2011

2011

Once again we have had a wonderfully relaxing holiday at La Bellevue. This year we opted to stay at Le Grange d`Henri a very comfortable apartment with a lovely sunny terrace where we enjoyed eating our meals, having a drink and looking at the view over the surrounding countryside.  Sarah, Gerald and the children made us very welcome, also Biscotte the cat who was waiting on the terrace for us when we arrived.  Sarah gave us more ideas of places to visit, details of market days in the surrounding towns, (she knows the area really well) and offered us fresh raspberries and tomatoes from her garden.  Our week passed all too quickly and we would thoroughly recommend a stay at Le Grange.

Rose & Jeff Borra, Buxton, UK (3rd stay)

Fantastic Experience: beautiful location and homely, cosy accommodaton - The Grange d'Henri is wonderfully well set up, very comfortable with everything you need to be self sufficient. Sarah-Jane is a terrific host, always anticipating your needs and wants - shopping, site seeing, places to cycle, interesting eateries - but without ever being intrusive. We even had the loan of a very cuddly cat! The Grange is surrounded by vinyards, fields of sunflowers and peaceful villages, but with easy access to major routes to towns in the western Loire. We can't speak highly enough of this as a holiday location and a base for exploring this lovely part of France - Sarah-Jane and Gerald are fabulously thoughtful and great to know.

Ann & Paul, London, UK

A Relaxing Peaceful Location in the Heart of the Loire : We found the Annie's House quite quickly on the internet as it seemed to offer exactly what we were looking for and were very pleased to discover it fully lived up to our expectations. It is located in the centre of a quiet village roughly mid-way between Saumur and Chinon and is an ideal base to explore the beautiful area of the Loire. The gite is clean and comfortable with everything you need to make your stay an enjoyable one. The hosts Gerald and Sarah Jane are very welcoming without being intrusive and even though you are staying in the grounds of their home, you never fell as if you are intruding.  There is such a lot to see in the area but we would recommend Chinon and the Abbaye de Fontrevaud in particular. Also if you are looking for a place to eat in Saumur then try the owners place Bistrot Les Tontons in the main square.

Jo & David Hammond, Derby, UK

This is a great place to unwind, recharge your batteries and generally relax.  La Grnage d'Henri can be found in the heart of the Loire region with great access to all that the area has to offer, Saumur being the closet town of any size is just 15 mins away.  La Grange is clean, fresh and modern with is touch of style...... and very well appointed; particularly the cooking facilities and so if eating in is your preference then local ingredients can be found quite easily or the nearest supermarket which is only 5 mins away. Alternatively, if cooking on holiday is not your thing then you might want to eat in one of the many superb local restaurants, several of which are set alongside the Loire river itself and again only 15 mins away. The owners, who we have stayed with before in another of their gites, strive to ensure you'll enjoy your stay and cannot do enough to make that possible.  If you like your wine then there is another good reason to come here as Gerald (the owner) is the man to speak to.  If there is anything worth knowing about fine wines then I'd be very surprised if he didn't know about it.  Oh, and be sure to ask about the Bistrot Les Tontons………..definitely worth a visit!!

Jane & Ian Ryland, Norwich (3rd stay)

Having never been to the Loire valley I had visions of picturesque, quaint little villages surrounded by vineyards. Annie's house lived up to all expectations.  It is a beautiful cottage in a tiny, authentic French village surrounded by sunflower fields and vineyards situated in the heart of château country.  As every other review has said the hosts put this property head and shoulders above the rest. Sarah-Jane and Gérald are truly wonderful hosts, leaving you to enjoy your holiday but always on-hand and ever-willing to bend over backwards to help.  They own their own vineyard which Gérald runs and therefore he has the most exquisite knowledge of wine.  They both have great knowledge of the area and provided us with a welcome-pack which listed all the attractions worth visiting.  There is free wifi in the accommodation which we used to research where to go and how to get to places.  The house is well-equipped with everything you might need and when we did need a blender to make some soup Sarah-Jane was only too happy to lend us whatever we needed.  You WILL need a car to travel around the Loire Valley but that should come as no surprise and Annie's House provides a parking space. The cottage and parking is next door to the owners' house and is very secure behind electric gates a key to which you will be given. There is also a small terrace ideal for drinking wine on hot summer evenings.  All in all this was a truly excellent stay and very resonably priced. I do hope we'll have the opportunity to go back very soon.  

Guy & Samantha, Canterbury, UK

We found this gite on the internet and the pictures match reality, which has not necessarily been our previous experience of other places. It is a lovely place to stay, beautifully clean and well equipped. The owners are extremely pleasant and helpful - Sarah Jane is delightful and very knowledgable of the area, and Gerald's knowledge of wine is tremendous. We would highly recommend Annie's House to anyone wanting to visit the Loire Valley. It is in a quaint and quiet village, with lovely views from the terrace. If we visit the area again, we would not want to stay anywhere else.  Do go to their Bistrot Les Tontons in Saumur, it is fabulous.

