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LA FERME DU PETIT SOUPER

The little village of Pontlevoy lies in the peaceful countryside of the Loire Valley, surrounded by fields, meadows and the ancient forest of Montrichard. It is also close to all the châteaux for which the Loire is famed, including Chambord, Blois and Amboise, where Leonardo da Vinci spent his last days. Only a 15-minute drive away is the most striking of all, the château at Chenonceaux, which straddles the Cher River and in the 15th century was home to Catherine de Médicis. This historic region, known as le pays doux (the gentle land) despite its history as a bloody battleground between the English and French in medieval times, is only two hours south of Paris, and yet it is a world away in body and spirit from that busy city.

La Ferme du Petit Souper (literally, "the farm of the little supper"), situated only a short distance from Pontlevoy, was once a rest-stop for hunters from the nearby châteaux. Taking advantage of a beautiful terrain with tall trees, fields of wildflowers and a prolific herb garden, the owners have transformed this 18th-century farmhouse, little more than a ruin when they purchased it, into a lovely home for up to five people.

The most impressive aspect of the owners' artful restoration is the commodious open space with cathedral ceiling that comprises the entire ground floor of the farmhouse. The effect is one of airiness and plentiful space in an environment that is both modern, owing to the cathedral ceiling and up-to-date fixtures, and yet traditional, owing to the exposed beam ceilings, country furnishings and stone walls and floors throughout the house.

The kitchen, which is open to the living area, has marble counter tops, refrigerator, electric four-burner stove and oven, and a unique wooden tailor's cabinet for storing pots and pans. Small modern lights cleverly hung from the rafters assure good illumination even on the occasional cloudy day. A portable stereo with CD player can be used in the kitchen or elsewhere.

A rectangular pine dining table for four to six people separates the kitchen from the comfortable sitting room, where there are a simple sofa and rocking chairs ranged around a Ben Franklin-style fireplace. In one corner is a wrought-iron single bed with lots of cushions that generally serves as a second sofa, but can be used to accommodate a fifth guest when required. There is no TV.

Also on the ground floor is a spacious master bedroom with twin beds that can be made up as a king-sized bed, an oak armoire, chest of drawers, loveseat and locally made wicker desk and reading chair with floor lamp. At the opposite end of the house is an enormous modern bath and dressing room with walk-in tiled shower. A sunny loft, reached by a sturdy wood staircase that leads from the sitting area, has two twin beds and dormer windows overlooking the fields and forest. A chest of drawers is available for clothes’ storage and a reading area with chair, table and lamp complete this space. As the beds are well set back from the stairs, the room is quite private and quiet.

La Ferme du Petit Souper has two terraces with garden furniture, one situated to catch the morning sun and the other for watching the sunset. The terraces seem like a natural extension of this ancient structure and the surrounding verdant countryside. One terrace has a small barbecue.

Special amenities at La Ferme du Petit Souper include screens on the windows, a hairdryer in the bathroom and fans for the bedroom and loft.

The farmhouse is located on the high plain between the Loire and Cher Rivers, and thus enjoys a sunny and temperate climate year-round. In addition to the numerous famous châteaux in the immediate area, many of which offer son et lumière (sound and light shows, which the French do so well), the region is ideal for bicycling and trekking. In the nearby 11th-century market town of Montrichard, there are tennis courts, kayaking, sailing, barge trips and fishing along the river Cher.

For golfers there is a fine 18-hole course on the estate of the château at nearby Cheverny. Hot-air balloon trips and horseback riding can also be arranged. From Easter weekend on there are festivals in the nearby villages. Beautifully landscaped gardens open up to the public, and antique and flea markets abound in the region. Pontlevoy hosts a music festival in July and August as well as an annual youth theatre company from mid-July to the first week of August.

The Loire, an agriculturally rich area that is known as the breadbasket of France, always has plenty to offer for serious gastronomes. Fine regional cuisine is abundant in the Touraine, and great pride is taken in its preparations. Some of the finest wines of France come from the Loire, with Sancerre, Vouvray, Saumur, Chinon and Bourgueil being among the better-known appellations. There are dozens of family-run wineries where you are invited to visit the cave for a dégustation.

Weekly farmers' markets can be found in every village selling fresh produce, creamy chèvre cheese and crunchy campagne breads.

The owners make a washer and dryer available for guests' use. The owners take pride in their restoration of La Ferme du Petit Souper, and as they live nearby they personally greet arriving guests and gladly answer any questions that may arise.