Clos de Chinon

What makes Clos de Chinon a great holiday rental

• Classic French 'maison bourgeoise' - one for Francophiles
• High quality, elegant accommodation; all rooms en-suite
• Any amount of (superb) catering possible with pro-chefs Jonathan & Barbara
• Concierge services via Barbara - vineyard & chateaux tours, restaurant recommendations & bookings, etc
• Proximity to World Heritage Site St Emilion and buzzing Bordeaux
• Fabulous venue for special events and weddings
• B&B stays possible outside July & August

Best for:
Lovers of French food, wine, countryside & culture - that's you! Make sure you request at least one of Jonathan & Barbara's dinners - you won't be disappointed.

Clos de Chinon works equally well for family holidays and groups of friends.

This is an ideal venue to celebrate a special event or anniverary and weddings have also been hosted at Clos de Chinon.

Suitability for:

• Toddlers - cots & high chairs available; plenty of pool inflatables, board games & toys in the house; trampoline; kids' teas can be arranged (extra cost)
• Teenagers - wi-fi and swimming pool. There are activities to try but it's a peaceful retreat
• Reduced mobility - ground floor bedroom & bathroom

Anything to watch out for?
The owners - Jonathan & Barbara - live on-site in a separate apartment (not accesible to guests). It's part of the property's attraction not least for the wonderful catering available.

Why the Bordeaux region?
Wine, naturally! Plenty of opportunity for tasting and chateaux visits - St Emilion is close by. There is also a wide choice of activities available nearby including golf, water sports, horse riding, cycling and walking. The region is also steeped in history and culture, we recommend strolling around one of the many historic villages, or a visit to the fascinating city of Bordeaux itself.

Accommodation

Elegant maison bourgeoise with 4 en-suite bedrooms

Clos de Chinon is a character house and one which has been decorated and furnished to a high standard with the help of local artisans.

The style is 'French country' with an attractive mix of contemporary and traditional styles. Expect a high standard of decor and equipment, hardwood floors, original fireplaces and stunning roll-top baths.

Barbara and Jonathan are your superb hosts (living on the estate) and will ensure your stay is very comfortable and relaxing.

Both professional chefs, they previously offered a boutique B&B service at Clos de Chinon. Now, however, the house is devoted in the summer months to holiday rentals be they catered or self-catered.

NB In 2018 the owners plan to remodel the ground floor accommodation with a brand new kitchen area added to the large living room. New photos will be added when the work is completed.

Inside

The cosy and convivial living area is the 'hub' of the house and incorporates the living area and kitchen. The brand new kitchen is very well appointed. The dining table seats 8 persons.

The living room has two comfortable sofas.

Four double bedrooms all with very spacious en-suite bathrooms. Each bedroom is a tasteful mix of traditional French and modern chic. Individually designed by an architect, bedroom suites are luxuriously appointed using bright, modern and stylish fittings. Spacious beds complement the characterful, en-suite bathrooms where the deep, spacious baths entice you in.

• Ground floor bedroom is a suite of 40m2 decorated in pale grey, black and silver colours and features a 'designer' round bed and lounge seating. En-suite: roll-top bath with shower head, WC and basin. 
• First floor 'Spice' suite. The same as the ground floor double only this room features a four poster bed and is decorated in rich colours. This suite is considered the master bedroom.
• Two additional double bedroom suites on the first floor in blue and green tones.

Outside
Clos de Chinon is set in beautiful grounds surrounded by vines and with a number of outbuildings in the plot. Fruit trees and bushes are abundant - figs, raspberries, pear, plum & cherry. Enjoy meals outside at any time of day or relax with a book in the peaceful gardens or by the pool.

Outside features also include:

• Private swimming pool (11 x 5m, alarm & fence with security gate). The pool is entirely for guests' sole use and the owners will maintain it discreetly
• Ample parking space
• New BBQ area and pizza oven
• Swing, slide, trampoline, hammocks

Catering at Clos de Chinon
Professional chefs Barbara and Jonathan had a long and successful career as restauranteurs in London before moving to south west France to creat Clos de Chinon - a place where people can rest and enjoy great food & wine, and relax to the slow rhythmn of life in the French countryside.

Their talent was recognised in the major restaurant guides and earned them countless awards, the highest praise from leading food critics as well as 3 AA rosettes.  

Expect a dining experience at Clos de Chinon equivalent to a one star Michelin standard.

Canapes and 4-course gourmet dinners or picnic lunches - the choice is yours. Meals use the finest ingredients, fresh and local. Treat yourself! For example, enjoy an à la carte meal with prices from 75 EUR pp for a gourmet 4 course dinner, half a bottle of wine pp, coffee & mineral water. Service beginning at 7 and finishing at 11.

