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Yet again – another fantastic 2 weeks in the Vendee. Weather has been superb and we have had an
even more relaxing time this year. HOT HOT HOT 50C/40C in the shade!! Phew! Kids adore the place and pool and have always something to do. This year we tried kayaking and canoeing in Mervent which was great fun. Niort is nice to visit and Coulon always nice to see again. Thanks both once again for making our stay so great | |||
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Marc, Jules, Matt & Cally – August 2012 | |||
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We have used French Gites for some 15 years and this is one of the best appointed ones we have had.
Do visit the village (use the short cut – lovely views). The Auberge and the Creperie are good and
will provide good food and wine at reasonable cost and within staggering distance! Super U and Leclerc at Fontenay will provide anything else including diesel and petrol at rock bottom prices. Free WI-FI at McDonalds at Super U Niort, Lucon, and Vouvant are all well worth the visit as well as locally the Abbey in the village and the Chateau de Terre Neuve in Fontenay Punts/Canoes can be hired at Damvix but we found the trip aboard the ‘Bateau Mouche’ from there excellent value – 4 course meal, wine, aperitif, and 3 and ¾ hour canal cruise for 45 euros per person. Any problems or advice just ask Steve who couldn’t be more helpful | |||
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Gerry and Kathy Skinner – June 2012 | |||
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Lovely gite, beautiful setting, excellent pool, charming, helpful hosts. A perfect spot and set-up for a totally relaxing holiday which was what we all needed. We spent most of the time at the gite, reading, sunbathing, swimming, table tennis, and, of course, eating and drinking ! An interesting afternoon tour and tasting at the Moulin in the village. Dined at the Creperie and Le Captain (in Fontenay) – both places recommended and good meals at both ! Definitely a gite worth coming to again; will recommend it to others and may well return ourselves with more in tow ! Ah well, here’s to spending one last delightful stress free day at 'Vin Rouge’ A stroll down to the Moulin to buy some bread flour to experiment with and a walk around the Abbey. A late afternoon swim in the pool and a scrummy BBQ ably prepared by Martyn! | |||
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Jane, Martyn and Samantha – August 2012 | |||
| Can confirm everything that has been written before reference our hosts, the gite, the pool etc. 2 excellent weeks with some very high temperatures. Would really recommend Puy du Fou, but not on a very hot day – Steve’s weather forecasting is very accurate!! Amazing day out for any age. Also enjoyed punting on the river at Coulon, the climbing at Mervent Forest, Vouvant and the beach at Les Sables | |||
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Marc, Clare, & Poppy – August 2012 | |||
| Lovely gite, very peaceful. Lots to do in the local area. Enjoyed the cycling and boating in Maillezais and can really recommend there ‘L’Auberge de l’Abbaye’. Definitely an area to revisit | |||
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The Wallis Family – August 2012 | |||
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Thanks to you both - you have made a superb holiday that much better One of our best holidays, Great location for going to lots of places, very peaceful, favourite days out were to La Rochelle, the 'barque' (like punting) at Maille and Vouvant. the pool is excellent and our hosts gave just the right touches to make the holiday just what we expected. Am fully refreshed | |||
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Sean, Anne & Amy Pickin – August 2011 | |||
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Thank you both for a wonderful two weeks. Our two boys Matthew & Callum have had a brilliant time and can't
wait to come back next year !! The pool is superb and the area is a super area to explore from. As other guests have stated, Puy du Fou is brilliant, Green Venice a must, and La Rochelle nice to visit - if busy. The abbeys close by are well worth a visit also. Thanks to you both for your hospitality | |||
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Marc, Jules, Matthew & Callum – August 2011 | |||
| Had an amazing holiday, accommodation first class. Very central to many lovely places. La Rochelle was very unique, as was Niort. Thank you very much. | |||
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Sam, Adam, Sophie & Beth – August 2011 | |||
| Lovely relaxing holiday, lots of trips out to Mervent Zoo climbing trees (for all ages !!) near Chanterelle, Ile de Re, La Rochelle, Fontenay market, boating. Many thanks | |||
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Myers family, Worcester – August 2011 | |||
| Lovely relaxing holiday, lots of trips out to Mervent Zoo climbing trees (for all ages !!) near Chanterelle, Ile de Re, La Rochelle, Fontenay market, boating. Many thanks | |||
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Myers family, Worcester – August 2011 | |||
| Thanks both for a very relaxing time. We all enjoyed your gite, grounds and hospitality. Take care and hope to see you again | |||
