La Maison du Bonheur
About the home
Perfect for couples. Superb conversion of an 18th century stone barn - specifically for two. Having discovered how difficult it is to find a holiday gite for two which retains character and original features, yet also offers a beautiful fitted kitchen and bathroom with a light and airy atmosphere and private outside space; we created this.
Downstairs is a large open plan kitchen with dining area and also comfortable seating. It has ambiant lighting and opens onto a terrace and small private garden equipped with bbq and garden furniture. Stairs lead up to a large L shaped bedroom with a seating area overlooking sunflower fields. The spacious en suite shower room is tastefully designed and flooded with natural light.
There is a small gymnasium ajoining the gite, which is available for your use.
A laundry service is available and breakfast/evening meals may be provided on request.
The restoration work has only just been completed in June 2008, but already we have received numerous compliments on the layout and design of the property.
Many of our guests have based themselves here, whilst looking for their own holiday or permanent home in France. There is a vast array of interesting character properties in the Vienne region and we are available to assist with local knowledge and/or translation.
| Size: | Sleeps up to 2, 1 bedroom |
|---|---|
| Nearest beach: | La Rochelle |
| Will consider: | Long lets Short breaks |
| Access: | Car advised Nearest amenities: 1km |
| Family friendly? | Not suitable for children Unsuitable for people with restricted mobility |
| Notes: | No pets allowed No smoking at this property Self-catering |
Facilities
| Luxuries: | Gym, DVD player |
|---|---|
| General: | Central heating, TV, Video player, CD player, Satellite TV, Wi-fi available |
| Standard: | Kettle, Toaster, Iron, Hair dryer |
| Utilities: | Clothes dryer, Cooker, Microwave, Fridge, Freezer |
| Rooms: | 1 Bedroom, 2 bathrooms of which 1 family bathroom and 1 en suite |
| Furniture: | Double beds (1), Dining seating for 4, Lounge seating for 4 |
| Other: | Linen and towels provided |
| Outdoors: | Balcony / Terrace, Private garden, BBQ, Bicycles available, Trampoline |
| Access: | Parking space |
Further details indoors:
Gite is equipped with brand new electrical goods, plenty of books and games and a complimentary welcome pack (milk, bread, butter, eggs, wine etc) on arrival.
Walking/cycling maps and special cards of waymarked routes
Further details outdoors:
Table chairs and parasol
Barbecue
Sun loungers
Gymnasium with cross trainer, stepper, exercise bike, trampoline
2 mountain bikes
Boules set
2 sets golf clubs
Tennis Racquets
Day Rucksack for walking/cycling
Fishing rods
The Poitou-Charentes / Vendee / Vienne region


The area of Poitou-Charente benefits from the second warmest climate in France. Its vast array of peaceful walkways are ideal for walking or cycling - many of them are waymarked and include the famous St Jacques de Compostella route, which passes 10km from the gite. The gently undulating terrain - in summer a patchwork of sunflowers, and corn and poppy fields - is punctuated by small sleepy hamlets built in the local sandstone and larger more lively market towns centred around a 12th or 13th century church.
The historic cities of Poitiers and Angouleme host numerous musical events and are large vibrant cities with every possible activity on offer - both within a 40 minute drive.
Futuroscope is on the northern edge of Poitiers and offers exciting and educational virtual reality entertainment and superb laser shows - 45 minute drive.
La Rochelle (and the Ile de Re) is approx 1 and a half hours west, with its medieval harbour and array of bustling market stalls and excellent fish restaurants.
Historic Cognac, with its famous distilleries and river trips along the river Charente, is 1 hour to the south.
Confolens (40 mins away) is a beautiful medieval town and hosts a world famous music and dance festival in August each year.
Angouleme (40 mins) with its host of pavement cafes and restaurants, holds a vintage car rally around the ramparts in September.
Several mature golf courses within a 40 minute drive.
There are numerous beautiful chateaux to visit within an hours drive northwards to the Loire Valley including:
Villandry - with its world famous topiary gardens and the oldest vegetable garden in the world - as visited by Monty Don in his 80 Gardens of the World.
