Sorry - no pets allowed Not suitable for children under 5 No smoking at this property Self-catering
Home description
Summer or winter, this carefully restored cottage set in rolling farmland will give you a taste of French rural life - whilst still providing all the home comforts. Self-contained, with its own pretty walled garden, "La Marée" is in a quiet hamlet not far from the sandy coves of Meschers and the wide beaches of St Georges de Didonne.
The cottage comprises two bedrooms, both with views of the Gironde; a new shower-room and separate toilet. Downstairs there's a comfortable sitting room with open fireplace, leading into a dining area and fully-equipped kitchen.
Cottage seen from meadow
Living room with open fire
Fully-equipped kitchen with window to terrace
Enclosed garden with sunny terrace
To see more photos please visit http://www.holidaylettings.co.uk/19028
The Poitou-Charentes / Vendee / Charente Maritime region
This coastal region enjoys a mild climate and long sunny days from spring through to late autumn. The area is ideal for couples or families looking for unspoilt countryside not too far from amenities.
Historically it was on one of the main pilgrimage routes to Spain and is dotted with ancient villages, abbeys and exquisite Romanesque churches. In the slow passing of the seasons, there is still a great feeling of timelessness, suffused with the warm vibrant light of the South.
Meschers-sur-Gironde / Les Monards area
The property is situated amongst rolling fields and vineyards, looking out over water-meadows where ponies graze in summer. The little fishing port of Les Monards is five minutes' walk away and boasts a popular and friendly restaurant, open all year round. Nearer still is a cafe/bar where you can sit outside and enjoy the garden.
The gentle hills and coastal scenery make it an excellent area for walking or cycling ( two new bicycles are available free of charge) whilst the mixed terrain of farmland and marsh attracts a wide variety of birds, including migrating flocks along the Estuary.
One of France's prettiest villages, Talmont, can be reached by bike along a spectacular coastal route - its 12th century church stands high above the Gironde, surrounded by colourful hollyhocks in summer.
Known locally as the “Côte de Beauté”, this stretch of coast where the Gironde meets the Atlantic is popular for its calm waters and soft sand. The village of Meschers is 10 minutes by car and offers several sandy coves or longer stretches of pine-fringed beach, ideal for swimming and sunbathing, with restaurants close at hand. Here the limestone cliffs are riddled with caves, once used by pirates and refugees, some of which are still inhabited today.
Continuing up the coast, there are prize-winning beaches at the towns of St Georges de Didonne and Royan, as well as wide stretches of sand dune and pine forest on the “Côte Sauvage", which is popular with surfers and has areas set aside for naturists. Whether it's swimming, sunbathing, enjoying a meal in the open-air, collecting driftwood, or messing around in rock-pools, there's a beach for everyone somewhere along these shores!
The thriving town of Royan offers a wide selection of shops and restaurants, in addition to an extensive daily market. The famous zoo at La Palmyre is nearby, where there's an active breeding programme and you're even encouraged to feed some of the animals.
A little further up the coast you can explore the pretty oyster villages around Marennes, visit the atmospheric fortified town of Brouage out in the marshes, or drive across a long bridge to the lovely island of Oléron.
During summer there are numerous boat trips to outlying islands and lighthouses (like 17th century Cordouan), as well as a regular ferry to the Médoc peninsular which is home to many outstanding châteaux in the Bordeaux region. Bordeaux city itself is just over an hour away by car and definitely worth a visit now that it's reached the end of its costly restoration and is once again poised to become the "Paris of the South"... get there before the rest of the world wakes up to its charms!
Another popular day-trip is to the lovely wine town of St Emilion, a world heritage site where you can tour several famous estates. Alternatively, you can take a 40 minute drive to the town of Cognac and visit a number of well-known distilleries. (As in most of France, food and drink is high on the agenda!)
How to get there
BY ROAD: - Situated just off the scenic "Route Verte" (D145) - 30 minutes drive from Junction 36 of the A10
BY AIR (Fly-drive): - Just over an hour from Bordeaux or La Rochelle airports (Ryanair, Flybe, BMIBaby, BA and Easyjet) - Bergerac, Limoges and Poitiers airports a bit further afield but also popular - Compare car hire prices on Holiday Cars website - Budget Cars also recommended by guests NB: In high season there may be queues for hire car companies recommended by airlines.
