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Charming stone cottage with sauna, pool, near the Grand Colombier and lakes

Cottage in Saint-Martin-de-Bavel with water park and sauna

Photo gallery for Charming stone cottage with sauna, pool, near the Grand Colombier and lakes

Private swimming pool
Le gite de la forge
Ten court yard
Living area
Dining

Reviews

10 out of 10
Exceptional
2 bedrooms2 bathroomsSleeps 575 sq m

Popular amenities

  • Parking available
  • Pet-friendly
  • Barbecue grill
  • Washer
  • Fireplace

Explore the area

View map
  • Place, Cerveyrieu waterfall
  • Place, Marais de Lavours National Nature Reserve
  • Place, Domaine Monin
  • Airport, Lyon (LYS-Saint-Exupery)

Rooms & beds

2 bedrooms (sleeps 5)

Bedroom 1

1 Queen Bed

Bedroom 2

1 Queen Bed

2 bathrooms

Bathroom 1

Toilet · Shower only

Bathroom 2

Toilet · Shower only

Spaces

Deck or patio
Kitchen
Dining area

About this property

Charming stone cottage with sauna, pool, near the Grand Colombier and lakes

At the foot of the grand Colombier (Tour de France 2016), 12 miles from the lac du Bourget, an hour from Geneva and Lyon, our gîte is ideally situated for fans of sport ( road cycling, VTT, water-sports, walking, Fly fishing, horse riding...),nature and Wine tasting.
In a beautiful undiscovered part of France the gîte has 2 double bedrooms with ensuite bathrooms, sauna and private pool with a view.

Add dates for prices

Amenities

Pool
Kitchen
Washing machine
Pet-friendly
Outdoor space
Parking available

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Exterior
Superb house with vines and view of the Grand Colombier
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9.6 out of 10, (28 reviews)
Superb house with vines and view of the Grand Colombier

House Rules

Check in after 5:00 PM
Check out before 10:00 AM
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Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17
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Events

No events allowed
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Pets

Pets allowed
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Smoking

Smoking is not permitted
Any breakages must be replaced or paid for

Important information

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Host has not indicated whether there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property; consider bringing a portable detector with you on the trip
Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher
This property has outdoor spaces, such as balconies, patios and terraces, which may not be suitable for children; if you have any concerns, we recommend contacting the property prior to your arrival to confirm that they can accommodate you in a suitable room

We should mention

Cash transactions at this property cannot exceed GBP 1000, due to national regulations; for further details, please contact the property using the information in the booking confirmation
A car is recommended for transport to and from this property

About the area

Saint-Martin-de-Bavel

Located in Saint-Martin-de-Bavel, this cottage is in a rural area and near theme parks. Domaine Monin and La Caveau Bugiste are worth checking out if an activity is on the agenda, while those wishing to experience the area's natural beauty can explore Lake Bourget and Chapelle de Mazieres. Lèbe Observatory and Base de Loisirs O Lac ! are also worth visiting. Waterskiing and fishing offer great chances to get out on the surrounding water, or you can seek out an adventure with ecotours and cycling nearby.
View more Cottages in Saint-Martin-de-BavelOpens in a new window
Map
Saint-Martin-De-Bavel, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes

What's nearby

  • Cerveyrieu waterfall - 6 min drive - 4.1 km
  • Marais de Lavours National Nature Reserve - 6 min drive - 5.1 km
  • Domaine Monin - 10 min drive - 8.5 km
  • La Caveau Bugiste - 10 min drive - 8.5 km
  • Bugey-Valromey Museum - 13 min drive - 12.4 km

Getting around

  • Virieu-le-Grand Belley Station - 9 min drive
  • Chambery (CMF-Chambery - Savoie) - 53 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Café du Palais - ‬13 min drive
  • ‪Brasserie L'o - ‬6 min drive
  • ‪Le Séran Restaurant & Bar - ‬4 min drive
  • ‪Boulangerie Marie Blachère - ‬11 min drive
  • ‪Auberge De Savieres - ‬19 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Does Charming stone cottage with sauna, pool, near the Grand Colombier and lakes have a pool?

