Mr & Mrs Smith

La Ferme

Indre-et-Loire, France

La Ferme near Tours is a stylish self-catering property on an expansive château estate. This gorgeous garden gîte is the first building on the grounds to be renovated: the sleek furniture and clean neutral tones are new, but the original stone walls, exposed beams and arched ceilings have been knocking around since the early 18th century.

Need to know

• Rates information Low season, €1,500; high season, €2,000, for a week. Introductory offer: rent the property this summer at the low season rate of €1,500.
• Ideal for Groups of friends, couples, families with older kids.
• Sleeps 8.
• Property style This 18th-century gîte is the oldest building on the estate.
• Grounds La Ferme sits on wild grounds, lined with blackberry bushes and cedar trees.
• Minimum hire One week in high season. In winter, weekend stays are possible.
• Booking process The full amount of the stay must be paid 65 days before arrival.
• Also Guests can only smoke outside. No pets.

Floor plan

• Bedrooms There are three bedrooms in total. The first is understated, with original stone walls, a beamed ceiling and tiled floors. It has a simple ensuite with a shower. Upstairs, there’s a bedroom tucked away at the back of the house, with exposed beams but a contemporary finish: creams, taupes and a silk headboard on the queen-size bed. This room can be joined to the lounge, which has a sofa bed. Neutral tones decorate the final bedroom, too, and this is the prettiest for its high arched ceiling and more old beams.
  
• Kitchen The modern kitchen is fully equipped, with a fridge, dishwasher, oven and hob, and a large table big enough for eight. A fireplace warms things up in the winter. The modern wood, white units and stainless steel mixes seamlessly with the original architecture of beams and stone walls. One of the cupboards houses a washing machine.
  
• Living room The downstairs lounge has stone walls and a tiled floor, but an open fireplace to keep it cosy. There’s a sofa and three armchairs. There’s another living area upstairs, that can also be used as a children’s play area or a fourth bedroom.
  
• Dining room There’s a dining table in the kitchen.
  
• Private parking The grounds have plenty of free parking spaces.