As well as traditional regional Gascon cuisine, vegetarian and vegan dishes can be prepared.

Meals can be taken alfresco in the garden during the long summer evenings or in Chinon's lounging area during the cooler seasons.

Breakfast catering is also possible (supplement applies) and is an interesting platter of local and home-made jams, compotes, honeys, breads, fresh fruits and cereals - all accompanied by fresh coffee or tea.

Barbara is a font of local knowledge and will recommend fabulous local restaurants too - the type of prix fixe lunchtime auberges where hordes of local workers will be tucking into duck and bean stews.

B&B Off-Season Breaks, Special Events & Weddings

Clos de Chinon can be hired exclusively for:

• Bed & breakfast stays outside July & August
• Special events such as anniversaries and birthdays
• Weddings (top up accommodation can be arranged locally)

Contact us for more details.

Bedrooms

4x doubles

Bathrooms

All en-suite

Pool

11 x 5m, alarm & fence with security gate, not heated

Equipment

Kitchen

• dishwasher
• washing machine
• oven & hob
• microwave
• fridge freezer
• kettle
• coffee maker
• toaster
• iron & ironing board

Entertainment

• tv with French channels
• tv with English-speaking channels
• wi-fi

Outside

• bbq or plancha
• parking space

General

• cot
• high chair

Additional House Info

For Kids: 3x cots, 2x high chairs plus fold-away beds available. 

Equipment: pizza oven

House Rules

No pets & no smoking

Location

Situated at the edge of a quiet Gironde village (Gensac) between St Emilion and Ste Foy la Grande. This is an area envied for its wine, history, rolling countryside and tranquility. Entre-Deux-Mers is reknown for its bustling markets, antique fairs, bastides, village squares and their petanque courts - and many a fine cafe and auberge. This is an area that offers a glimpse into the real France. Bordeaux is an hour to the west and definitely worth a day out.

Local Amenities

Nearest village / town: Gensac (1 km)
Nearest beach: Cap Ferret & Arcachon (2 hours)
Boulangerie: Gensac (1 km)
Restaurant: Gensac (1 km). Catering available at the house
Market: Gensac, Castillon la Bataille, Ste Foy la Grande

Distance to nearest major transport connections

• Bergerac airport: 42 km
• Bordeaux airport: 77 km
• St Malo ferry: 579 km
• Calais terminal: 915 km

Things to do and see

Our Highlights

• Cycle the disused railway between Sauveterre-de-Guyenne to Bordeaux
• Cafe, market & lunch in Castillon / Ste Foy / Bergerac - take your pick!
• Day-trip to elegant & rejuvenated Bordeaux  
• The Sauternes dessert wines near Langon and Monbazilliac near Bergerac 
• Crusing the markets & brocante fairs of Entre-Deux-Mers

Nearby Activities

• Golf
• Cycling
• Horse-riding
• Wine-tasting

Day Trip Ideas

• Saint Emilion is a must - World Heritage Site
• Tour the chateaux and vineyards of Entre-Deux-Mers (ask Barbara for recommendations)
• A day in deep Dordogne for the scenery & caves
• A day of city culture in Bordeaux
• A day at the sea-side in Cap Ferret or Arcachon 

The Local Area

Gensac is a pretty village, walkable from Clos de Chinon. It offers a boulangerie for the daily baguette & croissant run, two or three bars-restaurants, general store, tabac, post office and pharmacy. The village hosts a large flea market in August,

Bordeaux is less than 1 hour's drive (although we recommend catching a train from Castillon) and being on France's biggest cities, offers excellent restaurants, shopping, museums and stunning architecture. Thanks to major investment the city has been transformed in the last 5-10 years into an elegant and exciting city. 

Closer to home, Bergerac, Ste Foy la Grande and Castillon la Bataille are all very pleasant market towns with all attractions of French life: bustling markets, tree-lined boulevards with tempting cafe terraces and boutiques and wonderful restaurants too. Bergerac hosts a brocante market on the first Sunday of the month whilst its regular weekly market falls on a Wednesday.

There are countless smaller towns and villages worth visiting too - Issigeac, Pujols, Duras...find your favourite!

St Emilion is the real 'gem' of this area, of course. It can gey busy but it's worth the effort to stroll its medieval streets.

The area is famous for its red wines but little known are the stunning dessert wines of Montbazillac - the aperitif of choice in these parts!

Customer Reviews By Feefo

Review posted on 04 Sep 2014

Service: Product:

Service: Very helpful and polite staff

Product: Excellent