Claire Barn

This converted barn is now a delightful holiday cottage in Charente Maritime, just a short drive to the market town of Saintes. Whilst a quiet and peaceful country retreat, the much loved family home is within close proximity of many of the region's main attractions.
Warm and inviting, the open-plan floor space boasts a cozy living room and dining area beside a stone fireplace, with a book and DVD library to make yourself at home. The adjacent family room doubles as a game room for some indoor fun, and includes a sleeper sofa to sleep two extra guests in addition to the three charming bedrooms upstairs.
The spacious farmhouse kitchen is fully fitted with modern appliances and a breakfast table, with French doors leading out to the large, sunny garden. Outside, an acre of mature and secluded gardens filled with lavender, rosemary, and bamboo will delight the senses, while the private pool will help make the most of the ample sunshine or seek shade under one of the glorious trees. Within a half hour from the property guests can enjoy the celebrated wine and Cognac regions, sandy beaches and coastlines of La Rochelle and Royan, and plenty of cultural sites – not to mention the great shopping and rich history even closer in Saintes.

Features

The converted barn is made up of 3 bedrooms:

• Master bedroom with king-size bed and en suite bathroom
• 2 double rooms, one with additional bathroom
• There is also a double sofa bed in the family/games room on the ground floor.
  The house will sleep 8 adults and can accommodate an additional 2 children in a travel cot and cot bed that can be provided on request. There is also a single pop up bed with mattress in one of the double rooms. All bed linen is included in the price as is the children's linen.

There is a built-in bbq for you to enjoy summer.

Location

There are two small, quiet villages within a few minutes by car; Chermingac (3km) with a small, simple grocery shop and cafe-restaurant (which tends to be open for weekday lunches only and closes early evenings except Fridays when pizzas are served) and Retaud (4km) which has a good boulangerie and butchers.

The closest town with further facilities, Saintes (10km), is a large provincial town with designer shops, cafes, a weekly market and restaurants and is only 10-15 minutes by car from the villa.

At Royan you can laze on long stretches of safe sandy beaches on the Atlantic Coast, which is only 20 mins away from home. There are plenty of cafes and restaurants along the promenade and local shopping too, such as Timberland, Esprit, D&G, Christian Lacroix and Benetton. There is also a beautiful Carousel for the children and a small fun fair. Further beaches can be found at Meschers with secluded coves and children play areas.

Further along you will find a wonderful zoo at Palmyre for a whole day out. There is a wide range of animals and they provide good entertainment with regular shows. The seal and whale show is particularly amusing.

La Rochelle is home to a large and exciting aquarium and has plenty of designer shops and galleries to keep you occupied, as well as many cafes and restaurants. There is also a large Casino, beautifully kept gardens and a park in which you will come across a children's mini zoo.

As you leave La Rochelle, you will see signs for the toll bridge directed to the Ile de Re. This is a beautiful island with sandy beaches and clear sea. It is easy to cycle around, as bikes can be hired and the island caters to the cyclist with plenty of cycle lanes.

Cognac is within half an hour by car and is worth a visit.

Supermarkets can be found in nearby Saintes. Many supermarkets opening on a Sunday will close at midday and they are very prompt.