Property Cottages / Gites
Sleeps 5
Single/Double 2 (+1 Child's Bed) / 1
Bathrooms 1
Pets Allowed
Pool Yes
If you're looking for a cosy gite in the French countryside, you've found it. This gite sleeps up to 5 guests and benefits from a pool, games room, boules pitch and play area. It's the perfect place for walking, fishing, cycling, exploring the local countryside or simply whiling away the hours by the pool.
Gite Au Marcassin faces South (lounge and double bedroom) and West (lounge and triple bedroom) The patio is in the sunshine from late morning until dusk. The main bedroom has a double bed. The other bedroom has 2 single beds, a child's bed (140cm long and 75cm wide) and a cot.
The downstairs bathroom has a shower, sink, bidet and the WC is off the bathroom.
The rest of the ground floor is L-shaped and comprises the kitchen, dining and lounge areas. The kitchen has an electric oven and hob, microwave, fridge, freezer, dishwasher, toaster, kettle, coffee maker and double sink. The dining area has a round table and 4 chairs. A 5th folding chair is stored in the bathroom. The lounge area has a coffee table, 2 seater sofa and 3 easy chairs.
There is satellite TV with a DVD player and a CD player / radio. There is a fan for the summer, a radiator from the central system for the winter. Each room also has electric heaters and there are extra blankets for cold nights. There is a small enclosed patio outside with 4 garden chairs, a table with parasol and a BBQ. The games room is in the barn along with a selection of bikes and helmets that guests can borrow.
The laundry/drying room is in the barn and has 3 washing machines and a dryer. There is a double sink, buckets, bowl, laundry baskets and a drying rack. However, washing can be dried outside for most of the summer on the drying lines outside each gîte.
The Pool
The natural, chemical-free swimming pool is surrounded by tiles and there are plenty of tables, chairs, loungers and parasols. There is even a hammock. There are games and toys, rackets, bats and balls in the pool hut. There are also various inflatables. Because the water is fresh (cleaned by the plants in the filtration area) frogs hide in the reeds and waterboatmen skim the surface. If you are quiet, birds come down to drink. If you have allergies to pool chemicals then this is where to swim! There are swimjackets and armbands. A safety pole is by the poolside BUT children must not be allowed in the pool area unaccompanied so you must take care to close and lock the gates when you leave.
Below the pool is a sandy area with swings, extra wide slide, balance beam and somersault bars.
There is always a little something in the wine rack to welcome guests and sometimes a pot of jam if the fruit trees have been producing well. Sunday opening is better than it used to be and the nearest supermarket is now open until 1 pm. For those who have not had time to stop and shop on the way and do not want to have to rush out shopping on your first morning, the owner is happy to do you a first shop and have it ready in the gîte. Just let them have a list of what you need and they will charge you the cost plus € 5 for the service.
If you are coming to celebrate a special occasion then it might be nice to have the champagne and chocolates ready waiting for you!
La Chandurière is a tiny village overlooking a wooded valley. The source of the Vendée river is just up the road and the stream in the valley is the beginning of this big river. We are in the parish of St Paul en Gatine in the county of Deux Sèvres, but we are actually right on the border with the county of Vendée. It is peaceful and rural with beautiful rolling farmland and scattered hamlets. We are situated between Puy du Fou (40 mins) and Futuroscope (90 mins) which are the two biggest attractions in this part of France. The nearest town is L'Absie.
La Chandurière Gites rank in the top 10% of the most dog friendly accommodations in the world. Perfect if you want to bring your four-legged furry family member along!
PHOTOS
Kitchenware Appliances
Fixtures & Equipment
External Features
Other Interior Facilities
Internet access, Snooker table, Washing machine, Dishwasher, Satellite TV , Microwave, Oven & hob, Freezer, Tumble dryer, Slow cooker, CD player/radio, Bedlinen included, Bath linen included, Laundry room, Table tennis, Table football, Darts, Toys, Board games, Playing cards, Jigsaws, Bikes, Kennel.
