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See Pierrelys in 'Living France' magazine feature - February 2012!!

Pierrelys is a stunning Charente-Maritime farmhouse surrounded by sunflower fields and ripening corn, yet near the tranquil Gironde and only 10 miles or so from the natural beauty of the Atlantic Coast. The newly renovated gite offers expansive traditional accommodation and tasteful decor, sleeping from 2 - 10 people comfortably (and a cot for baby too)

Pierrelys is situated along the South West Coast of France in the tranquil hamlet of Bois, Charente Maritime.  A choice of local swimming pools are available in local towns, and the beaches are easily reached for a sunny day out.

The local town of Saint-Genis is only a short cycle ride away and offers all the essentials for French living, with its excellent selection of bars, restaurants and boulangeries, and its well known and vibrant local food and antiques markets.

The South West coast of France is an area renowned for it's white sandy beaches and beautiful flower-filled Cognac countryside and oysters. There are also woodland forests, with the agricultural land around Pierrelys full of sunflowers, grapes, wheat and maize. In many parts, vineyards and sunflower fields stretch for as far as the eye can see.

The Charente-Maritime is renowned for a beautiful climate, being the second sunniest region in the whole of France (after the Cote d'Azur). There is an abundance of local attractions: Gorgeous beaches, historic towns and churches, as well as acres of perfectly tended vineyards, which produce the world renowned cognac and Bordeaux wines. The beautiful ports and family friendly beaches of the Gironde Estuary are within a stone's throw, whilst the more dramatic surfing beaches of the Atlantic coast  and Bordeaux offer some exciting water sport activities.  The historic towns of Saintes, Cognac,  La Rochelle or Bordeaux are all within a short ride, whilst Golf is on offer at various local 18 hole courses.

Our local Chef Serge can provide delicious home cooked meals to the door - sample 2 and 3 course menus available on request. He can even cook 'a la maison' by arrangement, perhaps for a special treat.

Babysitting can be arranged (subject to availability) by prior arrangement, enabling adults to venture out to explore the fantastic restaurants and bars of the region, perhaps spend a couple of hours at a local vineyard tasting the local wines, or maybe even try their luck at the luxury new casino at Jonzac.

There is also the possibility of arranging the simultaneous hire of a neighbouring gite for larger parties, subject to availability.

Accommodation detail

Pierrelys is a beautiful newly renovated Charente-Maritime farmhouse enjoying a courtyard setting framed by traditional barns and cherry trees, and surrounded by abundant sunflower fields. It offers spacious family accommodation (sleeping from 2 - 9 plus baby), and boasting exposed beams, teracotta floors and traditional stone walls.

Ground floor

• Kitchen / diner - A large attractive room perfect for shared family meals, with seating at the breakfast island and farmhouse kitchen table. French doors lead to a shady pagoda for summer dining en plein air.
• Living room - an enormous room with 2 sofas, television and desk for reading, writing or laptop
• Optional Bedroom 1 - A double room, with  french doors leading to a front courtyard
• Shower room - and toilet

First floor

• Bedroom 2 - Double bedroom - Double bed
• Bedroom 3 - Double bedroom - Superking bed
• Bedrooms 4 and  5 - Twin bedroom for children with 2 child/adolescent beds (up to 15/17years depending on weight/size) and an interconnecting bedroom with either a double, single or twin bed (pull out mattress for second bed) 
• Bathroom - Toilet, bath and hand held shower.

Outside

The Courtyard is a good place to enjoy an energetic game of ping pong, or relax with a long drink, perhaps a local pineau de charente and game of boules at sunset.

About the location

Pierrelys is situated in a tranquil rural hamlet in the Charente-Maritime, surrounded by sunflower fields and ripening corn. The nearby town of Saint-Genis, only a short cycle ride away, offers some excellent restaurants, bars, boulangeries and markets. 

The beautiful Talmont sur Gironde, one of the most beautiful villages in France, is close to hand, as are many picturesque villages and towns lining the Gironde estuary, full of interesting shops,  family friendly beaches and restaurants offering fresh local seafood and oysters. Trips can be taken to visit the oyster farms and fishing huts known as carrelets as well as to the  famous Coubre Forest nearby. The lively historic port of La Rochelle, the beautiful islands of Ile de Re and Ile D'Oleron as well as the vibrant urban city of Bordeaux are less than an hour away, whilst the nearby town of Cognac, renowned for world famous distilleries, makes a lovely daytrip. Why not take a scenic boat trip along the river. Saintes, a city of art and history, well worth a visit, with its Gallo Roman ampitheatre, Abbaye Aux Dames, winding river and impressive Cathedral. The Saintonge region is renowned for its wonderful arrray of Romanesque Churches.

