Saintes holiday watermill rental, Romegoux with walking, log fire, balcony/terrace, internet access, rural retreat

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La Prairie (watermill)

Home description

La Prairie is a 3-bedroomed gite and sits right on our private island, bordered on one side by the main stream of Le Bruant, and on the other by the millrace which once turned the millwheel itself (sadly removed along with all its mechanism over 20 years ago). It is named for its superb views over the stream towards the Charente ‘Prairie’ – the river flood plain stretching away to the mighty Charente River itself about 800m away.

Offering 5 gites in total, Le Moulin du Champ is an 18th. century house and watermill, set in peaceful countryside yet only 30 mins from the beaches at La Rochelle.

Besides our 3 bedrooms, La Prairie, as mentioned here, we can offer a 4 bedroom - La Source (sleeps 8) & attached to La Prairie, and Le Bucher with 2 bedrooms, all of whch are in the former Mill. Just opposite the Mill in a separate Charentaise house are La Terrasse (2 bedrooms - sleeps 4/5) and Delice du Berger, the largest of our 2 bedrooms and all on ONE level so ideal with tots. Do enquire even if La Prairie is full for your chosen weeks as we may be able to accommodate you elsewhere at Le Moulin du Champ, or for an alternative week.
Also perfect for family or friends wishing to holiday together nut having a little independance at the same time!

This 4 acre site contains a 10m x 5m swimming pool (fenced) which facing SW enjoys sunshine virtually all day and safe children's play area with large sandpit. Set within attractive gardens with shady trees and small woodland leading to the river this is the perfect holiday venue to enjoy some fishing, birdwatching, cycling & walking too as well as some quiet reading & snoozing too of course!

Pool on site for summer swimming	Large pool for summer
Looking across the gardens to the Mill

To see more photos please visit http://www.holidaylettings.co.uk/8586

The Poitou-Charentes / Vendee / Charente Maritime region

The Charente Maritime, the region in which we are situated, is the 2nd sunniest in all of France, after the South and we know as we have lived here for over 11 years! The Summers are long and hot but there is plenty of shade if required in our gardens with lots of trees and parasols outside each gite. From May & June you will find the evenings stay quite light until at least 10 pm so perfect for dining outside, especially after the little ones are tucked up and you can sip your wine peacefully over candlelight & watch the sun going down!

The region is full of Roman history and our nearest Roman town is Saintes, on the River Charente and less than 20 mins away. This is an interesting and lively town, popular with locals and holidaymakers alike, as there is so much on offer - from the wide choice of restaurants offering traditional French cuisine, Creperies, Italian, Indian, Chinese/Asian and even a Moroccan one too, you will be spoilt for choice. For those of you with families there are a number of "pedestrian only" roads in the centre and many restaurants offering terraces with outside dining. With theRiver Charente running through the centre of the town there is opportunities to hire electric boats as well as enjoy one of the pleasure boats linking Saintes to Cognac or to the excellent Restaurant at Chanier "Le Moulin du Baine" - not to be missed! Its greatest asset & well worth a detour is its Roman Amphitheatre - still in a fine state of preservation and in August several musical & cultural events are held in the Arena for the general public's pleasure - but far more pleasurable than was its original entertainment of course!! An excellent town for shopping too with large hyper markets and many interesting boutiques in the centre.

We have an abundance of small villages close by most offering a weekly Market - Saintes itself has an excellent daily Market with a Fish market too and a big Foire on the 1st Monday of each month.

Bordeaux and the wine region can be reached in just over 1.30 hours and St Emilion makes for a super day out Of course the Charente Maritime also produces its own local wines both Red, White and Rose and there are many local producers where you can stop and visit where they will be delighted to show you around plus you can do a little sampling too (for the non-drivers in your party of course!) Pineau de Charente, is the locally produced Aperitif and is delicious served chilled or in Fresh Charentais Melon - the French also use it in their sauces too! It is not available outside of France yet so worth buying in a few bottles - we have a cellar full should you forget to buy some or wish to stock up!!

