simply relaxing at le moulin

a brilliant relaxing holiday


the pergola at le Moulin du Chemin


roses and ripening mirabelle in the garden at le Moulin du Chemin

WAYS OF RELAXING AT LE MOULIN

Le Moulin du Chemin is situated in a marvellous rural paradise in le Pays de Gâtine in western France. The region is steeped in history with 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.

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

Each evening at le Moulin du Chemin, aperitifs-at-seven is followed by a leisurely four-course evening meal with outstanding cuisine, excellent wine in copious quantities (if you so desire) and a marvellous ambiance.

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 holiday operations at le Moulin du Chemin in 1993.

hospitality - fine food and wine

Each guestroom at le Moulin du Chemin has tea and coffee making facilities. 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, brought hot from the boulangerie each day with croissants, creamy local butter, a selection of home made confitures and steaming fresh coffee, tea or chocolate. Muesli, cereal flakes, dried fruit, yogurt and 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

WINE TASTING BONUS!

Enjoy twelve or more lovely wines during a six-night holiday.

At the aperitifs-at-seven try some delightful local wines from the Loire Valley, particularly superior Crément de Loire, Anjou wines and Muscadet-sur-lie as well as, from time to time, wines from the the up-and-coming Fiefs Vendéen and Brem.

A different wine is served each day with the evening meal including some rather special 'connoisseur' Bordeaux wines from small traditional family vineyards, as well as some wonderful quality wines from the French South West and Rhône Valley.

A well stocked drinks fridge is also available to guests 24/7, without charge.

a glimpse inside le Moulin's glorious wine cave

Peter takes delight in explaining what he knows about the wines, to anyone who will listen.

ALL wineS are included in the HOLIDAY price

Aperitifs-at-seven and the Evening Meal

Aperitifs-at-Seven Each evening the opportunity to meet other guests to some enjoy distinctive local wines.

Aperitifs-at-seven is followed by a Leisurely Four Course Evening Meal A great ambiance with superb and varied cuisine, accompanied by plenty of excellent wine of great character.

The food is wholesome, based mainly on fresh, whole and organic ingredients.

things to see - fascinating 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.

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 the well stocked drinks fridge

(beer, wine, cider, soft drinks and fruit juices) is 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 also 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 also available with clear route-notes and highlighted maps of several routes starting and finishing at le Moulin.

It is advisable to arrange for cycling when you book.

cycling in the Marais Poitevin

a bank of summer roses

Maison d'Hôte: Carolynn Grimaldi, le Moulin du Chemin

2 lieu-dit le Moulin du Chemin, 79240 Scillé, France

+33 (0)5 49 95 94 87

socially and environmentally responsible

site by Peter Roche with support from Studio360

alluringly off the beaten tourist track

and yet with easy access from UK,

Ireland and northern Europe

responsibletravel recommends Le Moulin du Chemin

"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"

David Vickery, Petersfield, Hants, UK


some of the butterflies you can expect to see around le Moulin


*some of the many varieties of hedgerow fruits for you to try from hedgerows near le Moulin du Chemin, according to season*