|
Travel
Use of a car is essential due to the rural location - no shops, bars, restaurants, etc. are within walking distance.
Ryanair serves the area very well by offering flights from several UK airports to Poitiers (45 mins), Angouleme (1 hour), La Rochelle (1 hour 30 mins), Limoges (1 hour 30 mins) and Nantes (2 hours). Other airlines also fly into La Rochelle and Bordeaux (2 hours). Caen, Le Havre & St.Malo ports are between 4 and 5 hours by car (depending on breaks), Cherbourg between 5 and 6 hours, Boulogne and Calais between 6 and 7 hours. TGV from Paris to Bordeaux stops at Poitiers station.
Distances
Melle 20 mins., St.Maixent l'Ecole 30 mins., Poitiers 30 mins, Futuroscope theme park - 45 mins., Niort 45 mins., Cognac 1 hour, Monkey Valley at Romagne 20 mins., Giants of the Sky bird show at Chauvigny 25 mins., Couhe 10 mins., Val du Vienne racing circuit at Le Vigeant 50 mins., Ruffec 20 mins., Angouleme 1 hour.
Further details
Horse riding at St Loup just outside Lezay.
Booking notes
A non-refundable deposit of 30% is required on booking and the balance payable 10 weeks prior to departure, or immediately if booking is made within 10 weeks of departure date. A refundable security deposit of 100 pounds sterling (payable on booking) is required against breakages or damage. This will be refunded within 7 days of departure provided everything is in order upon inspection.
Changeover day
Saturdays preferred. Other days considered out of season due to low-cost airlines bargain flights.
Departure by 11am. Arrivals after 3pm.
Golf
Nearest golf course at Niort, approx.45 mins drive.
Le Manoir de Beauvoir, 12 kms from Poitiers, 18 hole course with Victorian style 3-star hotel and heated outdoor pool.
Fishing
Fishing available at the lake in Messe - 5 mins by car. Open Wednesdays and weekends. Day tickets available.
Other fishing opportunities (lakes) nearby in Lezay and Lambon and several spots on the river Sevre-Niortaise near La Mothe Saint Heray.
Beach
La Rochelle on the Atlantic Coast is approx.1 hour 30 mins by car. Several other beaches and resorts up and down the coast - some with safe bathing facilities and some favourite spots for surfers.
Wine Tasting
Wine tasting available with local producers upon request. Also, a little further afield in the Cognac area, several producers of wine and pineau (a local speciality of the Charente area - a fortified wine similar to sherry) offer tours and wine tasting.
Accessibility
Outside
The above-ground pool measures 7.5m x 3.5m and is for fun rather than serious swimming. It has a raised wooden deck around one side to make access easier.
Ladies & gents bicycles available for hire, including helmets & rucksacks.
Sun-loungers, tables, chairs and parasols are provided near the pool on a gravelled terraced area. A boules court can also be found in this area. Loads of fun to be had with this traditional French game and "friendly" competitions organised if enough interest is shown. Boules sets available for loan if you don't have your own. Indoor games and outdoor toys available to borrow. A dartboard is also provided for your entertainment. A small campsite (Camping a la Ferme) for touring carvans, motorhomes and tents is located in the nearby orchard with its own bathroom facilities near the car park. Due to our proximity to the N10 (7kms), we are ideal for stopovers when travelling to or from the South of France, Spain or Portugal.
All the facilities at La Grande Vigne are available to both gite and camping guests. This is a great way to make new friends, which may last a lifetime!
|