BY FERRY: - about 4 hours' drive from St Malo (via Brittany Ferries) - about 5 hours from Caen, Cherbourg or le Havre - about 7 hours from Calais
Nearest Travel Links
Airport:
La Rochelle: 120 km
Railway:
Royan: 20 km
Ferry:
St Malo: 480 km
Activities near Meschers-sur-Gironde
Sports: Tennis in town Watersports Horse Riding Golf within 30 mins drive Fishing
Great for: Walking holidays Rural / countryside retreats Beach or lakeside relaxation Cycling holidays
Single beds (2), Double beds (1), Dining seating for 4, Lounge seating for 4, Sleeps maximum of 4
Other:
Linen and towels provided.
Outdoors:
Balcony / Terrace, Private garden, BBQ, Bicycles available
Access:
Parking space
Further details indoors: Downstairs the cottage is open-plan, retaining its original beams, exposed stone walls and terracotta floor tiles. There is a spacious kitchen and dining area to one side, with a log-burning stove to make it cosy in winter. The sitting room is on the other side of the entrance hall - with an open fire for cold nights - and also benefits from a window to the garden, giving it a light and airy feel.
Upstairs there is a wooden landing, with new shower-room at one end (including double basins) and separate toilet at the other. In between are the two bedrooms: one with double bed and window looking out over the garden to a small windmill opposite; the other is slightly larger, with two single beds and views across to the Estuary. Both rooms have radiators and wardrobes, as well as bedside cabinets.
The cottage is comfortably furnished, kept very clean, and decorated in French country style.
Further details outdoors: La Marée has its own enclosed garden, which is south-facing and sheltered by a mulberry tree in high summer. In addition to table and chairs, there are sunloungers and a built-in barbecue. Flowers include hollyhocks, pinks, poppies, hibiscus, roses, jasmine, lavender and other culinary herbs. There is also a small lawn and woodshed with logs for use by winter guests.
Further details
A welcome pack is provided - containing breakfast items and a bottle of wine!
A library of books and DVDs is available and there's a large file of information on the local area.
English owners, Caroline and Christina, will be on hand to welcome you and offer assistance.
Conditions
- Regret the cottage is not suitable for children under 5 years.
- Pets are not allowed as our cat is rather territorial!
- Smoking is OK in the garden but not in the house.
Rental rates
Rental prices originally quoted in: British £
Convert to:
Period
From
To
Weekly
Nightly rate
Minimum stay
Weekday
Weekend
Peak Season
18 Jul 08
29 Aug 08
625£625
0-
0-
1 Week
Late Summer
29 Aug 08
19 Sep 08
575£575
0-
0-
1 Week
Autumn
19 Sep 08
24 Oct 08
475£475
0-
0-
1 Week
Low Season
24 Oct 08
24 Apr 09
460£460
0-
0-
5 Nights
Spring
24 Apr 09
17 Jul 09
540£540
0-
0-
1 Week
Peak Season
17 Jul 09
28 Aug 09
690£690
0-
0-
1 Week
Autumn
28 Aug 09
2 Oct 09
540£540
0-
0-
1 Week
Low Season
2 Oct 09
1 Jan 10
460£460
0-
0-
1 Week
71
NB: Prices may be subject to change at the owner's discretion.
Deposit of 50% with booking and security deposit of £150 required with final payment, 6 weeks prior to arrival date. (It is recommended that you purchase cancellation insurance.)
For winter occupation, the cottage has its own electricity meter and use of radiators will be charged at standard rate of 0.1Euro per kWh, to be settled at end of letting period. Similarly, logs used for fires will be charged at local rates.
Guestbook
"You've thought of everything... we'll be back next year!" - Peter and Elizabeth "We had quite a life changing experience at "La Marée" - Ros and Wayne (who subsequently moved here!) "The cottage is delightful and the hospitality warm" - Nick and Maureen "We think the cottage has been beautifully and sympathetically restored" - Sandra and Huw
Availability
See below for next 6 months' availability - to see the next 24 months click here
Key:
11
12
Booked
11
12
Available
11
12
Unknown
11
12
Arrival/Departure dates
Contact owner
To contact this owner please visit: http://www.holidaylettings.co.uk/19028
Contact details for home 19028
Please mention Holiday Lettings
Name:
Christina Tooley
Tel:
+33 (0)546 741370
Be aware of time-zones
Languages:
Contact Notes: Email or telephone (evening)
Advertiser joined: 29 Dec 2006 This property added: 29 Dec 2006
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