For the beachlovers amongst you our nearest beach is at Fouras - a charming, former bathing town in the 20's which has not become too touristic and has maintained some of its original charm along with many of the old seaside houses - now much in demand with prices to match alas!!

Saintes / Romegoux area

Le Moulin du Champ is mid-placed (18mins) between the Cathedral City of Saintes and the ancient Naval – now Pleasure – Port of Rochefort. We sit in a small valley between 2 small villages of Geay and Romegoux. Romegoux itself is purely residential and has a Romanesque Church, a Primary school, Library and Town Hall plus, of course, a Boule area!
Geay, has a small Post Office open 3 times a week and an "Epicerie/Bar" a little like a village shop but which is in a bit of a time warp actually! You have to go there to see what we mean though! Just 4kms away on the Route Nationale 137 is the small town of Beurlay which has a Baker, a small Co-Op (selling almost everything!) a friendly Post Office, a Hairdresser, Town Hall and an Electricians, Kitchen shop & so on - just on the outskirs is a "Truckers' Restaurant" - the well-known Routier Restaurant where you can be served an excellent value 4 course lunch plus the obligatory bottle of red wine for about Euros 11 with a help yourself buffet to start with! You can't find value like that anymore in the U.K. anymore can you?

The local area is ideal for walkers, cyclists and birdwatchers as having the River Bruant in our grounds plus the mightier River Charente only 5 mins away attracts lots of water birds including Kingfishers (we have a regular pair in our garden!), Herons, Storks and various birds of prey - some of which could easily be mistaken for Eagles! Good walking too along the local canals only a few minutes from our home offering some delightful fishing spots as well as for pic-nics! Do bring your binoculars and cameras as well as fishing rods although the latter we have a few at hand should you forget!

St. Porchaire, a local Market town is just 7kms, and offers a Post Office, Bank (with cash machine), Ecomarche, Chemists, doctors, dentists, Newsagent (selling at least 5 different British papers!), Co-Op, Bars and an excellent restaurant for that "special" meal (preferably without the kids if they are younger as they really will not appreciate the superb cuisine!) - don't worry we can offer baby-sitting (depending on demand).

We are in an ideal cycling and walking location so do bring your bikes or bikes can be hired locally at St. Savinien, just 9kms from our home

How to get there

By Air
*You can fly into La Rochelle Airport, only 30 mins away with daily flights with Ryanair (see www.ryanair.co.uk) from Stanstead or Flybee from Southampton & Birmingham (daily flights) Collect an hire car at the Airport.
*Bordeaux Airport is just over 100 kms and from there you can get onto the A.10 motorway Bordeaux To Saintes and then only 20 mins on the RN 137!
By Car and Train
*From Paris it is about 5 hours drive or you can take the TGV (France's fastest train) which goes via Poitiers and get off at La Rochelle.
*The A.10 has exits at both St Jean d'Angeley (just 23kms from us) and Saintes (about 22kms) and then an easy 20 mins drive onto to us - we are happy to provide you with precise directions .
By Ferry
*St. Malo is our closest port in less than 4 hours, then Cherbourg 5 hrs. Roscoff and then Calais about 8+ hours in peak Summer.

Activities near Saintes

Facilities

Further details indoors:
All 3 bedrooms, comprising of 2 double bedrooms and a twin bedded room, together with the house bathroom are on the first floor with sloping roof. The Master double bedroom has its own small en-suite shower, washbasin & toilet. Some of the 1st floor has exposed stonework and all bedrooms command wonderful views over the Prairie and River below.

The ground floor is open-plan, part dressed stone with Charentaise stone fireplace with working log-burning stove for Winter (or occasional chilly Spring/Autumn!) nights, plus generous lounge & dining areas and fully-equipped kitchen with downlighters and includes gas hob & oven, large fridge, washing-machine, dishwasher, microwave, toaster and coffee maker too. The chimney place has an efficient wood burner for the cooler months. This property is ideal for low season lets especially if house-hunting in this charming region.

Further details outdoors:
To the rear of La Prairie is a gravelled terrace with table for 6, BBQ & parasol, either under the shade of an enormous Camelia tree, or right by the waterside in the blazing sun (well, we hope so, anyway!). Outside light although candles are more romantic!