Yes, this property has a pool. Pool types include heated pools.

Is Charming stone cottage with sauna, pool, near the Grand Colombier and lakes pet-friendly?

Yes, pets are allowed at this property. Some restrictions may apply, so please contact the property for more details.

What time is check-in at Charming stone cottage with sauna, pool, near the Grand Colombier and lakes?

Check-in begins at 5:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Charming stone cottage with sauna, pool, near the Grand Colombier and lakes?

Checkout is at 10:00 AM.

Where is Charming stone cottage with sauna, pool, near the Grand Colombier and lakes located?

Situated in the mountains, this cottage is within 6 miles (10 km) of Marais de Lavours National Nature Reserve, Cerveyrieu waterfall and Domaine Monin. La Caveau Bugiste and Office of Tourism Belley Bas-Bugey are also within 9 miles (15 km).

Reviews

10

Exceptional

9.8/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

9.8/10

Location

9.8/10

Listing accuracy
Rating 10 - Excellent. 107 out of 118 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 11 out of 118 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 118 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 118 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 118 reviews

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

A little gem in the foothills of The Alps

Quaint village house perfectly placed for visiting stunning local scenery and sights. Gite was very comfortable and the owners, Sarah and Claude, were very friendly and helpful. All this helped to make it a wonderful holiday. The weather was pretty good too!
Stayed 14 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

Sarah T.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

A great place in a beautiful area

This house is the perfect place to base yourself to explore the surrounding area. Although the village it is in is very quiet and has no restaurants there are amazing places to eat a short car journey away. The surrounding countryside is incredibly beautiful and the house has a pool with a breathtaking view. There is lots to do in the area and we did some great wine tasting. The hosts are very communicative and helpful with local recommendations.
Stayed 7 nights in Sep 2023

10/10 Excellent

Sue S.

Beautiful gite in a wonderful location

The gite has everything needed for the perfect holiday. The two en suite bedrooms are spacious and beautifully fitted out. The downstairs living accommodation is tastefully furnished and the kitchen area is very well equipped. The two outside terraces and swimming pool are delightful, and the hospitality shown by Sarah and Claude is wondeful! The whole area is beautiful with many places to explore. A brilliant holiday!!!
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2018
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Don S.

Excellent

This gite was the best we have ever stayed in during the last many years of travelling. The hosts Claude and Sarah graciously welcomed us, assisted us in exploring the local areas with excellent suggestions of sites to see. The gite itself was excellent, spacious, clean and expertly maintained. The family dog was fun and made us feel very much at home. The gite is located in the small community of St Martin de Bavel which is about one hour away from Lyon and Geneva. The spectacular local and regional sights were especially great. We highly recommend this location and especially this gite and will return next year for another visit. The location is rural so peaceful quiet nights were particularly fantastic. Those looking for an active night life will need to drive some distance to find those activities.

8/10 Good

Linda G.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in
It was an historic cottage in a small residential village located between a number of regions we wished to explore.
Stayed 5 nights in Oct 2025

10/10 Excellent

Paul S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
We absolutely loved Gite de La Forge. The countryside is completely unspoilt and the view from the pool was breathtaking. There were butterflies, bees and dragonflies during the day and swallows and swifts diving on the pool. There is no light pollution at all and, at night, we would take a drink out to sit by the pool. The stars and night sky were spectacular and the bats kept us company as well. The Gite was clean and comfortable and had everything we needed. Our hosts were wonderful. Very friendly and quick to respond to any queries we had. The village is really well placed for sight-seeing around the area. Chanaz, Annecy and Châtillon are well worth a visit and a drive up The Columbiere is a must … if nothing else but to look at the cyclists and think .., “How?!!!” I would love to go back and wouldn’t hesitate to recommend Gite de La Forge. Thank you Sarah and Claude and we hope to see you in the future. Paul and Nic
Stayed 14 nights in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Laurence M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Petit cocon douillet et romantique

