Farmhouses And Bed & Breakfast With Swimming Pool And Views Across The Valley
Tranquil location, 3km from Melle, Deux Sevres, Poitou Charentes
Stone farmhouses - total sleeping capacity of 10
|
|
Fontegrive, situated just outside the Romanesque town of Melle, has been aptly described by our neighbours as 'tres calme'. Our 10 acres of pasture and woodland provide wonderful opportunities for bird watchers and wildlife enthusiasts. Quiet lanes in the surrounding countryside make walking and cycling a pleasure. The original farmhouse 'L'Hirondelle' has been sympathetically renovated, retaining its 'olde worlde' charm and can accommodate up to 3 adults or 2 adults and 2 children. 'La Maison' the large farmhouse has been tastefully renovated retaining many of its original features and provides luxury self-catering or Bed & Breakfast accommodation for up to 6 people in 3 en-suite bedrooms. Evening meals are also available.
|
|
| Rental Period | Per Night | Per Week | Per Month | Min. Stay (Nights) |
| 8 January 2011 - 2 April 2011 | £280 | 3 | ||
| 2 April 2011 - 9 July 2011 | £325 | 3 | ||
| 9 July 2011 - 3 September 2011 | £450 | 7 | ||
| 3 September 2011 - 17 December 2011 | £325 | 3 | ||
| 17 December 2011 - 7 January 2012 | £450 | 3 |
La Maison Prices
| Rental Period | Per Night | Per Week | Per Month | Min. Stay (Nights) |
| 8 January 2011 - 2 April 2011 | £510 | 7 | ||
| 2 April 2011 - 9 July 2011 | £595 | 7 | ||
| 9 July 2011 - 3 September 2011 | £845 | 7 | ||
| 3 September 2011 - 17 December 2011 | £595 | 7 | ||
| 17 December 2011 - 7 January 2012 | £845 | 7 |
Notes on prices
Prices are shown in Sterling. You may pay in euros - see our website for euro prices. Includes bedding, towels and reasonable use of utilities. Pool towels are available at an extra cost.
For self-catering lets of 3 weeks or more a discount will apply - please contact us for details. We will also consider longer term lets.
B & B prices are £52 per night per room for 2 people sharing, including breakfast. Single occupancy is £45 per night. A 10% discount applies for 8 nights or more.
Changeover day
Changeover day is Saturday. Flexible out of season.
Earliest time of arrival is 4pm and departure is 10am unless by other arrangement.
An 'end of stay' clean is also available on request at a cost of €40.00
|
La Maison
|
|
|
Upstairs there are 2 large double en-suite bedrooms, finished to a high standard with comfortable beds. The 3rd en-suite twin bedroom is smaller and located on the ground floor. The large well furnished dining room has exposed beams, terracotta tiled floor and a large Charentaise fireplace with wood burner (for colder winter days). The sitting room, furnished with two cream leather sofa's, also boasts exposed beams and another large Charentaise fireplace. TV (English satellite and French) is available. The kitchen is well equipped with electric oven, gas hob, dishwasher, microwave, fridge/freezer, toaster and kettle. A door leads to another vine covered terrace with table, chairs and BBQ. There are spectacular views across the valley. |
|
Notes on accommodation
* Table D'Hote. A tempting 2, 3 or 4-course evening meal including aperitif, wine and coffee from 18 euros per person is available on request. We are happy to cater for vegetarians.
* There is a laundry available for our guests use.
* Fans are provided for those warm summer days. Central heating for all year comfort. Bed linen and towels are provided.
* Reasonable use of gas and electricity included in the cost.
* We are unable to accommodate pets.
* Please note that Fontegrive is a no smoking establishment.
* B & B is also available at Fontegrive. Please contact us or see our website for details.
* Free Wifi available but you will need your own computer.
Accessibility
Due to our terrain Fontegrive is unfortunately not wheelchair friendly.
Outside
Our 10 x 5m swimming pool is situated in spacious surroundings with a terrace, sun loungers and a solar shower. There is a sliding dome providing both security and the comfort of an indoor pool as well as the freedom of the outdoors. The guaranteed warmer water temperatures extend the swimming season. Fontegrive is set in 10-acres of pasture and woodland. In the valley there is a spring feeding the streams running through our land. Although there are no formal gardens, there is plenty of space to escape to.
Coast/Beach
The clean, well organised beaches of the Charente Maritime and the Vendee are about an hours drive away.
Golf
The nearest golf course is at Niort which is about 30 minutes drive from here. It is a 18 hole, 5 865 m, Par 71, slope 130. Open all year from 9 to 6pm in the low season and 9 to 7pm in the high season (closed on Tuesday mornings).
Travel
We are located halfway between La Rochelle and Poitiers our nearest airports.
