Sorry - no pets allowed Suitable for children No smoking at this property Self-catering
Home description
This large luxurious beach-front house is located right outside the village of Sainte-Marie de Ré-La Noue. The spacious interior of this two-storey 'glass' house is furnished throughout with fine antiques from various regions of France (Provence, Charente, Touraine), all in excellent condition. In addition to the six bedrooms, there is a large eat-in kitchen, a mezzanine, study and winter garden with luxury BBQ. Appliances are modern and plentiful, including an electrical stove, a microwave, two refrigerators, two freezers and a dishwasher. The laundry is equipped with a washer and dryer. Traditional tile and parquet floors add to the gracious ambience. As if the beachfront were not enough, a large pool conveniently equipped with electronic cover makes a safe and fun-filled environment for children. The villa has a South-South West orientation: all the rooms give onto the swimming-pool area. At the bottom of the garden, a door opens onto a cliff-path that leads directly to the beach.
FROM THE SWIMMING POOL INTO THE SEA
THE LIVING ROOM
THE "CHARENTAISE" FIREPLACE
THE TERRACE
To see more photos please visit http://www.holidaylettings.co.uk/7494
The Poitou-Charentes / Vendee / Charente Maritime region
A Trendy and Chic Island Tailored to Human Proportions Ile de Ré is a popular summer resort in Charente-Maritime on the western shore of the Atlantic. The tiny island (30 km long and between 100 m and 5 km wide) possesses many navigable waterways, a varied coastline with the largest beaches along the southern coast and yachting harbours on the sheltered northern side. The “White Island”, as it is also known, is linked to the busy port of La Rochelle by a bridge (built in 1988) stretching in a gentle curve over 3, 5 km. It is located 500 km from Paris and is reached daily by direct plane from Paris, London-Stansted, Birmingham and Southampton; by TGV in 3 hours or by the motorway in 4 and a half hours from Paris. Bordeaux, the ancient city and wine centre, is 150 kilometres away. Ile de Ré is best visited by bike. (Bikes are for rent everywhere). It is home to 16, 000 islanders who have chosen to live there year-round. It boasts 10 communes, all distinctly genuine villages : Sainte-Marie is one of them.
Ile de Re / Sainte-Marie area
Vinyards, Salt, Oysters and Potatoes In the 17th century, boats exported wine and salt from “Ré la Blanche” so named for its salt-marshes. The second part of the 19th century proved disastrous: phylloxera destroyed the vineyards and the salt- marshes were ruined by bad weather and competition from imported salt from the East and South of France. The population fell by half. Today, vineyards occupy five times as little area as they once did. However, they still produce the traditional Cognac, Charente table wines and the excellent “Pineau des Charentes”. Farmers grow a type of early potato, for which they have managed to gain an Appellation d’Origine Contrôlée (A.0.C.). Oyster-farming made its appearance around 150 years ago when people learned to cultivate the oysters (“Fines” and “Spéciales de claires”) which so far they had merely gathered Salt production had very nearly disappeared. A new generation has now rolled up their sleeves to prepare salt-pans and revive the harvesting of “white gold”. In summer, the small mounds of salt collected by the salt workers are reflected in the looking-glass surface of the squared-off reservoirs.
A Delectable Destination Lively Year Round In September the tide continues to rise and ebb twice a day. Those who have the bright idea to visit out of the season, (in a spa centre, hotel or rented accommodation), never regret their decision: island life goes on with shops and services remaining open all year round. In autumn, visitors can admire golden sun-drenched vineyards and witness the grape harvest first-hand. In winter, the beaches empty to make way for horses and walkers wrapped up warmly against the wind. At Christmas, the oysters taste even better when they come directly from the nearby oyster beds. In spring the air is still cool when the first chairs reappear outside the cafés. Although temperatures are at their highest in summer, the sun is present throughout the year. The ile de Ré reveals its other facets to those who know how to appreciate it in private far from the madding crowds of summer. When summertime comes back, twenty-four hours will not be enough to enjoy all the charms of the rightly named Ré la Blanche to the full. Sightseeing On The Island The 10 typical villages of the island (Rivedoux,-Plage, Sainte-Marie de Ré (labelled Station Verte de Vacances), Le Bois Plage en Ré, La Couarde sur Mer, Ars en Ré, Saint-Clément des Baleines, Les Portes en Ré, Loix, Saint-Martin de Ré, La Flotte); Saint-Martin, the historical capital with its beautiful precincts fortified by Vauban; 12th-century Cistercian Abbaye des Châteliers; old royal buildings dating back to the British and French periods and the French religious wars (13th and 17th centuries); small museums such as the Hôtel de Clergeotte in Saint-Martin, or the Musée du Platin at La Flotte; one of the biggest European wild bird sanctuaries: Lilleau des Niges; salt-marshes where salt is still harvested before your eyes, oyster-farms, vineyards; the alleys between the green-shuttered whitewashed houses and their hollyhocks; numerous cycle-paths, windmills and thousands of other surprises – and finally, the bustling protestant city of La Rochelle with its museums, restaurants and popular Francopholies. More information on www.iledere.com
How to get there
By car : take the boat from Plymouth, Portsmouth, Poole, Dover and drive down to La Rochelle, halfway down the West coast of France between Nantes and Bordeaux. Take the bridge linking La Rochelle to Ile de Ré (17 euros round trip). By train (TGV) from Paris (in 3 hours), Nantes, Bordeaux (www.sncf.com). From La Rochelle train station take the Ré bus to Ile de Ré. By Plane : Fly to La Rochelle from London (Stansted) on Ryanair(www.ryanair.com), from Birmingham and Southampton on Flybe (www.flybe.com). The airport is 5 minutes from downtown La Rochelle and 5 minutes from Ile de Ré.