Nous venions dans la région pour un court séjour à l’occasion d’un mariage. Nous avons donc très peu séjourné dans ce petit gîte joliment décoré , situé au sein d’un mignon petit village mais avons néanmoins eu le temps de nous rafraîchir et faire quelques brasses dans la piscine et se délecter de sa vue. Je le recommande pour deux couples en quête de quiétude. Les chiens sont les bienvenus, un atout que nous avons fort apprécié !
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

Manuela Z.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, listing accuracy
Na een gastvrij ontvangst door de gastheer voelde we ons snel thuis in het huisje met bijzondere en smaakvolle inrichting. Het zwembad heeft een hele mooie doorkijk naar de bergen, prachtig uitzicht. Lekker gezwommen en bij het zwembad gezeten om te eten. Mooie sfeermomenten beleefd. Sauna is een fijne bijkomstigheid. Ondanks geen airco bleef het huisje redelijk koel bij 30 graden door luiken en ramen goed dicht te houden en ‘s avonds laat open te zetten. Minpuntjes zijn het nachtelijk geblaf en lawaaierige naaste buren aan de straatkant. De wat soberdere slaapkamer aan de tuinkant geeft een betere nachtrust. De pomp van het zwembad die zo goed als de hele dag aanstaat; deze geeft een continu gebrom als je bij het zwembad zit.Auto dient weggezet te worden op ca 5 min loopafstand aan het eind van dorp op een weitje achter een ketting. Ondanks de minpunten een absolute aanrader! Tophuisje, topeigenaren!!! Hartelijke mensen; goed Engels sprekend. Goede tips om de omgeving te verkennen.
Waterval cascade de clairefontaine
Iets hoger dan de waterval doorgereden voor dit mooie uitzicht voor een picknick (advies van Claude)
Boswandeling vanuit het huisje, Rondwandeling ca 5 km
Mont Blanc
Stayed 5 nights in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

Laurine B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Superbes vacances

Nous avons passé de bonnes vacances au gîte de la Forge. Logement cosy et bien situé.
Stayed 5 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Amazing place to stay

We really enjoy the house that is beautiful and the surroundings also amazing. Sarah and Claude were very helpful with everything. I higly recommend to stay there! THANK YOU for your hospitality!
Stayed 5 nights in May 2024

10/10 Excellent

Wim v.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Excellent hospitality

Authentic home in beautiful surroundings
Stayed 7 nights in Apr 2024

10/10 Excellent

Matthias S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Paradies

Wir haben sehr schöne Tage in dem wunderbaren, mit Liebe eingerichteten Haus in dieser grünen und friedlichen Region verbracht. Merci, Sarah !
Stayed 6 nights in Apr 2024

10/10 Excellent

Oliver H.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Herbstferien

Einfach eine super Unterkunft mit herzlichen Gastgeber in einer schönen Umgebung. Sehr zu empfehlen.
Stayed 14 nights in Sep 2023

10/10 Excellent

Liz B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Fantastic area

As advertised, with lovely touches to welcome us from wine to sweets! Beds were comfy, showers powerful and hot, pool was very welcome on a hot week. Sarah and Claude, the hosts next door were unobtrusive but welcoming and helpful and Poppy dog was a delight (sorry Freddie barked at her so much)!
Stayed 14 nights in Sep 2023

10/10 Excellent

Ute B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Hidden Treasure!

A charming and nicely decorated house with wonderful and friendly hosts. Plus a Pool with a view of the mountains. Situated in the tiny village in a beautiful countryside simply the perfect place to unwind and enjoy nature. Many things to enjoy in the whole area.
Stayed 7 nights in May 2023

10/10 Excellent

Birgit T.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Ein wunderschönes Haus

Ein sehr gemütliches Haus mit viel Charme und allem Komfort. Ideal für einen erholsamen, entspannten Urlaub von zwei 2 Paaren oder auch zwei Einzelpersonen, weil es zwei getrennte Schlafbereiche gibt. Die Sauna zu nutzen und hinterher am Pool mit Panoramblick zu liegen, haben wir sehr genossen. Sehr herzliche Gastgeber. Wir haben uns rundum wohl gefühlt.
Stayed 7 nights in Apr 2023

