Château du Plessis

House Guide: Salon

The "Salon" or Living Room is a formal but comfortable room to sit and converse, drink an aperitif, listen to music, browse through books about the Touraine and the Loire Valley, or even watch TV.

From the front Entry Hall, one enters the living room through the double doors.

• Lights
• Windows, Doors, Curtains & Shutters
• TV and CD player
• Bar
• Fire Place

Lights

Since there are perhaps a few too many switches scattered around the room, the following is a list of the switches location as well as their purpose:
Behind the double door(on the left side as you enter the room).  The top switch operates the three sconces.  The lower switch operates four of the lamps, (the 3 Chinese lamps by the sofa and on the lamp on the buffet.)
Next to the oak closet door (this door is locked).  The top switch operates the three sconces.  The lower switch operates four of the lamps, (the 3 Chinese lamps by the sofa and on the lamp on the buffet.)
Inside the bar closet door (left side, mid height).  This switch turns on the lights in the bar.  Note: the small switch is very near glasses; be careful not to knock glasses down when turning on or off.
Manual switch on lamp cord above book case.  The light on top of the bookcase is on a timer and can be turned off manually using the switch on the cord.

Windows, Doors, Curtains & Shutters

Windows and French doors open toward the inside in France.  This requires some thought and care when operating the windows and doors.  Before opening the windows, the drapes must be opened.  Before closing the screens, the window must be opened.  Before opening or closing the shutters the windows must be open.  Sounds confusing?  Well it is, but you will rapidly get the hang of it.
In summer time, we often open the windows (with the screen closed) and even the French doors (which do not have a screen) when it is really warm.  The windows should be closed during rain falls.  The French doors should be closed as well.  We always lower the screen when the window is opened.  At night you can close the shutters, but it is not necessary (we never do). 
French Doors:  The French doors lock with three points.  To lock the door, first lift the door handle and make sure that all three points are securely caught.  Then lock with the key.  To open the doors, first unlock and open the right hand door.  Then a tall person needs to disengage the upper pin of the fixed door and the lower pin.  The door will now swing open.  Remember to roll up the shades and open the drapes before opening the doors.
Windows:  To open the windows simply rotate the handle and pull open. Remember to open the drapes before opening the doors. Remember to open the screens before closing the windows.
Drapes:  To let the light in, open the curtains about halfway and gather the curtains behind the tie back.
Screens:  The sliding window screen (“moustiquaire”) is nothing but a kind of outdoor roll down shade.  They are operated by a spring loaded pull in the middle of the window.  To close the shade, open the windows (see above) and pull the cord down.  To lock the screens down push the little white plates on both sides all the way down and lock by pushing the little switches toward the frame.  Make sure the screen is securely locked before releasing the cord (the spring is pretty strong and the screen will fly open and stop with a loud crash, perhaps tearing or breaking if you let go of the cord).  To raise the screen, grab the cord, and push inward the 2 little white locks at the bottom.  Slowly raise the shade holding the cord until it is fully raised (the spring is pretty strong and the screen will fly open and stop with a loud crash, perhaps tearing or breaking if you let go of the cord). 
IMPORTANT:  Before opening or closing the window or the French door, make sure that the screen is fully raised and the curtains drawn opened as well.
Shutters: The shutters provide security and privacy. There is no need to close the shutters during your stay. However, you are welcome to do so if you wish and are ready to go through the necessary few steps. To close the shutters, first roll-up the shades and open the curtains. Then unlock and open the right hand door. Then a tall person needs to disengage the upper pin of the fixed door and the lower pin. The door will now swing open. To close the shutters, first push up the large sliding lock on each side. Then fold the shutters carefully so that they fit snugly inside the upper steel semi-circle. Then, pull into position so that the sliding locks fit easily into the locked position. You can now close the doors. First lock the fixed (left) side. Make sure the upper and lower pins are securely in. Then close the right hand side. Now, push tightly before raising the handle to make sure that the lower AND upper locks are firmly in. You need to put some pressure on the door at about eye level, for the upper pin to fit into its slot as you lift the handle. If it looks like it is not engaged, please try again. Then you can lock the door with the key. To open the shutters you simply reverse the procedure. Well, that was easy, was’t it?
Double Doors:  The double doors to the entry hall can be closed and locked from the living room side.  They can only be pushed close from the hallway side; there is no locking or closing device from this side.

TV & CD Player

You will find the TV and the CD/DVD player (5 discs) in the hidden closet on the left of the fire place.  To open the hidden door PUSH it first to release the catch. DO NOT PULL. You will find a separate set of instructions to operate the TV and the CD in a separate section of the manual (yes they are somewhat confusing as well; there does not seem to be any intuitively obvious system in France).
The remote controls for the TV, the amplifier and the CD player are in the closet next to each appliance (make sure to put them back in place before you leave).

Bar

There is a bar hidden in the small closet behind the oak door.  The light switch is inside the door, on the left side, mid height.
There usually are just a few bottles of Cassis, Peche, and other concoctions to make Kirs.  Should you wish to use any of them, we would be grateful if you would be kind enough to replace the used bottle (see “Les Belles Caves” in the guide section on “Towns” under Ballan-Miré).  Note that the Cognac or Calvados may be somewhat special bottles (i.e. Not replaceable)

Fire Place

We are sorry to report that despite our best efforts, the Fire Place is NOT usable at this time.  It smokes just enough to be annoying.  Moreover, there is a leak in the chimney and it smokes in the Gardien’s house as well. 

We welcome your comments on how we can make it more comfortable or enjoyable.  Feel free to comment on these instructions if anything is unclear or incomplete (or unnecessary for that matter).