Manoir Le Clos de Ligré

Several years ago Martine Descamps decided to change her lifestyle, moving from Paris to the Loire Valley where she and her husband bought a large 19th-century manor-farmhouse and opened a bed and breakfast. The house is set in a lovely agricultural region where vineyards stretch out in every direction. The two-story house forms one side of an enclosed courtyard full of flowers and trees. The Descamps created four spacious bedrooms with modern bathrooms for guests. Each bedroom is named after its former life, such as Le Pressoir, the room where the grapes used to be pressed. It has one wall of exposed stone, a large window at the opening through which the grapes were dumped, a king-sized bed, and a table cleverly made from the gears of the old pressing machine. Guests enjoy their own large lounge with a piano, billiard table, comfortable sitting area, and an open fireplace. Breakfast is served in a charming dining room with lovely terracotta floors, beamed ceiling, and a large open fireplace. Martine offers a delicious three-course dinner, by special request, served in the garden during summer months. Another bonus is a large pool in the garden behind the house and a barn converted to a fitness room.