The grounds comprise a large walled garden ‘clos’ with lawns, shrubs, rose garden & fruit trees including Plums, Apples, Fig & Cherry, plus an enclosed private in-ground Swimming Pool, children's rustic playground and sandpit, all fenced off from our shady waterside woodland of Plane trees and little private island…..wild-life, freshwater shrimps and fish abound, including Carp, Trout & even a Pike has been spotted! Bring your rods although we have a few available for use.

Further details

The fenced swimming pool (10m x 5m) unheated is normally open from end of May to the end of September.

For low season renters, wood for the efficient wood burner is sold cut at 50 Euros per stere (1 cubic metre). To be prebooked.
Obligatory end of stay cleaning of gite Euros 55 payable on arrival in cash please.

NB: All 1 week stays booked during peak summer ie July & August subject to GBP50 surcharge.

STOP PRESS: May 1/2 term week available - 2 Bottles of local "Pineau de Charentes" offered to 1st to book! Hurry!

(Please quote this Website Special Offer when enquiring)

Conditions

FACILITIES AVAILABLE
Bedlinen hire (not towels)
10 Euros per person pw (linen)
COT and/or hgh chair available for hire Eu 15 per item. Please prebook
Babysitting possible, subject to demand

Rental rates

Period	From	To	Weekly	Nightly rate		Minimum  stay
				Weekday	Weekend
	2 May 09	23 May 09	395£ 395	0-	0-	1 Week
	23 May 09	27 Jun 09	495£ 495	0-	0-	1 Week
	27 Jun 09	11 Jul 09	795£ 795	0-	0-	1 Week
	11 Jul 09	29 Aug 09	895£ 895	0-	0-	1 Week
	29 Aug 09	4 Oct 09	495£ 495	0-	0-	1 Week
	4 Oct 09	20 Dec 09	355£ 355	0-	0-	1 Week

NB: Prices may be subject to change at the advertiser's discretion.

1 OR 2 COUPLES only (Total of 4 persons) renting in September or October for 2 weeks 50 GBP discount off the 2nd week PLUS a box of Oysters for your arrival!

Please note LIMITED OFFER

Guestbook for La Prairie

The 2nd year running here and another fantastic time. It has been great to catch some sun and relax in and around the pool and visit the various lovely places. Thanks for having us and hope to see you again soon!
The Sindall family - Le Bucher gite (August 2007)

I am not sure where to start!! The place is idyllic, the wildlife is wonderful the welcome was extremely warm, the surrounding area so lovely and the kittens cute! You have a lovely home and family - thank you!
The Kennedy family - La Prairie gite - (August 2007)

It is a wonderful place and everybody was so friendly. The swimming-pool is well managed and it was nice to have a Table Tennis Table and to row on the river too. It is very well located because it is near very interesting and touristic places of interest. We all had a great time and we hope to come back!
Claudia, Alice and Laurenco - La Terrasse gite - August 2007

Julie, you rented me the best appointed "cave" I could imagine! It was just what an indulgent writing project needed - comfortable and cool, beside a stream with fish and pheasants for company. I can imagine (and it is easy to imagine here!) a writers' colony in these gites. You can't be disappointed!
Conor (writing my 1st book!) Santa Monica, California, USA (September 2007)

A spot not even on a map! Very warm welcome and with peace and quiet allowed time to explore - not a moment to even get bored!!
Thank you Julie!
Donaldson, John & Shelagh, Melbourne, Australia - La Prairie gite (October 2007)

Lovely location - very practical to visit the many attractions and sites which abound and fantastic weather too. We loved the Oysters!!
Mike, Audrey, Lucy and Daisy , Salisbury, UK - La Source gite (October 2007)

Availability

See below for next 9 months' availability - to see the next 24 months click here

Send Enquiry

To contact this advertiser please visit: http://www.holidaylettings.co.uk/8586

Contact details for home 8586 Please mention Holiday Lettings
Name:	Julie Carter
Tel:	+33 (0)5 46 90 67 71
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Contact Notes: Call or email
Advertiser joined: Jan 2006 This Property added: Jan 2006

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