The Secret Hamlet

A region doesn’t get to be called “The Garden of France” without being pretty special, and the Loire Valley is just as luscious and beautiful as its nickname would suggest. There’s countless acres of beautiful woods, vineyards and farmland that produce some of France’s revered ingredients and delicacies, and a wealth of history and beautiful architecture that demands and rewards exploration. Whether you’re heading off with the family, friends, or both, our fantastic portfolio of Loire Valley villas and chateaux means you’ll find fantastic, comfortable and quirky accommodation no matter your preferences.

Download our Loire Valley Travel Guide >>

Enjoy gourmet dining experiences with our new Chef Service!
We’re now offering our customers the chance to enjoy some unforgettable eats with our new Chef Service! Choose from booking a single sumptuous meal with a private chef for that special occasion, or hire a chef to cook your meals for all or part of your holiday - it’s as flexible as it is delicious.

A) Single Meal Service: A chef will travel to this villa and whip up a fantastic meal for you and your guests. The chef will arrive with all the necessary ingredients as well as the talent to turn them into something unforgettable. They’ll serve the meal and clear up afterwards - an easy and entertaining way to enjoy a top quality meal in your very own villa!

B) Full Chef Service: If you really want to kick back and relax, we can arrange for a chef to cater for the duration of your holiday (or part of it). With a range of options from simple family catering to full-on haute cuisine, we can organise a meal plan and a price to suit your needs. So why worry about self-catering when you can have everything taken care of?

Of course, before booking this service, we suggest you contact the property owner as they might already offer a similar cook or chef service in-house. To find out more simply visit www.oliverstravels.com/chefs.

Wedding photos by © Tim Fox Photography, www.weddingphotographyinfrance.com.

Our place is different from other places in many a sense.

Our estate is a small hamlet of 5 houses around a large Manor house.

We sometimes rent the whole estate for weddings or special gatherings and our guests usually stay between 2 days and a week thus having family and close friends stay together to celebrate the occasion on a longer basis …. Before and/or after Picnics, barbecues, canoeing down the river on a more casual basis to create ties intra or inter- families….

Our estate is not a hotel and we do not have a banquet department with in house staff, kitchens and cooks.

As a private estate, and we offer to host weddings in a manner which ranges from using the park and the manor as a décor or have the exclusive use of the estate for the event thus renting the park, the barns, the guest rooms in the manor house and the 4 outer buildings…all to make the venue a memorable moment.

To help organize the events we

Either

Only provide the contacts of suppliers…. And all is managed by guests, ordered by them and paid by them. We only make sure that all is organized within the terms of our contract and security rules.

All is paid directly by the client to avoid confusion and cash management problems

Or

We manage all for our guests-according to their written brief and within a given budget. our wedding planning fee is calculated – and billed -on a 15% basis of costs managed with a minimum of 1000€. All costs are paid by clients directly to partners on the basis of accepted price proposals.

Please see The Secret Hamlet Estate for more information.

Please note any event rental may be subject to additional charges (that will be pre-agreed) on top of the published rental amount. This is to cover the extra costs associated with putting on a wedding. Please contact stephanie@oliverstravels.com for further details.

The Secret Hamlet Reviews

• Magical

  Posted by Patrick O on 16/12/2016

  We had the most beautiful time. It is the perfect blend of serenity and activity. Read a book or take part in activities. Everything's you could ask for if you want to escape the rustle bustle of the 9 to 5.

• Amazing

  Posted by Delphine on 20/10/2016

  Amazing, magical and marvellous place in center of France. If you crave for beauty, privacy and romantism, I think it's perfect for weddings or a week-end away. Marie was such a wonderful help for us. Thank you for everything.

• Fantastic place to stay

  Posted by Kasia on 21/08/2016

  Very nice atmosphere, ambience with flair, friendly people, fantastic place to stay.Beautiful rooms, each with their own flair. Lovely people that make you feel at home and relaxed.

   

• Simply Perfection

  Posted by Anna on 01/08/2016

  What a wonderful place to stay in Ingrandes. The chateau with the houses, lovely gardens and the very charming hosts Marie and Ursula. You can ask them everything and they will help you. The attention to detail everywhere was delightful.

  Marie and Ursula cooked a delicious meal for us! We will come back, it's an oasis for all who loves peaceful moments, good food, wine, music and art. You can feel the past in this surrounding and that makes it very special. "Art de vivre" (like the French people say).

How long have you owned the property?
I took over the house in 1981

What was it about the property that you first fell in love with?
I fell in love with this secret place 35 years ago, and was completely besotted by the old oak mastering the river. The house was a wreck, I had no money, passion pushed me, bank loans pulled me… our house came back to life.
Respectful of the harmony between man and nature we have renovated the houses and the gardens to offer a bit of true “art de vivre à la française”… My 3 children and I have decided to open up the family circle to others, to share unique moments.

Have you ever had any famous guests staying?
Yes, many, but it is theirs and our secret!

For anyone coming to stay is there anything in the surrounding area they should...
Really do?
Discover our Natural Reserve - Parc Régional de la Brenne. Cycling, canoeing down the rivers, horseback riding, walking, bird and butterfly watching, parachuting, rock climbing. Swim, read, play music, cook, go wine tasting, go to markets….

Really eat?
All the local delicacies including paté, cheese, meats, seasonal fruits and vegetables.

Really see?
The area is abundant with history, architecture, culture, villages, markets …..

What insider tip would you pass on about the property or the area?
"Do you know that charming part of our country which has been called the garden of France, that spot where amid verdant plains watered by wide streams, one inhales the purest air of heaven.” Alfred de Vigny.

ENQUIRE NOW