that there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher, a first aid kit and a deadlock

We should mention

Cash transactions at this property cannot exceed GBP 1000, due to national regulations; for further details, please contact the property using the information in the booking confirmation
A car is recommended for transport to and from this property

About the area

Richelieu

Located in Richelieu, this holiday home is in a rural area. Renaudot Museum and Charbonneau-Lassay Museum are cultural highlights, and some of the area's landmarks include Sainte-Chapelle de Champigny-sur-Veude and Château du Rivau. Fishing and swimming offer great chances to get out on the surrounding water, or you can seek out an adventure with cycling and horse riding nearby.
Map
Richelieu, Centre-Val De Loire

What's nearby

  • Château du Rivau - 12 min drive - 11.1 km
  • Forteresse Royale de Chinon - 23 min drive - 22.8 km
  • Royal Fortress of Chinon - 25 min drive - 22.7 km
  • Château de la Grille - 29 min drive - 25.5 km
  • Futuroscope - 45 min drive - 57.5 km

Getting around

  • Basses-Sammarcolles Station - 17 min drive
  • Poitiers (PIS-Biard) - 54 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Le Patio - ‬5 min walk
  • ‪La P'tite Pause - ‬8 min drive
  • ‪Le Commerce - ‬7 min drive
  • ‪Le Cardinal - ‬3 min drive
  • ‪Sarl de l'Hotel de Ville - ‬2 min walk

Frequently asked questions

Is FAMILY HOUSE with GARDEN on PLACE DU MARCHE. Great for couples/ families/pets. pet-friendly?

Yes, this property allows dogs (limit 2 total) with a maximum weight of up to 10 kg per pet.

What time is check-in at FAMILY HOUSE with GARDEN on PLACE DU MARCHE. Great for couples/ families/pets.?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at FAMILY HOUSE with GARDEN on PLACE DU MARCHE. Great for couples/ families/pets.?

Checkout is at 10:00 AM.

Where is FAMILY HOUSE with GARDEN on PLACE DU MARCHE. Great for couples/ families/pets. located?

This family-friendly Richelieu holiday home is located in a rural location, steps from Loire-Anjou-Touraine Regional Natural Park and within 9 mi (15 km) of Sainte-Chapelle de Champigny-sur-Veude and Château du Rivau. Renaudot Museum and Domaine Dozon are also within 12 miles (20 km).

Reviews

9.6

Exceptional

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
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Rating 10 - Excellent. 26 out of 32 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 5 out of 32 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 32 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 1 out of 32 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 32 reviews

8.0/10

Cleanliness

9.0/10

Check-in

8.6/10

Communication

9.8/10

Location

9.2/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

8/10 Good

Gaynl K.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Historic and peaceful
This house has my favorite amenity -- totally dark at night and quiet and private. I really felt like a French aristocrat going into the private courtyard. The back patio and garden are beautiful and secluded. The kitchen is large and well equipped. It would be perfect for families with children or a group of friends. For a fussy old lady there were some drawbacks. The weather was unusually cold and rainy for the end of May and there was no heat. Or even a lap robe to snuggle under. There wasn't enough light to read in the salon although the couches were comfortable and there were lots of books. It had been described as having a bathroom for each bedroom but only one was available. The other advantages outweighed this for me and most people would not even care.
Stayed 11 nights in May 2024

10/10 Excellent

JOELLE R.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Richelieu
Tres calme. Richelieu est un lieu agréable.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2023

10/10 Excellent

Chris L., Australia

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Wonderful Stay in Richelieu (Near Chinon)
We were very impressed with the great communication from Sheeleigh. We received very clear instructions on how to get to Richelieu, where to park and all details about the house etc. Sheeleigh also arranged for someone to meet us at the house on our arrival which was really appreciated. The house was exactly as described . Very old and charming house with everything that one could possibly need being provided. The spiral staircase required concentration when going up and down but overall not an issue at all. My husband who didn't speak french was especially grateful for the english TV. House was centrally located facing the village square and there was always something going on in the village square. We couldn't have been more delighted with our choice of location . Thank you Sheeleigh for a wonderful stay.
Stayed 31 nights in Apr 2023

4/10 Poor

Gerald S., BERKELEY

Liked: Location
Disliked: Cleanliness, communication
Beautiful Richelieu
Lovely location in beautiful town square. Unfortunately stay was spoilt by the cleanliness of the kitchen. Some utensils appeared to have been put away unwashed. The dishwasher was particularly bad. One of the showers was pretty grim, fittings were rusty. All in all great little house but very tired.
Stayed 10 nights in Aug 2022

10/10 Excellent

David M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Great house in a super location
We had a lovely time in Richelieu. The town is a little quiet but very nice and perfectly located for discovering the Loire valley. The house is very spacious and the courtyard garden completely private. There is lots to do in the area within 20-30 minutes drive, and some lovely day trips . Overall would recommend strongly - but make sure you do plenty of research beforehand to get the most out of your time!
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2022

8/10 Good

David W.

