Getting there
From Calais the new autoroutes now take you direct from the port
to the Burgundy, via Reims and Troyes. Alternatively you can drive from Le Havre, via Paris and then on the newly
opened connection via Troyes. In both cases, you should have an easy run of about four to five hours, our house
being approximately 20 minutes drive from the nearest autoroute exit. This means that the house can normally be
reached in one day - one of the reasons we chose this area. Paris Charles de Gaulle airport is about two hours
drive away for those preferring to fly.
About the area
The village of Dancevoir nestles in the upper Aube valley in
a region where the high plains of the Cote d'Or merge into the rolling forest-covered hills and lush valleys of
Haute Marne, one of the least populated 'departements' of France "Ici la vie est naturelle" is the departmental
motto; open natural, uninterrupted countryside contrasts the sophisticated delights of the towns, chateaux and
vineyards of Cote d'Or. A short way to the north is the 'Petit Champagne' - a champagne producing area centred
round Colombey-les-Deux-Eglises, famous retirement home of General de Gaulle.
About the village
The village of Dancevoir consists almost exclusively of lovely
old stone houses and barns, some dating back to the 15th century; there is a privately-owned chateau. a church
and a 17th century public 'laverie' (wash-house), now occupied by fish. Dancevoir has its own nearby 'foret domaniale',
an easy walk from the house, crossing the river valley, but the delightful small town of Arc-en-Barrois, 18 km
away, boasts the largest 'domanial' forest in France. This is excellent walking or biking country - on the quiet
undulating country lanes, or the traffic-free forest tracks. There is a selection of mountain bikes at the house
for careful use by guests - three adult size and three children's size. More can easily be hired in Arc-en-Barrois.
Other activities in the village include a public tennis court, available to all, "practice" racquets
are at the house or bring your own racquets, and a children's playground. Golf course and horseriding in Arc-en-Barrois.
There is much wildlife - deer, wild boar, birds - and many rare varieties of wild orchid are to be found within
walking distance of the house as well as other wild flowers during the spring and summer months.
Things to do while you're there
This is a wonderful place to stay for people looking for a relaxed
holiday in a really comfortable house in a very French environment. Our day normally starts with a stroll to the
village shop to collect fresh bread and croissants for breakfast - a short diversion to have a look at the river
Aube is pretty standard on a sunny morning. Then back for breakfast on the sunny sheltered south-facing courtyard
while the day's activities or excursions are planned. The Chateaux at Tanlay, Ancy-le-Franc and Bussy-Rabutin,
Fontenay Abbey, the historic towns of Langres, Troyes and Dijon, the source of the Seine, and dozens of smaller
sites of interest are within an hour's drive - suitable for a half-day out, perhaps culminating with lunch in one
of the many excellent small restaurants which abound in this part of France. Beaune,Chablis, Vezelay, the hills
and forests of the Morvan, the wine villages of La Cote (Clos de Vougeot, Gevrey-Chambertin) are a little further
afield, but accessible for a day out, perhaps with a splendid picnic. For hot sunny summer days, there are several
lakes in the area landscaped for swimming and leisure, including the very pretty lake at Marcenay, about half-an
hour's drive - with a plage (above pic) where swimming and boating can be enjoyed with a picnic or an excellent
lunch at the restaurant there. There are larger lakes near Langres. Chatillon-sur-Seine - 15 minutes away - has
a public swimming pool.
You can't stay in the Burgundy without sampling some of its excellent wines - this is a wine-lovers paradise. Our
nearest vineyard is at Massingy - ten minutes drive. They now have an excellent guided tour of the cellars. We
also suggest Bouix, LesRiceys (famous for its vin rose), Montsaugeon, and the champagne producers near Colombey-les-Deux-Eglises.
All will be pleased to offer you their wines to taste. We often drive into Arc-en-Barrois where there is a 'marchand
de vin' - he will be delighted to let you sample the various wines he keeps in old wooden barrels in the ancient
cellars which lie beneath the town.
For children, there is a zoo near Montbard (an hour away), a friendly theme park with the unfortunate name of Nigloland
about an hour's drive north, and the lake at Marcenay for swimming and boating. Nearer home, there are the woods
and forests for family walks or cycle rides. There is a delightful deer park at Chateauvillain, lovely for walking
and feeding the very tame deer. The small towns of Arc-en Barrois and Chatillon-sur-Seine are fun to explore (visit
the Museum, situated in a beautiful Renaissance house and displaying the 'Tresor de Vix', amazing Estruscan treasure).
The 'Cascade d'Etufs' is just down the road, and off course, you may just decide to spend a day wandering around
the village and relaxing in the pretty walled garden behind the house - a lunchtime barbecue might appeal. Children
love to walk down to the river for a splash or to catch tiddlers. Dinner at one of the local restaurants would
round the day off nicely. For cooler evenings, dinner in front of the kitchen log fire is cosy - we often cook
on the open fire indoors - see picture above. Full instructions for the superb " Gigot a la ficelle"
are in the house folder - it's easy.
