1 Cottage, 1 Gite (BN002469) - Plessala

La Fontaine Rouillee near Plessala is a truly tranquil location in a rural setting overlooking the valley of the River Lie and nearby Loudeac Forest. It really is a chill-out zone where the stresses of everyday life can easily be put aside to enjoy the slower pace of Breton life.

The grounds surrounding the cottage and the longère are ideal for barbecues, relaxing with a book and a drink, sketching the scenery, watching birds or the stars! Take a stroll down to the nearby river to cool off beside the calm waters of an ancient deer crossing or follow it downstream a little to the weir which attracts many trout fishermen. For the more energetic, follow the marked cycle or rambling trails or join a pony trek through the nearby forest. Alternatively, hire canoes at the neighbouring village of La Prenessaye and explore further down river. Break for lunch at one of the local creperies, Plessala’s is reputed to be one of the best in Cotes d’Armor.

Within a short drive there are bustling market towns, many good quality restaurants, a wide variety of historic sites, 2 large inland lakes with water sports, fishing and boating, the beautifully scenic north coast beaches and international standard golf courses to provide plenty of options for everyone.

Both the 3 bedroomed longère and the 2 bedroomed cottage have been carefully renovated to create comfortable homes from home that retain many original Breton features but are designed for modern living. They have relaxing living rooms with sofas, tv and woodburner, whilst the kitchens have been equipped for year-round use. The longère is laid out as a spacious ground floor apartment with living accommodation, double bedroom and shower room; the upper floor has 2 further bedrooms with en suite shower rooms opposite each other off a galleried landing; this design makes it suitable either for couples renting just the ground floor (discount applies), or larger families (children over 10 only) or groups of friends taking both floors. The level access and wide doors mean the ground floor is suitable for guests with mobility problems. The cottage accommodation is on one floor with its layout and enclosed sunny front garden making it particularly suitable for small families or couples seeking a private hideaway.

La Fontaine Rouillee nestles on a 2 acre plot where there is plenty of designated private outdoor space available for each property, complete with garden furniture, built-in barbecue and magnificent views.

The natural peace and tranquillity around Plessala is complimented by the abundance of bird life residing here. Those who wish to sketch will be enthralled by the suberb landscape, whilst the rolling countryside is particularly suited to walkers and cyclists. Suggested rambles ranging from 5 to 16km are available from Plessala's Marie's Office, the walks pass some of the historic Celtic crosses that are also a feature of the commune.

The area is equally appealing to anyone who enjoys meandering around small medieval towns - don't miss nearby Moncontour, which is just minutes away and is amazing; the Fete des Ramparts shared bi-annually with Dinan is a must. For those who enjoy browsing the many local markets there is plenty of fresh produce to discover - goats cheeses, honey, shellfish, pork and freshly picked vegetables are piled high beside art and craft or brocante stalls.

The English owners live nearby, maintain the gites personally and are on-hand to answer any queries to help guests make the most of their stay in this beautiful and friendly area of Brittany.