OUR HOUSE

The building used to be a wine-cellar from the 17th century onwards until it was converted into a large and comfortable house fifteen years ago. From the old times,it retains thick white-stone walls and large oak beams and, of course, a vaulted wine cellar where we keep bottles of the excellent local wines.
The first floor (ground floor) mainly consists of a large cathedral living room (7 metres/22 feet high) with a huge fireplace, dining room and kitchen with all modern appliances en suite. All of these open onto a paved terrace and the large walled garden. A bedroom with a double bed, a study with a sofa that can be converted into a comfortable double bed, a large bathroom with both bath and shower and separate toilets can also be found at this level.
Upstairs, the master bedroom (with a double bed) also includes an en suite study with a single bed. It also has a children bedroom with two bunk beds (we keep all our grandchildren's toys and games there) . Another bathroom and toilets complete this floor. So, 8 people can be accommodated in the main house.
The new heating system can be converted into cooling if necessary as this seems to become more frequent in the summer
Large heated swimming'pool just added
We can leave our car, a large comfortable Ctroen C4 five-seater .

THE AREA

The house is part of a small group of ancient-looking houses in a very quiet area on the outskirts of Tours, the main city in the area and historic capital of the Loire valley, recently classified by the UNESCO. The city was beautifully restored and offers a lot of places of interest not to mention all styles of very good retaurants. It has a renowned symphonic orchestra and lots of concerts are performed all year round. Many cultural events are offered for tourists in summer too.
This area is central for visiting royal castles, abbeys and villages that make up the core of French history.
A program for cycling tourists is beeing developed along the Loire river.
A nearby lake, within walking distance of our house, has a boating school and children games and will offer good opportunities for jogging.
As this is a wine-growing area, various wine cellars can be visited and wine tasted.
The city is connected to Paris by train (55 minutes) and to Roissy-Charles de Gaulle airport (1h30) . You'll need about two and a half hours to get to Paris by motorway and three to get to the seaside.
The weather is usually dry and warm in summer but the house, with its thick walls and the shades garden will remain cool.
If you wish to know more about our area, click on www. tourism-touraine. com

we've made several successful exchanges so far. People who have already come to our home will be willing to give any information needed

we are very flexible

Open to any dates

France, Europe, Asia but open to all offers

Jean Pierre is 66years old and is a retired technical school teacher. He enjoys restoring our old house, travelling and photography. Helene, 70, used to be an english teacher and now enjoys her home and garden as well as travelling.
we are flexible about dates and may accept non simultaneous exchanges

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