11 Grand Rue

11 Grand Rue, Hyds, 03600 Auvergne Directions See map The house is the last, but one, property at the Malicorne end of the village of Hyds. It is the white fronted house opposite the cross / shrine.

If you have sat. nav. then input the post code and address (above) or, D37, Hyds. From Clermont-Ferand, the nearest airport – follow the A71 to Montmaurault (J11), then the D4 towards Montaigut after about 4 miles turn right on to the D37 and follow to Hyds, pass the church and town hall (on the left) and continue to the far end of the village. The property is on the left 100 yds after the Colombier turning,

(Your sat. nav. may take you on a more picturesque route via Doyet or St Bonnet- de-Four and Leroux-des-Beaune.) Another route reducing the amount of motorway driving is to come off at J12a and approach the property from the south via St Eloy-les-Mines and Montaigut. From Limoges for flights from Liverpool -. there is an interesting route across country but on the main roads the house is less than 2 hours away. Take the A20 (toll free) north to J23 then the N145 past Gueret to Montlucon. Go through Montlucon along the river then take the D2371 toward Moulin / Macon / Vichy. Climb out of Montlucon, after Chamblet turn right at the roundabout towards Commentry then left at the next roundabout towards Malicorne (this is the new Commentry bypass and may not be on your sat nav). Go over three roundabouts and take the 4th exit at the 4th roundabout (Malicorne / Commentry Vieux Bourg) go over speed bumps, through Vieux Bourg and over a level crossing. At the roundabout at the edge of Malicorne turn right on to the D37 to Hyds. The house is the second property on the right as you enter the village after 2.8 miles. The drive is immediately after the road narrows sign. From the channel - there are various alternatives depending upon where you cross; whether you choose to go through Paris or avoid the city, to the east or to the west. The direct approach from Paris is to take the A10 to Orleans then the A71 to J11 (Montmarault). An alternative route is to by pass Paris to the west, from from J6 of the A1 (just south of Ch. De Gaulle) take the N/A104 to the A6, go east, then take the A77 / N7 to Moulin. From Moulin take the N79 to Montmarault. From Montmarault pick up the directions from the A71 (above). This route is probably 30 miles longer but may avoid Paris traffic, it takes in part of the Loire valley and will save you some 20 euros in tolls from Paris.

Access There are driveways on both sides of the house. It is safe to drive on to the garden from the west (Montmarault end) drive. This gives access to the garage if required. You will need to use the small key to unlock the gates – this key also opens the under stairs store. The front door is not used. Please climb the steps at the rear of the property. There are two keys one to the door shutter and one to the inner door. The door shutter can be tricky, particularly to close, so please leave this open for the duration of your stay, the door lock is sufficiently secure. To open the shutter, please turn the key clockwise then turn the lever into the vertical position. The door will open as normally but to lock it you need to lift the handle in order to turn the key. If arriving at night there is automatic security lighting at the rear of the house. Also a lantern on the steps operated from a switch next to the cave door (first door at the bottom of the steps) and from the kitchen. Keys to the garage and the cave are in the top drawer as you enter the kitchen. Access to the cave is necessary for access to the hot water boiler, central heating / pool heater, air conditioning unit and overflow (beer / wine) fridge. There are also sun loungers and various games including a table tennis table. Upon entering the property please ensure that you turn on the water heater – plug above the central heating boiler on the left hand side of the cave – the water will take a few hours to heat. All windows are shuttered, please open as you require and secure back to the wall using the fittings provided. Please don’t force them to secure them as some of the hinge pins can work loose.

Emergency contact information Hazel - +447874 850689 Graham – +447930 324524 Hospital / Doctors – there is a hospital in Montlucon and a medical centre in Commentry. Dr Jeudy in Montmarault has surgeries on Mondays and Thursdays – 1.30 to 5.00pm – (+33 4 70 07 36 08). For emergency medical assistance dial – 15 For police – 17 For fire service – 18 Security / Safety The village is quiet but please close and lock any windows and doors if you leave the house, close shutters if leaving vacant overnight. The house is within the confines of the village but fast traffic can’t be ruled out. Please be aware that traffic may approach from an unfamiliar direction and ensure that children are aware. Locking the gates should keep the give peace of mind. The pool being raised presents a limited hazard. The outside steps can easily be removed by removing two cotter pins if you are concerned about young children. There may be sharp or otherwise dangerous items in the garage and there are pool chemicals in the locked store under the steps. Please keep children out of these areas. The 2nd floor / attic space has yet to be renovated and is out of bounds. Please do not climb or allow children to climb the metal staircase to the attic.

