Recommendations – Gite Complex

Thank you for an enjoyable holiday.

Your ideas for activities were much appreciated.

Terry & Margaret Thorley- Lawson

Thank you very much for a very comfortable stay. It seams a pity to go back to England and leave this lovely peaceful place.

Thanks too for recommending the Auberge last night, we enjoyed the meal, couldn’t finish the wine, perhaps you can.

Best wishes & thanks again

Jim & Sue Conner

We have really enjoyed our stay here. The swimming pool is fantastic and the people here are so friendly. We loved bike riding, table tennis & pool. One thing that realy made our stay here was seeing the Milky Way at quarter past ten half way down the road, the sky was just beautiful.

At the end of the holiday we have only one problem, were not staying here next week as well !¬.

Thank you to everyone who made out time special, love

Jennie, Annette, Jacky Steve.

P.S Bradshaw is so cute (the dog).

We have spent a lovely week here, (wish it could have been longer !) Pool is great. B House (now called Andromeda) is fine as well. We advise every one to do the water-skiing, its so much fun, especially when the weather s good !. Bike riding is great around here & there are bikes provided which is really handy!. Good kitchen facilities, a few more utensils ect would be even better ! Overall great place with lovely people.

Thanks

The Rowland’s (Cornwall)

Wow what an excellent place for a relaxing holiday.

W have six children, so finding a holiday to suit ages 20 down to twins of three isn’t easy.

The kids were safe, the play area by the pool was big and closed in so the twins were completely safe, while the other splayed in the pool and we sum bathed perfect.

We went bike riding, horse riding which was great.

David & Isobel were really friendly and their girls played with ours.

The gites are thoroughly cleaned and well equipped, even got sky. It really made me feel like moving out of the rat race and living a more simplistic lifestyle.

I could not find value for money anywhere else.

Thanx for a great holiday

Amanda, Joel, & Family. (Reid)

To Lauren & Alice

Thank you so much you really have made my holiday, I cant wait to come back next year. Thank you for letting me ride Quel and for teaching me some nouveau Francais, AKA elastique. Perhaps one day I will be able to speak Franglais (if that’s what its called) I thoroughly enjoyed Alice joining us on day trips, especially when we crashed boats he he. I’m going to miss you loads and we will have to stay in touch

From Evie (Reid)

Hooray for utube !!.

To Lauren & Alice

Thank you for making my holiday so special I really enjoyed it especially the BN’s. The gite was lovely and cosy, The pool was nice and warm and there was loads of toys in the garden. I cant wait to come back & see you soon Thank you

Olivia (Reid)

We had a brilliant 2 weeks here. The facilities were marvellous and we have taken full advantage of the swimming pool, and had many a table tennis match. The first weeks weather was rather dubious , however the second week was spectacular and we thoroughly enjoyed being able to sunbath topless by the pool.

All our love & best wishes for the future Elen, Nia, Martha, Calum & Wilma.

Very child friendly environment , the children loved the facilities of the barn, the pools , the garden and swings. Very friendly, helpful hosts, David was very hospitable. The location is very rural, but the above more than compensated for having to drive a bit more to reach places, A very enjoyable week in a nice part of France.

Martyn Gill, Kate & Jessica Holmes

Although the weather was dubious for about 50% of our stay, we had a lovely time. The children were more than happy to stay “on site” with the wonderful pool and facilities.

David & Isabel’s very friendly and obliging, making us feel at home from the start.

We were very impressed with what the Inchboard’s have achieved with their beautiful manoir.

(Watch out for the 11:45 am shutting of Intermarche on Sunday)

Fouras was favourite resort with old fashioned feel to it, but all are wonderful & not over commercialised.

There is so much to see close by, our advice is not to be tempted to travel afar. Aquarium – go early or in the evening, terribly crowded at other times.

Thank you, we hope to come again

Alex, Tracy, Jessica, Lilly, Hebe, Kezia Dale

(Dumfries & Galloway)

We’ve had a fantastic two week stay here. David & Isabel have been more than helpful right from the start providing fresh bread, & milk in the fridge to assistance with finding our way around.

There is so much to see and do here in this lovely part of France. We can highly recommend the wed/sat market in St Jean, Fouras town & beaches (Grand Plage nicest beach), Ile de Re for hiring bikes and exploring the cobbled streets (stunning) and Ile de Oleron for its beautiful long beach. La Rochelle of course is lovely to go shopping & eating, our children liked the aquarium. Also Palmyre zoo in Royan was a big hit with our children , even though some of the animals seamed a bit deranged, (check out the polar bears!)

St Jean D Angely is a lovely nearby town and we found a great restaurant called “ L Annexe, next to Ellis Park bar where you can sit our under the trees.

Overall a wonderful time and we will be sure to return ( hopefully to retire one day)

Thank you

Sash , Andy, Abby & Benjamin.

David & Isabel very friendly and helpful.