Flights - Ryanair flies to La Rochelle and Poitiers all year round and Flybe offers a summer service to La Rochelle.
Ferry - the nearest ferry port is St Malo which is approximately 4 hours drive and Caen is just over 5 hours away.
Distances
The picturesque Medieval town of Melle is 3km away. About an hours drive to the west are the Marais Poitevin (Green Venice), La Rochelle, Il de Re and the beaches of the Charente Maritime and the Vendee. Poitiers and Futuroscope are an approximately and hours drive to the east and Saintes and Cognac are a bit further to the south.
Further details
The Poitou-Charentes is known as the second sunniest region of France. Melle and the surrounding countryside is rich in history and associated archeological sites. In Melle can be found the Silver Mines of the Frankish Kings and the Carolingian Gardens, three Romanesque churches and numerous botanical walks. There are various sporting activities including a swimming pool and a cinema. There are several restaurants and cafes as well as a boulangerie/patisserie and several supermarkets.
Markets - the closest market to us is the Friday morning market in Melle. Lezay, a small town about 12 km away, has a very large market on Tuesday mornings and Niort on Saturday mornings.
Booking notes
We ask for a 25% deposit to secure your self-catering and B&B booking. For self-catering holidays the balance is to be paid 6 weeks before the start of your holiday. Payment can be made by sterling or euro cheques. The balance of your Bed & Breakfast payments are made on the day of departure.
Guest comments
"Whatever the time of year - your welcome is always warm and sunny! Indeed your hospitality and cooking are second to none. In our busy lives we so appreciate this haven of rest and peace. This place keeps getting better and better. Long may it continue to thrive! We are already looking forward to our next visit! Many, many thanks. Ken & Karen, Berkshire, UK
"Fontegrive has been so perfect in every way that the desire to share knowledge of its existence with others has to be tempered with a need to keep it our secret." Wendy & David, Bristol, UK
"A lovely place for a break. We loved the setting, the carefully modernised buildings and countryside around. The girls loved the pool ... Best wishes for your continuing success at Fontegrive." Mark & Anna, Wandsworth, UK
Owner profile
About the owner
We had often heard, with interest, of people packing up their 'old' lives and setting off on an adventure to their 'place in the sun'. We finally took the plunge in 2004 when we moved from the beautiful city of Edinburgh to our sunny idyll in France. Having looked at several properties we found Fontegrive and fell in love. Putting our practical skills to work we set about our labour of love, renovating and modernising Fontegrive. One day we may add to the collection of books about the highs and lows of renovating old buildings! We now share Fontegrive with 2 beautiful cats, born in our barn, a few friendly hens and an abundance of birds and deer.
Year purchased: 2004
Why the owner chose a guest house in this location
When we found Fontegrive, nestling on the side of a beautiful 'time warp' of a valley, with its charming surroundings and stone buildings we fell in love immediately. Even though it is tucked away and has a sense of 'being away from it all', its proximity to Melle (only 3km) is convenient for easy access to supermarkets, bakeries, restaurants, etc. Melle is a charming market town with a lot of historical interest and Niort, our county town is only 30 minutes away. The quiet lanes are ideal for walking and cycling and, being the second sunniest part of France, we have plenty of opportunities for outdoor activities which we enjoy. The area is well served with transport links which give us easy access to and from the UK.
Unique benefits of the property
We enjoy the peace and tranquility of our 10 acres of pasture and woodland served by meandering streams and our guests have found it a good place for unwinding. There is an abundance of bird life and wildlife, including a few resident hares! The swimming pool is a welcome relief during the long hot summers. The removable dome ensures that the water remains at a comfortable temperature and extends the swimming season. The close proximity to the beaches and many of the larger towns and cities provides our guests with a lot of 'things to do'.
For booking and further information
Property Ref FR2256
George and Charlene Crawford
Tel: (France) + 33 (0)549 275 613
Mobile: (France) + 33 (0)665 203 536
Owners Website: Click here
Send an email to owner
This form may only be used for genuine enquiries about renting this property.
Use of this form for other purposes including unsolicited commercial marketing is strictly prohibited.
Your message will be sent by email to the property owner.
Owners Direct also retains an archive copy for the property owner to refer to.
If you do not receive a reply to this email within 2 or 3 days, please try contacting the owner by telephone.
Your email address will be added to our mailing list, for receipt of occasional newsletters and holiday information.
If you do not wish to be added to this mailing list, please uncheck the box above.
Please refer to our privacy policy.
International Dialling Access Codes:
From Europe dial 00 in place of +
From USA dial 011 in place of +
If phoning from outside Europe or USA please consult your telephone directory for international dialling access codes.
This advertiser joined Owners Direct in May 2007,
and has advertised this property with us since May 2007.
Property Ref FR2256
When contacting the owner please mention that you saw this property on Owners Direct Website.