Le Moulin is situated in the Pay de Gâtine, 80km inland from la Rochelle, and 60km south of the Loire. The Pays de Gâtine has hundreds of miles of undulating country lanes, winding through a variety of interesting landscapes. The lanes are well-surfaced and there is very little traffic. In three words it is Perfect Cycling Country.

Le Moulin is a convivial auberge, where holidays are personally hosted by the proprietors, Carolynn Grimaldi and Peter Roche. House-capacity is ten so you are never "just another client", but you are made welcome as a respected Moulin house-guest.

HOLIDAY ACCOMMODATION

Le Moulin has five well-appointed guest-rooms each of great individual character and situated in a magical 17th century miller's house. The rooms, together with the dining room can be viewed at le Moulin's 360° Virtual Tour.

Each room has it's own en-suite shower- or bathroom, tea and coffee making facilities, hair dryer, etc. Bathroom and pool towels are provided. The rooms are serviced daily.

WIFI le Moulin's wireless internet connection is free

Satisfying continental breakfast of crusty French bread, warm croissants and steaming hot fresh coffee, tea, chocolate or tisane. A generous selection of seasonal fresh fruit is also served at breakfast.

We provide you with a first-class packed lunch comprising a baguette sandwich (with bread baked the same morning - of course, what else would you expect - and different delicious fillings each day), crisps, little French cakes, chocolate bars, cereal bars and a generous selection of seasonal fresh fruit (you choose how many and which of these goodies you want to take) and drinks (again, you choose your own from the drinks fridge – water, soft drinks, beer, cider and/or wine).

"very pretty cycling routes for pleasant tootling" Anne Freeman, Ratsby, Leicester, UK

If you get back early, the rest of the afternoon will be free for relaxing by the pool, exploring by car or whatever else takes your fancy! Le Moulin has a sizable library of popular books, table tennis, boules, etc, to occupy you when you are not cycling. The pool is heated to 29°C to ensure is it pleasurable even in early spring and late autumn.

After your invigorating day we make you welcome with aperitifs-at-seven followed by a leisurely four-course evening meal – an appetising starter, speciality main course, superb cheese-board, artisanal dessert and coffee. Guests and the hosts sit at one table for the leisurely evening meal. Plenty of good wine (included in the price) flows, as does the conversation!

Le Moulin's menu is varied and the cuisine is of a very high standard. The food is excellently prepared on the premises and carefully presented in agreeable surroundings.

"A wonderful holiday - quiet, beautiful countryside; comfortable rooms; attentive, friendly hosts; and rounded off each day by convivial evening dinner parties with excellent food and drink. Thank you."

During the course of a six-night holiday, a minimum of twelve different wines are served, including some distinctive local wines as well as wines from better known French regions.

Le Moulin is a paradise for bon vivants and

gourmets as well as for Cyclists

Le Moulin’s independent cycling itineraries includes a different circuit for each day, mostly 30-40 km (20-25 miles). Not excessive distances, yet very satisfactory rides among the gently rolling hills of the Pays de Gâtine.

Variety of scenery is an obvious attraction. Routes meander past timeless pastures, orchards, woods, lakes and rivers and give way to Renaissance Châteaux, Gothic Abbeys, Fortified Farms and Medieval Ramparts. And the majestic deciduous forests of the region are great for shade in the height of summer.

When we are out cycling it’s often so quiet, with so little traffic that we can hear vehicles minutes before their arrival. (Except when we're whooshing down the hills with the wind singing in our hair*). *whoops – helmets

Most of the cycle routes include a welcome bar or two, as well as WCs. One circuit visits a magical valley strewn with house-size boulders between which sprout ancient oaks. Another takes in a colourful country market where local produce is sold, including live chickens, ducks, geese and rabbits.

On two days during a six-night holiday, we transport you to different locations to give the opportunity to see interesting places outside a days cycling distance, as described below.

Cycling (and boating) in the Marais Poitevin is well enjoyed by le Moulin’s guests. Peter takes you and your bike to Coulon, the “capital” of the Marais Poitevin, and will collect you later the same day from Maillezais also in the Marais Poitevin, where the magnificent Gothic ruins of the Abbey of St Pierre may be visited. The Marais was transformed by medieval monks from a vast river delta into a patchwork of tiny paddocks and canals. The picturesque villages of the Marais have a holiday atmosphere about them and the lanes alongside the canals are blessedly flat! The Marais Poitevin is also aptly known as Venise Verte which means Green Venice.

Mervent Forest is another much appreciated cycling destination with rivers and lakes set in a magnificent forest of oak, beech and chestnut. Peter will take you and your bike to Puy-de-Serre in the morning for the start of the ride and will collect you at Vouvant later, following your day exploring the forest. Vouvant is a pretty medieval fortified village with pavement cafés, English (and French, of course) newspapers as well as plenty of folk-lore and history.

Simple and clear route-notes are supplied by le Moulin as well as plasticised maps with highlighted routes. The routes can be shortened or lengthened to suit your personal preferences.

Maps and information are available for individuals who prefer to explore independently. The cycles are equipped with handlebar mounted map cases to make navigation simple.

Le Moulin’s 21-speed touring bikes have gel saddles, computer trip measurers to assist with navigation, handlebar mounted map holders and panniers to carry lunch, etc. Helmets and puncture repair kits are also supplied, although the latter should not be necessary as the bikes are fitted with anti-puncture tyres. Rental The bikes are available to le Moulin cyclists, without charge, although some keen cyclists bring their own.

One day each week, le Moulin usually lays on a wonderful picnic, where cyclists meet the other Moulin guests at le Beugnon Lakes. The other guests arrive on foot, on horseback or by car - le Moulin also hosts Walking Holidays and simply Relaxing Holidays as well as Horse Riding and Birdwatching. It is a “proper” picnic, at a table with a table-cloth, three courses and chilled Anjou rosé.

Some guests find that they need a day off from cycling during their holiday and we strongly recommend Puy du Fou as a very satisfactory visit in case such a need arises. Puy du Fou is a spectacular series of world-class entrainments. For example, there is a 6,000 seat Roman Stadium with live chariot racing, a stunning falconry display (upwards of 200 raptors from hawks to condors) set in a medieval citadel with a spine-tingling music system and many other similarly exciting attractions. Puy de Fou is situated among pleasant lakes and cool woods. It is less than one hour’s relaxed drive from le Moulin on quiet country lanes.

At weekends during the summer the Château de Puy du Fou engages 2,700 actors, 60 horsemen and a huge amount of the latest technology in what can only be described as an incredible show. It starts at nightfall, never fails to move and delight, playing to capacity audiences of 14,000 (after the show the car park is clear within one hour - it's very well organised). The backdrop of the 23 hectare stage (true, not a typo) is the ruined château of Puy du Fou. It’s necessary to book in advance (internet) or you’ll be lucky to get a place.

In our opinion, Puy du Fou is well worth a visit by day and is especially impressive at night.

MOUNTAIN BIKING

As well as being a first-class touring and race-training destination, le Moulin can offer “technical” terrain that mountain bikers drive hundreds of miles to enjoy. A steep rocky track climbs from le Moulin, through the woods to an elevation of 40m above le Moulin, and beyond. The track is complete with wet stretches arising from natural springs, to make the going really interesting. There are plenty of mostly off-road routes for mountain bikers.

So you can judge if a Moulin holiday is for you we have made this website accurate and avoided exaggeration. The images have been taken at or around le Moulin (except a NASA photo from space). If you would like further information please don't hesitate to contact us.