Dancevoir is a very friendly village - fairly sleepy, though livelier in July and August when visitors from French
towns and cities come for a couple of weeks peace and fresh air. Dutch and Swiss families have houses in the village,
and there are Belgians and Portuguese living there too - quite an 'international' community! A children's summer
school is held in the village in July - ask for information if interested. Bastilleday (July 14) is celebrated
in the village.and there is a festival the first week end in August.
The house
This is our own house, and we have renovated, furnished and equipped
it to a very good standard including a fully automatic electric central heating system. It is a 17th century village
house with barns, set back from the quiet village street and opposite the church, with an integral pigeonnier (pigeon
tower). There is a large gravelled courtyard in front of the house completely enclosed by a high stone wall and
high metal gates, with shrubs and plants around the edges - plenty of space for secure parking and for children
to play safely.
A door leads from the courtyard direct into the kitchen/living/dining
room, a splendid room about 25 feet long by 21 feet wide, with stone paved floor and heavily oak-beamed Burgundian
ceiling. There is a large open fireplace - superb for cooking - and antique pine furniture. The far corner is well
equipped as a kitchen with full cooker, sink, dishwasher and a fridge. (Microwave and freezer in the adjacent 'arriere
cuisine, washing machine in adjacent barn.) Door leads to study-bedroom with single divan plus a single good quality
folding bed. Door to a double bedroom with en suite shower room and w.c. between the two rooms. A door leads from
the main room via the 'arriere cuisine' to the rear courtyard terrace and garden. (The 'arriere-cuisine' is a small
second kitchen with original stone sink.)
Open turning oak stairs lead up to the elegant large sitting room, again
about 25 feet by 21 with a magnificent Burgundian stone fireplace now with a powerful woodbuming stove. Antique
oak floor with Indian rugs, very comfortable sitting furniture, television, DVD and hi-fi (tuner and CD). The room
has a large window at each end overlooking the courtyard at the front and the garden to the rear - a truly delightful
sitting room. Off the sitting room, there are two bedrooms - one double and one triple plus cot/child's bed suitable
for up to 4 years - and a full bathroom with combined bath/shower and w.c. Both double beds are king-size, with
top quality mattresses.
There is a highchair available. We have also provided a table tennis table (play indoors or out), bikes as mentioned
above, a darts board, boules (the front courtyard is ideal for this), and some indoor games. There is a telephone
(calls made are deducted from a pre-paid deposit).
A door leads from the main room via the' arriere cuisine' to the rear courtyard terrace and garden. Step out onto
the rear gravelled terrace, sheltered and south-facing, which opens out to the garden, stone-wall enclosed. There
is a barbecue on the terrace.
Beyond the terrace, the garden opens out to grass and fruit trees, about half-an-acre in all so plenty of space
to disappear with a chair, a good book and a large glass of chilled Aligote. On the far side of the high stone
garden wall is the chateau's 'potager', and many mature trees, with the wooded far side of the Aube valley rising
in the background.
Eating out
Restaurants come and go, so for up-to-date information consult
our visitors' information at the house. Many of the villages have a restaurant, including Dancevoir. Arc en Barrois
has a number of good restaurants, Chateauvillain has an excellent restaurant in a rather unprepossessing modern
building over the local 'cave' - top up your containers with wine, then treat yourself to lunch. Prices in the
area are generally quite reasonable - around 15 euros to 25 euros plus wine for gourmet menus in the fermes auberges
or smarter restaurants. Try the main restaurant at the Lac de Marcenay - details at the house.
Buying wine and shopping
Arc-en-Barrois and Chateauvillain are about 15 minutes drive
away, Chatillon-sur-Seine 20 minutes, Chaumont 30 minutes. In Dancevoir, there is the village shop -open morning
and early evening every day except Monday. Travelling shops - bakers, butchers, grocers, cheese and dairy products,
greengrocery, fish - visit the village during the week; most stop outside the house (full details at the house).
'Casino' supermarket in Arc, as well as two bakers, two butcher/charcutiers and other small shops. Medium sized
supermarket and other shops in Chateauvillain. Larger supermarkets and plenty of shops in Chatillon; commercial
centre with hypermarkets and good shops in Chaumont. Markets in Chatillon-sur-Seine and Chaumont.
We are confident in offering our house and our corner of France to
discerning francophiles. A recent visitor said after her visit 'we thought the house was wonderful, and the area
so beautiful - the nicest holiday we have had in France for absolutely years!'
Bookings and further information: contact Janet Rankin e-mail
janet@certainaspects.co.uk, phone 01424 830279 or fax 01424 830706.
PRICES 2006
From £375 to £725 per week -
please call Janet on 01424 830279 for details.
Comments from previous guests...
'We thought the house was wonderful, and the area so beautiful
- the nicest holiday we have had in France for absolutely years!'
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