Local Attractions
La Chandurière is a tiny village overlooking a wooded valley. The source of the Vendée river is just up the road and the stream in the valley is the beginning of this big river. We are in the parish of St Paul en Gatine in the county of Deux Sèvres, but we are actually right on the border with the county of Vendée. It is peaceful and rural with beautiful rolling farmland and scattered hamlets. We are situated between Puy du Fou (40 mins) and Futuroscope (75 mins) which are the two biggest attractions in this part of France. The nearest town is L'Absie.
The nearest supermarket is 3km away in L'Absie. It is a Carrefour Contact and opens Sunday mornings. There are bigger ones (Super U) and cheaper ones (Lidl) in Moncoutant and La Chataigneraie (both about 11km). L'Absie is also the nearest for boulangeries, banks and bars!
Indoor games
There is a games room in the barn where you can play table tennis, table football or darts. There are also skipping ropes, an exercise bike, weights, toys, paper and crayons and a CD player.
Upstairs on the mezzanine is a teenagers' retreat with sofas and cushions. You have to get under a low beam to reach it, so only for the young and fit!! On the other side is a 7 foot pool/snooker table, cupboards full of games and jigsaws and 2 tables to play them on. So even in rainy weather there is always something to do!
Boules
The boules pitch is next to the car park. There is a set of boules in a case in each gîte and a sheet explaining the rules. Have a lazy game in the evenings or I can organize my French neighbours to give you a match!
"Boules pitch was great fun" - (Rees family)
The Pool
The natural, chemical-free swimming pool is surrounded by tiles and there are plenty of tables, chairs, loungers and parasols. There is even a hammock. There are games and toys, rackets, bats and balls in the pool hut. There are also various inflatables. Because the water is fresh (cleaned by the plants in the filtration area) frogs hide in the reeds and waterboatmen skim the surface. If you are quiet, birds come down to drink. If you have allergies to pool chemicals then this is where to swim! There are swimjackets and armbands. A safety pole is by the poolside BUT children must not be allowed in the pool area unaccompanied so you must take care to close and lock the gates when you leave.
"The pool was excellent. My son, who has various allergies, did not have any problems" - (Mathias family)
"Pool second to none" - (Rees family)
The Playground
Below the pool is a sandy area with swings, extra wide slide, balance beam and somersault bars. The sand was never intended to be anything but a soft landing but enterprising children have spent hours building castles and forts (there are buckets and spades and rakes in the pool hut) The swings can be changed depending on the guests. For example there is a swing seat for very young children which can be swapped for one of the others.
The Field
The rest of the field is good for investigating wildlife (lots of frogs and dragonflies around the tiny pond), running around, kicking a ball about, picking fruit: there are cherry, apricot, peach, sharon fruit, nectarine, plum, apple and quince trees (but don't try eating the quinces!) There are raspberry canes by the pool. My neighbour's son has 2 placid old horses of which he is very proud and if he brings them round, you can give them a stroke or have a ride around the field.
The Kennel
The kennel is 4m square with a dog door out onto a small yard and an enclosed grass run. This is for the days guests go to places which don't take dogs. There are dog beds and bowls but most owners bring their own, then the bed smells right and the dog is happier. If they are not too unruly I take them out for a walk and a play with my own dog during the day.
Special Rental Conditions
High chairs and a folding cot are available on request. Stair-gates are in place.
Bed-linen is supplied. There are 2 pillows per person except on the child's bed. Clean bedclothes are offered every week for longer stays. There are blankets in each bedroom for chillier nights. Each gite has 2 full sets of towels, this is so that you can wash them whenever they need it during your stay. One set should be clean and folded at the end of your stay; the others are washed by me (together with the bathmats) as part of the changeover.
Electricity and tourist tax are included in the price.
Arrival and departure
Changeover day is Saturday. On arrival you will need to lodge € 200 with me against breakages.
Arrival: The gîtes are usually cleaned and ready from around 4pm. If this is inconvenient you can arrive earlier and relax by the pool until the preparations are finished. If you are going to be very late I will stay up but please let me know or I will be imagining traffic accidents!
