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WHERE TO STAY WHEN LOOKING FOR PROPERTY
Gîtes/B&B/Camping
The accommodation listed below is chosen for its quality and
good value. I know the properties and all of the owners and
so can recommend them with confidence.
If you wish to discuss any of them please call me on
0033.6.81.74.98.46.
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"Le Chataigner" at Bel Air is a converted farm on 25 acres with a swimming pool.
The English owners are Penny and Brian Johnston at 0033.(0)5.46.94.10.48, and their
e-mail is belairjohnston@wanadoo.fr. and their website www.belairjohnston.co.uk.
Penny and Brian are delightful people and very knowledgeable about the area and
always willing to offer advice and assistance. At "Le Chataigner" there are 3 gîtes,
2 houses and b&b. To find this take the D6 from Gémozac toward Mortagne and 7.2km
on your left you will see Bel-Air...an excellent choice with excellent hosts.
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Jim and Gail James have a delightful 2 bedroom gîte, 'Les Cerisiers', near Virollet,
about 6km south of Gémozac. The gîte is in a very quiet location and has about 3
acres as the 'garden', beyond which are acres of vines down to the Estuary. The
location is about 20 minutes from the beaches around Royan (the most southerly
one being the beach at Meschers, my favourite), and 5 minutes to the very special
Estuary village of Mortagne with its restaurants, fishing boats, marina, and festivals
and dances in the summer.
There is a 10 x 5m pool, and as there is only the one gîte you have a private pool!
The gîte is available all year round, with heating and a wood-stove.
'Long lets' are available for the autumn, winter and spring periods at reduced rates.
Jim and Gail can be contacted on 0033.(0)5.46.91.63.55, or gail.jim@wanadoo.fr and
their website is www.gites.gb.com
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Mike and Penny White have a new 1 bedroom gîte at Champagnolles, about 4km
south-east of Gémozac, 30 minutes from the beaches at Royan and about an hour from
La Rochelle and Bordeaux airports; Champagnolles has an excellent restaurant, La Vieille Poste,
within walking distance of the gîte.
The gîte has a living room, kitchen, bedroom and shower room, and a private garden.
To contact Mike and Penny call 0033.(0)5.46.86.12.81
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"Le Perat" is a 2-gite, 4 b&b, property owned and operated by Jan and Dave Palmer.
The gite is located in the quaint village of Montpellier de Medillan within a short
drive of Royan, Cognac, Pons and Saintes with the fine beaches at St. Georges
and Meschers and the coast less than 20 minutes away. Supermarkets and
restaurants are at Cozes and Tesson, 5 minutes by car, and the golf courses at
Royan, Saintes and Cognac are all within an easy drive.
The property is located in grounds of several acres with a large pool.
To speak to Jan or Dave call 0033.5.46.94.79.72 or 0033.6.87.73.80.49,
e-mail jandavepalmer@hotmail.com and the website is
www.holidaytofrance.net
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The gîtes at "La Forge" are at the edge of the village of Thénac which is located on the D6
road between Saintes and Gémozac, about 15 minutes from the Gironde Estuary and 40
from the beaches at Royan, and the owners are David and Kate Smith.
The property is a beautifully restored eighteenth century Charentaise stone house in its own
park of 17 acres. The 2 or 3 bedroom beamed and stone-walled gîtes were created in 2004 and
are fully equipped and furnished, with central heating, and each has a private patio/garden, and
there are lock-up garages available. There is an 11x5 swimming pool for ‘grown ups’ and a
children’s pool alongside. The village of Thénac has a boulangerie, post office, general store
and other small shops and services, all within a 2 or 3-minute stroll. Access from the north/south
A10 motorway or Bordeaux and La Rochelle airports is by Exit 35 or 36.
La Forge can accommodate couples, families and larger parties, and can also offer longer lets
with substantial secure storage space.
To contact La Forge telephone is 0033.(0)5.46.74.31.38 or by e-mail at
davidandkate@laforgegites.com, www.laforgegites.com
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Trevor and Gail Abell bought a 40 acre estate "Montravail" just outside Gémozac last
year. They have developed a very impressive and high standard gîte complex,
Sunflower Gites, comprised of traditional French stone cottages with a large heated pool,
alongside which is a children's pool.
Its location makes it very handy for the restaurants and shops around Gémozac, the
beaches around Royan, the golf courses at Saintes, Royan and Cognac, and the
distilleries at Cognac.
Trevor and Gail can be reached on 0033.5.46.93.48.67 or trevor.abell@orange.fr and their
website is
www.sunflowergites.co.uk
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Gourmet Bed and Breakfast in a beautiful stone house is offered by Karen and Malcolm
Booth at their large home “Auberge de la Fontaine” at Montpellier-de-Médillan, northwest
of Gémozac near Rioux. Karen is a trained chef and I dined with them the other evening
and her cooking is superb! In addition to her wonderful breakfasts, Karen will prepare
evening meals using produce from her own garden, with wine from her 1200 bottle
cellar, and picnic baskets. Malcolm is fluent in French and knowledgeable about building
and so can offer help in these areas.
