To reach the Domaine de la Trigalière, in Indre-et-Loire, nature lovers and city dwellers in search of tranquility travel by car or bicycle. The riders of the surroundings can also go there on horseback. For travelers arriving at Tours and Saint-Pierre-des-Corps stations, the estate team has set up a shuttle service (accessible by reservation).
Before the eastern exit of the town of Ambillou, a long wooded driveway leads to a mid-19th century castlee century, renovated in 2015. This former hunting lodge is the main building of a 1,200 hectare forest property populated by deer, does, roe deer, wild boar, foxes and hares. This decor evokes that of fairy tales, with their mysterious forests, their enchanted clearings and their small unoccupied houses.
The cottage called La Hézière is the most isolated of the buildings. It is located 3.7 kilometers from the castle and 1 kilometer from the nearest gite. Getting there means going deep into the forest along stony paths or dirt roads lined with ferns. It is better to have a sense of direction or a compass in your pocket, because, despite a few beacons and signs, it is easy to get lost, especially at nightfall. However, an application allows access to an interactive map of the area and another to be put in touch with the reception via WhatsApp. But the device is only effective in areas covered by the mobile network, which is not the case in La Hézière.
Moreover, although the red roughcast house is equipped with a Wi-Fi box, the connection remains uncertain. This adds to the charm of this peaceful cottage, designed for two people, where you come to walk in the forest, observe the fauna and flora and have a good time by the fire, after a hike. A basket filled with logs and kindling is provided for this purpose, near the fireplace, in the living room, on the ground floor, with its comfortable lounge area and well-equipped kitchen (there is even an appliance there). raclette). A pair of binoculars and pocket atlas – on plants, mushrooms and birds – are available.
At dawn and dusk, if you open the windows of the large bedroom on the mezzanine, you can see a few shadows and you can hear the breath of animals and their footsteps. From the bay windows on the ground floor, you can see waders venturing into the pond opposite, while robins hop on the terraces of the house.
You have 41.8% of this article left to read. The following is for subscribers only.