5 exceptional gîtes

5 exceptional gîtes - Vendee, Maine-et-Loire... - Atlantic Loire Valley

Photo Dominique Chiron - La Vallée de la Roche

Le Moulin de la Roche – Vendée

Here, you're cut off from the world and soothed beside the Nantes section of the Sèvre by the sound of water flowing under the little Roman bridge... The interior of this old mill in Tiffauges has been converted into an high-design Beyond the living room windows, visitors can see the large restored wheel, turning slowly. The first floor has two bedrooms, as well as a majestic 80-m2 suite equipped with a huge bed and a home cinema. A special mention goes to the private spa!

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Photo Brian Quinn

Manoir de Champfreau – Maine-et-Loire

A big fireplace, the smell of old books, portraits of ancestors, Persian rugs, Chinese porcelain, a big country-style kitchen and a canopy bed: in short, this is château life, with a manor just for you near Saumur, on a sumptuous 50-acre property. In addition to its three bedrooms, the place has a swimming pool and a terrace garden that are lovely on warm summer evenings!

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Photo Cyril Le Tourneur d'Ison

Gîte de la Tour Saint-Michel – Mayenne

It's no surprise that this place was given the "favourite" prize for the most beautiful gîte in France in 2015. This is actually part of the remains of Bellebranche abbey, founded in the 12th century in Saint-Brice, not far from Sablé-sur-Sarthe. This superbly well-equipped building is set over three levels, combining old stone and contemporary interior design in its two bedrooms, large living room and kitchen. Outside, guests can enjoy the lap pool and a fitness suite.

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création Tatzu Nishi - Photo F. Charel

La Villa Cheminée – Loire-Atlantique

Both a bed and breakfast and a permanent artwork in the Estuaire collection, this improbable seventies pavilion, perched with a little garden 15 metres on top of a reproduction thermal power station tower, boasts an uninterrupted view of the Loire. Installed by the artist Tatzu Nishi in Cordemais, not far from Nantes, it includes a kitchenette, bedroom and bathroom. Our advice: book well in advance to enjoy this incredible experience!

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Photo Château de Chanteloup

Château de Chanteloup – Sarthe

Sleeping in the orangerie of a château is not an everyday experience! Built in the 15th century and renovated in neo-Gothic style in the 19th century, the building sits to the north of Le Mans in the middle of the Sarthes countryside on a 21 hectare-property. As well as the enormous living room, the three large bedrooms can sleep six people. The place also has a private garden and offers access to all the delights of the estate, including a swimming pool, a fishing pond, sports pitches and more.

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Will you opt for a design-led duplex, a little manor or a habitable work of art? Atlantic Loire Valley offers some incredible gîtes for unforgettable nights! Here's a little selection in pictures.

Whether it's for one or several nights, here's a few little home-from-homes! Gîtes have the advantage of bringing together all the necessary commodities for travellers, from bed to bathroom to kitchen, allowing you to enjoy your stay completely independently. Some welcome families or groups of friends and feature some delightful additions, such as jacuzzis, swimming pools, terraces, libraries, games rooms and home cinemas.

Better still, the place you stay may sit on an exceptional site, or even have its own special character! We have selected five unusual places to stay in each of the Atlantic Loire Valley departments, with their own amazing unique qualities. Welcome home.

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