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Hywel, Nic & Elin – September 2011 | |||
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We had an excellent holiday, excellent hosts, superb weather, brilliant place, the kids loved the
pool. We holidayed here last year, and this year was just as good There is so much to try to pack into 2 weeks, and then leave some time to laze by the pool too. We had a really good time at Puy du Fou and also the Aquarium at La Rochelle. There is still lots left that we didn’t have time to get to Once again a wonderful holiday- hospitality is superb! Cannot recommend Chez Gites highly enough ! Thank you for a holiday which sends us home renewed and refreshed | |||
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Alison, Warren, Will and Rob – August 2010 | |||
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We have had a wonderful two weeks, helped by some lovely weather. Our highlights :- 1) Aquarium at La Rochelle, get there early to avoid long queues 2) Cycling and hiring a barge – you can do at Coulon, but also recommend Damvix (near Maille) as it is quieter and less ‘touristy’, also cycle tracks nice and shady 3) The freshest ‘Moules et Frites’ on the Canal side at Marans – near lock gates at ‘Le Petit Bouchot’ 4) A walk in the woods at Vouvant, tourist office has a map of varying lengths of walks and a picturesque river The children loved the pool, and we all enjoyed badminton and table tennis, plus our daily walk to the bakery – if you like croissants, get there early or, like us, have a lie-in having ordered the day before For a reasonably priced, really nice meal we recommend l’Escargot Vendeen on the main road through Oulmes Thanks to Steve for all his tips and advice – without him pointing things out we would not have had so many highlights | |||
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Phil, Helen, Jemma (12) and Daniel (9) – August 2010 | |||
| Thanks for a lovely time – loved the kitten by the way | |||
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Daniel (9) – August 2010 | |||
| The Aquarium at La Rochelle was fab. As was the Pool | |||
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Jemma (12) – August 2010 | |||
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Thank you for a lovely holiday – excellent facilities. Excellent pool and hammock, the courgettes
and cucumbers were very nice too. We would recommend a visit to the Abbey in Nieul sur l’Autise – great multimedia presentation. We travelled over to Ile de Re and if you decide to go there, try a meal in La Flotte overlooking the harbour. Boating in Coulon was great fun although we had to shelter under the trees to avoid some sharp showers of rain ! The rest of the time we simply relaxed by the pool or read under the gazebo. A wonderful place to unwind, many thanks for all your help | |||
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Regards Caroline, Malcolm & Richard Stone – July 2010 | |||
| Thanks to you both for making our first stay in a French Gite fab. How clean it was and had everything that we needed. This area of France is beautiful and has loads to do for every age group. The pool is fab and a proper sunspot. Thanks again for your hospitality | |||
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The Hughes Family – Alwyn, Tina, Gareth (20), Kate (13) – August 2010 | |||
| Thank you both for a wonderful time this past two weeks, I’ve had a blast ! I especially enjoyed going to Mervent with our canoe and, of course, the gorgeous kitten ! Thanks again | |||
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Kate (13) – August 2010 | |||
| A lovely gite with great hosts. We would recommend visiting the Abbey, Mervent Forest, and Vouvant. We enjoyed cycling and boating and lazing by the pool – very peaceful | |||
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Chris, Sarah, Samuel, Imogen Baldwin – August 2010 | |||
| I enjoyed the beach at Ile de Re, lovely restaurants wherever you go, I also enjoyed thoroughly the boating at Mervent Forest. Loved the pool !! Lots of things to do | |||
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Samuel – August 2010 | |||
| I’d definitely recommend the Abbey at Nieul sur l’Autise, and boating in Maillezais | |||
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Imogen – August 2010 | |||
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Had a wonderful two weeks here at Chez Gites. Many thanks for making us feel welcome and at home and for
all your local knowledge and advice, not to mention the fabulous tomatoes and courgettes !! Enjoyed all the facilities here, especially lazing by the pool watching the boys do all the energetic stuff. The beach at La Tranche sur Mer well worth a visit – huge waves and interesting rock pools. The boats at Coulon were a wonderful trip through the marshes. The Saturday Market at Fontenay – very colourful. La Rochelle a lovely medieval town that we enjoyed greatly Going home relaxed and refreshed, with happy memories of our stay – hope to be back soon | |||
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Alison, Warren, Will & Rob – September 2009 | |||
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What a fantastic holiday we’ve had. Our thanks to you both for creating such a delightful environment.
