A holiday retreat in Vendée
- Moulin des Etrebières
- 13 June 2024
- 11h16
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Ideal for family reunions, get-togethers or team building
The main house has seven bedrooms on three levels and a spacious living area of close to 900 sq.ft. with open-plan kitchen, dining area and a cosy lounge with a log-burner for winter evenings. The living room opens onto a lovely terrace shaded by a pergola and a private garden planted with lawn and fruit trees.
The rooms can be arranged with queen-size or twin beds. There are three bedrooms on level 1, three on level 2 and a large attic bedroom on level 3. The night area is separate from the day area, allowing some people to rest in the bedrooms while others are active in the lounge/kitchen/dining room.
The fully fitted out kitchen combines modern equipment with the charm of a family kitchen. A large fridge stores food for 15 people. An oven, a microwave, a large induction hob and a food processor allow you to prepare tasty dishes using fruit and vegetables from the garden. And for breakfast, there are two coffee makers (filter and espresso), a kettle and a toaster.
The dining table was made from the beams of the old roof structure. It can be split in two for greater flexibility: either one large table, or two tables (to separate the children from the adults, or to work on two different projects).
Reconnecting with the ecosystem
Twenty acres of rolling hills and wooded pastures surround the hamlet perched on Windmill Hill. A stream meanders through an enchanting landscape, in a wet meadow grazed by cattle. Close to the house, the vegetable patch and orchard are available for you to pick your own produce and eat healthy, fresh, seasonal food. What a pleasure it is to bite into a freshly-picked fruit or to dress a freshly-picked salad.
Experience low-carbon living
The house has been renovated with energy efficiency as a guiding principle. Rainwater from the roofs is collected in a tank and used to flush toilets and water the garden. The insulation is made of hemp, flax and cotton wool, and a wall in the living room is made of hemp-lime which provides an undeniable cosiness to the room. The sand-lime coating on the external walls allow these ancient stone walls to 'breathe'.
Three roof windows in the living room and the attic bedroom maximise natural light. All windows tilt and turn for natural ventilation. In addition, wooden shutters provide protection from the summer heat. On the terrace, the pergola provides a welcome shade in Summer.
Lastly, the farm buildings will be covered with solar panels to supply the site with electricity. The gite is also heated by a wood furnace, and a reed filter is used for sanitation.
Discover an authentic region full of charm
The Moulin des Etrebières is located in southern Vendée, a department offering a wealth of cultural, sporting, gastronomic and leisure activities. Le Puy du Fou is a superb theme park based on the history of France. A magical night show takes place on summer evenings.
Vouvant is also one of France's most beautiful villages, and invites you to discover its artists' studios. Visit the Bazoges dungeon, the Clémenceau Delattre museum in Mouilleron-en-Pareds, or the Maillezais abbey to immerse yourself in the history of the region. The Poitevin marshes, the bocage and the coast offer sublime landscapes.
If you're the sporty type, the region is full of cycling paths and footpaths for trail running or hiking. Climbing, water sports, horse riding - there's something for everyone. Foodies will explore the local specialties, from the delicious Vendée brioche to the tasty mojette, not forgetting trouspinette and préfou. And on the coast, don't miss the oysters and fresh seafood.
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