All rooms have newly tiled floors, freshly painted walls and some have exposed beams. There is a new wood-burning fire, and electric radiators are also fitted throughout the cottage should they be required. The great advantage of traditional French building is the ability to stay cool even on the hottest days making the cottage rooms a haven of comfort for those who need to escape from the sun. All windows are fitted with retractable fly screens to ensure you can enjoy the fresh air without those flying creatures entering the cottage especially at night when you may have the light on. The two external doors are fitted with opening top windows to view the stars at night or to check the external temperature before you pop down to the bakers for your morning bread.

For gite hire of 7 days or more, a small 'arrival' pack is provided free of charge which contains, bread, butter, home-made jam, milk, tea and coffee and some local ham plus a bottle of bubbly wine to celebrate your arrival.

For a small charge, I can also provide a main course prepared fresh on the day and ready for you to quickly cook or heat up on your arrival or during the holiday. Examples include: Chicken in red wine; chicken and broccoli lasagne; spaghetti bolognese; vegetarian pasta bake. Download here to obtain full details and menu's available at Les Deux Platanes.

Continental breakfasts are also available on any of the days of your stay. This comprises croissants, the special breakfast bread called a ficelle (fresh from the bakers every morning), Maureens special home-made jams, orange juice, cereal, yoghurt, fruit, tea/coffee/chocolate. 6 Euro per person.

The main external door leads from the terrace into the living room. This room provides a comfortable base to sit and dine in a typical Brenne cottage environment. Internal doors lead to the kitchen and rose bedroom, the window looks onto the terrace. The main dining table can sit up to six. A pine dresser contains the crockery, wine glasses etc. Comfortable chairs and drinks table to sit and read accompanied by a glass of your favourite tipple are placed next to the window. A home cinema system is fitted complete with LCD projector and large pull down screen. A good selection of films on DVD is available from the owners. These can be reserved in advance and made available in the cottage on arrival. No television is provided but a CD player is also fitted for your use. A good selection of books is available in the bookcase. A 'clic-clac' (folding bed) provides extra sleeping space for two if required.

The two double bedrooms are at the opposite ends of the cottage. The blue bedroom, with shower/toilet, is equipped with two single beds and has an external door leading directly onto the cottage terrace and an internal door leading into the kitchen. The rose bedroom is accessed via the living room and has a window overlooking the front garden. Both bedrooms are fitted with multi speed ceiling fans that provide a cooling ambiance during the night or day. A separate bathroom and toilet is accessed through the kitchen. The décor in both is bright, cheerful and charming! All bed linen is provided.

The galley kitchen is small but fully equipped and is more than suitable for preparing delightful meals. It is equipped with a four burner gas hob and gas oven. An extractor canopy ensures your cooking fumes are quickly removed. To complete the equipment are a fridge and a small grill/electric oven. A range of cooking essentials (herbs, cooking oil, etc) are provided. A window looks directly onto the terrace.

In addition to the en-suite bathroom / WC in the blue bedroom the main bathroom is accessed via the kitchen and has been recently fully refurbished. The small bath with overhead twin head shower has been fitted as families with younger children often prefer to use a shallow bath and a shower. Towels are provided. A separate toilet is also accessed via the kitchen.

The cottage is accessed via the small single track tarmac road passing through the village. This road has very little traffic other than an occasional village car, farm vehicles or travelling baker. No shops are located in the village but are easily accessed in the local town of Clion or Chatillon sur Indre. Ample parking for cars is available next to the cottage.

The large enclosed gated garden with dedicated parking and two magnificent plane trees / lawn is for the private use of the gite. Outside the main cottage doors you walk directly onto a paved terrace which is ideal in the morning to sit and enjoy breakfast or in the evening for aperitifs or dining 'al-fresco'. Two grand 'Plane' trees are in the garden and provide wonderful shade to sit under during the day or somewhere to play with children. Recliners and a gazebo with dining table and chairs are also provided as part of your gite package. A barbecue is available allowing 'al-fresco' cooking on a warm summers evening. At the bottom of the front garden Madam Monique has a small holding with sheep, chickens and ducks and when they are not off wandering the field can be seen when it's feeding time or time for bed!

A washing machine and a freezer is also available for your use.