Château du Plessis

Description

“Château du Plessis” is located in the geographical center of the Historical Châteaux and vineyard area of the Loire Valley. Most major sites are within one hour drive from Thilouze: Azay-le-Rideau (12km), Villandry (15km), Ussé (20km), Tours (22km), Chinon (25km), Abbaye of Fontevraud (35km), Amboise(40km), Chenonceau (45km), Cheverny (40km). Activities include canoeing, ballooning, wine tasting, mushroom picking, dining, golfing, and tennis. The gentle hilly landscape and small country roads make for ideal bicycling; forest trails invite walking and hiking.

Château du Plessis offers the best of modern comfort combined with up to date technology and comfort in traditional architecture and décor within approximately 6,000 square feet of living space nestled in the midst of 19 acres of woods. Four spacious and comfortable fully appointed bedrooms with adjoining baths sleep eight guests.

A large Entry Hall opens to a spacious “Salon” (living room) with 14 feet high wood beamed ceilings and a massive fireplace. A combination of classic XVIII century French antique furniture and comfortable contemporary American sofas provide a delicate equilibrium between style and comfort. Ample light and air flow through a large double glazed screened window on the West side and French doors on the East side. Built-in bar, hidden TV, DVD/CD player with surround sound complete the enjoyment of this most pleasant salon.

Across the central hall paved in natural Pierre de Bourgogne (lime stone), large double doors open into the elegant Dining Room with its massive fire place, 14 feet high beamed ceilings and decorative niches. Light and air flow freely between the double glazed screened window on the West side and French doors on the East side. The fully extended Louis XV style dining table will seat eight comfortably, and can accommodate ten guests.

Between the dining room and the kitchen a “Sas” or mudroom provides convenient access from the rear parking area. The spacious and light Kitchen is located in the 19th century south wing. French doors with screens open onto the terrace on the western side where tables await guests for an al fresco breakfast, lunch, aperitif, or dinner. The Elmwood cabinets provide ample storage for glassware, cookware and chinaware. The restaurant style gas stove with oversized electric oven and its étuvée (steam warming oven), enable the chef to prepare most elaborate meals. An additional electric wall oven and a hidden microwave oven add convenience for the preparation of less elaborate meals. A large hidden refrigerator–freezer with an automatic ice maker provides fresh and frozen food storage. An ultra quiet dishwasher, a trash compactor, a water filtering system and an under sink garbage disposal complete the list of major appliances. On the counters, a variety of portable appliances include a coffee maker, an espresso machine, a toaster, a fruit juicer, and a blender (some of which are stored in convenient pull-out drawers). The large central island is surmounted by an elevated pewter counter with bar stools providing sitting for four. A small bistro table sitting two or three is set by the French doors for rainy day convenience. A 20” flat screen TV enables the cook to keep up with local or world news. In a corner a charming wrought iron 19th century spiral staircase leads to the office upstairs.

Two large glass pocket doors on the south side of the kitchen give access to the new “Salon d’Été” (sun room). Brightly lit on three sides by large windows and screened French doors opening to the terrace, the salon d’été provides an extraordinary outdoor atmosphere from a spacious comfortable indoor location. Two powerful ceiling fans generate ample airflow during those occasional hot summer days. A 50” plasma screen with DVD allows the viewing of one’s favorite sport event or DVD movie in total surround sound. In one corner a dining table seats six guests comfortably and can accommodate eight. The Pierre de Bourgogne (limestone) floor emphasizes the indoor outdoor character of the room.

Outside, on the Terrace, a marble topped table can seat eight to ten guests for dinner during those long warm summer evenings. Three large umbrellas provide ample shade for the dining table or for the informal sitting areas.

At the end of the entry hallway, one finds a most charming powder room snuggled in a small turret. The main tower exposes a large spiral wooden stairwell leading to the bedroom suites on the second floor and to the third floor bedrooms. The large Balzac Room has a California king-size bed with baldaquin. An armoire hides the 24” TV/DVD combo and stereo player. A large bookcase filled with books in English provides a wealth of reading material, from historical information, cultural anecdotes, and fun recreational reading. A small desk is convenient for writing postcards to friends and relatives. Two comfortable chairs with an Ottoman invite the reader to browse through books or to watch TV. A walk-in dressing room leads to a large bathroom with double sinks and corner bathtub with shower. Large screened windows on the east and west sides give ample light and provide pleasant ventilation. Two ceiling fans generate ample ventilation when the air is still.

