ABOUT LA GRANDE MAISON

About La Grande Maison

La Grande Maison B&B near Saumur Loire Valley

You will find La Grande Maison Loire set peacefully amidst the vines, in the French Parc Naturel Regional Loire-Anjou a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It  is the perfect base from which to explore the local wine growing region, relax in the glorious gardens, picnic in the vines, take a bike ride or enjoy a wine tour.

La Grande Maison  Loire is a very special place to stay in the Loire Valley, France, particularly if you are looking for character & charm. An island set admidst vines this is the perfect location to base yourself for your stay in the French Vineyards near Saumur.

La Grande Maison Loire

Look for La Grande Maison Loire set within it's own walled grounds. Situated on a hill with spectacular views over the local countryside of sunflowers and roses during the summer. A peaceful retreat surrounded by vineyard walks. There is a lake close by and the Le Puy Notre Dame - Village of Charm is only a few minutes away by car.

Within the walls of the 17c fortified farm is the Manor House, an ancient bake house, the gate house and shepherd’s house, extensive wine caves and a partially hidden troglodyte chapel. An unusual and unique B&B, bed and breakfast holiday location near Saumur in the Loire Valley France for those with a sense of adventure and history. Wine tours available if pre-booked.

In the heart of Loire vineyards

The Manor House was once owned by the family Dupetit-Thouars, whose son Aristide was Admiral to Napoleon and was involved in the American War of Independance. Now it is home to Micaela and Sue and their springer spaniel Ella.
 
In the grounds of the house you will find an unusual underground pigeon tower, that once housed 1600 pigeons representing a 800 hectare wine estate at La Grande Maison in the 17th Century. Today the vineyards supply grapes to one of the leading sparkling wine houses of Saumur - Bouvet-Ladubay. Some of our Wine Tours incorporate a visit to this winery with its magnificent caves.

STEEPED

 In the 17th century La Grande Maison was owned by Seigneur Gilles Louis Antoine Aubert du PETIT THOUARS & Marie Gohin, Dame de Boumois and Arthenay who then owned Chateau Boumois on the south bank of the Loire near Saumur. This beautiful chateau can be visited today (July & August) and contains many works of Renaissance Art, a pigeon tower “fuye” and chapel with the tombs of their sons, Aristide and Aubert.

 


IN

Arisitde Du Petit-Thouars, a historical hero of Saumur, participated in the American War of Independence 1779-83 and later sailed to Botany Bay, Australia in search of the lost French explorer La Perouse. He captained the ship The Tonnant in the campaign of Egypt with Napoleon Bonaparte but was killed in the naval battle of Aboukir on the 5th August 1798. During his time in the USA (c. 1794) Aristide Du Petit-Thouars was also  involved in the construction of about thirty houses on a site called Azilum in Philadelphia. An enterprise promoted by the financier and Senator of Pennsylvania, Robert Morris. Amongst the buildings was one referred to as La Grande Maison, and later as “The Queen’s House”, in the hope that Marie Antoinette and her children would escape from France and come to occupy it.

HISTORY

Today we continue the link by working closely with Sebastian & D'Arcy Dupetit-Thouars at Chateau Dupetit-Thouars in the Chinon Appellation. We often include tastings and visits to the vineyards of this magnificent chateau during our wine tours where Seb is pleased to host us.
"You'll stay in a room where the old walls can tell stories of great wines - with all kind of modern comfort added with respect for this old house."
"This is a magical place with fine dining, outstanding comfort and generous hosts."
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