About the House...

La Retraite is a substantial five bedroom, two bathroom property possessing a wonderfully unique character all of its own happily ensconced in amongst large, well laid out gardens. Add to this a cosy, welcoming atmosphere and guests are sure to feel instantly at home!

The entrance to the house brings you into the long, split level hallway with staircase to the upstairs. Under the stairwell an arched door leads into the games room which has its own door out to a small garden enclosed by a white picket fence.

Also on the ground floor is the cosy lounge dominated by a granite fireplace and again the room is split level leading up to the dining area and twelve-seater dining room table. French doors open from here to the patio which runs the length of the front of the house and steps down to the gardens.

The dining room leads through to the large kitchen which also opens out onto the patio and gardens at the front of the house. It is very well equipped and has a microwave, dishwasher and large fridge-freezer with ice making compartment and well as all the usual facilities. A stairwell leads down from the kitchen to the cellar which houses the washing machine and clothes drying area. There is also a downstairs cloakroom/W.C and second lounge/games room with a snooker/pool table.

Upstairs you will find five double bedrooms, a bathroom and a separate shower room. All the bedrooms are large and nicely furnished and currently arranged as three doubles, one twin and one treble room. Travel cot, crib and other baby equipment at your disposal. All bed linen is provided.

Outside there is a double garage and woodstore. Plenty of garden furniture including outside table and chairs and sun loungers. A picnic basket is also provided. For entertainment you will find Satellite television, a DVD player with DVDs, Hi-Fi and a large selection of board games.

About the Location...

Huelgoat is renowned as one of the most beautiful villages in Brittany and is also well known for its spectacular scenery, woodland walks, rock formations and caves which entice hundred of tourists each year. The village is only a five minute walk from the house, just down the lane and over a little bridge across the picturesque lake and you are there!

The 15 hectare lake was created between the 16th and 18th centuries to supply water to local silver-lead mines by means of a 3 km canal. It is popular with tourists and holidaymakers as much for its picturesque setting as its impressive natural location among the vestiges of the ancient forest that once covered inland Brittany. Once part of royal and ducal lands, the 600 hectare forest is now overseen by the French forestry commission and covers an area of over ten square kilometres. Interestingly, the legend of King Arthur began here. A number of geological and prehistoric curiosities can be found by following the trails in and around the village and forest. The tourist office, next to the little bridge that traverses the lake, is just a few minutes walk from the house and will give you all the information you need however some of the local forest attractions are listed below:-

Le Chaos de Rochers, the Chaos of Rocks, is a jumble of hundreds of large boulders below the dammed lake, into which the river vanishes. A 10 m descent down ladders is required to see it again, running rapidly below a dark cave called the Devil's Grotto. La Retraite has one or two of these large boulders in its garden

La Roche Tremblante or Trembling Rock, is a 137-tonne boulder nearby, pivoted so it can be made to rock by a person pushing against one point – no one has so far managed to push it over

Le Champignon, or The Mushroom, is a large rock balanced on a smaller one to give the eponymous appearance – definitely worth a visit!

There is also La Mare aux Fées, the fairies' pool and La Mare aux Sangliers, the wild boar pool, not to mention Le La Grotte d'Artus, or Arthur's Cave, is a natural shelter formed under a roof of jammed rocks.

Many of the walks start near to the house and along one of them you will uncover the “Miroir Aux Fées”, a quaint crêperie in the forest featuring some interesting artwork as well as tasty food.

The village offers many amenities, all within walking distance of La Retraite, including lakeside bars and restaurants, a town square with an abundance of traditional shops, 2 supermarkets (one only five minute’s walk away), cinema, outdoor swimming pool, tennis court, bicycle hire, archery, fishing, boating and golf nearby.

Huelgoat truly is a treasure of a location and very accessible being 2 hours from St Malo, less than an hour from both the ferry port of Roscoff and Brest Airport and less than 45 minutes from the beautiful coast of Brittany. Quimper is also another excellent place to visit and is also approximately 45 minutes drive away. Here is more information on things to do in the surrounding area.