Welcome to Moulin de Malicorne,  set in 6 1/2 acres of beautiful parklands, woods and 
winding rivers in the heart of the Loire Valley. This French vacation home is a former flour mill built around 1800 and converted into a residence by the region's top landscape designer in 1970. The integrity of the 2 1/2-foot-thick stone walls was maintained, and the circular housing for the mill's wheel now serves as a unique bar in the downstairs bedroom. Within minutes of the most famous chateaux of the Loire Valley,  Moulin de Malicorne offers complete tranquility and privacy. Behind its gated entrance, the property features a swimming pool, an acre-sized lake with an island, a small boathouse and row boat,  extensive gardens, woods, waterfalls, rock quarries, and three wine caves.   Just down our quiet country road you'll find amazing troglodyte houses, a 14th Century troglodyte church, 4th Century tombs and scenic places where Joan of Arc rested in her travels. Moulin de Malicorne is the perfect home base for touring the historic castles, abbeys, medieval villages and vineyards of the Loire.  Several small chateaux are within biking distance and many of the famous castles including Chenonceau, Azay-le-Rideau and Chinon are just 20-45 minutes by car.
Welcome to Moulin de Malicorne   Enter

Enjoy your country French holiday at this private, gated villa with 6.5 wooded acres, a swimming pool, fishing lake and rowboat, streams, and waterfalls. The house is a charming 200-year-old stone building with accommodations for 8. This gorgeous France vacation rental is in the heart of the Loire Valley, so you'll be close to vineyards, chateaux, and medieval towns, including Chenonceau, Chambord, Villandry, Tours, Loches, Poitiers, Amboise, and Chinon.

Now with WIFI and 2009 DISCOUNTS!   Click to read GUEST COMMENTS.
Useful Links:
Wikipedia entry about Tours, the large city 30 minutes from Moulin de Malicorne
Chateau de Chenonceau (English version--Chenonceau is the second-most-visited historic site in France, after Versailles)
Wikipedia entry about Chenonceau
Wikipedia entry about the chateau at Chinon
Aerial photos of Chinon
Chateau d'Azay-le-Rideau (English version)
Wikipedia entry about Azay-le-Rideau
Chateau Villandry (click "Enter" for the English version)
Wikipedia entry about Villandry
French-English translation site
currency converter
exchange rate history
French yellow pages
weather in Tours (temps in Celsius)
driving directions and maps (note: the postal code of the Moulin is 37800, and the town is Sainte Maure de Touraine; be sure to click "other continents" and then set the continent to France for both the origin and destination)
rental cars This link is for Europcar, which generally gives good rates. Their number in the USA is 877-940-6900, but they give better rates if you call their French number (+33-1-5566-8300) and pay in advance by credit card--they give a full refund if you need to cancel. Some of their phone reps speak English.
Interesting places in the area (in French)
Ste. Maure de Touraine site
Basket making at Villaine les Rochers (about 20 minutes from Moulin de Malicorne)
Web site of the city of Tours (in French)
Tourism Office of the city of Tours (click on British flag to see English version)
Another Loire Valley chateaux site (in English)
Paris Metro Map
British site about wines in France
The Cadre Noir equestrian school in Saumur (in French only)
Sculptures underground!
Tank museum in Saumur
Healy Communications

GUEST COMMENTS

"I've traveled a lot in Europe but never before experienced this kind of grand place. It's fabulous -- even better than the pictures!"

Andrew P., Grosse Pointe Park, Michigan ___________________________________________________________________________
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"Your property is nothing short of enchanting. Simply gorgeous and picturesque. We picked and ate the plums. We enrolled Billy in a playgroup in Nouatre and they presented him with a "diploma" at the end. Everyone was amazing! We had a wonderful respite."

Ann C., Bayside, New York ___________________________________________________________________________
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"I can't say in english all what I feel so I say thank you, thank you for the days we spent at le Moulin. It is more than a house, it is a palace. We didn't expect such beauty. We saw Loches and castles but most of time we stayed near the house, walked in your "garden" and looked at the landscape.

"We were thrilled to be there and it was very difficult for my friends and I to go away. I thank you also for the fruits and all that was arranged for us. We were very touched by this attention."

Danie L. Paris, France ___________________________________________________________________________
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"We had a lovely time at your beautiful Moulin and your detailed guest information was most helpful -- the horses at 'curie de Grand Champ were just like what you mentioned, full of spirit, and we were taken for a wonderful ride through the sunflower fields. I think your pet geese got used to us very quickly. They were actually approaching us to get their daily snack every time we went out for an evening stroll. Attached is a photo of them in case you miss them!"