Carol & Colin, Lincolnshire, UK

We have thoroughly enjoyed our stay at 'Annie's House'.  It is the perfect little gite in a wonderfully relaxed setting and it is well situated close to many of the Loire Valley attractions.  However, we didn't just spend all our time exploring as we wanted to enjoy sitting our in the beautiful surrounds of 'Annie's House', as it really is so lovely.  Sarah-Jane is a brilliant hostess, helpful and friendly but never in any way intruding.  Wish we'd had longer than a week, it definitely wasn't long enough.  Thank you for a wonderful stay.

Mandy & Len, Chippenham, Wiltshire

Thanks to Sarah-Jane & Gérald for providing an idyllic escape.  'Annie's House' has been a wonderful haven from which to exploire the Loire Valley.  The weather has been glorious and the local wines excellent!!!  We shall recommend 'Annie's House' to our friends and hope to be back sometime soon.

Marge & Kevin Coughlan, Somerset, UK

Excellent quality gite in a great location with hosts for whom nothing is too much trouble.  We have had a billiant week of cycling and highly recommend the area to others.  A big thank you to Sarah-Jane & Gérald for a lovely holiday.  We now wish we had booked two weeks.

Deb & Andrew Jones, Todmorden, UK

Thank you for welcoming us to your wonderful cottage 'Annie's House'.  We had such a relaxing time admiring the view, walking in the area, eating and of course drinking wine!  Wine tasting with Gérald is something we will remember from our trip, and his knowledge and enthusiasm gave us a fabulous insight inot Loire wines which we will take home with us... Gérald achieved the 'impossible' and found a white wine I enjoyed! p.s. it was so nice to stay in a tastefully decorated holiday cottage for a change - usually I want to redecorate!!! Best wishes

Kirsty & Charlie Jackson, Leeds, UK

As promised we returned and another wonderful time was had at Annie’s House. Sarah-Jane and Gerald are wonderful hosts who work very hard to ensure your stay is one that you will fondly remember and in all likelihood will want to do again and again. Annie’s House is in a quite little village not far from some of the best things the Loire valley has to offer. If you want peace and quiet, or a base to tour the local area with good food and wine close by then this will suit the bill. It suits us so much we’ll be back in August to stay with Sarah-Jane and Gerald in their other equally delightful holiday Gite. Can’t wait!!

Jane & Ian Ryland, Norwich, UK (2nd stay)

My husband and I stayed at Annie’s House, Domaine de la Bellevue, for three weeks in May. This is a glorious spot. Roses and birdsong, beautiful vistas and country rambles were the backdrop to our holiday in this charming and comfortable gite. The house is inviting and spotlessly clean. The upstairs bedroom is airy and romantic; downstairs the living room and kitchen offer all the conveniences we wished for. The house is situated within a walled property, home to the owners and their children; we felt secure and welcome.  This is a happy place, a fine base from which to explore the wines and countryside of the Loire Valley.

Anne & Kevin Mayor, Canada

We have had a super time during our stay at 'La Bellevue'.  Our weekend was filled with fantastic wine, delicious food and explorations into the local villages and vineyards.  Sarah-Jane couldn't be more welcoming and was more than happy to help us organise our days with all the local delights.  Géralds wine experience was unparalleled!  His relaxed but informative dégustation left us with a detailed knowledge of his work and passion, and the generous portions left us very merry - a perfect start to our weekend!  Overall, fantastic and highly recommended.

Elizabeth & Paul, London

Delightful cottage in the Loire Valley beautifully presented and equipped. The cottage and location is wonderful but the hospitality and friendliness of the hosts sets it apart. Sarah-Jane and Gerald could not have been more helpful. We ordered the Table d'Hote service the evening we arrived and it was a truly romantic start to our holiday. We would also recommend the wine degustation course with Gerald, we learned a great deal and enjoyed our selves immensely at the same time. We would highly recommend Annie's House to any of our friends.

Julianne & Mario, Melbourne, Australia

We had the perfect stay in Annie's House.  From the moment we arrived we were warmly welcomed and treated like one of the family.  The immaculate house with all its rustic charm had everything we needed for a luxurious stay.  Sarah-Jane was always on hand and was only too willing to recommend great days out tailored to our interests.  We were spoilt with Gérald's wine knowledge and generosity.  We would definitely recommend both the 'Vineyard Discovery' wine tour and table d'hôte to compliment the perfect stay.  We look forward to coming back for another tour and to explore more of the beautiful sights the Loire has to offer.  Thank you for a lovely holiday.

Natalie & Ross, Cambridge

Could not have choosen a better location or a better place to stay.  Wanted for nothing during our time at 'La Bellevue' as our hosts provided everything.  Easy access to all the region; Châteaux, castles, towns, villages and of course the wine!  Most definitely a "Must Do Again" 10/10.  The Wine Experience: Brilliant!! What an insight and education inot the 'World of Wine'.  I knew a little before and now we know a lot more to help us enjoy our wines to the full.  A BIG thank you to Gérald.  Merci beaucoup!

Diane & Gavin Cummings, Lincolnshire

Stylish and comfortable cottage in the same secure grounds as the house of the very friendly English-French owners, yet private and quiet, all set in a peaceful rural village with easy access to the beautiful towns and Châteaux of the Anjou and Touraine.

Kate & David Cooke, Derbyshire