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 and its Cottage are fantastic properties which have been lovingly renovated retaining a vast array of original features without being too fussy. Both properties are furnished in a period style in keeping with their rustic surroundings and provide lots of little luxuries that make a holiday here something quite special.
The owners particularly welcome families with children and have concentrated on making it a fantastic and safe place for everyone to have a relaxed, laid-back and wonderful holiday.
All units are self-contained and very private with their own outdoor living areas and barbeques.
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, games console, hi-fi, i-pod docking station, toys, DVDs and books to keep the kids amused while the grown ups relax.
The cosy cottage is a wonderful country gem, perfect for a summer holiday, a cosy and rustic winter retreat or a romantic weekend hide-away. Writers have come to seek inspiration here – and found it! It is newly refurbished, retaining its original charm yet thoroughly equipped with modern day luxuries.
Downstairs:
* Lounge – Lovely sitting room with solid oak flooring, exposed brickwork and views into the garden and outdoor dining, patio and barbeque area through the French doors. The lounge is equipped with Satellite TV with English channels, DVD player, games console and superb hi-fi and i-pod docking station.
* Kitchen/Dining area – open plan kitchen and dining area with seating for six. The kitchen is fully equipped with oven, hob, microwave, dishwasher, washing machine and fridge/freezer.
* Bedroom One – cosy twin bedded room with solid oak floor and exposed brickwork. Views of garden.
Upstairs:
* Bedroom Two – double bedded room with solid oak floor and room for cot if required. Views of garden.
* Bedroom Three – Children’s bunkbedded room, decorated in a child-friendly style!
* Bathroom - luxury spa bath with state-of-the-art multi-jet shower, washbasin and WC.
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, waterski-ing and windsurfing.
* There’s tennis in the nearby town of Neufchatel en Bray.
* There’s fantastic shopping to be done in cosmopolitan Dieppe.