The gite is tasteful, comfortable, and spacious, as well as having really good quality equipment. The
pool is wonderful and we really haven’t found any need to venture too far a field. In addition, having
badminton, boules and table tennis on site is a real bonus. Nieul itself has everything you could possibly need within walking distance and is at the same time a really attractive village. That notwithstanding, there is also the Abbey, which is wonderful. Dinner at the hotel is recommended I really can’t compliment this place enough. We have been spectacularly lazy, or relaxed, and leave feeling very much refreshed !! | |||
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Best Wishes, Rosie, Tim, Gracie, Jude, & Laurie - August 2009 | |||
| I enjoyed it so much I don’t want to leave. Thanks for the hospitality. What can we say? Be back next year !! | |||
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Love Sharon & Mel & the boys - August 2009 | |||
| Thank you very much for providing us with two very enjoyable weeks here in Nieul sur l’Autise. We have particularly enjoyed the local Abbey, cycle route, Coulon, Creperie, Boating Trips, and our accommodation (not to mention the swimming pool !!) We have also consumed far too many baguettes and crosiants !! Thank you again for being such friendly hosts and giving us a pleasant, memorable holiday | |||
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Richard, Jackie, Hannah & Robert – August 2009 | |||
| Thanks both – we’ve had a great and relaxing time. Accommodation and facilities are super. Enjoyed the courgettes !! Plenty of time to read books and laze around, as well as go on many sightseeing and shopping trips. Oasis Restaurant in Fontenay well worth a visit | |||
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Christine, Lindsay, Amy & Elliot – July 2009 | |||
| Our 3rd visit to Vin Rouge and probably our best yet – a combination of fantastic weather and excellent surroundings and company. It was delightful to take an evening stroll to the village and watch the heron on the weir, and go rabbit watching on the way home. Such a relaxing place to stay – going home with our batteries recharged ready to face the British rain !! | |||
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Meg & Bryn – June 2009 | |||
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It’s only a few pages since we wrote last year !! Fantastic weather has meant a very relaxed time. La Tranche (park in central beach car park) has a great family beach. We have done our favourites again – the Abbey, hotel, and creperie in the village always great value. La Rcohelle aquarium very good, go early – it opens 9:00. Flea market at Fontenay Saturday morning well worth a visit – go to the indoor market for fish, meat, and bread. We have discovered many excellent wines, buy from Hyper U or Leclerc at about 3 to 4 euros Fishing in the village is good fun, we caught rudd roach and perch. Cheap equipment in the supermarket. Relax & Enjoy – we have | |||
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James, Sue, Edward & Victoria Simpson - August 2008 | |||
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** Make sure you try ‘La Tranche’ – fantastic beaches which were generally deserted – about an hour
away. If you like it quiet, head for ‘La Phare’ car park (‘Lighthouse’) which is free and never busy (we went
twice !). Check the tide tables (in one of the tourist guides ‘En Vendee’) and make sure you get there to
coincide with high tide; there are great rock pools at low tide (look for oysters with the locals), but low
tide not so good for bathing ! Keep your eyes out for a fossil or two
** ‘Puy du Fou’ is immense. Great for children or adults, but plan on £25 a headfor the day. If you have some basic French, you don’t need a translator. As previous people have said, get there at 10:00, Vikings first then Gladiators. Take a brolly in case of rain as it’s 90% outside ** Market in Fontenay is great fun. Not too big and not a lot of ‘fall apart’ clothing !! Upstairs in the indoor area if you like your seafood – moules are very cheap there !! ** The Abbeys were a great hit with our two ‘National Trust-averse children (6 and 8). Not at all what you would expect, and really fantastically treated/designed. We preferred Nieul sur l’Autise, enjoyed especially the ‘joystick choirs’ in the last house!! Keep your tickets for half-price entry to the other abbey at Maillezais – a very different but excellent morning out ** Make sure you explore Nieul sur l’Autise. It is 5 minutes past the mill. The restaurant at La Cloitre is great value – very authentic food at miniscule prices – try the ‘duo’. And pick the wines from the mantelpiece for the top quality ones ! We had the last Cotes de Borg 2005 – sorry !! ** La Rochelle is great, park past the aquarium for a free car park, but get there before 