Azay le Rideau - with its fairytale castle that inspired the creations of Disney.
Nearer at hand is the ruined castle of Chauvigny with fabulous views over the surrounding countryside. In summer, Chauvigny hosts various musical events in and around the castle. There is a wonderful display of birds of prey for most of the year, with eagles, vultures and storks flying at liberty over the ramparts.
Angles sur Anglins, 40 mins to the north, is said to be the most beautiful village in France. The village holds the most fabulous firework displays during the summer and also hot air balloon competitions.
There are a huge number of other activities and events on offer throughout the year.
The Civray / Blanzay area
Blanzay is 1km away with boulangerie, bar/restaurant, grocery shop, church and tennis court.
Nearby attractions within cycling distance or 10-15 minute drive:
Different local market every day of the week and larger monthly markets and fairs
Wonderful churches with wall frescoes from 12th century and beautiful stained glass
Vallee des Singes (Monkey Park) - superbly presented and an excellent day out for adults and children
Chateau d'Epanvilliers - beautifully restored chateau 2 minutes away
Outdoor swimming pool in Civray
Indoor swimming pool at Ruffec
Numerous Plan D'eaux (Lakes with beaches, swimming and water sports)
Canoes for hire and a competition course
Three cinemas - often with films in English
Excellent fishing including a well stocked trout lake
Horse riding
Bird watching
Several good quality restaurants
Small air field, 5 mins away, offering pleasure flights and microlite flights
Internet cafe - Civray and Gencay
Art gallery in Civray and Brux
Within 30 min drive:
International Theatre
Ice Rink
Ten Pin Bowling
Crocodile Park
Numerous museums and galleries
How to get there
Click map icons for more information
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| Nearest Travel Links | |
| Airport: | Poitiers |
| Railway: | Poitiers |
Fly to: Poitiers 40 minutes drive away
: Angouleme 40 minutes " "
: Tours 1 hour 15 " "
: Limoges 1 hour 15
: La Rochelle 1 hour 30
Train: Paris to Poitiers 1 hour 30 journey time
Car Hire: At all airports above and Poitiers Railway Station. Hertz or Europcar
Ferry: Crossings with P & O and Sea France - Dover to Calais
Norfolkline - Newhaven to Dieppe
Also crossings from Portsmouth/Plymouth to Cherbourg/Caen/St Malo etc.
Activities near Civray
Tennis in town
Watersports
Waterpark
Horse Riding
Golf within 30 mins drive
Fishing
Walking holidays
Rural / countryside retreats
Beach or lakeside relaxation
Cycling holidays
Guestbook for La Maison du Bonheur
From the minute we arrived, we fell in love with the place. Your gite is beautiful and we will certainly recommend it to our friends.
We have had a fabulous week - and staying in your gite has added so much to a very relaxing week in France.
The gite was beautiful and we could not have found a better place to visit the area.
Rental prices
| Rental prices originally quoted in: British £ | Convert to: |
| Prices for group size 2 | ||||||
| Period | From![]() | To![]() | Weekly![]() | Nightly rate | Minimum stay | |
| Weekday | Weekend | |||||
| Low | 30 Oct 11 | 26 Feb 12 | £ 250 | 40 | 40 | 3 Nights |
| Mid | 26 Feb 12 | 24 Jun 12 | £ 300 | 50 | 50 | 3 Nights |
| High | 24 Jun 12 | 2 Sep 12 | £ 400 | - | - | 1 Week |
| Mid | 2 Sep 12 | 28 Oct 12 | £ 300 | 50 | 50 | 3 Nights |
| 28 Oct 12 | 24 Feb 13 | £ 250 | 40 | 40 | 3 Nights | |
The property's weekend rates apply to: Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights
NB: Prices may be subject to change at the advertiser's discretion.
House hunting trips organised.
Availability
See below for next 9 months' availability - to see the next 24 months click here
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Contact the owner
* Required fields Please check the following errors: | 3 years listed You are contacting Anne Parker
Languages spoken ![]() The owner is based in France and has advertised with Holiday Lettings since 2008. This gite has so far received 0 reviews. ![]() |
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