The story begins with our grandparents, who fell in love with this exceptional forest located north-west of Tours, at the heart of a 1,200-hectare woodland estate housing a complex of 16 buildings. My grandfather, passionate about the forest and nature, wanted to create here a place for living, passing on traditions and putting down roots. This passion gave rise to this family estate, which has remained intimately linked to its natural surroundings ever since. Around ten years ago, La Trigalière began a new chapter in its history by becoming a holiday destination. Today, five of the estate’s 16 houses are offered as “year-round country homes”, continuing its residential history whilst adding a service-oriented dimension. This house is one of them.
The Trigalière estate is distinguished by its extensive architectural layout, directly linked to the scale of its woodland. It forms a complex where architecture, landscape and forest are inseparable. Here, the heritage is not ostentatious; it is discreet, deeply rooted, shaped by time and by an ongoing relationship between man and nature. The built environment consists of a cluster of buildings scattered throughout the forest, bearing witness to several centuries of occupation and successive uses. The heart of the estate centres on a former hunting lodge, extended at the end of the 19th century, which today forms the historic and symbolic centre of the property. Surrounding it are the outbuildings, whose original functions are preserved in their names: the Drying House, the Kitchen Garden, the Pottery Workshop and the Stables. As you move away from this centre, the buildings are scattered throughout the woodland in the form of hamlets or isolated houses. Among them, “La Girardière”, a stone-built house, is characterised by its terracotta-plastered facades, punctuated by simple window frames, its white beams, and a double-quarter-turn wooden staircase. The gabled roof combines tiles and rows of slate, in keeping with local tradition. Situated two kilometres from the chateau, it is accessible via a track from the village road.
Since the 15th century, the draining of the region’s marshes has shaped the landscape of La Trigalière, which has gradually become surrounded by a vast forest setting. The oak and maritime pine trees here long facilitated the practice of resin tapping, an activity involving the harvesting of tree resin, before it disappeared with the advent of plastic in the early 20th century. In 1840, the original farmhouse was replaced by an elegant English-style chateau, nicknamed “La Trigalière Cottage”. Having served as a manor house and then a hunting lodge, it has seen the estate transform over the centuries: mixed-farming estates, meadows and forests of birch, pine and heathland have shaped this living landscape. In 1972, our grandparents bought the estate, which had been severely scarred by a fire that had destroyed much of the forest, and set about reforesting it. Since then, three generations have succeeded one another in preserving and enhancing this natural and architectural heritage, whose buildings—historically comprising longhouses, a local style emblematic of the region—were designed to be both living spaces and serve as agricultural or forestry buildings.
The country house, fully furnished and well-maintained, combines contemporary comfort without ever severing the link with its local architecture, the soul of the place and the experience of a living heritage, deeply rooted in its natural environment. Residents have access to all the estate’s services and facilities: bicycles, a heated swimming pool, an archery range, a boules court, a fitness trail, as well as the forest covering over a 1,000 hectares. "L’étang des Trois Frères", the largest of the estate’s eight ponds, stretches its peaceful shores around a swimming area and invites visitors to enjoy water sports. On one of its banks, a lakeside café has been set up, extending into a landscaped beach. This freedom of movement and use is an integral part of the holiday experience, centred on space, silence and the slow passage of time. Daily life is made easier thanks to comprehensive management of the property: upkeep of the grounds, technical maintenance – heating, electricity, drainage. Everything is handled by the estate, freeing the occupants from any worries. The package also includes energy bills, internet, taxes and insurance, a dedicated contact person, a concierge service, grocery delivery, firewood and a Christmas tree. In winter, the fire is ready, the house is heated on arrival and kept at a comfortable temperature between stays, combining the feel of a private country home with the comfort, ease and support usually associated with exceptional holiday destinations. On top of this, additional services can be added as desired: catering, cleaning or specific activities, allowing the experience to be tailored without ever being standardised. Finally, guests are invited to take part in the life of the estate throughout the seasons: the “Nuits des forêts” festival, Christmas markets, open-air dance evenings, wellness days, and free activities offered during the summer holidays.
The Chateau de Champchevrier, still inhabited by the same family, maintains a close connection with the forest and hunting traditions. The Chateau de Gizeux charms with its intimate atmosphere and painted decor. The markets of Savigné-sur-Lathan and Neuillé-Pont-Pierre offer a glimpse of everyday life in Touraine: local producers, artisans and seasonal stalls. The narrow roads leading to Chateau-la-Vallière and the villages in the north of Indre-et-Loire are home to unassuming antique dealers and unexpected treasures. The valleys of the Pays de Gâtine, still relatively unknown, offer long, peaceful walks through woods, meadows and farmland. Discovering the region also involves simple pleasures: walking along small country lanes, observing wildlife, fishing in a pond, stepping inside a wash house, a village church or a secluded manor house. These experiences form an intimate landscape, true to the spirit of the Trigalière estate: a way of life characterised by a slow pace, curiosity and an appreciation for modest yet lived-in places.
"La Girardière", a 100 m² house, features a main entrance opening onto a living room with a 2.11 m high ceiling, with an open-plan kitchen leading to a bedroom with a shower room on the right and, on the left, two separate toilets and a second bedroom with a shower room. A staircase in the living room leads to the converted attic floor, which is a third bedroom. The house is fitted with a heat pump supplying radiators in all rooms. The terrace is equipped with garden furniture and a barbecue. Monthly rent subject to a 12-month commitment and lease.
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Des balades accompagnées par un éco-guide permettent d’en apprendre davantage sur la faune, la flore et l’histoire du lieu. Le domaine abrite un arboretum du chêne qui réunit aujourd’hui plus de 800 espèces et variétés de chênes provenant du monde entier. Ce jeune arboretum a dans son futur une visée à la fois d’agrément et scientifique. Un de ses enjeux est entre autres de tester de nouvelles essences qui pourraient s’implanter dans notre région tourangelle et ainsi venir alimenter la diversité d’essences de notre forêt en ce moment de mutation climatique. Des «bains de forêt», encadrés par des professionnels, offrant une véritable parenthèse nature, sont également proposés. .
“Énigmes au Château” sont des escapes games en pleine nature invitant à parcourir les chemins, à observer les bâtiments anciens, à relier les indices dispersés dans le paysage. Parfois, des comédiens viennent incarner intrigues historiques, enquêtes ou récits fantastiques, transformant le domaine en décor d’aventure.
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