10:00 or the aquarium is full ** Wines – we stocked up in the Loire on the way down. ‘Fiefs Vendeen’ is the local VDQS. Good value – good fun. Buy from the producer at Pissotte (very nice chap !!). Or there are a few caves at Vix. The other producers (at Mareuil) are a bit of a long drive away, but ‘Marat’ is the best. You can buy his wines at a local wine shop in the centre of La Tranche (about 1 euro more expensive, but they have the whole range). Enjoy … ** As others have mentioned, the gite and surroundings are fabulous – very spacious inside and out. An excellent pool and badminton, table tennis and swings to supplement the non-aquatic amongst us. We lived in the outdoor kitchen, but never quite mastered the BBQ. Better luck next time !! ** Thanks for the relaxed laid back atmosphere. Although it is a shared complex, it always felt ‘ours’ to use | |||
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David, Ruth, Owyn (age 6) & Thomas (age 8) - August 2008 | |||
| What a wonderful, relaxing holiday. The girls enjoyed the pool and all that the site had to offer. The Abbey at Nieul sur l’Autise is beautiful and well worth a visit. The walk to the village to buy our daily bagette made a peaceful start to each day. Our hosts were great, and we will take home wonderful memories of our ‘Bastille Celebrations’ | |||
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Lorraine, Norman, Claire & Sarah (Bristol) - July 2008 | |||
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Superb spacious gite, surroundings, fab pool, BBQ, and summer kitchen which doubled up as an excellent poker
games room !! Fab hosts gave excellent advice on wines and places to eat and visit. Bakers in Oulmes good. We enjoyed visiting La Rochelle (get there early), Coulon, Maillezai + Abbey, Fontenay market, and beach at La Tranche sur Mer. It really is only 5 mins walk along river, past mill into town to bar/restaurant at Hotel du Cloitre - excellent food. A big thank you | |||
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Liza, Keith, Jamie and Becky - La Alexander Famille - xxxx - Aug 2007 | |||
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An excellent holiday in wonderful surroundings - made all the better for superb accommodation and care and attention.
There is more than enough to do all within easy reach - we have fished in the village, visited La Rochelle (aquarium
a must for the children - then eat on the harbour side). Rowed the canals at Maillezais (cheaper away from the Abbey).
Spent days on various beaches and of course lazed by the pool and introduced the children (8 + 5) to numerous card games. A great two weeks | |||
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James, Sue, Edward, + Victoria Simpson, July 2007 | |||
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This holiday has been fantastic. Gite exceptionally clean and information well received. Creperie (in the village)
excellent value - food was very good too. Coulon is pretty, must try the boats there (sans batelier) - well worth
a laugh. Puy du Fou is a must and fun for the whole family (70 miles or 1 hour 15 mins), have to be
there on opening (10 o'clock - do the vikings first). For smaller children (under 12) Parc de Pierre Brune near Mervent is a good day out - hotel food okay but watch the wait. Market Saturday morning at Fontenay le Comte. La Rochelle (down by port/old ports) another nice day out. Many thanks for a great two weeks | |||
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Jess, Alex, and Alastair Carvlin, Aug 2007 | |||
| We've had a wonderful time - the Gite is very comfortable and the pool and barbeque are great ! The bakery next to the Post Office is better than that in the aquare and the E Leclerc on the Nantes road out of Fontenay is excellent. The 'batirs' at Coulon are great fun and La Rochelle is a lovely town. Many thanks for everything | |||
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Alan, Jill, Elliot, & Lucy Paton, July 2007 | |||
| Fabulous gite, swimming pool and hosts. Loads to entertain the children - many thanks. Puy du Fou is brilliant for kids and adults alike. Quite unique. La Rochelle town and aquarium well worth a visit. Beache at La Tranche sur Mer. Enjoyed rowing round the various waterways. We hope to return ! | |||
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Helen and Stuart Best, Jul/Aug 2007 | |||
| Puy du Fou is a fantastic place because there was lots of good things to watch, my best bit was the gladiators when all the fake blood came out when they died | |||
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Adam Best, Jul/Aug 2007 | |||
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It is a great place and there is a Grand Park 1 hour away. With Bird dancers and Gladiators. A 5 minute walk to
the Park with a tennis court and a big feild. A great swimming pool with table tennis and lots of games in the