Deirdre C., HONG KONG ___________________________________________________________________________
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"We are thrilled with the Moulin. The pictures don't do it justice. It's a HUGE place! The whole house is spotlessly clean -- amazing. Your caretaker must work like crazy every Saturday to keep such a high standard in the house and grounds. We're already feeling a little proprietary about the place. It's a special place you want to care for."

Ellen A., Beverly Hills, CA ___________________________________________________________________________
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"We all wanted to say how much we enjoyed our holiday in your lovely french home, it is truly a magical special place! Sat on the banks of the lake a few nights looking out for the elusive Mr Heron, he never appeared. We did however see kingfishers, a deer, and a beaver/otter (not quite sure).
Thanks for everything,"

Lorraine, Matt, Andrew, Derek, Joan, Robert, Peter, Joy and Lily B., Tyne and Wear, ENGLAND ___________________________________________________________________________
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"Every day in this place is like a gift box to be opened. What a wonderful two weeks to be here with the colors changing. The walks! Everywhere you go turn in every direction it's wonderful to explore and beautiful. And the beds! Everyone said they've never slept better.

"The boys went fishing on the pond -- we even almost pet the geese. We had our anniversary dinner on a farm in Villandry and it was perfect. We visited Fountainbleu and had a wonderful time in Sachay, but we were always happy to return "home."

"It's the perfect place for a family get together -- you know how you try to find some neutral ground where a family can come together without falling into their same patterns as they would at home, falling into their same areas of worry and concern. My heavens, how lovely that everybody responded with such joy to this place -- it was just what we wanted.

"We never expected it to be this good. I hoped to do the things you suggested and have done all of them. Your name has been passed around -- the duck soup you suggested was so good and everyone said 'Jeanne how did you learn to do this?'"

"The visions of this place will stay with us forever."

Jeanne C., Mercer Island, Washington ___________________________________________________________________________
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"The Moulin is beautiful and the touches you left are so welcoming. We are enjoying the house and grounds, the geese -- even the Spring rain. Everywhere I go on the property, it's so peaceful."

Kathleen L -- San Carlos, California ___________________________________________________________________________
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"We were so delighted when we first drove through the front gates and realised that this huge, beautiful property was our destination! The house itself is so charming with everything you need to live the French country good life. We couldn't believe we had the whole place to ourselves -- huge gardens, a pool, several streams with little waterfalls, and our very own lake, complete with a row boat and "goose island." The bicycles were perfect for getting into the nearby towns and checking out the area. It was an easy drive to plenty of other towns and chateaux but honestly I was quite content to just relax most days - the immediate surroundings were hard to beat!"

Colleen B., Belfast, IRELAND ___________________________________________________________________________
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"First of all...what an amazing piece of heaven you have in the Moulin!!!
"We had such a perfect get-away-from-our-busy-lives holiday!
A real slow down!
And in a paradise!
Hated to leave!
Wonderful Birthday Celebration for Pamela!"

Gail H., Beach Haven, New Jersey ___________________________________________________________________________
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"We had a lovely stay in your mill. It was delightful. We would love to come back there again another time, but that could be a long way off. [Your caretakers] were a delight and it was fun to practise my terrible French on them. They were very helpful."

Tasmin T., SAUDI ARABIA ___________________________________________________________________________
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"Just wanted to tell you that your house instructions are the best we've ever seen, and we've rented a LOT of houses! Thanks very much,"

Marnie C., Niagra-on-the-Lake, ONTARIO, CANADA ___________________________________________________________________________
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"Our family had an amazing time at your wonderful Moulin. We were able to gather our own children and enjoy the beauty, the quiet, and just being together. All of us were very comfortable. I was able to get to the market on Sunday but was happy to have milk, wine and cheese, bread and fruit waiting for us. That was so helpful. The weather allowed us to read and relax around the pool. The geese made us laugh and became used to our troup. All of us feel refreshed. The moulin worked miracles on us. Thanks for sharing it with us."

Anne J., Pelham Manor, New York ___________________________________________________________________________
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"I do so want to thank you for the opportunity of visiting Malicorne; an idyllic setting in a glorious part of France and one which to which we hope to return.
[Your caretakers] are quite delightful and we very much appreciated their friendly advice and guidance.

"Sincere thanks on behalf of my family,"

Lizzie M., Baltimore, Maryland and guests from London, ENGLAND ___________________________________________________________________________
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"Lovely property. I keep imagining the first time you drove in here and said, Shizammmm!"

Bill D., New York ___________________________________________________________________________
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"The Moulin was just what we needed. Thanks for your excellent service, Maureen. Also, your information about the area and restaurants was priceless!"

Leslie L., Wheaton, Illinois ___________________________________________________________________________
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"I have recommended your home to several friends you may be hearing from. Thanks again for a great 60th Birthday for my husband."

Pam P., Michigan ___________________________________________________________________________
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