Gite on France - Mayenne
La Bellaziere is our brand new gite. We have just finished renovating it, starting with a 200 year-old farmhouse which had been uninhabited for 50 years.
The gîte is open year-round and we have installed solar panels and heat pumps to make it energy neutral.
The octagonal swimming-pool with secure access has views to the countryside and is heated from May to September to a minimum temperature of 24° (75F).
This is the layout of the cottage : downstairs, large dining/sitting-room, large kitchen, and, in back, den and bathroom with WC, shower and washer, dryer. Upstairs, three bedrooms, half-bath and bathroom with WC and shower.
The cook will be pleased to know that the kitchen has a real oven, a (2-gas, 2-induction) cooking surface, a large refrigerator and a separate freezer, plus all the usual : coffee-maker, toaster, hand and plunger mixer, pressure-cooker and others...including a dish-washer, of course.
You can share a meal on the solid farm table in the kitchen. But you might like dining on the terrace, just outside (facing South) , shaded with an awning for your comfort or enjoy parasol and lounge chairs on the other terrace (West).
Back downstairs now, after you pass the kitchen, come relax
in the den, and explore the contents of the armoire for children
games, or take a look at the books.
The swimming-pool dimensions are 6m x 3,5m x 1,33m. Its access is from a short flight of steps on the side and it is protected by a small gate at the top to prevent small children from gaining access to it.
The pool is heated from May to September, but the building which houses it, is not.
It has nice surroundings, and you can exercise with a view on a magnificent cherry-tree.
The apartment has a large bedroom, with access to the West terrace. It has electric heating.In the back there is a kitchenette (right) and a bathroom (left).
The kitchenette is equipped with a refrigerator, a microwave and an electrical double hot plate, an electric kettle and coffee-maker, plates, glasses, cups, cutlery, everything you need for cooking your own snacks or breakfasts.
That little white dot in the center is your house!
From the path which leads to your home, you can glimpse the village of St Germain de Coulamer in the distance. It is about 3km by the road, but, less than 2 if you take a shortcut through a walking path.
A bakery and (small) grocery store/bar are both in St Germain. If you get up early enough, and feel like walking, you can get your croissants for breakfast, and, if you do that every day, you will be in pretty good shape at the end of your stay!
It does snow around here, from time to time, but not very often.
But what fun !
And after a nice walk, you can come back to a warm and com-fortable home.
50 meters from the gate you may join a local walking path "Le sentier du Bel Air" which will lead you past superb views changing according to the season.
The area is best discovered walking or cycling, on quiet country roads or walking paths where nature is well preserved. To explore St Germain's own ("Le Bel-Air"). follow the directions from the village . and bring back bunches of superb wild flowers or generous crops of juicy blackberries.
Click on the green letters to see more Information
Click on the green letters to see more Information
From Paris :
There is a very convenient direct TGV train from Roissy-Charles de Gaulle to Le Mans (about 1h30), and another from Montparnasse station (about 55'). They both run very reliably, the trains are more frequent from Montparnasse. www.voyages-sncf.com will give you a train schedule and prices. Reservations can be made on-line three months in advance.
In the airport, follow the signs pointing you to the "Gare SNCF". If you go to Montparnasse, follow the signs "Paris by train" and change to the metro, or find the Air France bus which will take you to Montparnasse, or take a taxi.
There is also a connecting train Le Mans-Sille-le-Guillaume which brings you about 6 miles (10 km) from La Bellaziere.
From Great Britain :
We are easily accessible using the ferries (Caen or St Malo are less than 2 hours by car), www.ferry-to-france.co.uk/ , or the tunnel, www.eurotunnel.com/uk
Local airports :
Rennes (143 km, 1h'45) has direct flights from Southampton and there are many connecting flights to Southampton from Manchester, Edinburgh and more, along with Belfast with Flybe .
