Nature house in Gannay sur Loire

This ruralhut was originally a farmhouse, more than 350 years ago, where you would live together with the chickens and the goats. The animals have left now and the farmhouse has been converted into a very atmospheric and rustic holiday home with old restored furniture. It’s a delight to be in the living room right underneath the original oak holding beams.  A large wood burning stove can also be found here, for the more chilly evenings in spring and autumn. In the simple, but very complete kitchen, you can prepare delicious meals, which you can then serve at the old oak table or in the garden under the large linden tree. The cottage is located in the “Bourbonnais”, a historic region known for the graves of Bourbon and the many castles and forts. The region is Auvergne and the department is Allier. You can find this stunning place on the edge of the village of Gannay sur Loire, with on one side the beautiful Loire river (most natural river of Europe) and on the other the Canal Lateral with a cozy harbor with a bistro and an old sluice. On terrain you will find a swimming pool, large playground with a hut, terraces (sun and shade), picnic tables, pistes de petanque, volleyball court, football pitch, trampoline and brick barbecue. Eight kWh of electricity per day is included in the rental price.

A sandbox and swings are available for the little ones. The landlords also manage the village’s new tennis court, make sure to bring along your racket! Swimming is of course possible in the Loire, which is well within walking distance. In the surrounding area there are plenty of good fishing possibilities. This side of the river is flat to gentle, the other side of the river is more hilly. This area is also known as “entre Loire et Morvan” and is characterized by the many hills, forests and lakes, and passes slowly into the Du Morvan National Park. The beautiful and quiet surroundings are more than suitable for hiking and cycling tours, routes are available. If you do not feel like bringing your own bikes along, you can choose to rent them from the landlords, they have a number of bikes with gears. They also organize kayaking on the Loire. Half an hour’s drive away is a large theme park/zoo. In addition, there are several picturesque towns like Moulins, Bourbon-Lancy, Decize, Autun and villages with many sights, historical buildings, castles, churches, museums and gardens. The city of Nevers is half an hour drive away with its famous cathedral and palaces. Particially worth a visit are Bribracte (Gallic settlement), Fôret de Troncais (Europe’s oldest oak forest), Apremont (One of France’s most beautiful villages), Arboretum “Balaine” (France’s largest private botanical garden) and Bourbon fortress L’archambault.