We have lived in this village since 2005, and it wasn't until 2025 that this property, just 130 metres from our old house, came our way. It had come onto the market, so we went to have a look at it out of sheer curiosity, with no particular intention of buying a new property. But the visit was a real eye-opener: we were immediately charmed by the place. 450 m² in size, the house was certainly too big for our personal use alone. So it seemed only natural to us to devise a new purpose for it, focused on welcoming guests and offering hospitality, by creating a holiday cottage, accommodation facilities and a room dedicated to seminars. A way of bringing this beautiful property to life and giving it a new meaning.
What makes this house so unique is, first and foremost, its troglodyte nature. Of its 450 m², nearly 250 m² is carved out of tuffeau stone, a local limestone that was once quarried to build the village’s houses and the surrounding chateaux. Fully renovated and decorated and made safe, these caves now offer unique living spaces. The site is laid out in a circular formation, forming a sweeping “C” shape around a sunken courtyard and the swimming pool, creating an atmosphere that is both intimate and welcoming. The architecture makes it possible to combine communal areas with more private spaces. Each property has its own terrace.
We have owned the property since August 2025. The history of the estate prior to 1900 remains to be discovered. Some of the caves, created by tuffeau quarrying, are thought to have been abandoned initially before being used as underground grain stores. Jacques Vioux bought the property with his wife in 1998. A graduate of the Arts et Métiers engineering school, he devoted nearly 20 years to transforming these spaces into habitable places. The sketches and arrangements found on site still bear witness to this painstaking work, carried out to a high technical standard. He thus created a unique estate, remarkable due to the sheer scale of its cave dwellings. It is this heritage that we wish to preserve and keep alive today.
We offer an experience that prioritises comfort, tranquillity and a chance to unwind. One of the unique features of this place lies in how it was discovered. From the street, you walk past the first few houses before entering a completely different world, at the heart of the cluster of houses, set around the swimming pool. Travellers often speak of a real change in atmosphere: once you step inside, you feel as though you’re somewhere else, far from the hustle and bustle outside. The different levels, the terraces, the materials, the vegetation and, above all, the cave-like nature of the site – which retains an air of mystery – all contribute to this feeling. Each accommodation unit has its own fully equipped kitchen, giving guests complete freedom during their stay.
The Domaine de la Tuffière invites you to discover its vineyard and its cave cellars through a tour exploring the terroir and winemaking expertise, followed by a tasting of wines made from 13 grape varieties. From May to September, the open-air café “La Dérive”, at Port Saint-Maur in La Ménitré, serves “La Piautre” beers, spirits and lemonades, local wines and a selection of organic snacks on the banks of the Loire, as well as hosting weekly concerts and entertainment. Nearby, “Un p’tit chocolat pour la route” runs workshops on making chocolates, sweets and treats. Montgeoffroy Castle, a remarkable 18th-century building, boasts, amongst other things, its iconic kitchen, its collection of 260 copper and pewter items, and its 35-hectare grounds. Finally, the “Green Anjou” trails can be explored on foot or by bike, through the unspoilt countryside.
L’Antre-Quinze, a 250 m² cave house with a blue balcony, sleeps 15 people – 4 double beds, 2 single beds, 2 double sofa beds and 1 single sofa bed – and includes, in particular, L’Antre-Deux, a double bedroom with an en-suite bathroom and a separate entrance. Eight terraces, a garden and a communal swimming pool are all part of everyday life here.
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