This charming little French cottage is in the Loire valley, close to chateaux, the wine route, fishing, walking, bird-watching, etc...and with astronomy equipment to use as well!
There are many famous chateaux (eg Chenonceaux, Blois, Amboise) within an hour's drive, as well as less well-known and still-inhabited ones in the immediate vicinity. There are numerous 'caves' on the Route Vignobles to visit, but as the cottage is in a vineyard, tasting and stocking up with wine could mean going no further than the end of the lane! It is an extremely quiet location, so you hear only the birds at dawn and the crickets at night.
The track which leads from the gite to the woods is very straight, created by Napolean's soldiers on the march; nowadays a winding main road takes what little traffic there is to the nearest town. The river Cher is a few kilometres away, and you can fish in it with a permit bought from the Tabac in the pretty medieval city of St Aignan-sur-Cher. If you like wild animals, you will enjoy the excellent zoo-park which is practically on its doorstep.
This is intended to be seen as a relaxing holiday for ALL the family, a couple, or a few friends, rather than as just an astronomy holiday. Everyone can have a good day out, perhaps followed by a delicious meal at one of St Aignan's restaurants.
While the others relax, take a stroll up the track, rediscover the joy of board games, or just sit and chat over a bottle of wine, the astronomers can enjoy the lack of light pollution. The lower southern horizon means that all the wonders of Sagittarius etc are there to be seen and the astronomy equipment on site has been chosen for its ease of use and good optics. There is a 10" Dobsonian, a 127mm Maksutov, and several pairs of binoculars (which can double for birdwatching etc).
But the price isn't astronomical - its £250 pw.
In July/August weeks start and finish on Tuesday, to avoid the horrendous Saturday ferry prices and crush. In other months and over the Christmas/New Year period, there can be more flexibility. Accommodation consists of living room, kitchen, shower room, downstairs double bedroom and a long loft bedroom with two single beds.
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LINKS: St Aignan-sur-Cher The Loire Valley Brittany-ferries L D Lines Ferry
