Sorry - no pets allowed Suitable for children No smoking at this property Self-catering
Home description
Entirely refurbished and newly equipped, this stylishly decorated house for 8 offers tranquil accommodation just minutes from the beach and the centre of La Couarde. Enjoy breakfast croissants sitting on the patio outside the kitchen or unwind with a glass of local wine on the white-walled deck terrace adjoining the living area.
Peaceful pastel colours and 'old' furniture typical of the island make this the perfect setting for a truly relaxing holiday amidst the vineyards, pretty towns and miles of easy cycle paths on the unspoilt Ile de Ré.
La Couarde
To see more photos please visit http://www.holidaylettings.co.uk/8819
The Poitou-Charentes / Vendee / Charente Maritime region
Off the coast at La Rochelle (Charente-Maritime), the Ile de Ré (pop. 12,000) is a narrow stretch of flat land 30 kilometres long, which almost doubles in size at low tide. Of all the Charentais islands, Ré is undoubtedly the most popular. Attracted by the island's beauty, many artists, writers and painters bought salt-workers’ and fishermen’s houses in the 1960s, and the island became fashionable. The villages have retained all their authentic charm with their white lime-washed, green-shuttered houses and narrow streets full of hollyhocks.
In the north, the Fier d’Ars-en-Ré is a patchwork of mudflats and salt marshes, where every kind of wader and bird of prey is to be found. The flat-bottomed boats, the rakes of the salt-gatherers, the oyster beds and the scent of the moorland give the Ile de Ré a romanticism without equal.
The island is famous for its salt, which is collected by salters towards the western end of the island, its oysters and its potatoes, all of which you can enjoy in the many restaurants scattered throughout the island’s villages.
The waters around the Ile de Ré are loved by all watersports enthusiasts – windsurfers, yachtsmen and all sailors. The Atlantic Ocean is much less dangerous here than in other areas of the mainland coast so bathing is recommended for all.
Hire a bike and see the island at your leisure – it is by far the easiest and healthiest way to travel. Over 60 miles of cycle paths link all the main villages and beaches. The island is exceptionally flat, so hard work is kept to a minimum! You can hire bikes and child seats in all configurations from one of the many rental shops across the island.
Ile de Re / La Couarde area
Just 5 minutes by car from St. Martin, the island's lively capital, La Couarde is a small, pretty town with bags of typical Ile de Ré charm: whitewashed houses with green shutters, narrow lanes lined with hollyhocks, gourmet restaurants and family cafés, chi-chi boutiques and a daily outdoor market in the summer. Unwind on the fine, sandy beach or enjoy windsurfing, sailing, horse riding or cycling. The superb aquarium at La Rochelle, the beautiful La Palmyre Zoo (near Royan), Fort Boyard and, further afield, the vineyards of St. Emilion, make good day trip destinations.
How to get there
BY AIR: www.easyjet.com: Bristol to La Rochelle www.ryanair.com: Dublin and London (Stansted) to La Rochelle www.flybe.com: Birmingham and Southampton to La Rochelle
The above airlines also offer low-cost/Saturday flights to the following airports, all of which are within a 2-3 hour drive of the Ile de Ré:
TRANSFER FROM LA ROCHELLE AIRPORT: There is no direct bus service La Rochelle Airport and the Ile de Ré. If you wish, we can organise a taxi to meet you at the airport (costs appprox. 50 euros to La Couarde, including toll bridge).
TRANSFER FROM LA ROCHELLE TRAIN STATION: There is a bus link between La Rochelle train station and the Ile de Ré. The trip takes about an hour. If you wish, we can organise a taxi to meet you at the station (costs appprox. 40 euros to La Couarde, including toll bridge).
BY ROAD: Approx. distances from Caen to Ile de Re: 5 hours, 290 miles Calais to Ile de Re: 7h25, 450 miles Cherbourg to Ile de Re: 6 hours, 320 miles St. Malo to Ile de Re: 4h20, 220 miles Boulogne to Ile de Re: 7 hours, 430 miles
Ground floor: Entrance area Fully equipped kitchen (approx. 8m2) giving onto front patio (approx. 50m2) Living room/dining area (approx. 30m2) with log fire giving onto rear deck terrace (approx. 50 m2). Bedroom 1 (approx. 12m2, two single beds) giving onto rear deck terrace Bedroom 2 (approx. 10m2, two single beds) giving onto front patio Bathroom with bath/shower Separate WC
First floor: Bedroom 1 (approx. 12m2, two single beds, view over rear deck terrace) Bedroom 2 (approx. 10m2, two single beds, view over rear deck terrace) Bathroom with bath, shower, WC
Further details outdoors: The white-walled deck terrace/garden area to the back of the property is sunny and unoverlooked. Both front patio and rear deck terrace are each equipped with garden furniture for 8 and a selection of recliners. Spanish 'plancha' style barbecue. Car parking is available immediately in front of the house.
