simply relaxing at le moulin

WAYS TO RELAX AT LE MOULIN

Le Moulin du Chemin is situated in a marvellous rural paradise in the part of western France known as le Pays de Gâtine. The region is also steeped in history and so there are therefore many nearby places of historic and cultural interest.

The gently rolling countryside is characterised by timeless pastures, majestic forests, cool woods, attractive ponds and pleasant orchards criss-crossed by ancient hedgerows and crystal streams. You will hardly see another soul – and certainly no tourists – while the glorious countryside abounds with wild flowers, birds, butterflies and (harmless) wild creatures.

Le Moulin du Chemin offers opportunities for walking, cycling, visiting places of interest or simply relaxing in a calm rural environment. Route notes, highlighted maps, directions and tourist information are all available at le Moulin as well as tourist bikes.

After your days of relaxing, each evening at le Moulin, aperitifs-at-seven is followed by an amicable and leisurely four-course evening meal with outstanding cuisine and copious wine of excellent quality, in a friendly atmosphere.

The Pays de Gâtine is south of the Loire Valley where spring, summer and autumn are blissful, with average 2,250 hours sunshine annually.

The holidays are hosted by proprietors, Carolynn Grimaldi and Peter Roche

who commenced operations at le Moulin du Chemin in 1993.

a lovely day at le moulin

START THE DAY

The guestrooms at le Moulin are provided with tea and coffee making facilities, so if you need a cup of tea or coffee first thing, you don't have to wait until breakfast

Splendid Continental Breakfast

Delicious crusty French bread, fetched hot from the boulangerie each day with croissants, creamy local butter, a selection of home made confitures and steaming fresh coffee, tea or chocolate. Seasonal fresh fruits are also provided in abundance with breakfast.

the breakfast table

the dining room in the morning

A Civilised Picnic Lunch

One day each week guests are invited to partake in a very civilised picnic lunch beside the lakes at le Beugnon. The picnic typically comprises fresh baked baguettes, eggs from le Moulin's free-range chickens, country pâtés, delicious French cheeses, chilled rosé wine - often the distinguished Cabernet d'Anjou - followed by desert, fruit, coffee or tea.

cheers - à la pique-nique

repose after the picnic photo Sue Parsons

WINE TASTING BONUS!

Sample twelve or more lovely wines during a six-night holiday, including some lovely local wines from the Fiefs Vendéen and Anjou Region and plenty of nice red wines from well-known French production regions.

Wines (and also beer, cider, soft drinks and fruit juices) are also available to guests 24/7, without charge.

Peter is always happy to explain something about the wines to anyone who wants to listen!

ALL wineS areincludedin the price!

a glimpse inside le Moulin's glorious wine cave

APERITIFS-AT-SEVEN AND THE EVENING MEAL

Aperitifs-at-Seven

Each evening the opportunity to meet other guests to some taste distinctive and quite particular local wines.

Aperitifs-at-seven is followed by an Amicable Four Course Evening Meal Superb and varied cuisine is accompanied by plenty of good and interesting wine in a leisurely atmosphere. The cuisine is wholesome, based mainly on fresh, whole and organic ingredients.

aperitifs on the patio

the leisurely evening meal

things to see - marvellous places of interest


local culture

Many Places of Historical, Cultural and Natural Interest

The region is rich in attractions of historical and cultural as well as natural interest. Carolynn and Peter will be happy to advise you about these and information and directions are also provided in le Moulin's guestrooms.

For more details visit:

Vouvant church has a secret passage

There are many attractions in the Marais Poitevin

Eleanor's abbey at Nuil su l'Autise

The Atlantic coast readily accessible

photo Olga McBarnett

The nearby medieval town of Parthenay

modern stained glass windows by Carmelo Zagari at Faymoreau

things to see - the magnificent countryside

some of the myriads of wild flowers to be seen, mainly in spring, around le Moulin du Chemin

	Walk or Cycle Choose a route from your personalised dossier that walkers and cyclists receive on arrival. The dossier comprises a set of professional route-notes and high-lighted maps provided in a handy A4 laminated format. Meticulous preparation of the route-notes and maps ensure you should not get lost, but in case of lapsed attention, the friendly local inhabitants will help you or you will be able to call the le Moulin for assistance.
*the 'barrage' in Mervent Forest*		*country-produce market* photo John Wardrop

*an old fashion garden at les Jinchères*		*ubiquitous 'tournesol'*

plenty of interesting things to do

aaaa

To help you relax and to quench your thirst, don't forget the well stocked drinks fridge

(beer, wine, cider, soft drinks and fruit juices) available 24/7 without extra charge.

Relaxing Things to Do

The pool and terrace are inviting - the pool is heated to 29°C, when necessary. Table tennis, boules and other games are available and le Moulin has an extensive library of popular books.

relaxing by the pool

a game of boules in the garden

Invigorating Walking

Walking is available with clear route-notes and highlighted maps for a number of routes starting and finishing at le Moulin as well as some other routes starting and finishing a short drive from le Moulin. Carolynn and Peter will be able advise you.

an interesting tree

medieval postern gate at Vouvant

Exhilarating Cycling

Cycling is available with clear route-notes and highlighted maps of several routes starting and finishing at le Moulin.

For guests who book a cycling holiday, on two days each week we transport you and your bike to a couple of particularly picturesque locations to give rides with different perspectives.

It is advisable to arrange for cycling when you book.