Gite really nice and modern, Lovely area, Hennessy Cognac tour very interesting and worth a trip. Aquarium and La Rochelle really good but be aware if you want something to eat in the café they stop serving food at 4 pm ! Pool really nice. The washing machine was very useful as was the British TV !. Would love to come back again had a lovely time.

Best wishes

Hills Family

Sad to leave after two super weeks. We are now getting to know the area quite well and feel very at home here. Greatly helped by the kind hospitality of David and Isabel.

Highlights include – the weather which couldn’t have been better. Fresh bread delivered every morning and La Rochelle and of course the gites.

Very many thanks to you both.

Pat, Ali, William and Elizabeth Fryer.

Fantastic week, great time had by all. Lovely well equipped gite that made us all feel at home.

The gite has been ideal for the children, safe comfortable and plenty to do however the weather.

David and Isabel have been fantastic hosts and always there to answer a question or give a recommendation.

We will be back

Richard, Charlotte, George, Harvey and Lyla Nowosad

Had a lovely holiday. Kids had a great time which means we did too.

Went to St Savinien to ride the boats on Sunday – great fun.

Visited the aquarium in La Rochelle on Monday – a bit pricey but well worth it.

Went to the beach at Chatellian Plage – lovely day out with moules and calamari at La Croissette.

Had a lovely walk around La Rochelle and a day trip to Cognac.

All in a week!!!!!! Shattered now.

We will be back

Lynda, Paddy, Holly and Joseph O’Connor

We had a lovely relaxing holiday here. The gite was very comfortable and well equipped for a family.

Thanks for a nice stay

Alan, Lorraine, Nicola and Callum Vaughan

The gite and pool are fabulous, as is the surround area. Would definitely return.

Claire and David Wilkinson

We’ve had a great holiday. Lovely gite and pool – managed to go in once.

Weather was mixed – a few recommendations:-

The electric paddle boats at St Savinien, a must for those with kids. Check opening times, Sunday afternoons only in September.

Aquarium in La Rochelle is excellent.

The best beaches – Chattellion Plage, just south of La Rochelle. Beautiful sanding beach with beachside cafes. Beaches on Ile de Olleron also good.

Thanks very much

Claire, Gary, Ella and Katie Lawson.

Had a lovely time here, the weather could have been kinder but that didn’t stop us getting out and about.

David and Isabel are great hosts very helpful and friendly as are their girls.

Had a very pleasant stay and I will definitely be recommending the gites to friends and family.

Thank you so much

Sarah, Tim, Callum and Rosie-may De-ath

Thank you Dave and Isabel, we have had a great holiday once again. Thanks for all your help organising the horse riding and water sking, we loved them.

Hope to see you all again soon.

Paul, Louise, Ben, Joe and Olivia Medhurst.

Excellent holiday. Really relaxing and lovely gite, very clean with everything we needed.

The swimming pools were very clean and the kids had a great time.

David and Isabel’s hospitality was first class and local knowledge excellent.

The local Saturday night summer festival was great, as was the horse riding. Water-sking was also very good, although not as easy for some of us!!!!!

Had a really great holiday, thanks and hope to be back next year.

Sue, Mike, Matthew and Eleanor Gilbert

We had a great holiday – the kids particulary enjoyed visiting the restoration of the ‘ Hermione’ at Rochefort Sur Mer.

The gite was great, loads to do, even when the weather wasn’t perfect. Dave and Isabel create a nice, relaxed atmosphere and make a real effort ( football match, watersking, etc).

Thanks Dave for your water-sking instruction – gave the boys an experience they won’t forget in a hurry .

Thank you!

Paul, Louise, Ben, Joe, and Olivia Medhurst

We have forgotten what day it is – so that’s a holiday.

I couldn’t believe twas Friday yesterday when David was organising our transfer to his friends gite for next week.

I’d say its more than a “refuge” translation of “gite”.

David & Isabel get it just right, not too intrusive but always cheerfully helpful.

A lovely setting, pool & grounds for much cricket ect.

We’ve all enjoyed our stay, Aulnay & St Savinien yesterday were such treats with scalled down boats, a must for the kids.

Phil , Anne, Bill, Dan & Sam Western

Thank you for letting us stay, I had a wonderful time and loved every moment, I really liked the pool. The surrounding countryside is beautiful and I hope I come again, Thanks very much

Oliver Lyon

Thank you very much for letting us stay, Gite was very pretty, I loved the swimming pool & garden. I also enjoyed going to St Jean D Angely.

Alice Lyon x

Postcard

To Dave, Isabel & Family

Thanks for a great stay and for making us feel so welcome !, What a lovely place, will recommend you to friends, there is a little something to say thanks and 10 euros for the medicines for Michael,

Cheers The Lyon Family

Lovely area particularly the coast, which is very accessible.

La Rochelle, Ile de Re, and Chatiallon all well worth visiting

Gite clean and tidy but could be more comfortably furnished throughout.

Hospitality and warmth of welcome most appreciated. Good luck for the future
and next time make it sunnier.

