Home description
Welcome to France especially this little piece of it with stunning views over looking the Gironde Estuary. Within easy reach of many well-known towns - Bordeaux, Cognac, Royan, Saintes also local restaurants available throughout the summer months. The list of things to do and interesting places to visit is endless.
The cottages are set on the edge of the village of St Thomas-de-Conac in the Charente Maritime region of France with panoramic views over looking the vineyards and the Gironde estuary. The village has a local grocery store, Restaurant, butchers, boulongerie, hairdressers and tobac. Though surrounded by open countryside, only 15 minutes drive from the market town of Mirambeau, so shops and restaurants are within easy reach.
Essentially a wine producing area, the region offers beautiful, rolling countryside, air that is clear and clean, a micro-climate with around 2700 hours of sunshine a year. Add to this the golden, sandy beaches of Royan and St. Georges (about 35 minutes drive away) and you have all the ingredients for a perfect holiday. The owners Mike and Sue will be living on site throughout the summer months.
There is much to do and see in the area or you can just relax by the pool soaking up the warm sunshine and the tranquil atmosphere. Paradise!
Accommodation detail
Cottage 1 - Well equipped kitchen with microwave, gas cooker, washing machine and dishwasher Open plan kitchen dining and living room. Fully fitted bathroom with shower attachment. 3 bedrooms one with double bed and the other two with single beds. Outside patio and barbecue area.
Holistic Details:
Sue is a qualified Beauty and Complimentary therapist treatments will be available during your stay which include Holistic Massage, Reflexolgy, Aromatherapy . These treatments are designed to help you to relax unwind and enjoy your holiday.
Facilities include:
- Beauty and complimentary therapies: Holistic massage reflexology, aromatherapy facials
- 10 x 5m swimming pool with child security fence
- Table Tennis
- Satellite english TV
About the location
COGNAC - Several well-known cognac houses are open to the public & give guided tours around their distilleries. The town of Cognac itself also merits a trip!
ST. EMILLION - A picturesque town, the home of “good” red wine. There are guided tours of a different chateau each day during the summer, by “road-train”.
BLAYE - An old garrison town, well worth a visit. Saturday morning market
BOURG - An interesting little town a bit further up the estuary from Blaye. Capital of the “Cotes de Bourg” appellation.
SAINTES - Roman city on the Charente river, complete with amphitheatre and Roman remains. Beautiful abbey and churches as well as some good shops.
ROYAN - Lovely beaches, interesting yacht harbour. It has an interesting cathedral built by the Americans to replace the one bombed in error by them during WW2. Good indoor food market. A “smart” seaside town.
TALMONT - A very pretty estuary village with an interesting ancient church. This is everyone’s favourite spot!
LA PALMYRE - Renowned for its zoo reputed to be the finest in Europe (a great day out for adults as well as children). The beaches in this area are magnificent, mainly nature reserves and very wild. Also, visit the “Phare de Coubre” (lighthouse) and, if you’re fit, climb it’s 300 steps for a breathtaking view.
MARENNES - This is the home of the oyster and mussel “industry” - a fascinating area especially if you like seafood.
ILE D’OLERON - Cross to this island on a magnificent bridge. The island has beautiful beaches & an interesting citadel.
BORDEAUX - An impressive city with good shopping and possibly the world’s most important wine centre.
See Local guide and map for information on nearby towns and facilities.
How to get here
By car & ferry:
Approximatley 4-5 hours drive from the ferry port of St. Malo, around 6 hours from Caen and 7 hours from Cherbourg.
By Plane:
Bordeaux airport (served by British Airways, Air France, Flybe.com & others) and La Rochelle airport (served by Ryanair) are both about an hour's driveaway and just a bit further away are Poiters and Bergerac airports, also served by Ryanair.
Approximately 45 minutes from airport, direct flights from Bristol Airport and many other UK airports.
Suggested travel routes are:
St Malo Ferry - By road from St Malo it’s almost all motorway and is a drive of about 4 hours in one hop. On a big map of France the route is pretty clear:
St Malo/Rennes/Nantes/Niort then past Saintes towards Bordeaux. Leave the motorway at junction 37 (Mirambeau) and turn left towards Royan the owners will send you a detailed map from this point.
Calais Ferry or Chunnel - It is quite a hike from Calais but lots of people do it. Take the motorway to Paris and then follow the signs (carefully!) on the motorway system to Bordeaux. Keep following these until you are on the A10 past Saintes. Leave the motorway at junction 37 (Mirambeau) and turn left towards Royan on the D730.
Other Channel Ports - too numerous to mention but from most ports you will join up with the St Malo route above.
Bordeaux, La Rochelle or Poitiers fly-drive - very cheap flights from Stanstead to either Poitiers or La Rochelle with Ryanair. Flybe.com Other airlines/deals also possible with Air France, BA.
See Local guide and map for information on nearby towns and airports.
To top of page ^