To find out more their website is www.aubergefontaine.co.uk or 0033.5.46.90.06.81
"Bon appétit!"
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December of 2003 Derek and Lesley Sando purchased a farm and distillery,
"Les Tilleuls" on 3 acres in the village of Echebrune , just east of Pons , and
have developed two excellent gîtes, one with 4 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms and
the other with 2 bedrooms and a shower. Both are centrally heated.
The gîtes are very spacious and have been finished and equipped to such a high
standard that they feel more like “houses” than “gîtes”.
A 12x6m swimming pool is to be completed by the spring of 2006.
To find out more details of their exceptional gîtes go to their website at
www.charenteholiday.com or telephone them on 0033.5.46.95.60.84.
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"Font Remy" is the former Manor House of Le Petit Village, owned by Huw and
Cathy Thomas Le Petit Village is a peaceful hamlet 1km inland from the pretty
fishing village of Mortagne-sur-Gironde, with its marina and excellent fish restaurants.
The property has been tastefully converted into four very spacious and fully equipped
houses sleeping 10, 10, 6 and 6 and is set in a walled garden of 2 acres with a
swimming pool and with lovely views of the vineyards beyond. More details can be
found at: www.fontremy.com.
Jasmine cottage is particularly suited to people looking for a winter let.
Take the D6 road from the church at Gémozac towards Mortagne for about 10km to
the roundabout at Boutenac-Touvent (the only roundabout!) and then continue
straight over the roundabout towards Mortagne. Just before the Moulin de la Lande
on the left, take the D245 on the right, direction of Chenac and Epargnes. Font Remy
is the second house on the left in the hamlet of Le Petit Village.
Huw and Cathy also own an historic and very beautiful Château in St. Fort, able to
accommodate 22!
For enquiries, please contact cathy@fontremy.com or 01707.896.555
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Bob and Wendy Cleaver have 2 new gîtes, 'Rainbow' and 'Firtree' and can
accommodate 2 to 8 guests. They are located in the tranquil village of
Boutenac-Touvent.
Go to the roundabout at Boutenac-Touvent and take the road in the direction of
the A10 motorway and after 0.3km turn right following the direction sign to Boutenac
and after 0.8km you will reach a crossroads with a white cross, and turn right on
rue de la Croix and you will find Bob and Wendy's home at #2 rue de la Croix,
after 0.3km... it is the house with the brown shutters.
The gîtes are very comfortable and well equipped including TV's for videos and
there is also an above ground swimming pool.
You can reach Bob and Wendy on 0033.(0)5.46.90.63.96
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Fiona and Callum McCready own “Chez Grandmère” in the centre of Gémozac
near the restaurants, bars and other village activities and across from the
supervised open swimming pool. The property is fully furnished to
a very high standard, on 2 levels with a lounge with a fitted kitchen area,
a games area with a day bed/TV/DVD, a utility room for the washer and
drier, 2 double bedrooms and 2 twin bedrooms, a bathroom with a bath,
shower and wc, and a shower room with a wc, and a large garden.
It was recently finished and so everything is in perfect order.
The property is also available for long "off-season" lets.
To contact Fiona or Callum please call their UK number 0779.205.5292
or from France 0044.779.205.5292 and you can check out the
accommodation and lots of pics on
http://www.frenchconnections.co.uk/for_holiday_makers/accommodation/104478.cfm
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John and Di Fillery have a 3 bedroom gîte “Les Moreaux”. There is a new
11x7m pool and the location is surrounded by the vinefields at Virollet, south
of Gémozac. The gîte was renovated for the 2006 season. You can find more
details on their website, www.holidaytofrance.com/lesmoreaux
or you can call them on 0033.5.46.91.36.18
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Gus Coulton bought a wonderful house near the Estuary a few years ago and now rents it
as a first rate gîte with a swimming pool. The gîte accommodates up to 10.
Go to the website www.relax-in-france.com to take a look.
Contact Gus in the UK on 020.8741.2746 or 07852.971.715, guscoulton@yahoo.com
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Emma and Phil Hutchinson run their exquisite guest house, "Ma Maison de Mer"
at 21 avenue du Platin, 17240 Saint Palais sur Mer, 05.46.23.64.86,
www.mamaisondemer.com, reservations@maisondemer.com
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Robert Stansfield has an exceptional b&b at the Blue Sturgeon, 3 rue de la Cave,
17120 Saint Seurin d'Uzet, www.bluesturgeon.com 06.81.40.57.90
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Vacances St Jacques has wheelchair accessible b&b, camping and gîte
accommodation at "La Mirolle", St-André-de-Lidon, 0033.5.46.90.11.05,
e-mail vacances.stjacques@orange.fr
The proprietors, Steve and Lindsey Burry are English, and the property
has 18 acres with lots of horses, goats, sheep, ducks, geese and
donkeys, all with names! The property is particularly special because
it is suitable for people with disabilities with a fully adapted shower block,
washing up position, laundry service and bedding hire. Everything has
been designed with the wheelchair user in mind.