Further details
Subject to technical availability we can offer you unlimited high-speed Internet access. We also have satellite TV (BBC Prime, BBC World, CNN etc.)
Conditions
TO MAKE A RESERVATION: A 25% deposit , payable by bank transfer, is required to secure your booking. The remainder is due 8 weeks before arrival.
TOWELS AND LINEN: All included. Beach towels provided.
SMOKING: It would be very much appreciated if, for the comfort of other guests, smokers could refrain from smoking inside the house.
REFUNDABLE BREAKAGES DEPOSIT: We will ask you for EUR 250 on arrival which will be returned to you after your holiday providing everything looks to be in order.
END-OF-STAY CLEANING: Guests may opt either to clean on departure or use our cleaning service at a cost of 90 euros.
CLEANING DURING YOUR STAY: Can be arranged at a cost of 15 euros/hour.
Rental rates
Rental prices originally quoted in: Euros €
Convert to:
Period
From
To
Weekly
Nightly rate
Minimum stay
Weekday
Weekend
Summer 2008
25 Jul 08
30 Aug 08
2150£ 1,734
0-
0-
1 Week
30 Aug 08
6 Sep 08
1600£ 1,290
0-
0-
1 Week
6 Sep 08
27 Sep 08
1260£ 1,016
0-
0-
1 Week
Autumn half term 2008
27 Sep 08
8 Nov 08
1150£ 927
0-
0-
1 Week
8 Nov 08
20 Dec 08
1000£ 806
0-
0-
1 Week
Christmas 2008
20 Dec 08
3 Jan 09
1300£ 1,048
0-
0-
1 Week
3 Jan 09
7 Feb 09
1000£ 806
0-
0-
1 Week
7 Feb 09
25 Apr 09
1100£ 887
0-
0-
1 Week
25 Apr 09
30 May 09
1200£ 968
0-
0-
1 Week
30 May 09
27 Jun 09
1300£ 1,048
0-
0-
1 Week
27 Jun 09
4 Jul 09
1700£ 1,371
0-
0-
1 Week
4 Jul 09
29 Aug 09
2200£ 1,774
0-
0-
1 Week
29 Aug 09
5 Sep 09
1700£ 1,371
0-
0-
1 Week
5 Sep 09
26 Sep 09
1300£ 1,048
0-
0-
1 Week
26 Sep 09
7 Nov 09
1200£ 968
0-
0-
1 Week
7 Nov 09
19 Dec 09
1000£ 806
0-
0-
1 Week
19 Dec 09
2 Jan 10
1300£ 1,048
0-
0-
1 Week
161
NB: Prices may be subject to change at the owner's discretion. Please note: Preference is given to two-week bookings during July and August.
Guestbook
"This is the second time we've stayed in the house; we were there for one week in 2006 and decided on two weeks this year. It’s so well maintained you’d think we were the first people ever to rent the house. The accommodation is second to none, spotlessly clean, comfy beds, parking out-front and very quiet. There’s everything you'll need for a perfect holiday from beach towels, buckets and spades, bicycles to a washing machine, dishwasher, DVD and TV, broadband, hairdryers, bath towels, first aid kit, and no, nothing has been forgotten. After a day cycling and site seeing returning to this splendid house made a perfect holiday for us. A real home from home and we have no hesitation in recommending this house to friends and family." Fiona, Brian and Beth F., June 2007
"We love returning to the Ile De Re and to Maison de Charme in La Couarde. This year with a party of 8 including 4 grandchildren, we were a full house. The facilities at the cottage admirably accommodated all our requirements without feeling cramped at all, and the consideration to our needs could not be faulted. " Simon & Carys C., May 2007
"As a returning customer we found that everything was as outstanding as last year." Plum & Martin L., May 2007
"We had a wonderful week and have enjoyed spending time in this beautiful house just as much as we have exploring the island. Jenny's warm welcome added to the delights of the week and Samuel (14 months) had a fantastic time, as did his parents!" Katherine, Jonathan & Samuel, Amanda and Simon, May 2007
"The accommodation could not be faulted in any way. The house was spotlessly clean, the facilities excellent and the decor tasteful. Nothing was too much for the lovely owner, Jenny, who has been a delight to deal with right from the initial booking. We fell in love with the property from the photographs, but these did not do justice to it in "real life". Jenny thoughtfully provided us with everything we would need on the holiday, which proved to be one of the best we have ever had. A perfect experience all round. Can't wait to return." Linda Q., April 2007
"We have had a fantastic week with great weather. Jenny has been friendly, informative and professional right from our first enquiry back in January to our handover in September. The house was great, equipped with everything you could want. The house and location exceeded already high expectations and we will definitely be back." Elaine, Steve & Daniel, September 2006
"Really lovely house just 5 mins walk from the beach and close to the town. Great family holiday location. Jenny, thanks very much for all your attentiveness and we look forward to coming again." August 2006, Gemma, Richard, Hope & Toby L.
