Reviews
Joe 2024
We stayed at La Belle Etoile, Avon-les-Roches for May half term 2022 and loved it so much we returned in May 2024, this time taking my sister and her family who took the second gite, La Grange.
Both are excellent and a group taking both properties is an excellent way to enjoy the acres of space on offer. The children love the freedom (and the the environs for them).
Bruno and Ritva are so welcoming! To arrive to a fridge with essentials; the fab local rose wine from Bruno's friend, the proprietor ot the Domaine de Lallay, some cheese, baguette, home made jam and some milk is a lovely touch.
The kitchens are well appointed with plenty of utensils and high quality cookware.
We love the bbq - it lights and goes well. A grill with a superb view form the large flat terrace with a large table and chair set to seat 8 comfortably and a small coffee table and separate set. We love a morning pastry & coffee there or some of the other excellent local wine in the evening with a board game.
The pool is fantastic and the owners have upgraded it recently. It's kept clean, has lovely new loungers with the icing on the cake being able to witness Kestrels and Swifts doing their thing.
The area is quiet but within easy reach are plenty of awesome chateau. Chinon,which is well renowned but also Rivau. Highly recommend lunch there with produce from their kitchen gardens.
All in all, a super chilled holiday destination, lovely air, light and views. Comfy bedrooms, decent bathrooms and of course the French shutters. A tres bon nuit!
Bon vacances.
Thanks Bruno and Ritva. Hope to see you again.
Chris 2023
Our party of four stayed at La Belle Etoile 10 to 17 June 23. Hosts Bruno and Ritva made us extremely welcome, striking the right balance between being attentive and respecting our privacy.
The location is superb as it is in on the outskirts of a very rural village, tranquil, but within easy travel distance of the shopping amenities of L'Ile Bouchard. It is also very central to the Chateaus of the Loire, most are under an hours drive, and some good ones under half an hour
The house is well appointed with everything you could need on hand, and the swimming pool is a welcome distraction when the air temperature reaches 30 degrees in the shade.
We are all looking forward to a return visit next year!
Martin 2023
Wonderfully peaceful location. Really well equipped and cool kitchen: great to escape the summer heat. Two lovely terraces. Really good pool. Comfortable beds. And exceptionally helpful host.
France 2023
The setting is beautiful, the welcome friendly and generous (thank you for the little touches in the fridge). The owner is very available and gives good advice for tourism. The accommodation is comfortable and the terrace very nice. The cottage is very well equipped.​
Philip 2022
Every now and again you discover a gem, and La Belle Etoile in Avon les Roches is just one of them.A gorgeous property in a beautiful location and looked after by a friendly and professional host. Also a fantastic base if you are looking to explore the Loire region. Highly recommended.
Brown 2022
A massive thank you to Bruno and Ritva for a fantastic Gite. We (two adults, two sons) stayed for two weeks in early August, and loved every minute. The terrace is extremely large and perfect for eating outside. The pool was a very welcome break from the heat. The Gite itself is large, comfortable and well equipped. The location is rural, but within very easy reach of everything you need, and perfect for escapism. We had a fantastic, much needed holiday and hope to return in the future.
Diana 2021
Quite simply the best self catering gite/cottage we have ever stayed in. Bruno and Ritva provided us with some fantastic local produce as a welcoming present and they were extremely helpful throughout our stay. We were able to eat our breakfasts and evening meals on the terrace, and when we were at home for lunch, we took our food into the lovely wooded area next to the house for some cool shade. The swimming pool was a real bonus. The beds and sofas were comfortable and the showers were excellent. Everything you could possibly need for cooking was provided. We walked into the village and ate in the local cafe/bistro which was very good value and of a good standard. There are 2 boulangeries in the nearest town - only about 3 miles away - as is the nearest supermarket. We loved it so much that we are booking again for next year.​
Cathy & Family 2021
We had a lovely relaxing holiday. The gite has recently been renovated to a very high standard with everything that you would need, the photos don't do it justice! The pool was a good size and the rota worked well with the other gite. We used the bikes to cycle to the next village to do some sight seeing. I would recommend this gite as a great place for a family to stay.