Pierre & Vacances holiday apartments in the Loire Valley region

A stay at Le Moulin des Cordeliers, Loches

As a frequent traveller to France, I’ve long associated Pierre & Vacances with family holidays at the seaside, in the mountains or on sunshine islands. Loches from the riverside gardens Their portfolio includes more than 250 apartment complexes and holiday villages around the French and Spanish coasts, as well as in the French Alps, and a few choice locations in Italy and a clutch of Mediterranean islands.

But Pierre & Vacances also own a handful of city and countryside properties, and I was delighted with my spacious holiday apartment in the heart of the Loire Valley region. The idyllic small town of Loches stands on the river Indre and Pierre & Vacances have sympathetically adapted the historic Moulin des Cordeliers which stands on the very edge of the historic Royal City.

Tour St Antoine Day or night, the view from my apartment window never failed to delight. Across the river beneath my balcony, I could see the ornate bell tower of Saint Antoine, gleaming white by day, lit up like a candle after dark. Five minutes’ walk over the bridge and I could pass through the imposing town gateway and be wandering the quaint cobbled streets with their tempting cafes and boutiques.

In fact Loches is a gem, whichever way you look at it. The Cité Royal is still partially surrounded by ramparts and includes a twee little Renaissance chateau – love nest for Charles VII (think Joan of Arc’s rallying efforts) and his mistress Agnes Sorel – as well as a towering church where she is buried (almost certainly poisoned!), and a wonderful medieval castle with sweeping views from the top of the keep. 

L to R; Moulin des Cordliers, Royal Chateau, Tour St Antoine If that’s not enough, there are beautiful riverside gardens which provide the reverse view back up at the fairy tale skyline; a tranquil area of protected water meadows; and instant access to the Indre à Vélo cycle trail for bike rides or walks.

The Moulin des Cordeliers makes a great base for exploring this glorious area whether you’re travelling with family or as a couple. There’s a choice of apartments for 4 people or 5/6, and a partly-covered heated pool within the enclosed gardens. And if you don’t want to take the car, the railways station is just minutes’ walk with regular connections to Paris.

Montresor But if you do take the car, a drive of less than an hour will take you to the Chateau of Chenonceau with its graceful arches across the Cher; to the wonderful Zooparc de Beauval, France’s No 1 zoo; and to Chateau de Candé near Tours, location for the wedding of Wallis Simpson and the Duke of Windsor in 1937. 

Closer to Loches, I love Montrésor, classified as one of France’s Most Beautiful Villages and recently voted the country’s second favourite village. I also spent an idyllic afternoon walking the fields and woodlands with a friendly donkey hired from Cathia Villa at Les Anes de BalaamStay put or get out and about, Le Moulin des Cordeliers offers simple but comfortable accommodation in one of the loveliest areas of France.

307 people found this helpful
18255

Share Article:

Gillian Thornton

Travel writer

Leave a comment

*

Sign up to our newsletter to receive the latest travel tips on top destinations.

Join the club

Become a member to receive exclusive benefits

Our community is the heart of Silver Travel Advisor, we love nothing more than sharing ideas, inspiration, hints and tips between us.

Most Recent Articles

There’s something refreshingly nostalgic about the quintessential British coach holiday….

Come feel the love on a Princess cruise. You’ll enjoy the MedallionClass experience others simply can’t, and it’s exclusively for everyone. Visit incredible destinations and be involved in the best experiences around each one of them.

Experience more with Princess and connect effortlessly with the world around you, spend time away with loved ones, take a moment for yourself, and fall in love with your holiday of a lifetime, every time.

With over 20 years of experience, Wendy Wu Tours has mastered the art of creating exceptional, fully inclusive tours which showcase the very best of each destination.

Each tour is led by a world-class guide, who will highlight the very best of their homeland, and includes authentic cultural experiences so you are not just seeing the sights, but truly immersing yourself in local life.

Say hello to ease at sea. Ambassador’s purpose is simple: they want to inspire every guest to experience authentic cruising, effortlessly and sustainably. Passionate about protecting our oceans and destinations, their ships comply with the highest industry emission standards and there is no single-use plastic on board.

On your voyage, you will receive the warmest of welcomes from the Ambassador community as you sail upon the friendliest ships afloat.

This is a global co-operative co-owned by local partners using real local experts and guides, which supports local communities, environments and wildlife. It offers travellers quirky places to stay, activity holidays and learning experiences. Not In The Guidebooks gets travellers off the beaten track into local culture with day experiences and longer, immersive adventures.

From wild wellness breaks in Wales to painting in Portugal, sustainable adventures in Mauritius to food safaris in Brazil, this is immersive, exciting travel.

Seabourn’s five intimate ships carry guests to the heart of great cities, exclusive yacht harbours and secluded coves around the world, while two new purpose-built expedition ships will combine exhilarating adventures in remote destinations with the sophisticated amenities of the world’s finest resorts at sea.

From the luxury of all suite accommodations to complimentary fine wines and spirits, and a no tipping policy, Seabourn exemplifies the definition of travelling well.