Characterful village property in the heart of Green Venice, Western France

This family sized house is situated directly in a village in the heart of the Venise Verte (Green Venice), recently named one of France's Grandes Sites and France's 2nd largest wetland after the Camargue. This is a very unique and hiddden away part of France. The gite sleeps up to 6 people and offers well equipped accommodation with lounge, separate kitchen/ diner which has a barn door onto the terrace and garden. Upstairs there are 3 bedrooms; a master with a double bed, and two other interconnecting bedrooms, one with a double bed and one with 2 single beds. Note there is no door to separate these 2 rooms so this gite is not suitable for 3 couples who would like their own private bedrooms. The bathroom is upstairs and there is a second wc on the ground floor. A travel cot and highchair can be provided. Wifi is available.

There is a sunny, enclosed garden equipped for al fresco dining, sunbathing and barbeques. Note there is a small neighbouring gite. There is an adjoining field for car parking, table tennis, dog walking, football and other sports . Free use of a traditional punt in order for our guests to explore this very unique, local area. I no longer offer the loan of bikes but there are bike hire places in the village at reasonable rates.
An intriguing network of canals and waterways is just down a lane, near the house from where you can set off with a picnic for an adventure in the labyrinth of small canals, under a completely green canopy of trees. Come back relaxed and ready for an aperitif on the deck til the sun sets into a very dark, unpolluted night sky allowing you to stargaze and watch our local barn owl and European dormice going about their evening business.

Village amenities on your doorstep include a Tourist Information office, small coop/ grocery store, 2/3 restaurants, a pizzeria/ ice-cream parlour, artisan shops, petrol station, antique shop and post office. There are markets in various local villages throughout the summer. There is also a little cinema in the next village.

The city of La Rochelle (also the nearest airport) is about 40 minutes awa; a delightful harbour town to explore with good restaurants and summer animation. The Atlantic coast, with large, clean and safe,sandy beaches is within easy reach (about 40mins away) as is the famous and trendy Ile de Re - a delightful island, over the bridge from La Rochelle.

Come and enjoy this very unique and relaxing part of France. Green Venice (locally known as the Venise Verte is best explored by boat, bike or on foot so you can forget your car for a few days. It is also ideal for those wishing to paint, fish, bird watch or general nature watching and relaxing. There are indoor and outdoor pools, tennis and equestrian facilities nearby and plenty of opportunity for water sports on the coast (Chatelaillon Plage being the nearest centre).

For exploration further afield, there is good access to such destinations as Saintes, Cognac, Bordeaux and its vineyards, the Dordogne, the Atlantic islands of Re, Oleron Aix etc and Atlantic beaches and resorts (Royan, Rochefort etc). Theme parks such as Futuroscope and the award winning Puy du Fou are both accessible for a day out and there are also lots of animal parks and water parks to explore too. Pets can be permitted on request for a small fee of 10 euros per stay per animal.
Linen - most house linen is provided including all bed linen, dishtowels and bath mats. We do however ask you to bring your own towels if at all possible. Those flying or arriving by bike will of course be catered for.

Note to dog owners - the garden this is not fully gated so errant dogs need to be kept on a leash. We can block off access to the back field but not guaranteed for diggers/ runners.