Shower Despite our best efforts the shower leaks a little into the cave. Use the shower – use the jets but please don’t sit on the seat; that would be asking for trouble! Toilet There are a couple of bends before the soil pipe so please ensure that the toilet has flushed properly after use. In case of blockage there is a plunger in the loo. This shouldn’t be necessary. Washing machine It is a top loader situated in the bathroom. Turn the machine on using the far right hand button. Select your programme and temperature and start the machine using the button with the diamond symbol. Dishwasher Integrated and under the draining board. Please avoid discount tablets bought in France, they don’t clean. Cooker /gas It is a Calor unit. The gas bottle and a replacement, should it be required, are situated under the steps. TV/ DVD etc. The satellite dish points to the Astra satellite so British Freeview channels are available. It may be necessary to retune after a storm. Please feel free to connect other equipment.

Heating You shouldn’t need it and at present all radiators are off apart from the balance radiator in the bathroom. If you need to use the heating then the boiler is situated in the cave. Please turn radiators on with care. The room thermostat is in the lounge. Air conditioning The unit has yet to be hard wired. Please ensure that the unit is plugged in, in the cave and that there is a suitable container to catch water produced by the system. The unit is controlled by the remote control holstered to the wall in the lounge Swimming pool

Please don’t jump or dive in, the pool is not that deep!

Please ensure that children are supervised at all times and the golden rule is don’t swim alone. Keep clean water in the bucket at the bottom of the pool steps and use as a foot bath to minimise debris in the pool. The pool housing (decking) is there to support the pool please do not walk on it. The decking may not support your weight. To retain the temperature of water in the pool please ensure that the solar cover is on when not in use. Removing the cover is a two person job (one each end of the roller) to ensure that the cover does not catch on the pool edge and goes on the roller evenly. It is best put back on the pool with the help of a person in the water. Pool controls are situated under the steps but you shouldn’t need to touch these. Andy will attend regularly to ensure that the pool controls and chemical balance are in order. In case of difficulty please ring Andy (+33 4 70 07 37 07). The filtration and circulation system is on a timer. There is a skimmer to remove debris from the surface of the pool. Pool heating is via the domestic heating system. To heat the pool you will need to turn on the heating at the boiler in the cave and run it at a high boiler and room thermostat setting. Ensure that all radiators are off, that is except the balance radiator in the bathroom. The cost of heating the pool is a warm bathroom. It shouldn’t be necessary in the summer. If you must heat the pool then disconnect the pump from the timer under the steps and reconnect to ensure that there is permanent filtration and circulation in order to heat the pool. It should not be necessary to touch the pump / filter controls. There are lights on the pool decking for use in the evening. To turn these on the switch is located on a transformer under the steps next to the pump. There is also a decorative light in the wall of the garage – please plug it in at the switch inside the garage side door.

Rubbish Rubbish is collected on Monday evenings, please leave secured bags at the end of the drive, ready for collection each Monday or on your departure. If concerned about storing rubbish between collections, there is a tip on the Colombier road out of Commentry. Plastic and glass should be recycled at local collection points, there is certainly one at Vieux Bourg between Malicorne and Commentry. Shopping There is a boulangerie 100 yds from the house, please note the bakers are not open on Mondays., otherwise they are open in the mornings and late afternoon to early evening (there are other bakers in Commentry). Aside from bread and pastries the boulangerie sells sweets and local produce such as honey and cheese. Commentry has sufficient to cater for every day needs with many shops and a number of supermarkets. Intermarche, Carrefour, Lidl and Aldi are clearly sign posted. There is a Lidl and a Spar at St-Eloy-les-Mines. There are Auchen and Carrefour hypermarkets in Montlucon. Please note that all but the hypermarkets will close between noon and 2pm every day. Sunday opening is also restricted. Markets Sunday – Neris- les-Bains Sunday – Ville Gauzel (Montlucon, north bank, near Carrefour) Tuesday – Cosne – d’Allier Wednesday – Montmarault Friday – Commentry Saturday – Montlucon

