Large swimming pool

Gites de Brives

Come and share the tranquility and the wonderful climate of the Charente. Our spacious gites have been sympathetically restored and furnished to a high standard, blending contemporary with traditional features. All gites have satellite TV (UK channels), DVD, stereo, microwave, cooker, washing machine, broadband (WiFi), a private patio and BBQ. Bedlinen and towels provided. Baby equipment available at no cost. Enjoy our large, floodlit swimming pool, children's play area, indulge in a game of boule or badminton, play table-tennis, tone up in the gym or just relax in an idyllic setting! There is a mouth-watering choice of places to visit locally (the beaches of the Cote Sauvage, Royan, La Rochelle, Cognac, Pons, Saintes, Angouleme, Bordeaux, La Palmyre Zoo and sleepy villages) and a host of activities, including walking, cycling, fishing, canoeing, horse-riding, golf, tennis, swimming and surfing. A perfect setting for summer or winter breaks for all the family (gites centrally heated).

Le Marronnier

Le Marronnier Lounge

 

Le Marronnier (2 Bedrooms, Sleeps 4/6) Prices Currency Conversion

 

Le Studio (1 Bedroom, Sleeps 2) Prices

 

Le Figuier (2 Bedrooms, Sleeps 4/6) Prices

 

La Grange (3 Bedrooms, Sleeps 6/8) Prices

 

Notes on prices
Prices in euros per week. We require a 25% deposit to secure the booking and the balance is payable 8 weeks prior to arrival. With the balance a 200 euro cash deposit is also payable (to cover the cost of any cleaning/breakages following your stay). This will be refunded within 2 weeks of your departure, subject to any deductions. See Booking Form. We are happy to negotiate discounts for winter lets and holidays of 2 weeks or more. Please contact us. Thank you - looking forward to meeting you!

Changeover day
Our changeover day is Saturday. This can be flexible at times in the quieter months when we are not fully booked. Arrival 4.00pm or later (please confirm by email). Departure 10.00am or earlier (please confirm with us on arrival). Thank you.

Accommodation

 

 

 

 

Notes on accommodation
All gites benefit from central heating and they have been recently refurbished, so benefiting from extensive insulation. All bedroom windows benefit from mosquito blinds. All gites benefit from Egyptian cotton bedding and towels. Swimming/beach towels are not provided. Gites are cleaned on a weekly basis. All gites suitable for children except Le Studio. Baby equipment available at no cost. Bikes available for hire. All gites have broadband internet (WiFi).

Accessibility
Le Marronnier - a step internally between the lounge/kitchen and a step from its main patio to the path alongside the pool side of the gite. Otherwise it is well-suited to those with mobility problems as it is on one level.
Le Studio - unsuitable for those with mobility problems or young children as it is a first floor apartment.
Le Figuier & La Grange - 2 storey gites with living space downstairs and bedrooms upstairs (La Grange has a downstairs bedroom).
Contact the owners for more details.

Outside
All gites have large private patios and BBQs for dining alfresco, not forgetting that guests can treat themselves to some delicious, home-cooked food 'washed down' with some of the excellent local wines and pineau at the 'table d'hote' in the B&B (chambre d'hotes - with 4 ensuite bedrooms) on site. Guests can enjoy relaxing in our our 6 acre field which is home to countless wild flowers, shrubs, trees, butterflies and insects. Our well-maintained grounds are bordered by vineyards and sunflowers. Guests can enjoy swimming in our new, floodlit 12 x 5m swimming pool with its large sun terrace (with plenty of sun loungers to top up that tan!). The large, private pool is for the exclusive use of guests and owners. Guests can also enjoy our safe children's play area, boule court, play badminton or table tennis or else tone up in our well-equipped gym! A selection of bikes are available to hire so that you (too!) can enjoy the local paths and countryside. Bread van arrives daily in summer!

Coast/Beach
The nearest beaches of the beautiful Cote Sauvage (including Royan) or the Gironde estuary are about a half an hour's drive away. The child friendly beaches of the Gironde Estuary, with miles of safe sandy beaches and lovely little coastal villages and towns are definitely not to be missed if sand is an important part of your holiday! Two of the best local beaches are St Georges-de-Didonne and St Palais-sur-Mer (both near Royan).

Golf
The local golf course in Cognac is some 10 minutes away. Other good local golf courses are Saintes (20 minutes), Angouleme (30 minutes) and Royan (40 minutes).