Check with www.rennes.aeroport.fr
Tours (144km, 1h37') has direct flights fromLondon (Stansted) with Ryanair. Check with www.tours.aeroport.fr
Then a car can be rented at the Le Mans station (rental cars available close-to or at the station are : Europcar, Hertz, Avis, National, Sixt). Then it is a 45' drive to the mill.
There is also a connecting train Le Mans-Sille-le-Guillaume which brings you about 6 miles (10 km) from La Bellaziere.
From Great Britain :
We are easily accessible using the ferries (Caen or St Malo are less than 2 hours by car), www.ferry-to-france.co.uk/ , or the tunnel, www.eurotunnel.com/uk
Local airports :
Rennes (143 km, 1h'45) has direct flights from Southampton and there are many connecting flights to Southampton from Manchester, Edinburgh and more, along with Belfast with Flybe .
Check with www.rennes.aeroport.fr
Tours (144km, 1h37') has direct flights fromLondon (Stansted) with Ryanair. Check with www.tours.aeroport.fr
If you need more information, call us, we speak fluent English. Remember to get in touch the week before you arrive.
As you leave the D16 and turn left (coming from Sille-le-Guillaume) you will see "La Bellaziere" signposted. Its name has lost an "l", but this is it!
Follow the road pictured on the left for about a third of a mile (500m) and you will see another sign, pointing left.
You're there!
Booking and Payment
Prices (all taxes included) are for a week starting Saturday (after 4pm) to the next Saturday (before 10am).
Everything is included : Water/gas/electricity/heating if necessary. Bed linen, towels and tea-towels are supplied.
If you do not wish to do the cleaning, we offer the option for a supplement. (See current prices on the 'Prices' page.)
Rentals on request (2 nights minimum) are possible. Please contact us.
It is possible to download the contract and the official description as PDF files or request that they be sent by mail.
Use the free Adobe Reader (click here to download) to view PDF forms.
A non-refundable 50% deposit should be sent with the signed contract. The balance along with the security deposit is payable in cash on arrival.
What should I do to make a reservation?
After a date and a price have been established, you may download and print the first page of the contract, fill in the relevant details, and sign it (do not forget to write "Read and approved" beside your signature). The details of the contract are on pages 2 and 3.
Then scan your contract and send it using email to : classe@orange.fr
Or mail the contract to : Sylvaine and Robert Cannon
Moulin de Classé
53700 St Germain de Coulamer
France
How can I pay the deposit?
The deposit should be sent at the same time as the contract.
Here are the different possibilities :
If you reside in France, the payment can be made by check on a French bank and sent to us by mail with your signed copy of the contract. Your contract, countersigned, will be returned to you as soon as the check has cleared.
If you reside in the euro zone, the payment can be made by bank transfer (IBAN), and I will send you our bank coordinates. Your contract, countersigned, will be returned to you as soon as the transfer has been received. The transfer should be free, if there are charges they will be added to the balance due on arrival. Payment through PayPal is also an option. (fees will be charged).
If you reside outside the euro zone, we offer the possibility of secure credit card payment through PayPal or a payment by bank transfer (BIC). In both cases, the fees charged for the transaction will be added to the balance due on arrival. Your contract, countersigned, will be returned to you as soon as the transfer has been received.
Please tell us how you wish to proceed:
If you choose the PayPal option, we will send you a request for payment by email. You do not need to create a PayPal account. The payment can be made the same day. Fees vary according to different countries.
If you choose the bank transfer, we will send you the necessary information. The transfer may take three or four days.
Be sure to compare fees before you proceed, depending on countries and banks, the charges can vary greatly.
Do not worry !
Once you have signed the contract and started the payment procedure, your reservation is saved as an option. The booking is secured once the deposit and the signed contract have been received.
Please, read your contract carefully !
The deposit is not refundable and in case of late cancellation, the balance will be owed. We strongly advise (from experience!) cancellation insurance to cover the cost of your travel and stay.
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