Liked: Location, listing accuracy
Disliked: Check-in, communication
Interesting town
Good location in a quiet town
Stayed 7 nights in Sep 2022

10/10 Excellent

Nicola H.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Lovely House right in the centre of Richelieu
Sheelagh is a great host making sure we were informed of things we needed. Andy met us despite a very late arrival due to eurotunnel issues. A beautiful old house right in the centre.splash pool is great for all (and the kids) and there is a municipal pool about 5 mins walk from the property. We loved it and will hopefully be back!
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2022

10/10 Excellent

trish w.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Fantastic stay in a wonderful house in great location
We’d highly recommend this property and really loved our stay. It’s in a fantastic location right in the centre of Richelieu. The accommodation itself is of a high standard and really flexible. The garden is lovely, fully enclosed, not over looked and a real oasis. The owner is so helpful both prior to visit and all the really useful info and recommendations when there. Highly recommend and thank you so much!
Stayed 6 nights in May 2022

10/10 Excellent

Carrie L.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Lovely stay in Richelieu
Brilliant stay sad to go back. Lots to do. House is lovely, spacious, authentic and homely. Garden is beautiful. Will definitely come back.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2021

10/10 Excellent

An D.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Unieke locatie
De woning bevindt zich in het centrum van Richelieu. Je opent de toegangspoort en je bent in deze woning afgezonderd van de wereld. Voor alle inkopen en restaurants heb je zelfs de auto niet nodig. Toeristisch bureau naast de deur met enthousiast personeel voor alle info uit de streek. Een aanrader.
Stayed 7 nights in Sep 2020

10/10 Excellent

Nicholas C.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Best of Town and Country Combined
This is a lovely place to stay. It is in the market square of the beautiful historic town of Richelieu so you have restaurants and shops very nearby, including a decent size Carrefour just around the corner. Very handy. There is also a huge Intermarche a 5 minute drive away and a lovely boulangerie on the square to get fresh warm croissants for breakfast. The park is a 2 min walk away and has to be seen to be believed - it is huge! You can walk for miles in the beautifully kept avenues of tall trees which provide lovely breezy shade with the sound of the leaves gently rustling. At night, after the restaurants have closed, the town becomes very peaceful. We loved the lack of light pollution - you can actually see the Milky Way which is unusual for a town location. The house is rustic in character. It has everything we needed and is wonderfully quirky with its massive castle gate onto the square and a little private courtyard that also keeps the house cooler. Sheelagh (the owner) and Andy (the local agent) were super helpful and friendly during our stay. Thank you Sheelagh for recommending the motorway toll gadget for the car. We sailed through without having to locate change or credit cards. It really made the journeys much easier. I should also add that we had our Labrador puppy with us. He loved the park and was well behaved when we sat outside to eat and the local restaurants were fine with that. Thank you for a lovely holiday home.
Stayed 14 nights in Aug 2020

10/10 Excellent

Pamela M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Richelieu
Absolutely ideal location right in the square. Property is even nicer than the photos! We had a lovely time, we were made to feel very welcome and the house is just amazing. We loved our stay in this charming house, with the sun drenched courtyard filled with roses and the cool paddling pool that the kids loved. We highly recommend the gorgeous park, just like a renaissance painting brought to life.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2019

10/10 Excellent

Dawn F.

Lovely house in good location
My family and I stayed here in Sept 2018. The house has character, spacious rooms, a cool pleasant courtyard and a suntrap garden. Lots of lovely places to visit around the region - we thoroughly enjoyed our stay.
Stayed 7 nights in Sep 2018

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Great location for a quirky residence that certainly gives a taste of rural France
Fantastic holiday in a very historic town. Lots going on both in Richelieu and surrounding areas with smaller Chateaux that are much easier to visit and get around for those of us getting on a bit. The house has a few quirks that relate to the history of the property though the owners have tried hard, within the preservation rules of an historic town, to make the impact on us "oldies" used to modern living in the UK as minimal as possible. The garden is a delight and a real suntrap. The local owners' representative was very helpful, as was her husband, and all in all we were well looked after. Great communication from the owner from the start. Being able to view UK TV also helped make the stay very pleasant indeed. Thanks to all concerned.
Stayed 8 nights in Sep 2018

10/10 Excellent

Philip C.