Thank you! A lovely and clean gite. Lovely facilities to keep us occupied.
The food in the fridge was most appreciated.

Overall we had a lovely stay and thoroughly enjoyed ourselves.

Warm welcome and lovely clean gite. Thanks for the milk etc in the fridge,
very useful as we arrived late and missed the supermarkets.

Thanks for all the info about the area, very useful. We loved Taillebourg
and had a lovely lunch at the restaurant there and enjoyed swimming in the
river. The children loved the riding at Florences a big hit.

Had and great day at Ile de Oleron (took over 1 hour to get there) but our
favourate was Ile de Re, nearer to get to and full of charm, great beaches,
quaint villages, markets and the beautiful capital St Martin. Lovely
restaurants, cafes and shops overlooking the pretty harbour.

La Rochelle also very pretty and worth a visit.

We had a very enjoyable stay, thanks for all your kindness and tips. We
loved exploring the area. Good luck.

Andy, Emma and family (Cassiopeia Gite)

Lovely gite-very clean &full of character. Loved all the touches on arrival, the wine, folded towel & milk in the fridge- they really make a difference.

We’ve had a great week. We definitely agree that the Hotel de la Place, St Jean D’Angely and the restaurant overlooking the River Boutonne where you cook your own food are worth a visit. La Rochelle and Cognac were two of our favourate places.

You’ve obviously worked very hard. You’re great hosts and we wish you the best for the furture.

Niall, Celine and Family. (Cassiopeia Gite)

We had a fantastic time in your wonderful gite. The kids and ourselves loved the pool and all the games you’ve provided. The kiddies pool was a huge bonus as ours can’t swim.

Recommendations for Future Visitors

Le Ronsard at lunch time in the bar (Surgeres) is great for fantastic informal lunch.

The North Beach at Fouras – but check that the tide is high. The info is available in the newspaper ‘Sud Ouest’

If you go to the Aquarium in La Rochelle, a nearby restaurant “La Maree”
(with green cover outside) is kiddie friendly.

Robert Priti & Alisha (age 5) (Orion Gite)

We have had a great time here both on the spot & in a number of places you can get to. Especially recommend using the pool after 8pm when the water feels at its warmest & the light is good.

Keep the shutters closed after 11.30 and the gite stays much cooler.

Use extractor fan when cooking especially for grill or oven.

Days out

Nearly all water centred and we’d make these recommendations.

Things you wont do elsewhere

1. The riverside restaurant is St Jean, brilliant setting especially at sunset, and you can have fun with the cook it yourself dishes, inventing marinade & finding your ideal cooking times. Good for kids old enough to keep fingers un-burnt (no need to use the kids menu) though not for vegetarians, there is a fish option.

2. Swimming/diving into the Charente at Port d’Envaux. Very warm water, and there is a safe are a marked out, though you can also swim right across.
Boats for hire in June/ July/Aug minimum depth about 2 feet.

Best Beaches

Take your sun umbrellas etc.

1. Ile de Re, straight over the bridge on the left – good at high or low tide ( lots of others as well) The catch is the 16 euro return toll for crossing the bridge- think of it as what you save on hiring loungers and umbrellas and its not quite so bad 45 mins.

2. Fouras, check high tide time first- when out you cant get near the sea for 6 hours. Otherwise go for north beach-the most scenic, very warm water, the café in the trees serves meals all afternoon.

3. Chatelion, same tide warning, but nicely set up with seafront cafes, showers, and if your lucky parking places.

4. Ile d Oleron, we liked the one past Boyardville with big dunes and views across the bay. It does take nearly 2 hours to reach, but you can always stay on for the evening in Boyardville which has restaurants and cafes and keeps lively.

We usually went to the beaches 6-8 pm when its still quite busy but not crowded.

Villeneuve village shops

Close at 12-30 sharp for lunch, co-op shut Munday morningsButcher / Charcutier in van stops outside co-op till 12-30 on Saturdays only, Baker visits here occasionally check with David.

Gerry & Thomas (age 14) (Orion Gite)

Enjoyed stay, although in January weather wasn’t to bad, better than UK.

Arrived on Saturday made to feel welcome straight away.

Everything we would need is here or close by.

Loved the area & not far off the beaten track, 5 mins to A10 and you are away north or south.

One day actually reached 17 degrees and when the sun came out it was lovely.

Will recommend this accommodation to any who are thinking of coming out to France on holiday.

The drive down from Calais wasn’t to bad now the A28 is now fully open, so you don’t have to go through Paris.

Many thanks for a pleasant stay.

Just wanted to say thank you for a wonderful holiday! We had a brilliant time – beautiful place to stay and loved the trips out to La Rochelle, swimming in the river (a first for our boys!), go karting, horse riding and cycling round the quiet country lanes – perfect! And of course your hospitality – you made us feel very welcome. Can’t wait to come back soon to try out the fantastic new pool!!! What more could we ask for?

Thanks
Kate, Neil, Matthew and Joe. X X x x