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Monday 31 August 2009

Cycling on Ile de Re




Yesterday we parked our car just at the foot of the Ile de Ré bridge, on the belverdere carpark. Took our bikes and cycled over the 3 kms bridge, as the bridge has a toll of 16.50 euros in the summer, you pay nothing if you walk or cycle. In the car park there is a bike rental so you can hire bikes if you don't take your own. On the island there are loads of cycle tracks purposly built, so your not on the busy roads, from the bridge it took us less than half an hour to get to La Flotte which is a very pretty little fishing port, with lots of fantastic fish restaurants, bistros, boutiques and if you go just to the back of the port there is a shop selling one of the best ice creams we have ever tasted! On the way back we took the coastal path and passed the Abbey and the old forte, then onto the beach for a rest & swim in the sea before the last accent back onto the mainland.

Thursday 27 August 2009

Customer Comment for the "Pressoir"


17 /08/2009


What a nice few days near the coast. During our short visit we saw the main places: La Rochelle and the busy aquarium. Beautiful seaside city. Another day to Île de Ré by bike. Thanks to Nigel for the tip on renting the bikes just before the toll. La Flotte was gorgeous with the best ice cream ever! The last day was spent at the " Côte sauvage". Wonderful! Louis was a great playmate for the boys.
Thanks again.


Diane, Peter, Tazman & Kadin
Calgory, Canada.


Tuesday 25 August 2009

Cycle race, Poitou-Charentes




25th August 09




Today at 12.40 we have had the 'Tour Cycliste International du Poitou-Charentes' pass by our house & through our little village of Landrais. This is the first leg of the race it goes from Châtelaillon-Aigre. Whilst standing and waiting for them to come we stood talking to our neighbours, M et Mme Moutard who has lived here (and even in our house) all his life, he told us how he remembered how 40' odd years ago the 'Tour de France' passed through.

Saturday 22 August 2009

Custumer comment for the Farmhouse

8th- 22nd August 2009

A fantastic two week holiday, very relaxing. We really enjoyed the beaches especially at Châtelaillon and Fouras.
Shopping in La Rochelle was brilliant and enjoyed a lovely meal over looking the towers on the harbour. Kids really enjoyed the pool!
A lovely gïte and peaceful surroundings made for a perfect holiday.
The horse racing at Chatelaillon was interesting, shame about our poor betting skills!

Fiona, Rob, James, Jack and Connar

Wednesday 19 August 2009

Customer comment for the Pigeonnier taken from the guest book.

17-08 to 19-08 2009

Many thanks for your excellent place! We regret to have stayed here only for two days. We should have planned the whole France trip for your nice farm!!!
Hope to meet you once again in your nice "Pigeonnier".

Timur, Natalia, Sofia & Jaroslav
from Ukraine

Monday 17 August 2009

Customer Comment for the "Pigeonnier"


August 10th - 17th 2009


Thank you so much for a wonderful week. The weather has been amazing and you have all been so friendly, helpful and full of information - perfect hosts!
We've been out every day, loads to do. Our favourites include strolling around La Rochelle (great atmosphere in the evening), the beautiful Île de Ré (St Martin + Flotte) and the aquarium in La Rochelle.
Le Pigeonnier has been a real treat yet a comfortable home from home.
Thank you for everything.
Megan + Greg
Louth, Lincolnshire

Wednesday 12 August 2009

Fantastic beaches in the Charente Maritime




12th August 09


Not a cloud in the sky today so we decided to visit the beautiful long sandy beaches on the 'côte sauvage' (savage coast), it lives up to it's name, as when you go into the sea you have to be very careful as it has very strong undercurrents. You'll find lifeguards patrolling this coastline & there's also a few kite surfers riding the waves.

Sunday 9 August 2009

Walk to Fort Enet





































The locally famous Forte Boyard guards the channel between Ile d'Oleron and Ile d'Aix, on all points of the mainland and Islands around the estuary of the Charente river fortes have been built to guard the entrance, because Napolean needed to build ships without the English sailing in and destroying them before they were completed.








