La Grange aux Dîmes
Saint-Pierre-de-Maillé - Vienne - France
The "Grange aux Dîmes" is an historic house of great character overlooking a mill pond on the Gartempe river. Only the calls of amorous frogs, ducks and moorhens can be heard above the distant sound of water tumbling over the weir.
Built on massive foundations
the house dates from the early XVth
century. It has
been tastefully restored to its original mediæval condition, with
oak-beamed ceilings, open fireplaces and a curved cherry-wood
staircase. Modern comforts include central heating, two bathrooms,
well-equipped kitchen, and
high speed broadband Internet access. 
Downstairs, in addition to the spacious integral kitchen and living room, there is also a bathroom, and a bedroom that opens onto the adjacent courtyard.
Upstairs two inter-connecting bedrooms with rustic medieval tiled floors enjoy superlative views across the river. The house is located at the very edge of the village, next to open countryside, and only a short walk to the shops on the square.
A delightful garden beside the river, shaded by willow trees and a large stand of black bamboo, provides a favorite spot for picnics, parties or simply tranquil writing and reading.
Saint-Pierre-de-Maillé
is a typical French country village with many old and attractive buildings. The train station at Chatellerault
(25 minutes drive) is just 80 minutes from Paris. The
region is a well-kept secret, with rolling wooded hills, wide river valleys, and
ancient castles - ideal country for walking and bicycling.
Small family cafés
in many villages compete
for gastronomic excellence, while village markets abound with local
delicacies. This is
an area
rich in history, tradition and natural beauty. 
Writers in this peaceful, undiscovered heart of France are touched by its timeless magic. Artists, through the subtle interplay of changing light and shadow as the seasons progress. discover at first hand the inspiration of the French impressionist painters.
The house was originally attached to a huge tithe barn - one of many belonging to the bishops of Poitiers. Here was stored the ten percent tithe demanded by the church of every household's produce. In the French Revolution the coat-of arms of the Bishops of Poitiers was hacked from the end of the building, although the defaced remnants remain clearly visible today.
During the Middle Ages
the house dominated a wooden bridge across the river. Strategically located, the bishop's agents would collect tolls
from all who crossed. However, the bridge was destroyed in the
great flood of 1740 - one in a long series of catastrophic innondations
along the valley of the Garetempe. The small chapel across the river
was last rebuilt in 1895, following another flood a few years earlier.
Many attractions are
to be found nearby. Just two miles away lies Angles-sur-l'Anglin, widely hailed as one
of the most beautiful villages in France. Dominated by its ruined cliff
-top castle, it is the haunt of many artists.
Not far away stands the old Abbey of St. Savin, a world heritage
site renowned for its superb mediæval
frescoes and fine spire. A few miles further south is the Merovingian necropolis at
Civaux, filled with the massive stone coffins of the warriors killed in 508 AD
when Clovis, King of the Franks, defeated the Visigoth hordes of Alaric.
Twenty
minutes to the north of
Saint-Pierre-de-Maillé is the old Roman spa town of La Roche
Posay. Here one can
play golf and tennis, ride on horseback or enjoy a variety of massage and
other therapeutic spa treatments.
Poitiers, an historic mediæval city of great charm, is just an hour away. Close by is Futuroscope, one of Europe's most popular theme parks. Dedicated to the moving image, Futuroscope is a particular magnet for those interested in the latest developments in film and computer graphics.
Along the Loire Valley, an hour's drive to the north, lie many of France's most famous châteaux and well-known vinyards. For further information check the following links:
The house is available by the week at modest cost.
Suitable for vacations and as a retreat
for writers and artists.
***
For further information email us at: grange@alogny.com
***
N.B. Please note that a major portion of all rentals goes to support the Bali Children's Project, our tax-exempt charity that provides educational opportunities for disadvantaged young people on the island of Bali. For further information go to:
(St. Pierre-de-Maillé is at the very bottom of the map)
Web Author: J.A.L.C