Pack the house with family, friends or a bunch of musicians and relax contentedly in the sleepy Aube valley. Les Pommiers, with its distinctive little tower, is in a row of old houses in quiet Dancevoir. UK-based owners Nicola and Nick have filled it with lovely French furniture, pretty vintage bedspreads and musical touches; the homely kitchen/diner has all you need to cook on wood burning range or electric cooker. Upstairs is a comfy sitting room with splendid grand piano (available on request) – it’s an airy space where violin teacher Nicola brings her string quintet to rehearse. Bedrooms are upstairs, downstairs or in a quirky converted henhouse with low doorway; they share three bathrooms including a whizzy shower room in the barn. Sit in the lawned garden, pick apples, pears and plums in season – swings, trampoline, ping pong and paddling pool keep youngsters happy. Borrow bikes or walk to a water hole to swim; for supplies try the village shop, or drive 15 minutes to two small towns for more choice. Champagne is in reach for bubbly tastings; for a spot of French history visit Charles de Gaulle’s home village.
