Moulin Serein — Two-Gite Holiday Home with Private Pool & Countryside Setting in France

Three bedrooms across two self-contained French holiday gites with a private swimming pool and *air-conditioned bedrooms, set in their own beautiful rural valley beside a river. Near Poitiers and Limoges, Vienne, western France.

The gites at Moulin Serein are nestled in a beautiful, peaceful valley alongside a small, shallow river. Both properties are rented together, ensuring complete privacy and tranquillity for guests. The two secluded cottages comprise a one-bedroom cottage (Le Four) and a two-bedroom cottage (Le Moulin), each with its own kitchen, living room and outdoor space – perfect for a group of friends or a family.

The riverside setting helps to keep the gites cool during the summer months, and each bedroom also has a fan.

The cottages date from 1730 and were built during the Renaissance, when they were owned by a community of monks. There were originally three buildings, including the mill where wheat was milled using a wheel, and another building where the flour was stored and bread was baked in the bread oven. Together, the mill and oven supplied the surrounding area with flour and bread. With the appearance of flour mills, the mill and oven were decommissioned in 1929.

The hospitable French owners have renovated two of the four buildings. Two of the barns remain unconverted and are not in use.

Fancy a cooling paddle? The river is relatively shallow with a gentle flow.

You can fish in the river, which has trout, while the deep mill pond contains a mixture of fish, including carp. Please provide your own fishing equipment.

This is an excellent area for walking, with signposted routes running directly from the property. Routes can take you up to 35 km, although shorter walks are also possible. The small hamlet of Thollet, with its church, is approximately 1 mile away.

Moulin Serein is an ideal place to escape everyday life, relax and enjoy the tranquillity and freedom of the property, its facilities and the beautiful surrounding countryside.

Shops and restaurants can be found in La Trimouille, approximately 8 km from the cottages. There is also a small supermarket, bakery, pharmacy and public tennis courts.

A selection of larger supermarkets can be found in Montmorillon, approximately a 25-minute drive away.

Le Four and Le Moulin are set on a hillside with many steps and slopes, so unfortunately they are not suitable for those with limited mobility. Please see our photographs for further details.

Air-conditioning

Air conditioning is available at a cost of *€40 per unit per week, payable directly to the owner during your stay.

All three bedrooms can be air-conditioned using portable units with a purpose-made venting system. This provides a much more effective cooling solution than standard portable units that vent through an open window.

All facilities are for your own private use. Should you wish to rent just one cottage, we can offer a slight reduction in price, with the other cottage remaining closed.

Le Moulin (2-bedroom cottage) 73m²

Le Moulin comfortably sleeps 5 and has a z-bed in the lounge, which can accommodate an extra child at an additional cost of €50 per booking. Outside the front door is a pretty terrace and seating area with views over the river.

Bedrooms and bathrooms (upper floor)

There are 2 pretty bedrooms with pine floors and characterful beams. There is also a shower room with a hand basin, WC and electric heated towel rail.

Double bedroom with a double bed (140 cm x 200 cm), air-conditioning, wardrobe, bedside tables and dressing table.

Triple room with 3 single beds (2 measuring 90 cm x 200 cm and 1 measuring 90 cm x 190 cm), air-conditioning, bedside tables and a small desk. This room also has its own exterior entrance. A large chest of drawers is located on the landing outside for clothes storage, with further storage available in the shower room.

Bathroom (ground floor)

A good-sized family bathroom with a bath and shower over, WC, washbasin and electric heated towel rail. Further facilities include an ironing board, iron and hairdryer.

Lounge

The lounge has a lovely view down to the river and includes 2 sofas and additional seating. The dining table comfortably seats 6. There is French and English TV, a DVD player and fibre broadband with signal repeaters in each room.

Kitchen

The kitchen is equipped with a fridge-freezer, dishwasher, washing machine, microwave, electric oven and hob, extractor fan and a small breakfast table with chairs.

Le Four (1-bedroom cottage) 48m²

Le Four comfortably sleeps 2 + 1, with a sofa bed in the lounge for an additional guest at an extra cost of €50 per booking. There is a pretty terrace and seating area outside the front door and down the steps.

Bedroom and bathroom (upper floor)

Romantic double bedroom with a double bed (140 cm x 200 cm), air-conditioning and a wardrobe with hanging space and shelving. The en-suite shower room has a good-sized shower cubicle, washbasin, WC and further storage space.

Living area and kitchen

The open-plan living area features the original bread oven and has views down to the river. The kitchenette is equipped with a sink, dishwasher, table-top oven/grill, induction hob, extractor fan, microwave, kettle, toaster, coffee maker, washing machine and fridge-freezer.

The circular dining table, now a lovely feature situated in front of the bread oven, comfortably seats 4. There is a sofa, which converts into a sofa bed, French and English TV, a DVD player and fibre broadband with signal repeaters in each room.

Further facilities include an ironing board, iron and hairdryer.

Cleaning, towels and linen

Bed linen and bath towels are included in the price. Please supply your own pool towels.

Children and baby facilities

Cot and high chair available on request.

Private pool and grounds

The cottages are set next to a mill pond and a small, shallow river. There are two seating areas here for quiet reading, as well as plenty of grassed areas for games.

You can fish in the relatively shallow river. The mill pond is deep and has a mix of fish, including carp and trout. Discover the mini ferry to the small island.

A path leads up from the cottages to the boules court, then over a little wooden bridge to the pool area.

The private 11m x 5m pool is 1.2m to 1.8m deep and is surrounded by a large grassed area with a badminton net and table tennis table. There are also seating areas and changing rooms.

The pool can easily be covered with a hard cover for security or, if you wish, to help keep the water temperature higher.

What to do in the area and beyond

There are many towns, villages and castles to explore nearby. The local towns and villages host weekly markets, summer night markets and various festivals throughout the year.

Further information about local activities, places to visit and events can be found in the Local Area tab.

Travel

Airports

• Limoges – 73 km / 45 miles
• Poitiers – 84 km / 52 miles
• Tours – 151 km / 95 miles
• Bergerac – 221 km / 137 miles
• La Rochelle – 224 km / 140 miles
• Nantes – 260 km / 160 miles
• Bordeaux – 265 km / 165 miles
• Paris – 366 km / 227 miles

Car

Approximate driving distances from northern French ferry ports:

• Calais – 400 miles
• Caen – 250 miles

The use of a car is essential. For car hire and practical travel information, see our Car Hire & Travel Guide.