Tourist information The book case in the lounge contains a number of maps and guides. Please feel free to use these and add to this information. Please replace any maps and feel free to leave behind any that you have finished with. If you want more help there are tourist information offices in Neris-les-Bains and in Montlucon. For the Montlucon office follow “Centre Ville” and you will see it sign posted on the right as you approach the town centre. There is inexpensive parking in Place St. Marie just before you reach the office. This will also give easy access to the old town (see the Montlucon maps). The tourist information offices will assist with booking attractions but many of these have a smattering of English if your French is not up to it. Ideas for things to do. To be frank we have a lot of exploring still to do so please add anything to our visitors book for us and future guests. You are in a quiet and rural part of France but there is still plenty to do. -

Buy wine, beer and Pastis: relax in the garden by the pool.

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The area lends itself to walking and cycling, there is a detailed map in the bookcase.

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Wine and cheese is produced locally. Explore! There is a wine cave in Montmauralt and wine is certainly produced at St-Porcain-sur-Souile.

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Keep an eye on village notice boards and look out for newspapers and flyers in shops and bars for local events.

- Fishing – there are many rivers and lakes but please check the situation with regard to permission / permits. -

Football – the French take their social sport very seriously and there are pitches at Malicorne and at the eastern end of Hyds.

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By all means navigate by sat.nav., but be prepared for some interesting journeys! Check a map first, the terrain is varied and some very minor roads are used.

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Lapeyrouse (8 miles) – turn right, then first right to Columbier. Turn left at the 11th century church and follow the D998 to Lapeyrouse. Go over one roundabout then through the village and at the second roundabout take the first exit into the park. (there are many other routes). There is a beach on a small lake with pedalos and a small bar. The lake is certainly suitable for swimming and possibly fishing but please check whether a permit or permission is required.

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Sailing is certainly possible at St.- Eloy-les-Mines and on the Gueret side of Montlucon but you will need to look into the hire situation.

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“Montez Arbres” (14 miles) continue past Lapeyrouse towards Ebreuil. Pass Echassieres and at the highest point of the road (la Bosse) you will see “Wolfermines” a mine / mineral attraction on the right hand side. Turn sharp left and after ½ mile you will come to “Montez Arbres” (+33 4 70 90 46 71). This is an adrenalin fuelled (“Go Ape” type) attraction with various grades of climbs and some good zip wires. The site is twinned with “Alphea” the Ebreuil based canoe / kayak attraction (see below) for a varied day out.

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The river Sioule runs through the region from the Massif Central down to St.-Porcain-sur-Sioule before joining the Allier river below Moulins. There are many bars, restaurants and attractions along the river, in particular canoeing / kayaking.

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At “Alphea” at Ebreuil (+33 4 70 90 77 64) you can combine a half day on the river with “Montez Arbres” (above). Longer, full day, descents are available and on cooler days the Ebreuil venue has the benefit of hot showers at the end.

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The river is perhaps a little more interesting upstream and we found “Canoe Yak” at St Gal- sur-Sioule (between Ebreuil and Chouvigny) (+33 4 70 90 99 90) very enjoyable and good value for money.

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There are also venues at Menat (“Sioule Loisiers” +33 4 73 85 52 87) and Chatauneuf-les-Bains ( “Auvergen Adventure” +33 4 73 86 68 40). All venues offer half or full day trips, please see the litarature available and if you come across others please let us know.

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On all canoe trips you are advised to wear shoes (you may have to walk if stuck in shallow water) and to carry a change of clothing and a towel. Dry containers are provided for clothes, cameras and any picnic: there are bars and restaurants along the river.

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Puy du Dome (50 to 70 miles depending on route) – the name of the area and also of the volcano. Mont D’ore is a skiing area near Clermont Ferand which will doubtless have summer attractions.

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Vulcania in the Puy du Dome area is a volcano attraction. It is worth a trip particularly on a day when the weather is less kind. There are lots of interactive activities and a few amusing 3D presentations / simulations. Cost is 21 euros adults and 15 euros for children. Allow a full day to do it justice and there are firework displays on selected summer Wednesdays.