One of the channels between Fouras on the mainland and Ile d'Aix is guarded by another less known Fort surrounded by the sea called Forte Enet, on very low tides is accessable by foot and there is a guided tour available of the inside which is very interesting and great views around. Money is being spent to renovate it for the public, but it is a long way off being finished. To our surprise there was a little white car parked inside, somebody lives in just a small part of it!

Saturday 8 August 2009

Comment for the Farmhouse for this weeks guests

1 - 8 August 2009

The week's flown by - a sure sign of a good time! We loved the pace of life & starting each day with a leisurely breakfast after the bread van had visited! (although I did also enjoy some early morning walks into Landrais - very quiet - lots of birds & I also saw a deer & a hare!)
The Ile de Ré was good - the boys enjoyed climbing the lighthouse at the point des Baleines & we enjoyed a meal beside the harbour at St Martin. The 3 towers at La Rochelle gave us more climbing, but we also enjoyed pottering in the park there. Lots of lovely beaches - & of course, a cool dip in the swimming pool on those hot days was a real treat!
Thanks to you all for a great gite, lovely surroundings & that welcome bottle of wine on arrival.
Maybe we'll be back some day.........

Denise, Ian, Jacob (8) & Sean (4)
East Leake, Loughborough

Comment for the Farmhouse from this weeks guests.

Comment taken from the guest book for the Pigeonnier

August 1st - 8th 2009

We came with every intention fo seeing all the sites, but spent a considerable amount of time relaxing at the Pigeonnier and the pool with Louis, Timmy and our lovely fellow guests. Thank you for a fabulous week!
We did enjoy wandering the streets of La Rochelle & climbing the towers. We can also recommend the Roman sites at Saintes and the beaches north of Royan.
At least we have left plenty to do on a return visit!
Clare, Rob, Ella & Alice (Oxford)

We would like to say thank you for a lovely time here. We have made good friends. It's been very nice to meet you.
Ella age 6

Monday 3 August 2009

Customer comment for the Pigeonnier

July 24th- August 1st 2009
We have a family of three boys and they had made great friends during the week, especially with Louis. Nigel and Suzanne were great hosts, friendly, helpful and we thoroughly enjoyed our week.
The Pigeonnier was very well equipped especially for the boys cot, trampoline and pool. The availability of the bikes, umbrella and beach equipment really made a difference to our enjoyment.
The morning bread van and local super market in Surgeres are very good. The local pizza van is very good and spoke good english.
We had a day at Coulon (Venise Verte) and then Damvix and Marans. All are very picturesque. At Marans we hired a motorboat for an hour (19euros), but you can hire a gondola. Our boys (6 and 5yrs) really enjoyed the lake at Saint Savinion. We hired small electric boats which they could steer on the small lake with an adult.
The beaches we enjoyed the most are about an hour away. Le Platin just up the coast from Royan near the Côté Sauvage and La Palmyre zoo. Both the beach, coast line and zoo are meant to be excellant.
We visited the aquarium in La Rochelle which is excellant 13 euros/ adult and 10 euros for children >6 yrs. The sand on the beach at Châtelaillon and Fouras are excellant. We did not like the estuary and underfoot, the french were used to this. The sandiest beaches are down the coast.
The weather has been good all week 25°C.
Thanks Nigel and Suzanne when we come back this area again we would try and stay with you again!
Thanks for a great holiday week.
Andrew, Jane, Thomas, Olivr and Harry
from Newsport, Wales.

Saturday 1 August 2009

Customer comment for the Farmhouse

25th July- 1st August 2009

We have really enjoyed our stay here. The warm welcome from Suzie and Nigel was fantastic. The Farmhouse is spacious and very comfortable and the pool area is fantastic! Thank you to Rosie, Ellie & Louis too for making the holiday so special for Elise & Sander.
The week has flown by too quickly! We have lots of great memories to take home with us.
Despite spending hours by the pool, sunning, swimming and relaxing, we managed to explore the area and visited beautiful La Rochelle, quaint Fouras (recommend the "grand plage") and Saintes, which was fantastic especially the Ampitheatre. Surgeres was also lovely and we enjoyed the horse riding and bike riding in the surrounding area. Good luck with all your future plans and ambitions.
We will be back.
Sarah, Willem, Elise and Sander