Maison d'Argent

Less than half an hour south of Châteauroux, the capital of the Indre department in central France, Maison d’Argent sits near the banks of the Bouzanne river next to neighbouring Moulin d’Argent (ideal if you are two families or friends hoping to travel together yet stay in separate houses). Both houses are surrounded by beautiful shared grounds with riverside access in two different areas – they also both have use of a shared canoe, barge, bikes and pétanque set.

Fly into Bourges, Limoges or Poitiers or the nearest train station is Argenton-sur-Creuse with arrivals from Paris (it’s a 2 hours 30 minutes train ride from Gare Austerlitz). If taking the ferry from the UK, Caen Ouistreham/St-Malo/Le Havre are all around a 4 to 5-hour drive away or it is approximately six hours from Calais. Both houses are located just off a country road leading to a small rural village and towards Argenton-sur-Creuse.

Argenton-sur-Creuse (7km) is a small historic town by the banks of the River Creuse, home to several cafes, restaurants and shops as well as a Saturday morning market. It is especially lovely to stroll by the river and admire pretty houses lining the water’s edge. The town has a rich heritage in flour, leather and shirt production, industries that brought much wealth in the 1800s. Pass watermills as you explore and learn all about the history of shirt-making at the French-speaking Le Musée de la Chemiserie et de l'Elégance Masculine.

The small city of Châteauroux is worth a visit on a Tuesday, Friday or Saturday morning when the vibrant market takes place. In the summer it’s fantastic to visit the city park just north of Châteauroux with fitness trails, a play area and a recreational lake for summer swimming, canoeing, kayaking, stand-up paddle boarding and more. Just outside the city, look out for wonderful nature trails through the magnificent Châteauroux forest, one of the country’s largest oak forests (many Bordeaux wine barrels are made from Châteauroux oak).

Venturing south, Saint-Benoît-du-Sault (27km) is such a picturesque village with medieval houses, half-timbered buildings and old lanes – it’s  classified as one of France’s ‘Plus Beaux Villages’. Gargilesse-Dampierre (20km) is another ‘Plus Beau Village’ in a riverside setting with historic houses, an impressive château and the former home of George Sands where she wrote much of her work.

Outdoor lovers will appreciate being only half an hour from the superb Parc naturel régional de la Brenne with its varied landscapes of marshes and fields. Start off at Maison du Parc in Rosnay (34km) to pick up maps, then start exploring the scenery by walking or cycling following kilometres of marked trails. Look out for summer swimming and a children’s play area at Étang de Bellebouche. This incredible area is ideal for outdoor explorers of every age as well as wildlife enthusiasts and bird-watchers.

Meanwhile, learn how the beautiful landscapes of this region inspired so many artists – heading south is Espace Monet Rollinat (40km), an art museum and gallery in Fresselines, an area known as the ‘valley of the painters’. Furthermore, don’t miss the wonderful exhibitions at the art museum, Hôtel Lepinat (37km).

Read more about Loire Valley

A region doesn’t get to be called “The Garden of France” without being pretty special, and the Loire Valley is just as luscious and beautiful as its nickname would suggest. There’s countless acres of beautiful woods, vineyards and farmland that produce some of France’s revered ingredients and delicacies, and a wealth of history and beautiful architecture that demands and rewards exploration. Whether you’re heading off with the family, friends, or both, our fantastic portfolio of Loire Valley villas and chateaux means you’ll find fantastic, comfortable and quirky accommodation no matter your preferences.

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