Fabulous family holiday home
The house is right in the centre of Richelieu which is a very interesting town. The house is very spacious and well supplied with crockery etc. We enjoyed the central courtyard if the weather was really hot. In the evenings it was nice just to sit in the back garden. We were 6 adults and found the accommodation both comfortable but also very interesting as it is a very old historic building. Sheelagh the owner and Gail who looks after it in Richelieu where both very helpful and friendly. Richelieu itself has an excellent bakery across the square plus a number of restaurants and bars, although opening times seem sporadic and unpredictable. We particularly enjoyed walks in the park where the Chateau used to be. As the weather was very hot we made use of the local lido, a little old fashioned but well worth a visit. We visited a number of towns and château, although all are quite a trip. However our favourite was the closest Château Riveau about 15 mins away, very querky. We also loved Amboise and its Château. A nice day was had at Pagode de Chanteloupe and Chenonceaux. Overall an excellent holiday and we would thoroughly recommend it.
Stayed 14 nights in Aug 2018

10/10 Excellent

harry h.

Superb location in a stunning historic town
We could not have asked for a better location in Richelieu, right on the main square with all the facilities on your door step. The house was perfect for six adults, big bedrooms, three bathrooms and a fabulous outside dining area. It's quaint typically French charm, from original stone work to the wooden beams all helped add to atmosphere created during our stay.
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2018
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Bridget D.

fabulous and an absolute hidden gem
I wouldn't normally write a review but we enjoyed our holiday so much, that I thought I would. Your house was perfect in every way – lots of space, really well kitted out, a lovely garden and the splash pool was loved by the children as well as us (I sat on a chair in it reading a book which is a luxury as I never have time to read!). It was also an added bonus that the garden was totally dog proof! Great to go out of the big door at the front from the quiet of the house to being in the middle of everything – we loved the park and the swimming pool along with the great choice of bars and restaurants. Amazing not to have to drive.
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Paul M.

Great place to stay for family and friends
What a great house. Some real quirkiness with the round staircase and lovely West facing rear garden. Well equipped and managed. If you want a quieter break with easy access to some great places try this place.
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

8/10 Good

Reg D.

Character home conveniently situated
Our family used this property for a wedding and were not disappointed. It's full of quirky interesting character and ideally positioned on the town square with parking spots around. Although Richelieu is not big, all you need is available there: restaurants and coffee, tourist info shop, bank, small well stocked supermarket within walking distance and a much larger one with fuel 2 mins outside town. Great boulangerie too. Town ideally situated to drive further afield for chateaux etc and about 50 mins from Poitiers. The accommodation facilities are good, there's plenty of room and the wood burner took away the April evening chill. The back garden is indeed a sun trap and even at this time of year was hotting up when the sun was out. Sheelagh was most helpful throughout the process and has a good team in the area. Great place to visit and good home to stay in.
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

8/10 Good

Lesley S.

Well positioned and equipped comfotrtable home
Excellent position and despite being in the town so quiet. The first visit last year we were was so surprised when opened the gates to find a market outside. This year it was a really busy antiques market, didn't know it was there from inside at all. The house is very cosy in the winter and the addition of the central heating this year made it even better. The house is well equipped with almost everything you could need. The garden is a sun trap even in the autumn/winter. Plenty of good restaurants within walking distance all with good English. The owner Sheelagh is very obliging, we took friends with us for a few days this year for the first time, she assured that everything was ready for them also. There is always someone on hand to help not that we have needed it but you had that reassurance you would get help and fairly quickly if necessary. I would recommend this property to you.
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Jan B.

Our French Home
First impressions are not always accurate. The simple wooden door on the street opens to reveal an absolutely charming home full of character. It has a fully equipped kitchen and all the conveniences necessary for comfortable holiday living. Everything was very clean and in good working order. The two outside terraces allow you to sit in shade or sun and the herb garden fruit-bearing pear tree were a welcome surprise. Our group of 7 could not have enjoyed our stay here more. This property is obviously a well-loved family home and not simply a holiday rental.
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

8/10 Good

Kev S.

Lovely relaxing house full of character
The house was just as expected from the photos on website, full of character and very much a family home. The help provided was excellent & very friendly. The weather was fantastic & so many places to vist with many famous chateau & vineyards. The people in the square were so friendly with bars & restaurants within easy walking distance. We had a great time & would certainly recommend this property
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

edwin j.

A lovely atmospheric, old French house
The house suited us perfectly, it has a very homely atmosphere, very spacious and well equipped, so we were really comfortable and relaxed there. The kitchen contains everything needed to be fully self-catering for a large family. The beds are comfortable and the washing machine was really useful. There are many board games, DVDs , English novels, English TV channels and a selection of toys for young children, baby gates etc. It’s in an excellent location, just open the old large double wooden doors and you’re right on the beautiful market square with cafes and restaurants, great markets on Monday and Friday and a brilliant brocante too when we stayed. Parking very close by is easy and free. It’s next door but one to the tourist office and there’s a Carefoure supermarket 2 minutes away around the corner. It was very hot when we were there in August 2016, there’s a front courtyard which is very cool and shady, the back garden is completely private and great for sunbathing, with lovely English roses and fruit trees. There are tables and chairs in the front courtyard and rear patio so we eat outside all the time. We enjoyed the park and loved visiting Chinnon, wine tasting (and buying) in surrounding villages and chateaus, swimming and canoeing on rivers etc. Sheelagh is extremely helpful and efficient, sending us lots of useful information before the stay and there are files in the house with more local info and all the info you need about appliances, recycling etc. Gail met us and was really friendly and helpful too and Sylvie the cleaner was charming. All in all we couldn’t recommend this little haven in a very special location highly enough- we loved it!
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Margaret G.

