Le Chateau de la Vallee is idyllically set in beautiful rolling countryside next to the beautiful Forest of Eu and nestling on the edge of the pretty village of Grandcourt. The beach at Criel-sur-Mer is just a 15 minute scenic drive away and the cities of Dieppe and Abbeville are just half an hour away, while Paris is an easy two hour drive.
The Chateau is divided into two halves which can be rented separately or together. The West Wing is a fantastic property which has been lovingly renovated retaining a vast array of original features without being too fussy. It is furnished in a period style in keeping with its rustic surroundings and provides lots of little luxuries that make a holiday here something quite special.
The outdoor heated shared pool is a generous 10 x 5 metres and there are plenty of loungers to go round plus five acres of gardens to lose yourself in. It is surrounded by a fence keeping the garden safe for smaller children. The pool is open from early April to late October.
The five acres of private gardens are traversed by the pretty river Yres. There are some stunning views looking down to the water from the bridges as well as riverside walks within the grounds. There is a formal garden at the front of the property, a huge lawned area at the back which is fenced off where it meets the river so children can play safely in the garden. There are bridges over the river to a secret garden area, an orchard and the owners’ very own island which is wonderful for meditation sessions! There is also a large duck pond, home to seven friendly ducks, as well as a large meadow with a 12th century church ruin on it to explore. The meadow is also home to our two ponies and a donkey Pepito (or Pete for short!), who love meeting our guests. A holiday here can be spent busily pursuing all the activities on offer in the local area, or doing absolutely nothing except relaxing in the chateau and its grounds. Each accommodation has its own set of games, a video games console, hi-fi, i-pod docking station, satellite TV, toys, DVDs and books to keep the kids amused while the grown ups relax.
The West Wing is set out as follows:
Ground floor: Large salon with open fireplace and mezzanine area overlooking it, large fully fitted kitchen/diner with dishwasher, washing machine, microwave, fridge/freezer, oven and hob, separate dining room with seating for 10, downstairs shower room with multi-jet shower unit.
First floor: Two double bedrooms, each with an ensuite, one with spa bath and the other with multi-jet shower unit, mezzanine area with games area for the children.
Second floor: Very large family bedroom with double and two single beds and spa bath in the room, ensuite shower room with multi-jet shower unit off this bedroom as well as a further children's bedroom with two single beds off this bedroom.
Outside
* Garden furniture and barbeque (private), children’s play areas (shared) and fabulous 10m x 5m heated swimming pool (shared)
It’s the perfect destination for a family summer holiday, a romantic winter retreat or as an idyllic base for an activity holiday all the year round with so much on offer in the region including golf, fishing, cycling, hiking, walking, motocross, quad biking, horse riding and green-laning as well as historical sites such as the landing beaches and numerous chateaux to visit. There are numerous theme parks within reach to delight the children as well as plenty of other child-friendly activities. Many of our summer guests come back in the winter months to make the most of the beautiful countryside and to enjoy the natural beauty of the region which has so much to offer all the year round.
Grandcourt is a typical pretty French country village with a breathtaking church and just four shops – a post office (only open 2.30 to 4pm weekdays!), a grocers, a butchers and that all-important bakers where after a three minute walk you will be able to buy your freshly baked bread and croissants each morning for breakfast. The village also has its own very authentic bar in the village square. The locals are very friendly and it’s impossible to pass someone in the street without them saying a friendly “bonjour”.
The village is right on the edge of the beautiful forest of Eu with its amazing cycle paths and walks and less than 10 minutes drive through the forest brings you to the picturesque market town of Blangy-sur-Bresle with its lively Sunday morning market and eclectic collection of shops as well as a large supermarket.
Just 15 minutes drive away is the sleepy coastal town of Criel-sur-Mer with its huge expanse of beach. If you’re looking for a livelier seaside town, then Le Treport and Mers-les-Bain are about 20 minutes drive away and well worth a visit for their fantastic restaurants, interesting architecture and antique shops.
The city of Eu, with its striking cathedral is well worth a visit and the cities of Dieppe and Abbeville are only 30 minutes drive away.
It’s also well worth making the 40 minute journey to the beautiful seaside town of St Valery-sur-somme with its huge array of pretty boats moored where the Somme meets the sea. The shops are lovely here, as is the seafood! For glorious sandy beaches, Le Crotoy is a little farther north.
If you feel like venturing further afield, Paris is only 2 hours away with Disneyland and Parc Asterix being favourites for the children.
Day trips can be made to the bird sanctuary at Marquenterre, Le Touquet with its infamous golfing, Monet’s garden at Giverny and the battlefields of the Somme are on the doorstep as well as the amazing chateaux of Eu and Rambures.
Activities
* There are several riding schools in the area, catering for everyone from age three upwards.
* There is lots of fishing in the region.
* There are two quad biking tracks within 10 minutes drive.
* The area is very popular for green-laning.
* There are many fantastic brocantes every Sunday during the summer – highly recommended and a great and very French day out for all the family.
* There is golf at Le Touquet.
* There are wonderful cycle paths, walks and picnicking areas in the forest of Eu, two minutes away.
* There is amazing wildlife to watch.
* There are plenty of wonderful restaurants in the area.
* There are expansive pebble beaches at Criel-sur-Mer and Mers-les-Bain and sandy beaches at Le Crotoy.
* There’s the bird sanctuary to visit at Marquenterre.
* There’s a great fish market and a casino at Le Treport.
* There’s a water park, Bagatelle, near le Touquet.
* Paris can easily be done in a day trip.
* Disneyland and Parc Asterix can be done each in a day.
* There’s Monet’s garden to visit at Giverny.
* There’s a huge lake near Gamaches, about 10 minutes away, with canoeing, kayaking, waterskiing and windsurfing.
* There’s tennis in the nearby town of Neufchatel en Bray.
* There’s fantastic shopping to be done in cosmopolitan Dieppe.