Nearest Travel Links
Airport:
La Rochelle: 10 km
Railway:
La Rochelle: 20 km
Ferry:
Roscoff: 562 km
Activities near Ile de Re
Sports: Tennis in town Watersports Waterpark Horse Riding Golf within 30 mins drive Fishing
Great for: Walking holidays Rural / countryside retreats Beach or lakeside relaxation A winter sun break Cycling holidays
Facilities
Luxuries:
Log fire, DVD player, Private outdoor pool (heated), Sea view
General:
Central heating, TV, Video player, CD player, Telephone, Pool / Snooker table, Table tennis, Games room, Satellite TV
Sofabeds (2), Single beds (4), Double beds (2), Cots (1), Dining seating for 14, Lounge seating for 8, Sleeps maximum of 8
Other:
Linen and towels provided.
Outdoors:
Balcony / Terrace, Private outdoor pool (unheated), Private garden, BBQ
Access:
Secure parking
Further details outdoors: Beach Towels provided.
Further details
A 25% non-refundable deposit is required on booking (Paypal or bank transfer) The balance is due 10 days prior to arrival. Late bookings : balance payable cash on arrival. Payable with the balance, is a security deposit against damage, of 3000€ (by check, in euros or in your own currency) returnable within two months of departure. Water, electricity, cleaning at departure are included. Arrival : usually after 5p.m (flexible) Departure : usually before 10a.m (flexible) English-speaking keyholder service and 24/24 hotline service. Swimming Pool man on call. Additional weekly cleaning at a cost. Weekly change of sheets and towels at a cost.
Conditions
Absolutely non-smoking /no-pets villa.
Rental rates
Rental prices originally quoted in: Euros €
Convert to:
Period
From
To
Weekly
Nightly rate
Minimum stay
Weekday
Weekend
Off Season
29 Sep 07
26 Apr 08
3000£ 2,381
0-
0-
1 Week
May-September
26 Apr 08
27 Sep 08
4500£ 3,571
0-
0-
1 Week
October-April
27 Sep 08
2 May 09
3000£ 2,381
0-
0-
1 Week
21
NB: Prices may be subject to change at the owner's discretion. 1,500 euros per week-end 25% on booking via Moneybookers. Balance two weeks ahead of arrival via Moneybookers or wire.
Guestbook
Dear Catherine, We were delighted with our stay on Ile de Re, and your home was quite brilliant for us. I have never come across such a well equipped holiday house and the garden, pool and views were magnificent. I do hope we will be able to visit there again some time. We all had a wonderful time.I hope you too enjoyed your holiday. Kind Regards. Julia Balfour-Lynn (July 2006) Catherine, My apologies in not getting back quicker. I wanted to let you know that we had an absolutely spectacular time. Ile de Re is a very special place and we hope to come back often. Very much reminded me of Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket, but with the bonus of fresh oysters, wine, and fleur du sel! And you simply cant beat St Martin and La Flotte for great dinners!!!! Any way, we do plan to return (if you will have us)! The kids loved your home as did we. The pool was perfect. The beach delightful. Best, Darr (September 2006) >Dear Catherine, >I just wanted to let you know how much we enjoyed your house this past week, and the Ile de Ré in general. It was exactly the vacation we dreamed of having. Everyone we came into contact with, including Véronique, was friendly and helpful. The house was even better than the photos and we loved the beach-front location -- really the best way to enjoy the island! My son especially appreciated all the wonderful books and toys he found in the house. >Thank you again for providing us with such a great vacation villa. >Best regards, Christina (June 2007)
Availability notes
To see availability please visit http://www.holidaylettings.co.uk/7494
Click to view availability for this property.
Contact owner
To contact this owner please visit: http://www.holidaylettings.co.uk/7494
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