pool. The heat can get up to 40 C (104 F) This place is GREAT ! | |||
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Paul Best, Jul/Aug 2007 | |||
| We have had a delightful week despite the weather. There's so much to see and do that we'll be back at some time in the future. Many thanks for being wonderful hosts, giving advice on best places to visit, how and when is best to get there - good knowledge of local restaurants etc, so make sure you pick thier brains !. The gite and environs are lovely, well maintained and looked after. All in all we have been very impressed and will happilly pass on the details to friends that want to vaccance en Vendee - Au revoir | |||
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Graham, Ann, Becky and Jack - Dover UK Aug 2007 | |||
| Another great break away from it all. Dilemma is, of course, letting everybody else know about 'Chez Gites' - would there be any vacancies left for for us ?!!. Thank you both very much for lovely gites, fab pool, quiet areas to read and play games in, eating and cooking al fresco and more exploring locally ... plus walnuts to leave with. Couldn't be any better!! See you again | |||
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Pete & Sheila Wendes, Aug/Sep 2006 | |||
| Lovely gite, very clean and well equipped, and great hosts. We had some nice days out, including Puy du Fou where we saw the gladiators, also Futuroscope at Poitiers. We had good days at the beaches of La Tranche sur Mer and St Gilles de Vie. Try Prefou, the local flat garlic bread. Great market in Fontenay le Comte on Saturday morning. Very relaxing lazing around the pool, I read loads of books!! We would definitely come again some time | |||
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Norman & Rhoswen Cox, Ystrad Rhondda Aug 2006 | |||
| I love the pool, enjoyed the table tennis - I hope mam n dad bring us back here again | |||
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Rhys Cox, age 14, Aug 2006 | |||
| Best swimming pool out of the gites I've stayed in France. And the cleanest | |||
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Marc Cox, age 10, Aug 2006 | |||
| Excellent gite in a superb setting and great hosts. Two weeks of rest, wine and food, just what we wanted | |||
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The Bowskills, John, Sue, Sara & Jenny, Aug 2006 | |||
| Thank you both for the clean and comfortable accommodation, the fantastic pool and BBQ, and for your helpfullness. The hotel here in the village serves excellent food and is very good value, particularly the 'set menus' and the carafe (s) of house wine!! We had one particularly successful day on the coast at La Tranche sur Mer, about an hour from here. Tip - get there before about 11:30am and park in the '300 free spaces' car park. Go to the top end and park on the side near the beach if possible. The funand interesting shops are within easy walking distance. You can hire windsurfers, canoes, cateramins, or small sailing dinghies with or without instruction. There is a small 'sea lake' which is very safe for children or beginners. Coulon is also worth a visit and quite close to here | |||
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John, Kate, Mathew & Becky Prizeman, Aug 2006 | |||
| We have had a really super holiday. Thank you for all the local information and recommendations. We enjoyed the food at "La Glyane" - part of the Hotel La Fontarabie - lovely outside courtyard and very good and reasonably priced. We'd all love to return !! | |||
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The Ward Family, Aug 2006 | |||
| 'Vin Rouge' provided the perfect base from which to house hunt and explore the area. Unfortunately, we did not have the time to fully enjoy all the facilities at 'Chez Gites'. Many thanks for your hospitality and great advice about buying and moving to France - this I am sure will prove invaluable to us over the next few weeks. You are great hosts and we wish you well with the business. Will let you know when we have found our perfect property ! | |||
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Dot and Douglas Oliver, Sep 9th to 16th, 2006 | |||
| A perfect relaxing place for a holiday, well run gite with real attention to detail and comfort. All we needed available on site. We loved the pool and outside kitchen area, lovely gardens providing sun or shade and lit up for eating outside or cool drinks in the warm evenings. It's only a short walk from the village centre for bakers, bank, restaurants and bars and the splendid abbey; and the surrounding countryside provides days of interesting and varied activities. We have visited France over many years and this is simply the best gite we've stayed in! Thank you both. | |||
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Pete & Sheila Wendes, Sep 2005 |