Special interest holidays
We have experience of providing corporate hospitality and can arrange bespoke weeks focusing on team-building, leadership training, wine/cognac/pineau-tasting, relaxation, yoga, local walks, French, or machine embroidery (etc!) by arrangement.

If this provision appeals to you or your group or organisation -please contact us to discuss your individual requirements. We can accommodate up to 30 people at any one time (this is much easier in the quieter months), other bookings permitting.

Travel
We are 5 hrs drive from St Malo and Caen; 6 hrs from Cherbourg, Le Havre and Roscoff; 7 hrs drive from the Chunnel, Calais and Boulogne. Using the motorway - exit the A10 at junction 36 (for Pons). A car is really handy due to the number of places to visit! Train: TGV (Paris to Angouleme or Saintes). Airports: Angouleme 30 mins, La Rochelle 1 hr 10 mins, Bordeaux 1 hr 15 mins. It is also possible to fly to Poitiers or Limoges. Use Ryanair, Easyjet, BA, Flybe, BMIBaby, Air France.

Distances
We live in a quiet hamlet (Les Morinauds) on the outskirts of the pretty village of Brives sur Charente. The next village (Salignac) is 2 miles away. Our rural setting is perfect for walking and cycling and, generally 'getting away from it all'!

Places of interest include Cognac 7 miles, Pons 9 miles, Saintes 12 miles, Chaniers 18 miles (chain ferry), Jonzac 18 miles (thermal centre), Angouleme 32 miles, Royan 35 miles and La Palmyre Zoo (biggest in Europe, 1600+ animals!) 45 miles.

Further details
The surrounding area has a great deal to offer from the buzzing town of Cognac (lots of cafes and boutique shops - not forgetting world-famous distillery tours etc!), to the beautiful ancient towns of Pons and Saintes. Weekly local markets are held in Cognac, Pons, Jarnac and Saintes. There are a multitude of local restaurants and bars all within an easy drive from the property (see below). Some are (luckily!) only about 15 minutes by bike.

Briefly:
Post Office - Brives sur Charente.
Local shop (general stores, boulangerie and Post Office) - Salignac, Perignac, Dompierre and Rouffiac.
Local restaurants - Salignac, Rouffiac, Orlac, Ars, Montils, Dompierre, Perignac, Cognac, Pons, Chaniers etc.
Supermarkets: Cognac, Pons or Saintes.
Cash point: Chaniers (Credit Agricole) and at all local supermarkets (see above).
Banks: Cognac and Pons.
Tennis: Rouffiac or Ars.
Swimming (indoor and outdoor): Cognac and Saintes, coast, Charente.
Fishing: Charente.
Canoeing: Charente (Brives, Rouffiac, Dompierre), Seugne (Pons), coast.
Surfing: Cote Sauvage.
Aquatic Centre (pools, gym, sauna, massage, beauty treatments): Jonzac

We also run a B&B should you need additional rooms or want friends or family to visit you while you enjoy your holiday with us. Evening meals are available by prior arrangement.

Booking notes
Bookings are only accepted with a 25% (non-refundable) deposit. Holidays (priced in euros) can be paid for in sterling at the prevailing rate of exchange. We require full payment 8 weeks before the holiday (to include a 200 euro cleaning and breakages 'bond'). This will be refunded after your stay and we have checked the inventory. The refund will be within 2 weeks of your leaving date. Bookings which are not fully paid at this time will be re-advertised. See 'Booking Form'.

Guest comments
'We really enjoyed our stay at your place, the kids had a lot of fun both in the gite and in the attractions nearby. For us adults, it was a good opportunity to relax! Without doubt, we might try to come again before the kids aretoo 'young' to find this kind of vacation not exciting enough for them!' Alejandro & Kirsti - Oslo

'We found the gites at Brives an absolute haven of calm and tranquility. This was a wonderful contrast to our busy life at home and our two weeks were a wonderful break. Phil and Glyn, you were excellent hosts who were always available when required. The facilities in the gites were well beyond our expectations and had everything you could need for a family holiday. The pool and 'games' you provided also gave the children lots to do.' Julian & Caroline, Herts.

'Just to say thanks a million for a great stay with you both. The accommodation was top notch and we will certainly recommend you to friends travelling to the area.' Kimmitt & Edel, Ireland

Owner profile

 

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This advertiser joined Owners Direct in August 2009,
and has advertised this property with us since October 2009.

Property Ref FR5593
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