Also accessed from the spiral staircase is the Bancroft Room with its canopied queen-size American bed, a 20” TV, stereo, and with a walk-in dressing room. A comfortable sofa, a chair with an ottoman, and an antique small desk complete the suite’s furniture. Large screened windows on the east and west sides give generous light and provide refreshing ventilation. Two ceiling fans provide ample ventilation. The adjoining a bathroom has double sinks and an oversized shower.

From the Bancroft room, one can access the Study located above the kitchen. A vaulted beamed ceiling soars nearly twenty feet in the air. Screened dormer windows on the east and west sides provide ventilation. Additional light pours in through the skylight on the south side. The large walnut desk holds an “all-in-one” inkjet printer-fax-scanner. Phone jacks and ADSL modem (to Wanadoo/Orange) enables one to plug in a laptop and have Internet broadband access. Adapter telephone jacks are also available for those who prefer to use dial–up modem through the phone jacks available in each of the rooms. In one corner of the office, a sofa sleeper can be transformed into a single bed for an unscheduled visitor. Adjoining the study there is a full bathroom with a tub and shower unit and a spacious single vanity. A tall cupboard holds the washer and dryer as well as an ironing board. Next, in the small hallway, the spiral stairwell goes down to the kitchen.

Back in the main tower, the beamed vaulted stairwell leads to the third floor. On the left, the Blue Room is decorated in an English cottage style and is ideal for older children and young adults. The room is fitted with twin beds, an armoire, a desk, a chair, and two dressers. Screened windows on the east and west sides as well as a ceiling fan provide ample ventilation and light.

On the opposite side of the hallway, the Green Room is almost an exact replica of the blue room, but in a green and pink decorative motif. Between both rooms is a full bathroom with two sinks, a separate shower, a dressing table, and a separate room with a tub and shower unit.

Just beyond the spacious terrace is the old 19th century “porcherie” (pig sty), home of the future pool house. The new Swimming Pool with its limestone terrace is located on the other side of the future pool house, in total privacy. It sits in the middle of a vast lawn, with maximum sun exposure.

Beyond the swimming pool, over two acres of lawns surround the Château and adjoin the fifteen acre woods where one can enjoy enchanting walks as well as mushroom picking in season. A well maintained pathway through the woods leads to the village for daily shopping for fresh croissants at the village’s boulangerie.

Throughout the château, the owners’ personal touches make the guest feel at home. A thorough guidebook of the house answers most of the visitor’s questions. It also contains the list of surrounding towns and commerce with the owners’ personal recommendation for restaurants, shops and sightseeing alternatives. Should any problem arise, the caretaker who lives in the apartment on the north side of the Château is eager and willing to solve it and answer any additional questions. The “femme à journée’ (housekeeper) comes once a day during the week to spruce up the house. Upon request, she is available to prepare an occasional home cooked dinner.

The guests interested in the Château’s background will find in the main entry hall a leather bound illustrated “Chronicles” of the owners five years ownership and remodeling project.

Le Plessis is located less than 2 km from the village of Thilouze. Nestled along the river Le Lys, a tributary of the river Indre. Thilouze today is home to more than 1,200 inhabitants. Walking through the village, one would guess that no more than 100 people reside in the small village. The main square, is bordered by the XIIth century church, the Mairie (City Hall) and the Café. Along the main street, one finds the Post Office, the news and cigarette shop, a beauty parlor and the boulangerie. Behind the Mairie, the elementary school looks out on a lovely fountain. The village is also home to a doctor, a pharmacy, a notary (Estate lawyer), a blacksmith, and a small convenience store. On weekdays various vans stop by the café to supply the village with fresh meat, fish, and produce.

Navigation tip: To view the DESCRIPTION of the various rooms, just click on the desired menu item on the right hand column.