Departure: On the day of departure I need the bedclothes, mats and towels as soon as possible (9am but keep a couple of bath towels for last minute showers) and for the gîte to be cleaned and ready for inspection by midday at the latest. It is actually best to own up to any breakages as they occur so that they can be replaced during your holiday, rather than on the final inspection, when I have to guess at replacement costs.
Prices per gîte per week are:
April and May £350
June £350
July £450
August £450
September £350
October £350
If a week goes up to the 5th of the next month then the cost is the second month price. For example if a week fell on the 27 May - 3 June it would be June prices, and the 30 Sept - 7 Oct would be October prices.
Stays longer than one week attract discounts, negotiable and depending on the number of weeks and the season.
Availability Calendar
Property Exterior
Local Attractions
The nearest supermarket is 3km away in L'Absie. It is a Carrefour Contact and opens Sunday mornings. There are bigger ones (Super U) and cheaper ones (Lidl) in Moncoutant and La Chataigneraie (both about 11km). L'Absie is also the nearest for boulangeries, banks and bars!
Indoor games
There is a games room in the barn where you can play table tennis, table football or darts. There are also skipping ropes, an exercise bike, weights, toys, paper and crayons and a CD player.
Upstairs on the mezzanine is a teenagers' retreat with sofas and cushions. You have to get under a low beam to reach it, so only for the young and fit!! On the other side is a 7 foot pool/snooker table, cupboards full of games and jigsaws and 2 tables to play them on. So even in rainy weather there is always something to do!
Boules
The boules pitch is next to the car park. There is a set of boules in a case in each gîte and a sheet explaining the rules. Have a lazy game in the evenings or I can organize my French neighbours to give you a match!
"Boules pitch was great fun" - (Rees family)
The Pool
The natural, chemical-free swimming pool is surrounded by tiles and there are plenty of tables, chairs, loungers and parasols. There is even a hammock. There are games and toys, rackets, bats and balls in the pool hut. There are also various inflatables. Because the water is fresh (cleaned by the plants in the filtration area) frogs hide in the reeds and waterboatmen skim the surface. If you are quiet, birds come down to drink. If you have allergies to pool chemicals then this is where to swim! There are swimjackets and armbands. A safety pole is by the poolside BUT children must not be allowed in the pool area unaccompanied so you must take care to close and lock the gates when you leave.
"The pool was excellent. My son, who has various allergies, did not have any problems" - (Mathias family)
"Pool second to none" - (Rees family)
The Playground
Below the pool is a sandy area with swings, extra wide slide, balance beam and somersault bars. The sand was never intended to be anything but a soft landing but enterprising children have spent hours building castles and forts (there are buckets and spades and rakes in the pool hut) The swings can be changed depending on the guests. For example there is a swing seat for very young children which can be swapped for one of the others.
The Field
The rest of the field is good for investigating wildlife (lots of frogs and dragonflies around the tiny pond), running around, kicking a ball about, picking fruit: there are cherry, apricot, peach, sharon fruit, nectarine, plum, apple and quince trees (but don't try eating the quinces!) There are raspberry canes by the pool. My neighbour's son has 2 placid old horses of which he is very proud and if he brings them round, you can give them a stroke or have a ride around the field.
The Kennel
The kennel is 4m square with a dog door out onto a small yard and an enclosed grass run. This is for the days guests go to places which don't take dogs. There are dog beds and bowls but most owners bring their own, then the bed smells right and the dog is happier. If they are not too unruly I take them out for a walk and a play with my own dog during the day.
In the area
This Property is situated in Deux-Sevres, Poitou-Charentes
Nearest Airport: La Rochelle
Nearest Station: Poitiers is about an hour's drive and Niort is 40 minutes
Nearest Ferry: St Malo (3.5 hours)
Nearest Beach: La Tranche sur Mer (1.5 hours)
Nearest Ski Resort:
Please note that the location on this map is an approximate guide, normally to the closest town or village.
Other properties from this owner
Gite Au Cocorico - La Chandurière, St Paul en Gatine, Deux Sèvres
Weekly Rental: GBP 400 to GBP 500
Sleeps 5
If you're looking for a cosy gite in the French countryside, you've found it. This gite sleeps up to 5 guests and
