The main house is composed of a large kitchen (fully equipped), a dining area which can seat eight or more, and a big living room with a huge fireplace. There is a large bathroom with a shower downstairs. Upstairs, there are two bedrooms with king-sized beds, a bathroom with a bathtub and W.C.
Along the southside of the house, there is a large terrace with a lovely view of the rolling farm country. Essential amenities for guests include a modern kitchen, TV, washer and dryer and a Webber grill.
The farmer's original home is now our guest house annex. This 17th century limestone building now houses two bedrooms, one with a new king-sized bed and one with twin beds. Each bedroom has a private bathroom with shower and W.C. There is also a washer and dryer in the annex.
Many relaxing and enjoyable hours at Les Tuffeaux are spent eating and basking on the terrace. This venue offers a wonderful view of the orchard on the property and unfolding countryside, ever changing with the yellows of sunflowers, the greens of corn and russets of wheat. Too hot on the terrace for reading? Laze in the cool shade of one of the cherry trees.
Need to stretch your legs or fire your competitive juices? Challenge one or more to a game of petanque ("boules") on the adjoining "Terrain de Boules". This simple game turns casual gamers into steely competitors and has been known to test friendships and marriages. An extra chilled glass of chinon 'Cabernet Franc' often determines the outcome.
While at first guests find it hard to tear themselves away from the serenity and comfort of Les Tuffeaux, they soon find themselves exploring the bucolic countryside and charming villages by foot, bike or car. Les Tuffeaux is about three miles southwest of Ste Maure de Touraine, which has a worldwide reputation for it's exquisite goat cheese. In 2003, France's National Cheese Fair was held here. Ste Maure boasts several excellent restuarants and bakeries. In town, there are three small banks with accessible ATM machines.
Closer still (walking distance) are the two villages of Nouârtre and Pouzay. Each has its own bakery which sells freshly baked baguettes, croissants, pain au chocolate or brioches with which to greet the morning.
This is, of course, Chateâux country. There are dozens of them, of which twelve or fifteen are truly marvelous. Les Tuffeaux is half way between the great Chateâux towns of Chinon and Loches, and very near Azay-le-Rideau, Langeais, Ussé, and Saché (with it's very interesting Balzac museum). Within an hour's drive are the great Chateâux of Villandry, Amboise, Chenonceau, Cheverny, Chambord and others. Also in Amboise, one can visit Clos Lucé, the last residence of Leonardo di Vinci, which houses a museum displaying his fabulous invention concepts.
One of the great cultural experiences when staying in France is browsing the local open air markets.
Fresh and local--that's what you find at the outdoor food markets. There is one held every Friday morning at the 15th century food hall in the center of Ste Maure de Touraine, our regional market center about three miles from Les Tuffeaux. It offers a dramatic assortment of fresh meats, household items and clothing. It is very busy, no matter what hour of the morning you choose to go.
There are similar markets nearby on different days. Visiting these markets offers you the opportunity to "live local" while discovering close at hand the charms of the community.
Renting is the best way to experience French living. When you arrive at Les Tuffeaux, you will soon settle into the soothing rhythms of the Loire Valley countryside. You will be able to fully relax, planning your days to match your desires - not that of a hotel staff - as you inhale the frangrant peacefuness of the French way of life. As you drive to your favorite boulangerie every morning, you meet and make friends with local people; walking along the roads, you might discover a farmer ready to sell eggs warm from the hen.
Frequently, it's those experiences that people list as their most favorite parts of a trip. And many of our guests love the opportunity to cook or barbeque at home using local products. The weekely open-air markets near Les Tuffeaux offer a rich array of local delicacies. In addition, the surrounding villages have shops with freshly cooked rabbit, chicken or regional specialties to bring home. Add a local salad, regional cheese and wine from a local cave and you have an incredible meal--at home.
A rental house also offers more spacious accomodations than hotels. For larger parties, it is a perfect way to socialize; rather than separate rooms in a hotel, you have an entire house and grounds at your disposal. For families with children, renting offers more flexibility. Children can be left to sleep late in the morning while parents enjoy cafe au lait on the stone terrace overlooking the orchard. You can also use the kitchen to prepare familiar food for the children.
Finally, for parties of four or more, the cost of renting a house is usually far less than staying in a hotel.
Traveling to Ste Maure de Touraine
On U.S. airlines, you arrive at a satellite and ride a moving sidewalk into the arrival section of terminal one. Air France arrivals go by shuttle bus from the plane to the terminal. Baggage arrival is usually fairly prompt (about one half hour at most). Passport control is pretty quick and you wheel your luggage cart straight out through the "Nothing to Declare" exit into a circular corridor that extends around the periphery of the terminal. Usually this takes less than an hour.
You now have choices as to which way to continue your trip to the farmhouse, which is 150 miles southwest of Paris and about 20 miles southwest of Tours, the largest city in the Loire Valley. You can rent a car at CDG and drive to Les Tuffeaux or you can entrain to Tours (St Pierre de Corps station) and rent a car there.
The car rental agencies all have conveniently located counters at the airport and the cars are all parked reasonably close (you can push your luggage cart right out to the parking area to load up). Get a map and instructions at the airport. From the airport, take the A1 toward Paris to the A3 and the Peripherique East (the Peripherique is a beltway that circles metropolitan Paris). Stay on the Peripherique to the A10 turnoff marked toward Bordeaux. This turnoff will be next to the Porte d'Italie exit into Paris. Follow the signs to Bordeaux and the A10. It will become a toll road which will take you all the way to Ste Maure de Touraine.
This is the easiest way but there are only two trains in the early morning and two in the middle afternoon. If you determine that you can make this connection, you take a shuttle bus (Navette) from your terminal and follow the signs to the TGV station. The TGV will take you directly to the station at St Pierre de Corps, a suburban station of the city of Tours. You can rent a Hertz or Avis car at this station by reservation.
You can also take a TGV from the Paris Montparnasse station to Tours that leaves fifteen times a day or so.