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HÔTELS
My first choice for an hôtel would be the three star hôtel "Moulin Val De Seugne"
(the Watermill in the Valley of the River Seugne) at Mosnac. It is exceptional and one
of our very best restaurants. The hôtel has 9 rooms and one suite, is air conditioned,
has a swimming pool, a heliport (ooh!), and is situated on 15 acres with exotic birds,
goats, ponies, and rabbits on their own island which you see from the restaurant and
hôtel balconies over the river (or really 'stream') Seugne. I have received excellent
reports about the hotel from clients and I have experienced the very fine restaurant
on many occasions...it is my favourite restaurant!
Mosnac is located south-east of Pons in gorgeous countryside and the telephone
number is 0033.(0)5.46.70.46.16, e-mail moulin@valdeseugne.com, and the
website www.valdeseugne.com
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"Le Rustica" is one of our very best restaurants and also offers accommodation.
There are 2 rooms, one a double and the other with bunk beds, both overlooking the
garden and swimming pool. The address is 11 Roses Trémières at St. Leger, and the
telephone number is 0033.(0)5.46.96.91.75. St. Leger is north-west of Pons by a few
kms and you take Exit 36 from the A10 motorway at Pons, turn right heading west on
the D732 from the motorway, and a short distance on the right take the D125 towards
Jazennnes and Villars en Pons and St. Leger...you will see the restaurant signposted
and 'follow the trail!' I recommend the "Chef's Surprise" which is a 7 course meal
chosen by the chef!...Incroyable!!!
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An excellent choice not far from my office is "Le Relais de Touvent", part of the Logis de France
group, with a first-rate restaurant overlooking a small park, and is at the roundabout at
Boutenac-Touvent where the D732/D6 from Exit 36 from the A10 motorway via Gémozac meets
the D730 from Exit 37 from the A10 motorway via Mirambeau, 15km from Exit 36 and
20km from Exit 37. The actual address is 4 rue de Saintonge, 17120 Boutenac Touvent,
and the telephone number is 0033.(0)5.46.94.13.06, the website www.relais-de-touvent.com,
and the e-mail contact@relais-de-touvent.com.
It is owned by Corinne and Jean-Pierre and has a newly installed swimming pool.
The hotel is well situated for seeing the best of this area, the vinefields, coastal fishing
villages, and beaches around Meschers and Royan, and close to the Estuary village of
Mortagne-sur-Gironde with its marina, fishing boats, restaurants and history.
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The newly restored "Le Lion D'Or" has now opened in the village square in the centre
of Gémozac and is both an excellent hotel and a restaurant...the chef previously worked
at the hotel Georges V in Paris!!!
The address is 2 Place de la Mairie, 17260 Gémozac, telephone 0033(0)5.46.92.34.94
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CAMPING
Vacances St Jacques has wheelchair accessible b&b, camping and gîte
accommodation at "La Mirolle", St-André-de-Lidon, 0033.5.46.90.11.05,
e-mail vacances.stjacques@orange.fr
The proprietors, Steve and Lindsey Burry are English, and the property
has 18 acres with lots of horses, goats, sheep, ducks, geese and
donkeys, all with names! The property is particularly special because
it is suitable for people with disabilities with a fully adapted shower block,
washing up position, laundry service and bedding hire. Everything has
been designed with the wheelchair user in mind.
Camping Moulins de la Vergne, Peet and Caroline van Uffelen, 9 Route de Colombiers, 17800 Pons,
0033.(0)5.46.90.50.84, www.moulinsdelavergne.nl , 52 pitches for tents, caravans or camper vans,
a winter campsite, 6 acres of forest, free swimming pool, restaurant, kids' club, fishing...
...English, German, Dutch and French spoken.
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Kennels
I have received an excellent recommendation to a kennel, 'De La Foret' at
St. Aubin de Blaye, 33820, 05.57.64.73.30 or 06.07.12.17.39.
The owner Monsieur Violleau is active in pet rescue and from the report I have
received is very compassionate.
To find, go south through Mirambeau on the N137 and follow the directions to the A10
and when you reach the roundabout at the A10, turn left and it is by the pine woods.
A second good referral I have received is the "Hotel Chien and Chats" on the route de
Bordeaux, the D730,at Semussac, about 6km s.e. of Royan, on the left of the road as
you drive towards Royan, and the telephone numbers are 06.88.48.88.96 and
05.45.05.75.61 ...my friend tells me that music is played to the 'little darlings', and
she was very pleased with the treatment of her puppies. |
