Les Hirondelles - Cottage - Charolles - Saone et Loire - Burgundy - France (28V)

Les Hirondelles (sleeps up to 6) is a pretty 19th century cottage. The large comfortable living room boasts an attractive oak beamed ceiling and a large built-in wood-burning stove. It leads into the sunny conservatory kitchen, with gas hob and electric cooker, fridge, dining table and a range of cupboards. Adjoining the kitchen is a utility area containing a microwave oven and washing machine, which accesses the modern shower room, with shower, handbasin and w.c. The cottage’s ground floor also has one of the property’s double bedrooms.

An open spiral staircase in the living room one leads to two large, bright bedrooms, the first containing two single beds, and the second a large double bed. One passes through the first to reach the second.

The large south-facing private garden contains a shaded terrace, sun beds and barbecue.

Les Hirondelles has easy access to the heated swimming pool which is in the garden of Les Mèsanges.

Les Mèsanges (sleeps up to 4) has a large dining kitchen containing hob and electric oven, washing machine, dishwasher, and microwave oven, with wood-burning stove.

The large bright living room looks onto the substantial rear garden, to which it is connected by a covered balcony and external staircase.

At first floor level, accessed by an open spiral staircase running from the kitchen, are the shower room (containing shower, handbasin and w.c.), and the two sunny double bedrooms.

The property’s large garden has an attractive open outlook along the valley of the River Ozolette. As well as its cherry, plum and apple trees, it contains a terrace with table, chairs and barbecue. The swimming pool, constructed in 2005, is set within a generous poolside lawn, surrounded on three sides by fields, and lies below the gîte garden. As from 2008 the pool is heated.

Overlooking the vineyards of the Pouilly Fuissé villages and dominating the landscape for miles is the Rock of Solutré with its modern visitor centre. Close by, the beautiful medieval town of Cluny is surrounded by incomparably pretty countryside. The area also contains a stunning array of Romanesque village churches dating mainly from the 12th century. Other attractions include a number of intimate and sensitively restored chateaux including the 17th century Chateau de Drée. Lyon is an essential destination, for the pretty streetscapes and fine restaurants of its delightful old town, and its theatres, concert halls and vibrant shopping and commercial areas, bordering the Saône and Rhone rivers.

The richness of the buildings and landscapes of Southern Burgundy is matched by the variety of attractions and activities one can find locally. Concerts of all types, walks and village fêtes fill the area during the summer months, as well as the opportunities for more varied family activities of a more or less strenuous nature, and there is of course limitless potential for attractive walks and cycle rides,. Unforgettable, finally, is Burgundy’s reputation for fine foods, with the many local restaurants providing high quality local delicacies.