Renovated gite in the Vendee

Type

Cottage/Gite

Kitchen and dining

An open plan, light, brand new and well equipped dining kitchen with all the necessary appliances plus a dining table which seats up to six people.

Living rooms

The very attractive, wood-floored living room at the back (south) of the gîte has a library, wood burner, settee/sofa-bed, TV with Googlecast (but not connected to mainstream UK/French channels) and dvd player. Leading directly from it, steps take you down to the lovely private south-facing terrace which gets the sun all day and in the evening..

Bedrooms

The main family bedroom sleeps four people (in one double and two single beds). It has open and hanger based storage plus bedside cabinets, reading lamps and a fan.

The second double/twin room is on the first floor and is accessed via the external stone steps. It is light and airy with a view over the garden; it has its own separate en suite bathroom plus open and hanger based storage, bedside cabinets, reading lamps and a fan.

As noted above, there is a double sofabed in the living room.

Bathrooms

The ground floor bathroom is at the centre of the gîte immediately adjacent to the main bedroom. It has a ‘power-shower’ and hand-basin. There is a separate toilet.

The first floor en suite bathroom has a large shower, handbasin and toilet.

Heating

There are electric radiators in all areas of the gite plus a small log burner in the sitting room.

Entertainment

TV/dvd (not connected to mainstream UK/French tv). Wi-fi related options are available via Googlecast.

Wifi is available.

Garden and outside

The attractive, large, private south facing stone patio features comfortable outdoor furniture and sunshade; it looks out over the farmhouse garden.

Parking and garages

The gite areas are car free and there is ample, secure, onsite parking.

Visitor suitability

This gite is on two floors with the upstairs bedroom accessed via external stone steps. It is suitable for family groups and people of all ages although the external stone steps are 200 years old and thus slightly uneven thus making this bedroom unsuitable for allocation for young children or the elderly and infirm.

Information about any additional facilities

Guests have access to the heated swimming pool, complex parkland and footpaths and recreational areas.

It should be noted that on our 8 acre site there are two small 'lacs' one of which is stocked with fish.

Barbecues are available for guests.

We keep a stock of cycles (mainly adult/older children sized) which are available for guests to use without charge. (Guests borrow bikes at their own risk and we do not stock or hire out helmets, gloves or other cycling clothing).

The Owner Recommends

Cycling

Excellent on and off road cycling on le Vélodyssée and a range of inland and coastal cycle routes.

Eating out

There is a superb choice of restaurants of all types within close proximity. Seafood is a speciality and much of what is on offer is caught locally.

Golf

Le Village du Bois is ideally situated for golf breaks with Port Bourgenay on the doorstep and five courses located within a one hour drive. The quality and variety is excellent while the approach taken at the various courses is, within reason, pretty relaxed in respect of clothing and footwear. All venues hire clubs and buggies and it is also possible to combine your golf with some very good food.

Water-sports

Beach based wter-sports are available at Plage du Veillon, just 5 minutes away, which has in-season lifeguarding and is excellent for surfing, kitesurfing and body-boarding.
The beach at Les Sables d'Olonne is also a great location for surfing and body boarding.
Windsurfing and canoeing is available on the lake in the centre of Talmont St Hilaire.

Visitor attractions and water parks - young people

There are several excellent attractions geared to young people within 20-30 minutes drive. These include the 'back to back' O'Gliss Waterpark and Indian Forest Park at Le Bernard and Moutiers-les-Mauxfaits respectively plus the Le Cairn - Centre de la Préhistoire at Saint-Hilaire-la-Forêt.
Even closer to home, just a short drive or cycle from Le Village, is the Aquarium Le 7ème Continent (a form of sea-life centre) located in Port Bourgenay.

Le Puy du Fou

In visitor number terms Puy du Fou is the second most popular (after Disneyland Paris) theme park in France, Just one hour's drive from Le Village du Bois it is described by the Guardian as France's 'best kept theme park secret' offering 'a range of spectacular history extravaganza shows – where thousands of actors and animals recreate high drama, from Roman gladiators to King Arthur, with mind-blowing special effects'.
https://www.theguardian.com/travel/2015/may/06/puy-du-fou-theme-park-vendee-france

Horse racing

The Hippodrome de la Malbrande which features a range of flat racing and trotting events throughout the Spring, Summer and Autumn is located just 5 minutes drive from Le Village du Bois.

Le Château de Talmont Saint Hilaire

The Chateau at Talmont (again just 5 minutes from Le Village) is set up to enable visitors to experience life in the middle ages in the Fortress of Richard the Lion Heart. It includes an entertaining and instructive trail exploring the castle and in the summer a variety of events encompass the ordeals of young knights, crossbow shooting and the spectacle of knights on horseback. These include the Spectacle Nocturne summer evening pageant plus various medieval festivities (including falconry) throughout the week.