Château du Plessis

House Guide: Study

The study is acessed by climbing the spiral stairway from the kitchen through the door across the landing.  Alternatively, one can access the study through the door in the "Gold” room.

On the desk you will find an Ethernet jack for broadband Internet connection.  This is a DSL connection to "Orange" ISP. Of course you can use any of the phone jacks for dial-up connection.

Next to the desk is a copier/printer/scanner/fax machine.  On the desk there is a laptop connected to the Internet and to the printer. Feel free to use it. there is an mailbox "leplessisthilouze@orange.fr" which you can use to receive and sent Email messages. The fax machine shares the phone line and needs to be used in the manual mode.

The study can double as an occasional additional sleeping room since the sofa is a sofa-bed.  However, it lacks elementary comfort and should only be used it for an unscheduled drop in guest. 

• Lights & Fan
• Windows, Screens & Curtains
• Copier
• Fax
• Library

Lights & Fan

Since there are perhaps a few too many switches scattered around the room, the following is a list of the switches locations as well as their purposes:
Next to the stairwell door:  There are two switches by the door:
- The right dimmer switch operates the ceiling spot lights.  One quick touch will turn the spots on or off, one prolong push will dim the spots up and down.  Note:  Dimming the lights all the way does NOT turn the lights off.  To turn off the lights, make sure they are fully lit, and then tap rapidly to turn them off.
- The left switch activates half the wall plugs, including the white table lamp. The green table lamp is on a timer (morning 7AM to 8AM and evening 8PM to 11:30PM) and can be left “on” all the time.
Next to the “Gold" room door.  There are two switches by the door:
- The left dimmer switch operates the ceiling spot lights.  One quick touch will turn the spots on or off, one prolong push will dim the spots up and down.  Note:  dimming the lights all the way does NOT turn the lights off.  To turn off the lights, make sure they are fully lit, and then tap rapidly to turn them off.
- The right switch activates half the wall plugs, including the white table lamp. The green table lamp is on a timer (morning 7AM to 8AM and evening 8PM to 11:30PM) and can be left “on” all the time.
- The upper rotary switch next to the stairwell door activates the ceiling fan.  It has 3 speeds and goes from high to medium to low.  Do not attempt to pull the chain on the fan or you will disrupt the program.

Windows, Screens, & Shades

The two small windows open toward the inside.  To open the windows, the shade need not be rolled all the way up or the window will hit them.  The two windows are equipped with fixed screens. To shade the sun rays, you can lower either shade, but make sure to close the window first.
There is no screen on the Velux, so beware of intrusions by flying insects, flies and mosquitoes in particular when you open the Velux.  There is a double shade on the Velux, one is black to darken the room at night, and the other one is translucid and is intended to shade sun rays.

Copier

The copier is extremely simple to operate if you only need full size copies.  You only need to lift the lid, inset the original face down, check that the “COPIE” button is lit, and push the “NOIR” button (for black and white copies) or the “COULEUR” for color copies.
There is a ream of paper for the copier/fax on the shelf below the copier (A4 format).  To refill the tray, simply remove the cover, insert an appropriate number of sheets in the tray, make sure they fit snugly, and replace the lid.  Do not OVERFILL the tray with too many sheets.  NOTE:  Please refill the paper tray before leaving.

Fax

The fax machine is reasonably easy to use. It is set for "manual" mode as it shares the phone line.
- To receive a fax, please instruct your correspondent to call ahead to warn you that a fax is coming as the fax shares the one and only phone line with the telephone and the modem/Internet access.  When a fax is expected, do not pick up the ringing phone.  The fax will start arriving after the sixth ring.
- To send a fax, place the original face down.  Push the “TELECOPIE” button, dial the fax number (you need to dial 00 first for international faxes, or 001 for the U.S.).  Next push the “DEMARRER-NOIR” button.  The watch the screen carefully once the first page is scanned.  It will ask you if there is another page.  If “yes” press 1 then ENTRÉE.  If “NO” press 2 then ENTRÉE, and so on until you reach the last page. The machine will automatically print a confirmation page.

Library

The bookshelf contains a number of maps and guidebooks mostly in English (some in French), mostly of the Loire Valley, but of France as well.  You are welcome to consult any of the guidebooks and to use any of the maps.  We simply ask that you take care of them in order not to spoil them for others.  Also, PLEASE replace any book or map use as close to where you found it.  It will make it much easier for others to find what they are looking for.

There are various supply items on the desk and in the drawers.  You are welcome to use any as needed.  But once again, please be courteous to others and replace any item you might have used.  The “Presse” shop in Azay-le-Rieau, Ballan-Miré, or even Thilouze should be able to sell you appropriate replacements.

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).