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Adjacent to “Vulcania” is a similar attraction Le Volcan de Lemptegy. This appears to be much more outdoor based and takes in an actual volcano crater. There are firework displays here also.

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Montlucon (15 miles) – contemporary city with many shops, bars and restaurants and attractive medieval town at its heart

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Neris-les-Bains (10 miles) – quiet spa town, with antique shops and cafes. For the energetic there is a walk to Montlucon on a disused railway line. There is also crazy golf with an inexpensive internet café/ bar (1 euro for 30 mins.) attached: “Bar du mini golf”, 1 Rue Morceau (+33 4 70 09 06 86).

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Moulins – (35 miles)

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Vichy (50 miles) – large spa city with many riverside restaurants.

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Clermont-Ferrand (60 miles) – the region’s capital. Home of Clermont Auvergne rugby club – see their web site for matches and spectator training sessions. There is also rugby at Montlucon and Commentry.

Bars / restaurants -

There is a guide to restaurants in the (Montlucon) area in the bookcase or available from tourist information offices.

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There are bars in Malicorne and Beaune D’Allier though you may struggle to find them open. There are also bars in Doyet and Montmauralt.

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Commentry has plenty, though not all designed for tourists they are generally welcoming.

- Pizza du Soleil located opposite La Poste on Avenue Christophe Thivrier, Commentry (+33 4 70 64 56 51) has a wide selection of good French take away pizzas. Please check opening hours. -

There are many bars and restaurants in St.-Eloy-les-Mines.

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The nearest restaurant is “La Jarge” at Beaune d’Allier for information and opening hours drop in or call (+33 4 70 64 37 33).

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“L’Hirrondelle” at la Chaume, between Louroux-de-Beaune and Montmarault has been recommended to us. The restaurateur speaks English and the restaurant is open for bookings on Friday and Saturday evenings and Sunday lunchtimes (+33 4 70 64 94 42).

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“Les Bruges?” in Lapeyrouse is a friendly bar with a small terrace and a small but attractive restaurant menu. It is also a convenience store if you are stuck. The bar closes at 9pm each evening apart from Mondays when it shuts at 2pm. The proprietor speaks good English.

- There are farm auberges signposted locally which are no doubt worth a try. Please let us have any positives and negatives.

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Neris les Bains has attractive bars and restaurants including the internet café / bar referred to above. You will not see a better value croque monsier than the one sold in one café opposite the casino.

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If you are in the Sioule valley there are many bars and restaurants in the towns, villages and generally along the river.

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Montlucon has many options particularly in and around the medieval town. “Le Medieval”, 22 Rue de Serruriers (+33 4 70 05 35 35) has a large terrace and varied menu. There are many restaurants (including Indian and Chinese) on Rue Grande and in the streets in and surrounding the medieval town.

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There are cafeterias at the hypermarkets and certainly Flunch at Carrefour is close to the town centre. It is comparatively inexpensive and is excellent value if used within the lunch period (noon to 2pm) or in the evening. There is a MacDonalds and a Buffalo Grill in Montlucon.

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Our visit to Vichy was in the winter and we are told that many bars and restaurants are on the river. That said, we defy you to finish a meal at the Morrocan restaurant near the railway station. Share mains!

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A guide to auberges and bistros in France recommends two establishements in the area. “Au Cour de Meaulne” at Meaulne (north of Montlucon) and “Castel-Hotel 1904” at St.-Gervais- d’Auvergne (south of S.t-Eloy-les-Mines- midway between Hyds and Puy du Dome). The guide should be amongst the literature in the bookcase or is available from tourist information offices.

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Please pass on your own experiences and findings.

On departure Please deposit rubbish at the top of the drive ensuring that any perishable food has been disposed of. Please leave the fridges on. Please turn off and unplug anything else you can see. In particular, please ensure that the water heater is unplugged in the cave. Close and secure all shutters and windows. Please ensure that the garage and cave are locked and that the large keys are placed in the kitchen drawer. On leaving the house please lock the kitchen door and the door shutter. To secure the door shutter you need to turn the lever fully to the horizontral in ordser to engage the rods at the top and bottom of the frame (try the lever when open without engaging the frame). Only when the lever is fully horizontal will the key turn. To lock the shutter turn the key anti-clockwise. We hope you enjoy your stay and have a safe journey home. Hazel and Graham November 2009