4 star Eco-Friendly Holiday Home in Mouliherne, Maine-et-Loire - Les Vieux Auberts

La Vieille Maison is set in 2.35 hectares of flat ground (just under 6 acres), and is completely surrounded by woodland and “Forêt domaniale”, which means that it is full of wildlife, including deer, elusive pine martens, dormice, hares, wild boar (in the area), lizards and bats. Over 50 species of birds have been seen or heard around the property, including golden orioles, hoopoes, kestrels and buzzards. We also have a pair of barn owls who regularly nest in the roof of the main house! 

The property is very eco-friendly, with double-glazed windows and doors to keep it warm in the winter, and 80 cm thick walls to help keep it cool in summer. All rooms have low-energy LED lighting, and all the major electrical appliances are rated A+ or better for maximum efficiency.

For autumn and winter breaks, there are thermostatically controlled electric radiators in all rooms, plus a 10 kW Godin wood burner in the living room. The tariff includes electricity for the radiators plus wood for the wood burner.

La Vieille Maison comfortably sleeps up to 6 people in 3 large bedrooms and offers dog-friendly accommodation. All beds are 2 m long and are either King-size (160 cm wide) or Superking (180 cm wide) that can be configured as either 2 singles (each either 80 cm or 90 cm wide, depending on the bed) or a double as required. Please state your preference on the booking enquiry form.

Clean, fresh, hand towels, bath towels and bed linen appropriate to the number of guests are included in the price, and all beds will be fully prepared before your arrival. For stays of 14 nights or more, we offer a complete change of bed linen and towels after 7 nights if you require, at no extra charge. Please note that we do not supply swimming towels.

A full-size cot and high chair are available on request (no extra charge). Please indicate on the booking enquiry form whether you require these. Please note that we do not supply bed linen for the cot, which has a 60cm x 120cm x 10cm mattress.

Hygiene and safety

We will supply all necessary household cleaning products and toilet paper for your stay. Please ensure you read carefully the section on Water and Septic Tank in the Terms and Conditions, which form part of our standard rental contract.

We ask you to leave some time at the end of your stay to ensure the property is left clean and tidy as far as is reasonably practicable, in order to allow us enough time to ensure that everything is as clean and hygienic as possible for our next guests.

At every changeover, we always clean and disinfect all floors, kitchen work surfaces, bathroom sanitary wares, table tops and hard-back chairs. We also disinfect high-touch surfaces such as light switches, door handles, handrails and remote controls.

There is one night light on the ground floor and two on the first floor.

There is a baby safety gate that can be fitted at the top or bottom of the stairs, or on the outside door to the kitchen.

There are smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors in the kitchen and in the lounge, and a smoke detector on the first-floor landing. We test each of these at every changeover.

In the kitchen, there is a fire blanket and a powder fire extinguisher that is suitable for fires involving wood, paper and textiles (fire type A), flammable liquids such as petrol, diesel and oil (fire type B) and gases (fire type C). There is also a simple first aid kit.

On the ground floor

Lounge. The large lounge has comfortable leather seating, a full HD flat-screen TV with UK Freesat and French terrestrial channels, a Blu-ray player and a separate CD player. We have a video library with about 180 titles that you can borrow. There is direct access to the garden via a pair of French doors.

Kitchen. The well-fitted kitchen includes a gas hob with extractor hood, full size built-in electric oven with a 70-litre capacity, 13-place setting dishwasher, 7kg washing machine, fridge freezer, microwave, coffee machine, toaster, kettle, iron plus ironing board, and a vacuum cleaner. For something different and typically French, there is also a crêpe maker and a 6-person raclette. Our Welcome Pack includes a bottle of locally-produced sparkling wine, milk, butter, eggs, and what you see in the photo. We will also include a selection of seasonable vegetables from the garden, when available.

There are 12 sets of crockery, cutlery, and glasses, so you don’t have to wash up after every meal. In addition, there are plenty of cooking utensils, pots, pans, baking dishes, and other cookware. We also supply 4 sets of children’s cutlery, plus a drinking cup and food bowl for babies.

The dining area comfortably seats 6 people.

Bedroom 3. This bedroom features a King-size bed (160 cm), plus an en-suite shower room with WC and washbasin. The bed can be set up as two 80 cm singles.

This bedroom has direct access to the driveway via French doors.

On the first floor

Bedroom 1. A large bedroom with a Superking bed (180 cm) that can be set up as two 90 cm singles.

Bedroom 2. A twin bedroom with two 90 cm single beds that can be set up as a 180 cm double.

Family shower room. A room with exposed beams that includes a WC and washbasin.

Outside

A large private garden (about ¼ acre), with a covered patio area, garden furniture, sun loungers, and a 47 cm Weber charcoal kettle BBQ with a FireStarter chimney and quality utensils. There is also a fire bowl and additional chairs that can be used on colder evenings and during winter breaks. The garden is fully enclosed by wire mesh fencing for the security of young children and/or animals.

We provide table tennis, pop-up badminton, boules for adults and children, swingball, and skittles.

There is a private driveway with ample parking for several vehicles in front of the property. In addition, covered parking is available in a barn, if required.

Pets

Dogs are welcome (maximum of 2) for a small additional weekly charge, but please note that we do not supply any bedding or food/water bowls for your dog(s). Three different size dog cages are available on request. For UK guests we are more than happy to book an appointment with our vets for tapeworm treatment for your dog before your return to the UK. This is normally administered not less than 24 hours and not more than 120 hours before you return.

Please note that we cannot accept cats.