10/10 Excellent

lydie g.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Déconnexion

Lieu chaleureux, petit village tel qu'on les aimes. Malgré un temps maussade nous avons apprécié nos vacances. L accueil de sarah et claude est très chaleureux. Pour cette troisième année nous avons apprécié les lieux et avons donner rendez-vous pour 2024.
Stayed 14 nights in Apr 2023

10/10 Excellent

Anna N.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Ruhe und Gemütlichkeit

Wir hatten einen zauberhaften Aufenthalt bei Sarah und Claude! Das Haus befindet sich in einem zauberhaften Dorf. Ein altes Steinhaus auf einem liebevoll gestalteten Grundstück. Innen toll eingerichtet mit sehr bequemen Betten, modernen Bädern, Sauna. Unten tolle Küche und ein Pelletofen für noch mehr Gemütlichkeit. Sarah hat uns wahnsinnig freundlich begrüßt und alles gezeigt. Es gab einen lokalen Brut und Schokolade zur Begrüßung. Frische Blumen in den Zimmern. Gute Vorschläge für Unternehmungen. Die Kommunikation war sehr angenehm. Wir kommen definitv wieder für einen längeren Aufenthalt!
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2022

10/10 Excellent

Meike D.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Urlaub auf dem Land für Ruhesuchende

Super sauberes Ferienhaus, es hat an nichts gefehlt, sehr sympathische Vermieterin.
Stayed 14 nights in Sep 2022

10/10 Excellent

Carol B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

GREAT HOUSE WITH FANTASTIC VIEWS

Good hosts , rural quirky property.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2022

10/10 Excellent

Martine L.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Heerlijke vakantie!

Een prachtig vakantiehuis in een echt Frans dorp. Het zwembad was heerlijk, het uitzicht prachtig en de omgeving ook. We hebben veel gehad aan de tips van Sarah. Echt een aanrader!
Stayed 14 nights in Aug 2022

10/10 Excellent

Amélie F.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

se ressourcer

Un séjour à la campagne ressourçant dans une maison pleine de charme. Des hôtes sympathiques, disponibles et attentionnés. Une piscine agréable et bien exposée. De très bons moments passés.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2022

8/10 Good

Eric v., Koedijk

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Korte opsteker op weg naar vakantieadres

Een fijne woning met een heerlijke boerse uitstraling; de koeien uit het dorp wandelen 2x per dag letterlijk aan het huis voorbij. Het enige minpuntje voor mij (de man), waren sommige deuren/kozijnen welke voor mijn lengte (1.95 mtr) aan de te lage kant waren. Hier kan niemand wat aan doen natuurlijk. Het mocht de pret niet drukken. Verder was alles aanwezig en was de woning schoon en opgeruimd. De bedden waren heerlijk om te slapen. Gastvrije ontvangst en begeleiding door Sara en Claude. Dank voor een heerlijk verblijf!
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2022

10/10 Excellent

Miriam M., Deutschland

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Amazing!

We had an absolute lovely stay, very much enjoyed the pool. Already recommended it to family and friends. Thanks so much to Sarah and Claude.
Stayed 7 nights in May 2022

10/10 Excellent

Marie c d.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Merveilleux

Superbe
Stayed 3 nights in May 2022

About the host

Hosted by Les Gites de Sarah et Claude

Host profile image
I am English and Claude French. We have four children, a dog, cats and two ponies. We arrived in Saint Martin de Bavel in 2004 and have been renovating the forge du Perou ever since! The gite was let all year round and when the tenant left in january 2016, we decided to have a go at holiday letting.
We absolutely love this area, we have travelled widely and we are always pleased to get home. We want to share this undiscovered beautiful part of France that the French and Swiss neighbours have been keeping for themselves.

Why they chose this property

The forge is an old stone house dating back from 1802 in the heart of the village. Saint Martin de Bavel is a typical old fashioned agricultural village perfectly located to discover the area.

Languages:

English, French
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