"This was truly a wonderful experience - we were very spoilt from start to finish. Jenny, the owner, welcomed us so warmly and introduced us to the delights of the island. The accommodation is beautiful with every possible detail accounted for in terms of finishing touches. We had everything we could have possibly wanted in the way of electrical gadgetry of a very high spec. The surroundings were wonderful, with the beach only a few hundred metres from the accommodation. I would recommend this accommodation as a fantastic place to stay - the island is beautiful and we shall definitely be back. Thank you from all the family." July 2006, Deborah & Nicholas H. and family
"Excellent accommodation in a wonderful location. Clean, comfortable and with first rate facilities to make for a comfortable stay." July 2006, Nick A. and family
"Highly recommended, great location, great property, book early to avoid disappointment.." June 2006, Darren S.
"Thanks to Jenny's meticulous attention to detail and her desire to make her guests' visit to the Ile de Ré especially memorable, this residence offers guests exceptional facilities and decor. It provides an ideal base from which to explore this unique island. Thank you, Jenny, for making our first visit to the Ile de Ré most memorable." June 2006, Niall, Geraldine, Alison, Sophie, Emmet D.
"We have had a wonderful holiday. The house is fantastic, and Jenny has been very welcoming and helpful. We will be back!" June 2006, Charlotte V.
"Sshh -don't tell anyone, this is a gem of a property. A delightful cottage in quiet residential surroundings, thoughtfully furnished and excellently equipped. With 4 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms it was an ideal rent for our mixed family party. Secure, close to the beach and a manageable bike ride to the village, it was great for the grandchildren, whilst the two courtyard gardens and and spacious living area gave comfortable options for those just wanting to relax. The Ile de Re makes for a great seaside holiday with different villages to visit, enjoyable cycling and acres of beaches. So sshh -such gems deserve only appreciative renters." May 2006, Simon and Carys C.,
"The accommodation was excellent. The house is beautifully furnished both inside and out, with a fabulous decking area to sit outside. The information and equipment supplied with the house cannot be faulted. We hope to be able to return soon." May 2006, Olivia, Kieron & Seth C.
"Pictures just don’t do this house justice, it's fantastic. The moment you step through the garden gate this property is pure luxury. The most comfortable beds we’ve ever slept in on holiday, the typical Ile de Re decoration, the flat screen tv, the fantastic art work. Two separate outside eating areas (one with fairy lights). A fully equipped kitchen and the huge kitchen dresser with every type of cup and plate you’re ever likely to need! Everything is spotlessly clean. The only noise we ever heard was the crashing waves from the beach and the birds singing. The location of the house is just perfect for cycling to and from all of the towns. There’s parking for your car directly outside the house. The nearest beach is two minutes away and there are three bread shops to choose from all within a 5 minute cycle. All in all we had the best holiday and will definitely be making a return visit." April 2006, Fiona, Brian and Beth F.
"We had the pleasure of being the very first family to stay in this lovely property. Without doubt it is the most attractive and comfortable holiday villa we have ever rented. Overall, a great week!" April 2006, Jackie, Paul, Katie, Tom and Matthew D.
Availability notes
To see availability please visit http://www.holidaylettings.co.uk/8819
Click to view availability for this property.
Contact owner
To contact this owner please visit: http://www.holidaylettings.co.uk/8819
Contact details for home 8819
Please mention Holiday Lettings
Name:
Jenny Rogers-Sohler
Tel:
+33 (0) 679 804 687
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Languages:
Contact Notes: Please phone me if your email remains unanswered.
Advertiser joined: 20 Jan 2006 This property added: 20 Jan 2006
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