04/02/11

WHERE TO FIND IGE  

Our main house stands in the church square  in this little village just off the road that runs from Belleme to Le Mans in Orne (61).  If you look at any map, in between Paris and Brittany you will find Alencon, and Belleme, our nearest town, is nearby. It is a pretty little town with shops and banks, a playground and a picturesque heated outdoor swimming pool which is open from June to August. There is also a very smart golf resort here and some terrific restaurants.  

WHATS THE PLACE LIKE?  

Ige is quite a busy village at certain times of day and within yards of the house there is a bakery, a general food store and two café/bars. There is also a butchers, a  hairdressers, a small lunchtime restaurant (very good),  and a garage, all this in a village of 750 people.  

WHAT'S THE MAIN HOUSE LIKE?  

The main house was built in about 1820 and has been restored, rewired and redecorated. It has a new hot water and central heating system although we have tried to keep as many original features as possible including the original radiators, oak cupboards etc. The rooms are simply furnished with rugs on tiled floors downstairs and rugs on wooden floors upstairs. Both houses have amazing vaulted ceilings to their basements, proof of much earlier buildings on site.

The main house has a kitchen (18ft x10ft)  at the back of the house and a downstairs bathroom (10x6) which has the original rolltop bath, a bidet, handbasin and loo. There is a salon/main living room at the front of the house (20x10) where the sofa also makes a full size single bed. You can watch French TV or run British DVD's and we keep a small library of books CD’s and videos – take your favourite DVD's along.  

UPSTAIRS

 A winding uncarpeted oak staircase leads up to the first floor where there are two double bedrooms, i.e. one (10x11), oak frame double bed and a chest of drawers, and the other (18x11) with three new pine single beds, a  toybox and a chest of drawers, not to mention a marble fireplace. There is also a new shower room, basin and WC upstairs between the bedrooms. 

The house has a real old-fashioned charm  and is a wonderful place to have a comfortable and relaxing holiday, safe for small children and/or the elderly.  Our neighbour looks after the key of the house for me and is knowledgeable about the hot water and heating system should you have any questions. 

THE COTTAGE   or  " LA PETITE MAISON"

Perhaps you would like to stay at the cottage, which although attached to the main house, looks onto a quiet courtyard beside it. We are able to let the two houses together when required, with the advantage that each unit is completely self contained - great for two families who enjoy holidays together.  The cottage accommodation consists of a large square living/dining room, a downstairs shower/wc, a large kitchen, and upstairs there are 2 bedrooms, one with a double bed, one with two singles - each having its own ensuite bathroom, shower and wc.

It has an inglenook fireplace and creates a real contrast to the main house, which is a Maison Bourgeoise where the original owner indulged his taste for larger rooms and grand oak cupboards.

We hope this will give you a idea of what a holiday in Ige could be like from 2010 onwards. Our neighbours and friends have made all our visitors welcome as part of the community and its not unusual  to see all the children out playing together in the church square or the garden. Locally you will find many restaurants and markets to visit, and forest paths to roam. The Loire Valley chateaux and Eurodisney are within a couple of hours by car. There is a superb golf course 3 miles away and a stunning open air pool or a covered swimming pool within about the same distance. Or you could just relax with a glass of wine in the garden where vines  and a peach tree shade the garden chairs and table.