Spring time at the gites and Landrais

Its warming up, the sun is out, the migratory birds are back, the landscape has turned to a nice shade of green and the flowers and trees are starting to show there true colours and blossom. I love this time of the year in the Charente Maritime.   

 

Dolmen, Ardilliéres (3 km)

 Dolmen, Ardilliéres (3 km)

 Action shots of the Leicester Tigers Verses La Rochelle.

local images of Fouras and the beautiful old port of La Rochelle

Guest book comment for the Pressoir

22/04/11 - 30/04/11

Thank you to Nigel & Suzanne for making our break to this area in France so enjoyable, we had a really nice relaxing time. It was great with our little dog Rocky. Lovely to have a splash in the pool. Enjoyed Royan and the little beaches around there, also Chatelaillon plage and Fouras. Our last night was a great end with a visit to La Bateau restaurant in Landrais, well worth a visit, don't eat lunch if you go there for dinner. Bill also loved to get his morning pastries from the bread man that delivered every morning.

Thank you

Bill, Trudie & Rocky

(SA) now UK

Customer comment for the Pressoir

14th August-28th August

We have enjoyed our stay in "Le Pressoir". Thank you to Nigel and Suzanne for their hospitality (and also their assistance when we needed a visit to the Doctor in le Thou).
We have visited most of the usual places - Ile de Ré, Rochefort, La Rochelle, Royan, La Palmyre to nae a few.
We enjoyed two good meals out in Surgères in "Le Grand Café", which was also good because it's only a short drive away. "La Roma" pizzeria in Surgères also looked good but it was full on Friday night so we were unable to go.
We visited the zoo at la Palmyre which was excellent but very busy in August.
The aquarium in La Rochelle was also extremely busy but worth a visit in low season.
Megan's highlights were definitely the pool and the wendy house!
Many thanks & best wishes

The Varley family

Gateau salés, smoked salmon & olive

This recipe of Gateau salé is ideal eaten with an Aperatif or sliced as a starter with a sauce.

Ingredients: 200g of flour, 3 eggs, 1dl of milk, 1dl of oil, 1 sachet of yeast (10g), 200g of smoked saumon, 100g of green olives, 20g of butter for greasing the mould, salt and pepper. Grated cheese (optional)

Cut the salmon and olives in cubes, flour them.
Reheat the oven th. 6 (180°). Butter the mould.
Sift the flour & yeast into a mixing bowl and add the beaten eggs with salt and pepper. Add oil and the milk.
Pour the preparation into the mould (add grated cheese if using) and cook for around 45 minutes. Check the loaf is cooked inside and leave to rest for 5 minutes before taking out of the mould, slice when cooled.

Customer comment for the "Pigeonnier"

17th August 2010

We are delighted to have discovered your "grand design" here at Monlieu. Thankyou very much for your welcome and hospitality. We have enjoyed exploring the area from the beaches to the countryside and returning of an evening to our wee corner of France at the Pigeonnier.
We'll be back!
Bonne continuation!
Gail, Alan, Lucy
Perthshire, Scotland

Shade for the pool area

This year we have been updating our pool area, earlier we added the margelles (edging tiles) around the pool, outdoor shower and we also put a large sun shade at one end of the pool, so you can get some shade from the hot summer sun.

Customer comment for the Farmhouse

3rd June 2010

Like previous guests we have had a wonderful stay at the farmhouse. Such a beautiful house and so well styled! Thankyou Nigel and Suzanne for your hospitality and helpful suggestions. Could we add Brouage to the list of "must do's". Stunning little visit to make. It has been wonderful to explore the area and to come back to the welcome pool each day.
Thankyou

From Derek, Dee, Elysabeth and Ali.
Cambridge UK & Hong Kong!

Corderie Royale in Rochefort, Charente Maritime

Rochefort was built in the 17th century, Louis XIV wanted somewhere to build his war ships so he ordered his then prime minister Colbert to construct a town from where to build his ships. The Corderie Royale (Royal Ropeworks) is seventeenth century classical architecture and is 374m long. It was used to make the longest ropes for the great warships. Also you'll find here the Royal Naval shipyard, with 11 construction yards & 4 dry docks.

Twin bedroom in the Pressoir

This is our new twin bedroom for the Pressoir, now the Pressoir is 2 bedroomed one double & one twin & sleeps upto 4 people comfortably.

Customer comment for the Pigeonnier

7th March 2010
Thank you Nigel & Suzanne!
We've had a very relaxing week in this part of France. Lovely weather despite "Le Tempete" last weekend!
We loved the islands Oléron and Ré and enjoyed exploring the little villages nearby.
Comfortable, clean accomodation.
Pete & Sue

Rastafarian Donkey's

Here in the Poitou Charente we have a local Donkey locally known as 'Baudet du Poitou', about 30 mins from here near Dampierre s/ Boutonne (further inland) there is a large farm which have started a breeding programme. In 1977 there was only 44 of these 'Baudet' in the whole of the world. Now, because of these special breeding programmes there are around 1000 and the numbers are steadily growing. This year the L'Asinerie du baudet du Poitou had around 10 babies and you can go into the field and stroke them. Initally these donkey's were bred with Poitou shire horse to make a large & very strong Mule used in the second world war.

October 29th and it's 22°C

Today was a lovely & warm sunny day so we cycled over the bridge from La Rochelle to Ile de Ré. En route to St Martin we stopped to have a picnic on a deserted beach. When we arrived at St Martin Louis decided to have a go on the Donkey's that wear trousers! Yes it is true donkey's really do wear trousers, it arrived from them working in the salt fields and the trousers protect their legs from the mosquitos.

Local images in the Charente Maritime.

Here are some photos taken from around our local area.

This is the beautiful Mairie at Soubise.

Customer comment for the "Farmhouse"

12/09/2009 - 19/09/2009


A lovely, relaxing holiday. Loved the farmhouse, very cosy & well equipped. Avy (our 3 year old daughter) had a wonderful time & now wants a trampoline of her own!
Lots of lovely places around to visit, but must admit to just enjoying the peace & quiet in the farmhouse.
Thanks to Nigel & Suzanne for a wonderful stay.


Kellie, Rob & Avy.

Customer comment for the Pressoir

6/10/09 - 15/9/09

A thoroughly enjoyable stay with Nigel & Suzie. So impressed with the accomodation and their hospitality.
The beaches are wonderful and we enjoyed the September sun at La Rochelle, Fouras and Ile de Ré.
We also visited Cognac, a lovely town and was impressed with the Hennersey Distillery.
We also visited Royan, La Tremblade, Rochefort (no cheese!!) enjoying the shops, markets and restaurants for a lazy lunch!
A visit to the 'Bateau Lavoir' restaurant was a culinary delight - though advise that you fast for the day prior to eating there as the food is plentiful to say the least. Be prepared for the traditional French cooking!!
Back to blighty we must go, however we hope to be back!!
Thank you Nigel & Suzie and good luck for the future here!
Kevin & Sally
Rutlanders

Customer comment for the "Pressoir"

27/08/09 - 01/09/09


A very enjoyable stay in very tastefully restored gîte! We have had a great time visiting Fouras & Châtelaillon beaches which are good for the children. La Rochelle for the retail fix! With too many good restaurants to single one out although we have enjoyed our meals here just enjoying the surroundings and pool until late.
The Île de Ré is a must see trip. Both St Martin de Ré and La Flotte are beautiful, all areas here exceptionnally good facilities and very cheap parking!!
We will certainly be recommending "Le Pressoir" etc... to our friends.


The Powells, Cambridge.

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