Le gîte du petit Monpouet à Céré-la-Ronde

In Céré-La-Ronde (37460) An old outbuilding of the castle of Montpoupon : The gîte des petits Monpouets in Céré-La-Ronde is a Touraine house which was once part of the outbuildings of the castle of Montpoupon, whose towers stand a few hundred meters away.

Thick walls that keep it cool in summer, exposed beams, old terracotta floor tiles, and a real stone fireplace where a fire is lit as soon as the first chill sets in. It has been restored with care to preserve its original character.

The living room occupies the heart of the house. Original massive beams, terracotta tile flooring bordered by a decorative frieze, and a large, working tufa stone fireplace. A deep sofa facing the fire, armchairs, a well-stocked bookcase, and a large wooden table where one lingers after dinner. The room is bright and welcoming—the kind of place where you end up spending your evenings rather than leaving.

The kitchen, under a beautiful vaulted roof structure, is fully equipped: Ceramic hob, oven, extractor hood, fridge-freezer, microwave, capsule coffee machine, complete crockery. Its old-fashioned red and yellow checkered tiles and terracotta floor give it a character that rental kitchens don't usually have.

The ground-floor bedroom is a real gem : exposed beams with patinated wood, wide parquet flooring, floral wallpaper, an antique cherrywood wardrobe, and a 160x200 cm bed with elegant bedding and quality linens. It overlooks the garden. Upstairs, a second bedroom with two 90 cm beds can accommodate children or a second couple of travelers.

Bathroom with washer-dryer and separate WC. Wifi throughout the house.

The 300 m² private garden opens onto the countryside, with no fence or overlooking neighbors . It includes a table, four chairs, two armchairs, two sun loungers, a parasol, and a barbecue. In the shade of the umbrella pine at the end of the day, the light falls on the facade and the surrounding meadows.

The seasonal swimming pool (generally mid-May to mid-September) is accessible on request to the owners - It is not safe for young children.

Around the house, the Montpoupon forest offers immediate walking paths, including a forest trail open in the castle grounds. You can go for a walk in sandals, without needing a car.

The owners live next door: available for advice, recommendations or troubleshooting, discreet the rest of the time.
 

A rare location, at the center of everything: the gîte du petit Monpouet is ideally located 15 minutes from the Château de Chenonceau and the Beauval Zoo, 25 minutes from the Royal Fortress of Loches, and 30 minutes from Amboise (Royal Château and Manor of Clos-Lucé, home of Leonardo da Vinci).
 

The cottage is accessible in 2h30 by car from Paris (Orly or Roissy Airport) and by train (Saint-Pierre des Corps TGV station 40 minutes away or Montrichard SNCF station 10 minutes away).

In Montrichard, the nearest town, you'll find all the shops, a community cinema with a very nice auditorium (!), a Carrefour supermarket, a Super U supermarket, and a train station. Bicycle rental is available in Bléré. Two electric vehicle charging stations are located in the castle parking lot, 400 meters from the gîte.

For dining: the Auberge de Montpoupon is 200 meters away — seasonal cuisine, grilled meats cooked over an open fire, reservations essential. It's a rare luxury to be able to dine out and walk home.
 

A family trip to Beauval is just twenty minutes away via back roads: you can leave early and return home for a nap or supper in the garden instead of driving again. The Château de Montpoupon offers a visitor trail designed for children, and the forest provides an unlimited playground. The garden is not fenced: keep a close eye on very young children.
 

A short stay focused on heritage and gastronomy:
For two people on a three- or four-night getaway, the Gîte du Petit Monpouet ticks all the boxes: within a thirty-minute radius of Chenonceau, Amboise, Clos Lucé, the royal city of Loches, and Montrichard; the vineyards of Touraine and Montlouis; a quality restaurant just two hundred meters away; and in the evening, a fireplace, a library, and complete silence. Out of season, with a fire crackling in the hearth, it's probably the best time to visit.