Those wishing to sample local wines might wish to visit the nearby coastal town of Blaye with its historic fortifications and producing some excellent Bordeaux wines. From here a short ferry ride can be taken across to Bordeaux country, for beautiful Atlantic beaches, surfing, and some serious wine tasting. For adventurous types the atlantic beaches along the South West Coast offer some of the worlds most exciting windsurfing and  watersports opportunities.  Children will love the Palmyre Zoo, a magnificent environment with its 14 hectares of wide open spaces and spectuacular range of animals, noted as one of the best zoos in Europe.  Most beaches, including those at Royan and Saint Georges de Didonne in the Charente-Maritime, offer excellent childrens clubs, creches and sporting activities, including sailing and surfing. Meals can be delivered by a local chef by arrangement (2 and 3 course menus available - all using local produce) Babysitting services are also at hand - both available by prior arrangement.

See Local guide and map for information on nearby towns and facilities.

How to get here

Pierrelys, the Charente-Maritime Farmhouse, can be reached by road from all of the main French ferry ports, and is within approximately 4.5 hours drive from St Malo and around 5 hours drive from Caen.  Dover to Bolougne or Calais or the Channel Tunnel are also excellent means of crossing for the drive South West to Charente-Maritime to reach Pierrelys.

The nearest airports of Bordeax, which is within 82 kms and La Rochelle, at just over 100kms away and are both within around an hours drive, and the other nearby airports of Poitiers and Angouleme at 71 kms away also have regular flights from the UK.

See Local guide and map for information on nearby towns and airports.

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Facilities

Facility	Details
Type	Farmhouse (Self-catering)
Bedrooms	3 double, 2 twin
Childrens beds	2
Baby cots	1
Bathrooms	2 bathroom(s)
Separate toilets	2
Capacity	10
Living Area	250 m²
Suitability	Non-smoking, Suitable for children, Suitable for the elderly
Linen	Linen and towels are provided free of charge.
Changeover day	Saturday

Facility	Details
Internal facilities	Board Games, CD player, Central heating (gas), DVD player, English satellite TV, Exclusive rental, Hairdryer, Hi-fi system, Low allergen environment, Owner not on site, Radio, TV, Wood burning fire or stove, Broadband Internet Access (Wi-fi)
Kitchen facilities	Cooker, Dishwasher, Electric oven, Freezer, Fridge, Fridge-Freezer, Gas hob, Ironing facilities, Range cooker, Washing machine
Other	Pierrelys has an optional fifth bedroom downstairs - with a double bed - at ground floor level and near to the downstairs shower room, with it's own french door to the front courtyard. The farmouse sleeps 10 adults/children plus baby in a cot. There is a TV and DVD downstairs - and upstairs TV for use in children's area too.
External features on site	Barbecue, Garden, Scenic views
Other	Table tennis, boules and badminton are available at the gite, as well as an exercise bike and cycles.

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Additional price information

• A welcome pack is provided on arrival free of charge.
• Bookings are generally for 4 pm Saturday to 10 am Saturday although there may be some flexibility where possible, especially out of season, when mid-week bookings or short bookings may be possible. 
• We may from time to time offer discounts for long or short term bookings, and reduced rates for couples. 
• Please feel free to contact us to discuss your individual requirements.

Alterations or cancellation of the booking:
If you wish to make any changes to your holiday booking, including different guests/numbers, once we have issued a Booking Form but outside the cancellation period outlined below, we will do our best to help, but are under no obligation to do so.
If you wish to cancel the holiday the party leader named on the booking form must advise us immediately by writing to us (sending the letter by recorded delivery, with the postal receipt kept as proof), Verbal cancellations will not be accepted. Cancellation periods are calculated from the date your written notification of cancellation is received by us. If you cancel prior to the scheduled date of departure, you will be liable to pay the cancellation charges as detailed.  6 weeks or more - loss of deposit. Between 0 – 6 weeks and up to departure date - 100% of total holiday cost. The term "total holiday cost" means the total holiday cost for all persons cancelling.

A 60 Euros winter fuel supplement will apply to winter lets.

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