Les Chouettes - La Ferme des Tourterelles, région de Champagne

Les Chouettes (The Owls) has been converted from the old milking barn into a large contemporary dwelling of for eight (or ten people). The limestone walls have been kept partly exposed in the sitting room (and downstairs bedroom) which with the wood burner nestling in the chimney place provides additional ambience. There is a well equipped kitchen opening up to the dining room making meal times a social event. The windows look out onto the farm courtyard with the trellis work of clematis, honeysuckle and roses.

There are two main bedrooms with king size beds and satellite TV along with ensuite bath/shower rooms. One is situated on the ground floor, designed to be wheelchair friendly. The other two twin bedrooms have two single beds though each are large enough to accommodate a third bed if requested. The twin bedrooms share a shower room and a wash room, each with their own toilets. The first floor has an oak style wooden floor.

A large terrace is accessible from the dining room and the courtyard of La Ferme des Tourterelles.

Set on the borders of a regional park and champagne vineyards, La Ferme des Tourterelles provides an oasis of calm. Les Chouettes is one of four cottages. Each have their own private terrace surrounded by honeysuckles and roses. They line a courtyard and all have access to the large garden and outdoor heated swimming pool which have fabulous views of the rolling hills of forest and arable fields.

The high season generally starts from the 2nd - 3rd week of May by which time, the pool should be heated; finishing after the first week of September. Whilst we have a pool heating system, due to its size it takes a while to heat up, the speed of which much depends on the weather. Regardless, for those booking either side of the high season, you are welcome to use the pool though we can't predict that the pool will be up 26°C, our target.

You can relax on one of the many terraces, play games such a table-tennis or boules.

BBQ's are available at your disposal as is the fire pit. The open night skies are perfect for stargazing and sighting shooting stars. Les Chouettes. For young children, there is a little cabin, picnic bench and swings. Games are available both indoors and outdoors.

La Ferme des Tourterelles at Eclance: We are situated in Eclance on the borders of the champagne producing region and the ParkRegional Naturel of the Forest d'Orient. Eclance is a small village nestling in a large clearing surrounded by woods and rolling countryside. It is predominantly a village based on agriculture. La Ferme des Tourterelles used to house dairy cattle whose milk was used by the Eclance cheese maker to make a cheese well known in these parts. Whilst we have been able to revive at least the farm buildings, the cheese maker is now no longer in existance.

Our gardens and pool look out onto the forest of the Regional Park, with the forests and its wildlife protected as a Natura 2000 site. Wildlife is abundant with the seasons greeting different birds as they migrate across our region. Deer and wild boar can also be seen.

There is much to occupy you from visiting the medieval towns of Bar-sur-Aube or Troyes, shopping in the biggest factory outlets at Troyes, having fun at Nigloland the 3rd largest amusement parks in France, following the champagne route discovering great good value champagnes, walking or cycling in the countryside, or partaking in the water sports on the lakes in the Regional Park nearby.

For those living in towns or cities, being set beside a farm, this is a great place to discover the country life. Being close to the Burgundy region, some guests go off on day trips to explore the vineyards and towns of Chablis, Beaune and the Côte d'or, as well as the other Champagne producing regions.

For those who book a week at La Ferme des Tourterelles, a bottle of champagne is on offer from our favourite champagne makers Philippe Legout from Rouvres-les-Vignes.