Lovely historic house overlooking market square
Bored my friends when home with stories from our great holiday in Richelieu. We stayed in a beautiful historic house overlooking the market square in the walled town of Richelieu, built by Cardinal Richelieu. The house is very clean and safe with large thick oak doors onto the square. Internally, it is large and spacious with a cool inner cobbled courtyard and external walled garden which is much warmer. Ideal as the weather changed from cool on the first day to very hot by the Saturday. We found the house exceptionally well equipped with little extras in the kitchen, eg cling wrap, foil, and a variety of spices, so frustrating normally to buy for just a week. We loved the cookery books as well as the novels, videos and board games, plus a book left by the owner with lots of ideas of places to go. We had little need to go anywhere as the famous Cape et Epee was taking place right outside our house, all free with artists, musicians, stalls, ancient games, horse show and fireworks in the park and locals all in period costume as musketeers, the King,and of course Cardinal Richelieu. On such a hot weekend we were able to return to the house for a cool quiet chill out. There always seems to be something going on in the town, from watching a traditional French wedding, to joining with the locals at their swimming pool, shopping in the market, or drinking at a local bar. We hardly used our car and loved the relaxed atmosphere of a real French town in a great house. Would definitely recommend and will go again.
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Alexander G.

Feeling relaxed after great holiday
Immersed in local French culture, this house was set in a great location in the centre of a beautiful square inside the walls of this historic unspoilt town. A selection of shops, bars and restaurants were a short walk away, along with a stunning park with cycling and playground for the kids. You can close yourselves off behind the large oak doors, which lead to a undercover cobbled area and courtyard which was brilliant for all our scooters, kids bikes and road bikes. The house accommodated our two families with ease, and we had plenty of space and we had complete privacy in the house and garden. We spent lots of time in the town, which wasn't the original idea with famous chateaus near by, but the food market, local swimming pool,tennis courts and park made it difficult to leave. There is a fantastic little chateau near by that the kids love with magically themed gardens, great for a picnic out. Local booze from the vineyards and bbqs covered most evenings in the warm walled garden, and the town also seemed to have random music events which were fun to see which was all very relaxed and the kids could dance about. I would thoroughly recommend this place, and we will be going back.

About the host

Hosted by Sheelagh Dunk

Host profile image
This is our family house and offer it for rent for the weeks not booked by a large extended group of family and friends. The grandchildren love it -especially the cycling!
We are now retired, but love relaxing in Richelieu or in Hove, where life is bit more hectic. We are members of Brighton & Hove Soiree Rotary Club and spend our time actively fund raising for our international and local Charities. As Grandparents there is a lot of childminding but that is a pleasure we enjoy!
I am quick to respond to any enquiry and feel free to email or phone me if you have any questions.

Why they chose this property

Our house in Richelieu was originally purchased for a rural but not remote retreat. It is still the same today.We enjoy a holiday where the car is only essential for days out! It's a real bonus to be able to walk everywhere but with minimal traffic and safe places for children to play and cycle. The huge park is stunning at any time of year. The outdoor swimming pool is rarely crowded and our young grandchildren love mixing and chatting with local children-doing wonders for their language skills! Men/boys need swimming trunks. Shorts, are not permitted in French swimming pools.
Richelieu equally suits older guests as it has the advantage of easy, gentle walking, streets to explore and cafes to sit and enjoy the ambiance of French village life.

What makes this property unique

Richelieu is also ideal for 2 centre holidays as it is just a couple of hours from Paris or Vendee coast. We regularly visit friends in Dordogne, Bordeaux and Hendaye(Spanish border) just a half days drive.
Although the house is large we welcome 2/4 as travel outside school holidays is a pleasure. Either retired couples, like us, or young families. It is an easy drive from Channel ports/tunnel and no traffic jams!
Recently, I have had amazing reviews about the cycling opportunities in our area. This is increasing due to the amount of 'off road' tracks becoming available around Richelieu making this so safe for families (and my young grandsons who just love to take off on their bikes without any adult supervision!). I am now 70 and have to say even I love a peaceful excursion on one of our bikes when I know I won't get accosted by a car driver!! There is a great bike hire in Richelieu and off route cycle track from Richelieu to Chinon. Unfortunately, I cannot allow our family bikes to be offered for use due to insurance reasons.

Languages:

English, French