The Gîte la Tour d’Aligre, located in Eure-et-Loir (in the Centre-Val de Loire region), in the Perche area to be more precise, gave me the opportunity to experience a little cocooning weekend with fellow bloggers last February.
For this getaway, I was accompanied by Laure from Copines de Bons Plans, Lucie from Salade et quoi ? and Christelle from the blog Les Petites Douceurs de Cricri. Everyone came with their little family and I came with my favorite photographer. It was fun to spend a weekend like that with blogger friends whom I cross paths with regularly, but getting together like this in a gîte for a weekend was a unique and really nice experience. I think I would do it again!
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Table of Contents
The Gîte de la Tour d’Aligre
This ideal group gîte is housed in a superb historic building, the Tour d’Aligre, which immediately gives it a lot of charm. Originally, there was a castle on this land that was destroyed, and on that site was later built—for the Duchess of Aligre (hence the name)—the hunting lodge that we see today. The place is obviously large (330 m2) and intended for 15/18 people maximum. It really is the ideal place for family reunions or weekends with friends.
Practical info: the gîte is located in the town of Champrond-en-Gâtine in Eure-et-Loir near Chartres, about 1h45 by car from Paris.
On-site, we were welcomed by Stéphane, the host of La Tour d’Aligre who gave us a little tour of the place. The gîte can be rented for a weekend or by the night depending on your needs and with no specific arrival or departure time, which is quite practical. There are 4 "adult" bedrooms with double beds (including the superb attic room called the "Marquise’s bedroom"), one bedroom with single beds for children, and a large room with 2 sofa beds, also double. Some bedrooms have their own bathroom, and there is also a large bathroom with 2 showers and 2 sinks next to the rooms that do not have a private bathroom.
Highlights of Gîte la Tour d’Aligre:
- a large kitchen, super well-equipped (oven, dishwasher, coffee machine, ice maker, refrigerators…) + a large table for large meals.
- a beautiful circular room in the building’s tower with a magnificent fireplace (I admit that we spent quite a bit of time in this room in front of the fire, it was so pleasant!).
- a large indoor and heated swimming pool, therefore usable all year round (a note to fans of midnight swims).
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Things to do on-site and in the area around the gîte in the Perche
During this little weekend in Eure-et-Loir, we obviously enjoyed the gîte, but we also did some interesting outings in the surroundings. So, I will share with you below my few recommendations for good addresses to discover and activities to do not far from the gîte.
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Visit a goat cheese farm
If you want to taste good goat cheeses made in the area, I recommend visiting the ferme de Capri Perche, which offers delicious products. And if you have a little time, don’t hesitate to go say hello to the goats; they are quite funny.
Cheese prices: crottin €1.90; Perch’rond €2.80; log €4.50; Trèfle du Perche (house specialty) €3.20; faisselle €2.70.
EARL Capri'Perche, goat cheese producer La Richarderie 28480 Frétigny
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Get a massage at home
What a pleasure to get a massage next to a fireplace! I had never tried it, but honestly, it is a particularly relaxing experience with the little sound of the crackling fire during the massage, which really relaxes you. In the surroundings of the gîte, you can call on Marina (who is also an osteopath) from Excursion Détente, who offers very well-done massages.
Massage at home with Excursion Détente Price: one-hour signature massage €42 Booking excursion_detente@outlook.fr or call 0625258581
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Where to eat right next to the gîte? Restaurant le Sébastopol
This restaurant is very practical because it is truly located less than a 5-minute walk from the gîte. It can be a lifesaver if you don’t feel like cooking too much. In addition, the restaurant offers local products on its menus, which is particularly appreciable.
My recommendations: test the local cider, it is really very good and the L’Eurélienne beer that I also like a lot and which I had already told you about on the blog.
Restaurant Le Sébastopol 24 Grande Rue, 28240 Champrond-en-Gâtine Slate formula (from Friday evening to Sunday and public holidays): appetizer + main or main + dessert for €18.90 / appetizer + main + dessert €23.90 The good deal: weekday menu from Monday to Friday noon €13 with appetizer, main, dessert and a glass of wine or a glass of lemonade Good to know: you can also order dishes and take them away to eat at the gîte! Open every noon and only Friday and Saturday evening
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Do an escape game in Thiron-Gardais
You know that I really like escape games. I actually have an article where I list and recommend those that I have already tested in Paris. If you want to know more about the escape game concept, I recommend you go take a look! Located about 20 minutes by car from the gîte, the Escape is installed in a historic place, the Grange aux Dîmes of the Domaine de l’Abbaye. This building was built in the 15th century by the monks of the abbey to store the tithe (tax paid in kind to the monks). Just next to the building, you can also visit the abbey church of Thiron-Gardais for those who are interested.
There are 2 rooms in this escape game, the Moines de l’Abbaye and the Studio-Cinema. For our part, our team did the Studio-Cinéma because the other room is more for beginners. But we were almost the last to do this room because it was expected to be replaced soon. It’s a shame because we found it really very nice, notably with real sets from old French films.
L'Escape Domaine de l'Abbaye Grange aux Dîmes, 18 rue de l'Abbaye 28480 Thirons-Gardais Open all year, from Tuesday to Sunday Price: from €20 per person on weekdays / from €22 per person on weekends (degressive rates depending on the number of players)
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Thanks to La Tour d’Aligre for this invitation to this relaxing weekend in Eure-et-Loir.
I hope that with all this, I will have made you want to discover the Perche and the Gîte de la Tour d’Aligre, and if you also have your own good addresses and tips for this destination, do not hesitate to share them in the comments below!
Photo credits: Nicolas Diolez and Melle Bon Plan Photos are not royalty-free, photographer's authorization required before any use
